Program, method, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To easily confirm whether a communication status with a payment server is suitable for payment.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to execute: a step for transmitting, to a payment server, a confirmation signal for confirming communication between the computer and the payment server that is communicatively connected to the computer and executes a payment process through communication with the computer, based on a confirmation request; a step for obtaining a response signal indicating a response from the payment server corresponding to the confirmation signal; and generating communication status information indicating a communication status between the computer and the payment server based on the response signal and a predetermined condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a method, and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Payments in commercial transactions are made by electronic payment means. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a payment server that enables the use of payment services from multiple businesses. The payment server described in Patent Document 1 communicates with a payment terminal including a card reader configured to accept payments by reading a payment medium, and makes payments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-103541 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the communication conditions between the payment terminal and the payment server are not suitable for payment, the information required for payment may not be transmitted or received, and as a result, the payment may not be executed correctly. If it is discovered that the communication conditions are not suitable at the time of actually executing the payment, the convenience of the seller or payer user decreases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a program, a method, and an information processing device that enable easy confirmation of whether the communication conditions with a payment server are suitable for payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to perform the following operations: send a confirmation signal to a payment server that is communicatively connected to the computer and performs payment processing through communication with the computer, based on a confirmation request; obtain a response signal indicating a response from the payment server to the confirmation signal; and generate communication status information indicating the communication status between the computer and the payment server, based on the response signal and specified conditions.

[0007] According to this aspect, communication status information indicating the communication status is generated based on a response signal from the payment server in response to a confirmation signal transmitted to the payment server based on a confirmation request and on a predetermined condition. Therefore, it is possible to check the communication status by adding the predetermined condition to the response signal. As a result, for example, by setting the predetermined condition to a condition according to the payment situation, it is possible to easily check whether the communication status with the payment server is suitable for payment.

[0008] In the above aspect, the computer may further be configured to set a payment range indicating a location where payment processing via the computer is possible, and to generate a confirmation request in accordance with the setting of the payment range.

[0009] According to this aspect, a confirmation request is generated according to the setting of the payment range, and communication status information is generated. Therefore, for example, when a computer is portable and a payment is made after the payment range is set, the communication status is confirmed as the payment range is set. This makes it possible to easily check the communication status even if the communication status changes as the computer is carried around.

[0010] In the above aspect, the payment range may indicate a location where payment processing is possible by at least one terminal that is communicatively connected to the computer and executes payment processing by communication with a payment server through the computer.

[0011] According to this aspect, it is possible to check the communication status while making it possible to set the payment range of the other terminal that executes the payment process by the computer.

[0012] In the above aspect, the predetermined condition may include a first condition of determining that communication may be interrupted during payment processing, and a second condition of determining that the communication speed, determined based on the time required to receive the response signal, is slower than a predetermined threshold, and generating communication status information may include generating first communication status information if the first condition is satisfied, generating second communication status information if the first condition is not satisfied and the second condition is satisfied, and generating third communication status information if the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied.

[0013] According to this aspect, it is possible to determine the communication situation according to a plurality of situations based on the response signal and the predetermined conditions, thereby improving the convenience for the computer user.

[0014] In the above aspect, the computer may further be caused to generate screen information of a screen that displays to a user a first message corresponding to the first communication status information, a second message corresponding to the second communication status information, or a third message corresponding to the third communication status information.

[0015] According to this aspect, the computer user can check the message according to the communication status, and the user can more accurately grasp the communication status.

[0016] In the above aspect, the computer may further be configured to obtain information indicating a type of a network used by the computer for communication among the multiple networks, and generate a confirmation request when the network used is switched from a first network to a second network among the multiple networks.

[0017] According to this aspect, it becomes possible to check the communication status in response to switching of networks, which brings about a change in the communication status, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0018] A method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a computer sending a confirmation signal to a payment server, based on a confirmation request, to confirm communication with a payment server that is communicatively connected to the computer and performs payment processing through communication with the computer; obtaining a response signal indicating a response from the payment server to the confirmation signal; and generating communication status information indicating a communication status between the computer and the payment server based on the response signal and predetermined conditions.

[0019] An information processing device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a confirmation signal sending unit that is communicatively connected to the information processing device and sends a confirmation signal to the payment server based on a confirmation request to confirm communication with a payment server that performs payment processing through communication with the information processing device, a response signal acquiring unit that acquires a response signal indicating a response from the payment server to the confirmation signal, and a communication status information generating unit that generates communication status information indicating the communication status between the information processing device and the payment server based on the response signal and predetermined conditions. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily check whether the communication conditions with the payment server are suitable for payment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a payment system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of each device of the payment system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is an example of terminal information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is an example of a process in the payment system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a process in the payment management terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of a management menu screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a range confirmation screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is an example of a range setting screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is an example of a process performed by a communication status information generating unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is an example of a process performed by a screen information generating unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11A] 13 is an example of a message displayed on the payment management terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11B] 13 is an example of a message displayed on the payment management terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11C] 13 is an example of a message displayed on the payment management terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is an example of another process in the payment system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a payment system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of each device of the payment system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is an example of terminal information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 13 is an example of a process in the payment management terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is an example of a range setting screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is an example of updated terminal information according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like or similar structures.

[0023] [First embodiment] A first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a payment system 10 according to the first embodiment. The payment system 10 has a payment management terminal 101 and a payment server 201.

[0024] The payment management terminal 101 is a terminal operated by a seller in a store or the like. The payment management terminal 101 is, for example, an information processing device such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer in which an application that provides a payment service is stored in an executable manner. The payment management terminal 101 has a processing unit capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from a contactless payment medium held by a user in order to enable contactless payment. The contactless payment medium is, for example, an information processing device such as an IC card, a smartphone having a contactless communication function, or a smart watch.

[0025] The payment server 201 is an information processing device that communicates with the payment management terminal 101 and executes payment processing. The payment server 201 executes payment processing through a payment service provided by a payment business operator selected by information from the payment management terminal 101. Although not shown, the payment server 201 is connected to individual servers of multiple payment business operators. The payment server 201 functions as a hub that enables payment processing by multiple payment business operators to be executed.

[0026] In the payment system 10, in order to confirm the communication status between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201, a confirmation signal is transmitted from the payment management terminal 101 to the payment server 201, and communication status information indicating the communication status is generated based on the response signal acquired by the payment management terminal 101 and specified conditions.

[0027] 2, the components of the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 will be described. The payment management terminal 101 has a communication unit 1011, a storage unit 1012, a display unit 1013, a payment processing unit 1014, a confirmation signal transmission unit 1015, a response signal acquisition unit 1016, a communication status information generation unit 1017, a payment range setting unit 1018, a confirmation request generation unit 1019, a screen information generation unit 1020, and a network information acquisition unit 1021.

[0028] Each unit of the payment management terminal 101 can be realized by a display device, a communication device, a storage device, and a processor that executes a program stored in the storage device in an information processing device such as a smartphone.

[0029] The communication unit 1011 controls communication between the payment management terminal 101 and an external information processing device such as the payment server 201. The memory unit 1012 acquires various information used for processing in the payment management terminal 101. The display unit 1013 is a display of the payment management terminal 101.

[0030] The payment processing unit 1014 controls the payment processing through the payment management terminal 101. The payment processing unit 1014 transmits and receives information necessary for payment between, for example, a contactless payment medium of the payer of the payment. The payment processing unit 1014 transmits a request for payment processing to the payment server 201 based on the information necessary for payment. The payment processing unit 1014 obtains a result of the payment processing from the payment server 201. The payment processing unit 1014 may present a screen indicating that the payment processing has been completed to the user of the payment management terminal 101 through the display unit 1013.

[0031] The confirmation signal transmission unit 1015 transmits a confirmation signal to the payment server to confirm communication with the payment server based on a confirmation request acquired from the user of the payment management terminal 101. The confirmation signal is, for example, a ping signal transmitted to the payment server 201. The ping signal includes a predetermined packet. The confirmation signal transmission unit 1015 transmits the confirmation signal using the confirmation request as a trigger. The confirmation request may be generated, for example, by an arbitrary operation of the payment management terminal 101 by the user, or may be generated when the payment possible range of the payment management terminal 101 is set as described below, or when the network to which the payment management terminal 101 is connected is switched, etc.

[0032] The confirmation signal transmitting unit 1015 can continuously transmit the ping signal to the payment server 201. The confirmation signal transmitting unit 1015 transmits the ping signal based on, for example, the settings of the number of times to transmit the ping signal, the transmission interval, and the execution time. Here, the execution time is the time to end the transmission process of the ping signal even if the number of times of transmission is not satisfied. The execution time is exceeded, for example, when the communication between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 is disconnected.

[0033] The response signal acquisition unit 1016 acquires a response signal indicating a response to the confirmation signal from the payment server 201. The response signal includes a packet in which the confirmation signal packet is returned.

[0034] The communication status information generating unit 1017 generates communication status information indicating the communication status between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 based on the response signal and a predetermined condition. The communication status information generating unit 1017 calculates the packet loss of the ping signal based on the packet signal from the payment server 201. The communication status information generating unit 1017 also calculates the response time required to receive the response signal. When the confirmation signal is transmitted multiple times, the communication status information generating unit 1017 calculates the average response time.

[0035] The predetermined conditions used by the communication status information generating unit 1017 to generate the communication status information are stored in the storage unit 1012. The predetermined conditions include, for example, a condition (first condition) for determining that the communication between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 may be disconnected during the payment process, and a condition (second condition) for determining that the communication speed determined based on the time required to receive a response signal is slower than a predetermined threshold.

[0036] The first condition is set as, for example, satisfying any one of (a) being unable to connect to the payment server 201, (b) exceeding the maximum execution time set when the confirmation signal transmitting unit 1015 transmits the confirmation signal, or (c) packet loss not being 0%. When any one of the conditions (a) to (c) is satisfied, the communication status information generating unit 1017 determines that there is a possibility that communication between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 may be disconnected during the payment process.

[0037] The second condition is set, for example, as the average response time of the ping signal exceeds a predetermined time. When the second condition is satisfied, the communication status information generating unit 1017 determines that the communication speed between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 is decreasing.

[0038] The communication status information generation unit 1017 generates first communication status information indicating that communication may be interrupted during payment processing if the first condition is satisfied, generates second communication status information indicating that the communication speed between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 is decreasing if the first condition is not satisfied and the second condition is satisfied, and generates third communication status information indicating that communication between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 is good if the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied.

[0039] The payment range setting unit 1018 sets a payment possible range indicating a location where payment processing is possible through the payment management terminal 101. The processing by the payment range setting unit 1018 will be described later.

[0040] The confirmation request generating unit 1019 generates a confirmation request in response to detection of any operation by the user of the payment management terminal 101, setting of a payment range, or switching of a network, which will be described later. When the confirmation request is generated, a confirmation signal is transmitted to the payment server 201 by the confirmation signal transmitting unit 1015.

[0041] The screen information generating unit 1020 generates screen information for a screen that presents a message corresponding to the communication status information generated by the communication status information generating unit 1017 to the user of the payment management terminal 101 .

[0042] The network information acquisition unit 1021 acquires information indicating the type of network used by the payment management terminal 101 for communication with the payment server 201. The information indicating the type of network used is acquired, for example, through operation software of the payment management terminal 101. The confirmation request generation unit 1019 generates a confirmation request when the network used is switched from the first network to the second network.

[0043] The payment server 201 has a memory unit 2011, a communication unit 2012, and a control unit 2013. Each unit of the payment server 201 can be realized by a communication device, a memory device, and a processor that executes a program stored in the memory device. The memory unit 2011 stores information necessary for payment processing in the payment server 201. The communication unit 2012 controls communication between the payment management terminal 101 and an external payment business server, and the payment server 201. The control unit 2013 controls the payment processing in the payment server 201.

[0044] The terminal information stored in the storage unit 1012 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The terminal information has the items of "payment management terminal ID", "payment possible range", and "network information". The "payment management terminal ID" item stores information for identifying the payment management terminal including the payment management terminal 101. The "payment possible range" item stores information indicating the range in which payment is possible through the payment management terminal 101, such as "range A". The payment possible range is set, for example, as a range within a predetermined radius centered on the location where the payment management terminal 101 is located. The payment possible range can be changed through the payment management terminal 101. For example, if the user of the payment management terminal 101 has a mobile store, the payment possible range is appropriately changed with the movement of the store. The "network information" item stores information indicating the network used by the payment management terminal 101 for communication with the payment server 201. The network used is, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or LTE (registered trademark) line to which the payment management terminal 101 is connected. In the example of FIG. 3, a case is shown in which the payment management terminal 101 uses "network A."

[0045] An outline of the processing by the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 11. In step S401 in Fig. 4, the payment range setting unit 1018 performs a payment possible range setting process.

[0046] An example of the payment possible range setting process is shown in FIG. 5. In step S501 of FIG. 5, the payment management terminal 101 displays a management menu screen on the display unit of the payment management terminal 101. FIG. 6 shows a management menu screen 601 as an example. The management menu screen 601 includes areas 6011, 6012, and 6013. The area 6011 displays "Payment Range Check". The area 6012 displays "Terminal Management". The area 6013 displays "Communication Status Measurement". When the user selects the area 6011, for example, by a tap operation, a range check screen described later is displayed. When the user selects the area 6012, a management screen for managing the terminal is displayed. When the user selects the area 6013, a confirmation request is generated, and the confirmation signal transmission unit 1015, the response signal acquisition unit 1016, and the communication status information generation unit 1017 generate communication status information between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 in the same manner as the process described later.

[0047] When an area 6011 is selected on the management menu screen 601, the payment range setting unit 1018 causes the payment management terminal 101 to display a range confirmation screen, as shown in step S502 of FIG.

[0048] 7 shows an example of a range confirmation screen 701. The range confirmation screen 701 has a map display area 7011, a pin 7012, a range display circle 7013, a range display field 7014, a center point display field 7015, and a change button 7016.

[0049] Map information through, for example, an external map application is displayed in the map display area 7011. The pin 7012 is information indicating the center of the payment possible range, and is displayed on the map in the map display area 7011. The range display circle 7013 is information indicating a radius circle of the payment possible range from the center of the payment possible range indicated by the pin 7012, and is displayed on the map in the map display area 7011. The information of the map display area 7011, the pin 7012, and the range display circle 7013 on the range confirmation screen 701 is displayed based on the information of the payment possible range stored in the memory unit 1012.

[0050] The radius of the payment range is displayed in the range display field 7014. In the example of Fig. 7, the radius from the center is displayed as "120m". The center display field 7015 displays the location where the pin 7012 is placed, i.e., the address of the payment center. In the example of Fig. 7, the location of the payment center is displayed using the postal code and address notation.

[0051] When a user of the payment management terminal 101 uses the payment management terminal 101 for the first time, a display based on a preset initial range may be performed.

[0052] The user of the payment management terminal 101 can visually grasp the current possible payment range by checking the range confirmation screen 701. If the user wishes to change the possible payment range, the user selects the change button 7016.

[0053] When the change button 7016 is selected, in step S503 of FIG. 5, the payment range setting unit 1018 causes the payment management terminal 101 to display a range setting screen.

[0054] 8 shows an example of a range setting screen 801. The range setting screen 801 has a map display area 8011, a pin 8012, a range display circle 8013, a center point display field 8014, a range display field 8015, a slide bar 8016, a handle 8017, and a setting button 8018.

[0055] Map information is displayed in the map display area 8011. The user can set a payment center by moving a pin 8012 on the map. The payment range setting unit 1018 acquires the location of the payment center from an external map application according to the position of the pin 8012 on the map. The acquired information on the payment center is displayed in a center display field 8014.

[0056] Furthermore, range display field 8015 displays the payment radius of the payment range with pin 8012 at the center. The payment radius is changed according to the position of handle 8017 by the user operating handle 8017 of slide bar 8016. The display of range display circle 8013 is updated according to the payment radius.

[0057] When the user selects the setting button 8018, in steps S504 and S505 of FIG. 5, the payment range setting unit 1018 acquires information on the payment center and acquires the payment radius.

[0058] In step S506, the payment range setting unit 1018 generates a payment range based on the information about the payment center and the payment radius, and stores the generated payment range in the memory unit 1012.

[0059] When the payment range is set, in step S507, the confirmation request generating unit 1019 refers to, for example, the information of the payment server stored in the storage unit 1012. The information of the payment server is, for example, the URL of the payment server.

[0060] In step S508, the confirmation request generating unit 1019 generates a confirmation signal to be transmitted to the payment server.

[0061] 4, the confirmation signal transmission unit 1015 transmits a confirmation signal to the payment server 201. In step S403, the response signal acquisition unit 1016 acquires a response signal from the payment server 201. If the payment server 201 cannot be connected to, the response signal acquisition unit 1016 performs processing to treat the absence of a response from the payment server 201 as a response signal.

[0062] In step S404, the communication status information generating unit 1017 performs a communication status information generating process. The communication status information generating process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0063] In step S901, the communication status information generating unit 1017 determines whether or not a connection to the payment server 201 was possible. In step S902, the communication status information generating unit 1017 determines whether or not the confirmation signal transmission process by the confirmation signal transmitting unit 1015 has exceeded the maximum execution time. In step S903, the communication status information generating unit 1017 calculates the packet loss of the confirmation signal, and determines whether or not a packet loss has occurred. The condition used for the determination in steps S901, S902, and S903 is the first condition described above.

[0064] If a negative decision is made in any of steps S901, S902, and S903, in step S904, the communication status information generating unit 1017 determines that the communication status is unstable.

[0065] If the determination is affirmative in all of steps S901, S902, and S903, in step S905, the communication status information generating unit 1017 calculates the average response time and determines whether the average response time is longer than a predetermined time. The predetermined time is set to, for example, 5 ms for the average response time of five response signals. By using the average value, it becomes less susceptible to the effect of a temporary increase in response time.

[0066] If an affirmative decision is made in step S905, in step S906, the communication status information generating unit 1017 decides that the communication status is low speed.

[0067] If a negative decision is made in step S905, in step S907, the communication status information generating unit 1017 decides that the communication status is good.

[0068] When the communication status information generation process is completed, in step S405 of FIG. 4, the screen information generating unit 1020 generates screen information and displays a screen that presents the communication status to the user.

[0069] FIG. 10 shows an example of a process for generating and displaying screen information. In step S1001, the screen information generating unit 1020 refers to the communication status information generated by the communication status information generating unit 1017, and judges whether the communication status information indicates that the communication status is unstable. If a positive judgment is made in step S1001, in step S1002, the screen information generating unit 1020 displays a message indicating that the communication status is unstable on the screen of the payment management terminal 101. FIG. 11A shows, as an example, a message 1101A which is a message indicating that the communication status is unstable. The message includes advice to the user of the payment management terminal 101 for properly completing the payment.

[0070] If a negative determination is made in step S1001, then in step S1003, the screen information generating unit 1020 determines whether or not the communication status information indicates that the communication status is low speed. If a positive determination is made in step S1002, then in step S1004, the screen information generating unit 1020 displays a message indicating that the communication status is low speed on the screen of the payment management terminal 101. FIG. 11B shows, as an example, a message 1101B indicating that the communication status is low speed. The message includes advice to the user of the payment management terminal 101 for properly completing the payment.

[0071] If a negative judgment is made in step S1003, in step S1005, the screen information generating unit 1020 displays a message indicating that the communication status is good on the screen of the payment management terminal 101. In Fig. 11C, as an example, a message 1101C is displayed which is a message indicating that the communication status is good.

[0072] As described above, by checking the communication status between the payment management terminal 101 and the payment server 201 according to the setting of the payment range, even if the location of the payment management terminal 101 is changed and the communication status may change, the communication status can be grasped, improving user convenience.

[0073] In the above example, the trigger for checking the communication status was the setting of the settlement range, but the trigger can be other information. Figure 12 shows an example of a process for generating communication status information when the network used is changed.

[0074] In step S1201, the network information acquisition unit 1021 refers to the operating system of the payment management terminal 101, and acquires information on the network used by the payment management terminal 101 for communication with the payment server 201. The information on the network used is stored in the memory unit 1012.

[0075] In step S1202, the confirmation request generating unit 1019 detects that the network used has been switched from the network used when the communication status information was previously generated, and generates a confirmation signal when the switch is detected. After that, the processes from step S1203 to step S1206 are executed, and the communication status information is generated and displayed on the screen. The processes from step S1203 to step S1206 are the same as the processes from step S402 to step S405.

[0076] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, a description of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences will be described. Fig. 13 shows a schematic diagram of a payment system 10A according to the second embodiment. The payment system 10A includes payment management terminals 301a and 301b in addition to a payment management terminal 101A similar to the payment management terminal 101. Although two payment management terminals 301a and 301b are shown in the figure, there may be more than one.

[0077] In the payment system 10A, the payment manager terminal 101A is an administrator terminal that manages payments at the store, and the payment manager terminals 301a and 301b are other terminals that are associated with the payment manager terminal 101A and execute payments at the store. The payment manager terminals 301a and 301b have the same configuration as the payment manager terminal 101A.

[0078] Fig. 14 shows the configuration of the payment management terminal 101A and the payment server 201. The configuration of the payment server 201 is the same as that of the payment server according to the first embodiment. The payment management terminal 101A is different from the payment management terminal 101 in that it has a memory unit 1012A, a payment processing unit 1014A, and a payment range setting unit 1018A, but the other units are the same as those of the payment management terminal 101. In addition, the payment management terminal 101A can communicate with each of the payment management terminals 301a and 301b.

[0079] The storage unit 1012A stores terminal information of the terminal associated with the payment management terminal 101A. The terminal information stored in the storage unit 1012A will be described with reference to FIG. 15. The terminal information has the following fields: "payment management terminal ID", "terminal type", "group terminal ID", "payment possible range", and "network information". The "payment management terminal ID" field stores information that identifies the payment management terminals including the payment management terminals 101A, 301a, and 301b. In the example of FIG. 15, the terminal IDs of the payment management terminals 101A, 301a, and 301b are "ID001", "ID002", and "ID003", respectively. The "terminal type" field stores information indicating the authority of the terminal. For example, in FIG. 15, the terminal with the terminal ID "ID001" is the manager terminal, and the terminal with the terminal ID "ID002" or "ID003" is the clerk terminal. The manager terminal, for example, has the authority to set the payment possible range of other clerk terminals. On the other hand, the clerk terminal does not have the authority to set the payment possible range of other clerk terminals and the manager terminal. The "group terminal ID" field stores the payment terminal ID of other payment management terminals associated with each payment management terminal. In FIG. 15, it is stored that the terminal with "ID001" is associated with the terminal with "ID002" and "ID003". This indicates that the payment management terminal 301a and 301b are associated with the payment management terminal 101A. The terminal to be associated can be set by a terminal having the authority of the manager terminal. The "payment possible range" field stores information indicating the range in which payment is possible through the payment management terminals 101A, 301a, and 301b, such as "range A". The "network information" field stores information indicating the network used by the payment management terminal 101 to communicate with the payment server 201.

[0080] The payment processing unit 1014A controls the payment processing through the payment management terminal 101A. The payment processing unit 1014A manages the payment processing by the payment management terminals 301a and 301b in addition to the payments accepted by the payment management terminal 101A itself.

[0081] The payment range setting unit 1018A sets a payment possible range indicating a location where payment processing is possible through the payment management terminal 101A. The payment range setting unit 1018A can update the payment possible range of the payment management terminals 301a and 301b in addition to the payment possible range of the payment management terminal 101A.

[0082] FIG. 16 shows an example of the process of setting the payment range by the payment range setting unit 1018A and generating the confirmation signal by the confirmation request generating unit 1019.

[0083] In step S1601, the payment range setting unit 1018A displays a range setting screen on the payment management terminal 101A. FIG. 17 shows a range setting screen 1701 as an example. The range setting screen 1701 is a screen on which the payment possible range of the payment management terminal 101A and the payment possible range of the payment management terminals 301a and 301b can be set collectively, and is displayed on the payment management terminal 101A in response to the operation of the payment management terminal 101A. The range setting screen 1701 has a map display area 17011, a pin 17012, a range display circle 17013, a center display field 17014, a range display field 17015, a slide bar 17016, a handle 17017, and a setting button 17018. Each part of the range setting screen 1701 has the same function as each part in the range setting screen 801 described in FIG. 8.

[0084] In step S1602, the settlement range setting unit 1018A generates the settlement range of the settlement management terminal 101A and the settlement management terminals 301a and 301b based on the information of the settlement center and the settlement radius, and stores it in the storage unit 1012. FIG. 18 shows an example of terminal information when the set settlement range is changed. FIG. 18 shows that the settlement range of the settlement management terminal 101A and the settlement management terminals 301a and 301b has been changed from "range A" to "range B". When the settlement range is set, in step S1605, the confirmation request generating unit 1019 refers to the information of the settlement server stored in the storage unit 1012, for example. In step S1606, the confirmation request generating unit 1019 generates a confirmation signal to be sent to the settlement server. Thereafter, similar to the processing in the settlement management terminal 101, the communication status information of the communication between the settlement management terminal 101A and the settlement server 201 is generated and displayed on the screen.

[0085] In the payment management terminal 101A according to the second embodiment, the payment range can be set for multiple terminals at once, and the communication status can be grasped, improving the convenience for the user. The payment management terminals 301a and 301b may be set individually for the payment management terminals 301a and 301b, and the individual settings are performed in the same manner as the payment management terminal 101 according to the operation of the payment management terminals 301a and 301b. At this time, a confirmation signal and communication status information are generated and displayed in the same manner as in the processing in the payment management terminal 101.

[0086] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangements, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10, 10A... payment system, 101, 101A, 301a, 301b... payment management terminal, 201... payment server, 1014, 1014A... payment processing unit, 1015... confirmation signal transmission unit, 1016... response signal acquisition unit, 1017... communication status information generation unit

Claims

1. On the computer, transmitting a confirmation signal to the payment server based on the confirmation request, the confirmation signal being communicatively connected to the computer and configured to execute a payment process through communication with the computer; obtaining a response signal indicating a response from the payment server to the confirmation signal; generating communication status information indicating a communication status between the computer and the payment server based on the response signal and a predetermined condition.

2. The program according to claim 1, The computer includes: setting a payment possible range indicating a location where the payment process through the computer is possible; generating the confirmation request in accordance with the setting of the settlement range.

3. The program according to claim 2, The settlement range is as follows: A program that is communicatively connected to the computer and indicates a location at which the payment process is possible by at least one terminal that executes the payment process by communication with the payment server through the computer.

4. The program according to claim 1, The predetermined condition is: A first condition for determining that the communication may be disconnected during the payment process; a second condition for determining whether the communication speed determined based on the time required to receive the response signal is slower than a predetermined threshold; The generating of the communication status information includes: generating first communication status information if the first condition is satisfied; generating second communication status information when the first condition is not satisfied and the second condition is satisfied; generating third communication status information when the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied.

5. The program according to claim 4, The computer includes: The program further executes generating screen information of a screen that displays to a user a first message corresponding to the first communication status information, a second message corresponding to the second communication status information, or a third message corresponding to the third communication status information.

6. The program according to claim 1, The computer includes: acquiring information indicating a type of a network that is to be used by the computer for the communication among a plurality of networks; generating the confirmation request when the utilized network is switched from a first network to a second network among the plurality of networks.

7. The computer transmitting a confirmation signal to the payment server based on the confirmation request, the confirmation signal being communicatively connected to the computer and configured to execute a payment process through communication with the computer; obtaining a response signal indicating a response from the payment server to the confirmation signal; generating communication status information indicating a communication status between the computer and the payment server based on the response signal and a predetermined condition.

8. An information processing device, a confirmation signal transmission unit that is communicably connected to the information processing device and transmits a confirmation signal to the payment server based on the confirmation request, the confirmation signal confirming communication with a payment server that executes a payment process by communication with the information processing device; a response signal acquisition unit that acquires a response signal indicating a response from the payment server to the confirmation signal; and a communication status information generating unit that generates communication status information indicating a communication status between the information processing device and the payment server based on the response signal and a predetermined condition.

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