Mobile payment and voucher 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 voucher 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 voucher exchange and offline payment using a third-party electronic wallet. Background Art

[0002] Coupons and vouchers, both paper and electronic, have been around for years. They are an effective form of business promotion. Some coupons, such as manufacturer coupons, offer discounts on specific items. Other coupons are not limited to specific items but instead have a cash value that the holder can redeem for any product. This latter type of coupon is referred to as a voucher in this application.

[0003] Typically, merchants must manually redeem vouchers and collect payments separately at the checkout counter. This inefficiency slows down checkout. Mobile wallet apps like Google Pay and Apple Wallet are increasingly popular, but they can't handle both in-store payments and voucher redemptions simultaneously.

[0004] While some popular apps have the potential to become mobile wallets, adopting the same near-field communication (NFC) technology used by Apple Wallet and Google Pay presents a relatively high barrier to entry. For those aspiring mobile wallet apps, using QR codes representing payment tokens (which are different from payment tokens) is a promising option. Payment tokens are a secure way to track and transmit payment account information, such as credit and debit card details.

[0005] Popular mobile coupon apps, such as Groupon, allow customers to display coupons on their phones to in-store cashiers. However, current payment technology and infrastructure prevent these apps from functioning as mobile wallets. Customers must use a different method to pay the remaining balance after the discount.

[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 POS (Point of Sale) 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 (independent of 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 to other third-party systems besides the payment gateway.

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

[0009] Therefore, new systems and methods are needed to enable both in-store mobile payments and voucher redemption. Third-party mobile wallets also require new infrastructure. Accordingly, payment gateways should incorporate new architecture (features and functionality) to automate and streamline voucher redemption and payment. Easy-to-use third-party IT solutions are essential for business growth, especially for smaller merchants with limited budgets for upgrading their POS systems. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problems mentioned in the background art are solved by utilizing the present invention.

[0011] This invention combines mobile payment and digital voucher redemption by displaying a single QR code on the customer's phone. Voucher redemption is typically performed within the merchant's point-of-sale (POS) system, but some merchants' POS systems lack these features. They are reluctant to add too many features, as this would complicate and bloat the system. This invention solves these problems by redeeming vouchers within an online payment gateway system, which also handles payment for the transaction.

[0012] By scanning the QR code displayed on the customer's mobile phone, the POS system can obtain the payment token, and then automatically and orderly execute the voucher redemption and payment through the method and system of the present invention.

[0013] In summary, the present invention can also bring the following benefits to merchants, consumers and owners of some mobile applications: 1. Voucher redemption is automated by the system. 2. The system and method can be used in both retail stores and restaurants. 3. Any mobile app with a payment account can be used as a mobile wallet. For example, apps like Amazon, Walmart, Chase, and Groupon can be used to make payments at any merchant register using the method and system of this invention, regardless of whether a voucher is redeemed. 4. The merchant's POS (Point of Sale) system and sales accounting management server remain securely isolated from external information systems. Information exchange with external servers is strictly restricted, and commercial privacy data, including transaction information, is protected alongside the security of the POS system. 5. Gift card redemption can also be accomplished within the payment gateway system using the method and system of this invention.

[0014] The system of the present invention primarily consists of three components: 1. A payment account system, comprising a mobile phone and a payment account management server (PAMS). PAMS can be owned and managed by financial institutions, merchants, and e-commerce companies, such as Groupon, Chase, Amazon, and Walmart. 2. A merchant sales account system, comprising a POS system and a sales account management server (SIMS), owned and managed by the merchant. For some small businesses, the POS system can be a mobile phone with relevant applications installed. 3. A payment gateway system, managed by an online payment service provider. The innovative payment gateway system adds a payment token management module and a voucher redemption management module. These three components can be owned and managed by different entities. When a payment account system is owned and managed by an entity independent of the merchant sales account system and the payment gateway system, it can be defined as a third-party payment account system. Each of these three components can be divided into multiple subsystems. All components work together through relevant software.

[0015] Before using the scheme, consumers need to have a registered payment account saved in the Payment Account Management Server (PAMS) system, and more specifically, a mobile application associated with PAMS to initiate payments and voucher redemption.

[0016] To initiate payment, consumers use the mobile app to generate a QR code containing a payment token (session ID). This QR code is scanned into the POS and SIMS systems at checkout, not necessarily after the bill is generated. If a voucher is redeemed along with payment, consumers also need to add the voucher information to their payment account before initiating mobile payment and voucher redemption.

[0017] This QR code is actually a graphical data packet that 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] The merchant's Sales Account Management Server (SIMS) sends the payment token and the bill amount to the payment gateway system. The payment token is used to identify which PAMS system it was issued by. The payment token is then transmitted to the relevant PAMS system.

[0019] The PAMS system matches the unique payment token to the account initiating the payment and then sends the voucher information (if any) and detailed payment account information (such as credit card information) to the payment gateway system. In some cases, the credit card information can 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 people translate "Token Service Provider" as "token service provider"; similarly, the meaning of "token" in this article is different from the payment token.) After obtaining the payment account and voucher information, the payment gateway system first redeems the voucher. It deducts the voucher's cash value from the bill amount. It then processes payment for the remaining balance of the bill using another payment method (such as a credit card). If the payment account does not contain voucher information, the payment gateway system directly initiates payment for the full bill amount.

[0020] Finally, the payment gateway sends a payment completion notification to SIMS and PAMS.

[0021] The above-mentioned vouchers can also be gift cards. The redemption of gift cards will also be processed similarly in the payment gateway system.

[0022] With the solution of the present invention, consumers can use mobile apps such as Chase, Groupon, Amazon, and Walmart to pay at any merchant register that adopts the system and method of the present invention, regardless of whether a voucher is redeemed. The architecture of the present invention can also be used for third-party (independent of the merchant and payment gateway) mobile payments, regardless of whether a voucher is redeemed.

[0023] By adopting the present invention, merchants do not need to make their POS systems complicated and bloated in order to complete the redemption of vouchers.

[0024] The digital voucher in the present invention can be a unique string of letters and / or numbers, or a standard format description of the voucher content. In some cases, vouchers are also called coupons or gift cards.

[0025] The above 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 overview of some of the functionality related thereto. Other systems, methods, functions, features, and advantages of the claimed subject matter will become apparent or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed written description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 clearly understood by reference to the exemplary (and therefore non-limiting) embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views, wherein: FIG1 is a functional block diagram of a token redemption and payment system configured according to certain embodiments.

[0028] FIG2 is a flow chart illustrating an integrated token redemption and payment process configured according to certain embodiments.

[0029] FIG3 is a functional block diagram of a payment gateway system configured according to certain embodiments.

[0030] FIG4 is a flowchart of some examples of user mobile phone interfaces related to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The embodiments described are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0032] In describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings, specific terms will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0033] The systems disclosed herein are used to implement payment transactions and voucher redemption methods. These systems can be part of an application environment or ecosystem and are designed to perform their intended functions by communicating and interacting with other units and components. These systems operate through integrated hardware, software, and electronic communications. A "unit," "module," or "component" herein refers to a device, tool, machine, or software program designed to perform a specific task or function.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a functional block diagram depicting a mobile payment system with or without voucher redemption. 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 e-commerce companies, financial institutions, and merchants, such as Groupon, Chase, Amazon, and Walmart. If a payer or customer purchases 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, a mobile application developed by the e-commerce company, financial institution, or merchant should be installed on mobile phone 112. The mobile application communicates with PAMS 114 via a network 130 (e.g., the Internet or other wired and / or wireless public or private networks); 2. Merchant Sales Account System 104, comprising a POS system 116 and a Sales Account Management Server (SIMS) 118, which can be owned and managed by the merchant. The POS system 116 is located within the store and prepares bills for customers. The SIMS 118 can be configured remotely. The POS system 116 can connect to the SIMS 118 via a network 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 an online payment service provider. The payment gateway system 106 communicates with the merchant's sales account system 104 and the payment account system 102 via the network 130. The payment token management module 302 and the voucher redemption management module 304 are added to the innovative payment gateway system 106, which is described in more detail in Figure 3. These three components can be owned and managed by different entities. Each component can be divided into multiple subsystems. All components work together through corresponding software.

[0035] Figure 1 also shows that there is no direct network connection between the payment account system 102 and the merchant sales accounting system 104. For security reasons, they limit information exchange with other systems, but both have an internet connection to the payment gateway system 106, typically in compliance with PCI (Payment Card Industry) standards. PCI compliance refers to the technical and operational standards that businesses adhere to to protect cardholder-provided credit card data transmitted through card processing transactions. PCI compliance standards are developed and managed by the PCI Security Standards Council.

[0036] Figure 1 also shows that the merchant's sales accounting system 104 can obtain certain information from the payment account system 102 by scanning a QR code. QR code 120 is displayed on the customer's mobile phone 112. Scanner 122, connected to POS system 116, only allows information in a specific format to be scanned into the POS system. Therefore, data input from scanner 122 does not compromise the merchant's sales accounting system 104.

[0037] For some small businesses, the POS cash register system 116 and the scanner 122 can be combined into a mobile phone instead.

[0038] The QR code 120 is actually a graphical data packet containing a payment token, which can also be transmitted from the payment account system 102 to the merchant sales account system 104 via wireless signals (such as NFC (near field communication)), because many mobile phones and POS systems now have NFC capabilities.

[0039] Figure 2 shows an integrated block diagram of a system and method that utilizes mobile payment and voucher redemption. This block diagram is similar to a system sequence diagram (SSD) in software engineering, which depicts a chronological order of interaction processes. Both diagrams describe the processes involved and the sequence information exchanged between them to execute a function.

[0040] This type of 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) In Figure 2, the three system actors are shown at the top. The methods are also shown progressively along the parallel vertical dashed lines.

[0041] Before using this solution, consumers need 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 payments and voucher redemption. If the customer is an Amazon Prime member, their payment account information (e.g., credit card information) should be stored in Amazon's PAMS system.

[0042] In step 202, before initiating mobile payment and redeeming the voucher, the consumer adds the voucher information to their payment account. For restaurant vouchers, the voucher information may include the restaurant ID, cash value, and expiration date. Alternatively, it may simply be a voucher code, which the payment gateway system 106 can identify based on pre-defined protocols.

[0043] In step 204, the consumer uses the mobile application to generate a QR code containing a payment token (session ID). The payment token mentioned here is actually a session identifier, which is data used to identify a session (a series of related message exchanges) in network communications.

[0044] In step 206, the QR code is scanned into the merchant's sales accounting system 104 during checkout, rather than being scanned after the merchant's sales accounting system 104 generates the bill as shown in step 203. The QR code can be scanned into the merchant's sales accounting system 104 before the bill is generated.

[0045] In step 208, SIMS 118 sends the payment token and the bill amount to the payment gateway system 106. The payment token identifies the PAMS that issued it. The payment token may include an identification code to indicate the payment account system that issued it. Then, in step 210, the payment token is transmitted to the relevant PAMS 114.

[0046] Based on the unique payment token, PAMS 114 matches and locates the initiating payment account in step 212. Then, in step 214, it sends detailed payment account information (e.g., credit card information and voucher information) to the payment gateway system 106. In some cases, the credit card information may be replaced with another token authorized by a token service provider (TSP). This token is different from the payment token generated and authorized by PAMS 114. (Sometimes, the term "Token Service Provider" is translated as "token service provider." Similarly, this token has a different meaning from the payment token used in this disclosure.) After obtaining the payment account and voucher information, payment gateway 106 processes the payment in step 216 after redeeming the voucher and finalizing the bill balance. To process the payment, payment gateway system 106 must forward the transaction information to the payment processor used by the merchant's acquiring bank in accordance with Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance regulations and procedures, which are not detailed in the description of the preferred embodiment.

[0047] Finally, in step 218, the payment gateway system 106 sends payment completion notifications to the SIMS 118 and the PAMS 114. The transaction is completed by using the mobile payment and voucher redemption system and method of the present invention.

[0048] Through the scheme of the present invention, consumers can use some mobile applications, such as Chase, Groupon, Amazon and Walmart applications, to pay at any merchant checkout counter that adopts the system and method of the present invention, regardless of whether to redeem a voucher.

[0049] As can be seen from FIG. 2 , the voucher redemption is technically processed and completed in the payment gateway system 106 rather than the merchant sales accounting system 104 , so the merchant does not need to expand its POS system to redeem the voucher.

[0050] FIG3 illustrates a functional block diagram of a payment gateway system configured according to certain embodiments.

[0051] Typical payment gateway systems do not include voucher exchange and payment token management modules. In order to implement mobile payment with voucher exchange, the present invention adds a payment token management module 302 and a voucher exchange management module 304 to the payment gateway system 106.

[0052] In step 3A, the merchant sales accounting system 104 sends the payment token and bill amount to the payment gateway system 106. These two types of information are filtered into corresponding modules, namely the payment token management module 302 and the bill management module 306. These two modules manage these two types of information respectively.

[0053] In the payment token management module 302 , the payment token is used to identify which payment account system 102 issued it. Then, in step 3B, the payment token is transferred to the corresponding payment account system 102 .

[0054] Payment account system 102 matches and locates the initiating payment account based on the unique payment token, and then sends detailed payment account information (e.g., credit card information) and voucher information to payment gateway system 106. In step 3C, the voucher information and payment account information are filtered to voucher redemption management module 304 and bill management module 306 in payment gateway system 106, respectively.

[0055] In the voucher redemption management module 304, the entered voucher information is verified. If the voucher is valid, the confirmed voucher cash value is sent to the billing management module 306 in step 3D, where it is deducted from the original bill amount. In step 3E, the payment account information and transaction information (including the final bill balance) are transmitted to the payment processor or acquiring bank 308 for payment processing. Then, in step 3F, the payment processor 308 sends a payment confirmation to the billing management module 306.

[0056] Finally, in step 3G, the bill management module 306 sends payment completion notifications to the merchant sales accounting system 104 and the payment account system 102 respectively.

[0057] 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. In Figure 3, we can see that the payment gateway system 106 of the present invention acts as an intermediary for transmitting information between the payment account system 102, the merchant's sales accounting system 104, and the payment processor 308, even though these systems are unable to exchange information directly.

[0058] This complex and carefully designed system architecture and information flow are designed to ensure system security and prevent fraud. Furthermore, the present invention's solution cleverly enables third-party mobile wallets to conveniently pay at any store that employs the present invention's method and system. For example, an Amazon 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 make payments. As we all know, customers can use the PayPal app to pay at CVS stores because PayPal is its payment gateway service provider or payment processor. In this case, the PayPal app cannot be defined as a third-party mobile wallet. Using the present invention's infrastructure, CVS's payment gateway system can directly exchange information with third-party payment account systems (such as Amazon, Walmart, and Groupon wallets (if available)), even if some mobile wallets are independent of CVS and its payment gateway service provider. The new functionality and features of the payment gateway system enable third-party mobile payments, regardless of whether a voucher is redeemed.

[0059] Figure 4 Depicted are a number of illustrative user interfaces that may be presented on a display screen of a mobile device (eg, mobile phone 112 in FIG. 1 ) to a user operating the device to enable a customer to conduct payment transactions and voucher redemptions using the functionality of embodiments of the present invention.

[0060] These flow charts illustrate how customers can simultaneously redeem vouchers and pay their bills using their mobile phones at McDonald's locations. Fast food restaurants prioritize efficient checkout, especially for drive-through orders. Implementing this technology will significantly improve the checkout experience for both customers and cashiers.

[0061] In step 4A, the customer opens the mobile wallet application by tapping an icon on their phone 112. The interface in step 4B displays some payment account information and a voucher holder icon. In this example, some vouchers have already been added to the voucher holder. After the customer taps the voucher holder icon, the McDonald's voucher information is displayed in step 4C. The customer decides to use the voucher and taps the "Use and Pay" button. Subsequently, in step 4D, a QR code 120 appears on the mobile device's screen. (The QR code in the image is an example only and does not represent the actual transaction QR code.) This QR code 120 contains a payment token that can be read by a scanner 122 on McDonald's POS system and stored in its merchant sales accounting system. Finally, after the payment gateway and payment processor complete the transaction payment processing, a voucher redemption and payment confirmation notification is returned and displayed on the mobile phone in step 4E.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art can make various modifications, substitutions and alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

[0063] For example, the QR codes used in this disclosure are one method for transmitting relevant information. Any pattern image that can be read by a scanner can replace a QR code. Near-field communication (NFC) and other wireless signals can also transmit information for the systems and methods of the present invention. Substituting QR codes for data transmission methods does not compromise the novelty and inventiveness of the present invention.

[0064] 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: Generate a data packet associated with the payment account, which includes 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 Receive information including payment completion notification from the payment gateway system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein At least one voucher information is added to the payment account; Accordingly, the method comprises: Instead of transmitting information including the payment account information to the payment gateway system, information including the payment account information and the voucher information is transmitted to the payment gateway system.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data packet is displayed as a coded image comprising at least one of: (a) a barcode, (b) a QR code, and (c) an image pattern, and the implicit information (including the payment token) contained in the coded image 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 voucher information is gift card information, which is redeemed at the payment gateway system.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the payment account system is divided into multiple subsystems including a mobile phone and a payment account management server; thereby, the information is exchanged between the subsystems and the merchant sales accounting system or the payment gateway system.

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 including a payment token associated with a payment account; instructions for transmitting the data packet containing 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 sending 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 according to claim 7, wherein: At least one voucher information is added to the payment account; Accordingly, the procedure includes: An instruction for sending information including the payment account information and voucher information to the payment gateway system, rather than an instruction for sending information including the payment account information to the payment gateway system.

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

10. The payment account system according to claim 7, wherein: The data packet is transmitted to the merchant sales accounting system via wireless signals.

11. The payment account system according to claim 8, wherein the voucher information is gift card information, which is redeemed on the payment gateway system.

12. The payment account system according to claim 7, 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 subsystems and the merchant sales accounting system or the payment gateway system.

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 bill amount and a payment token associated with a payment account from the merchant sales accounting system; identifying the payment account system based on the payment token; transmitting information including the payment token to the payment account system; receiving information including the payment account information from the payment account system; processing payment based on information including the payment account information and the bill amount; and Sending information including a payment completion notification to the payment account system and the merchant sales accounting system.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein Adding at least one voucher information to the payment account; accordingly, the method includes: receiving information including the payment account information and at least one piece of voucher information from the payment account system instead of receiving information including the payment account information from the payment account system; At least one voucher information is redeemed and payment of the remaining portion of the bill is processed based on the information including the payment account information, rather than processing payment based on the information including the payment account information and the bill amount. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the voucher information is gift card information.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the payment gateway system is divided into several subsystems, including a payment token management module, a voucher redemption management module and a bill management module; thereby, the information is exchanged between the modules and the merchant sales accounting system or the payment account system.

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, from the merchant sales accounting system, information including a payment token, a bill amount, and a payment token associated with a payment account; instructions for identifying the payment account system based on the payment token; instructions for transmitting information including the payment token to the payment account system; instructions for receiving information including the payment account information from the payment account system; instructions for processing payment based on information including the payment account information and the bill amount; and Instructions for transmitting information including a payment completion notification to the payment account system and the merchant invoice system.

18. The payment gateway system according to claim 17, wherein: Add at least one voucher information to the payment account; accordingly, the program includes: instructions for receiving information including the payment account information and at least one piece of voucher information from the payment account system, instead of instructions for receiving information including the payment account information from the payment account system; Instructions for redeeming at least one voucher information and processing the remaining portion of the bill based on information including the payment account information, rather than instructions for processing payment based on information including the payment account information and the bill amount.

19. The payment gateway system according to claim 18, wherein: The voucher information is gift card information.

20. The payment gateway system according to claim 18, wherein: The payment gateway system is divided into several subsystems, including a payment token management module, a voucher redemption management module and a bill management module; thus, the information is exchanged between the modules and the merchant sales accounting system or the payment account system.

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