Settlement system that settles community currency and legal currency at one time

Abstract

To provide a settlement system which revitalizes economic activities in a community.SOLUTION: A settlement system includes a settlement terminal, a settlement server, and a settlement authentication server. The settlement server is connected to a community-currency management server. The community-currency management server includes a member information storing device, a member-account transaction-history recording device, and a zero-sum checking device. The settlement terminal includes: a settlement availability inquiry device that sends the amount paid in a legal currency and a consumption tax amount corresponding thereto, a transaction amount in a community currency, and identity verification information to the settlement server; a settlement execution device; and a settlement-execution-result notification device. A settlement server computer includes: an authentication request device that makes an inquiry about a transaction amount of the legal currency to a settlement authentication server computer and makes an inquiry about a transaction amount of the community currency to a community-currency management server computer; a settlement availability replying device; and a transaction result processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer system that enables simultaneous settlement in a single commercial transaction between a community currency, which is a currency used within a closed community, and legal tender, which is a currency issued by a nation's central bank, such as the Japanese yen in Japan. [Background technology]

[0002] Up until now, currencies used within closed communities, also known as local currencies, have been used in various forms. In order to stimulate local and volunteer activities, local currencies have been issued to people who have volunteered, and recipients can eat at restaurants or shop in the local area. Local currencies are sometimes issued and can be used only if the recipient is a resident of a specific local government, but since it is also possible to expand the community without imposing address restrictions, this specification will refer to them as "community currencies." In particular, currencies that are not under the control of a central bank or government, called LETS (Local Exchange Trading System) currencies, are used to provide goods and services within a region. They can facilitate the adjustment of supply and demand for goods and services. They can promote the growth of the local economy. Transactions of LETS currencies are not subject to consumption tax. On the other hand, there is something called a point system. In order to retain customers (secure repeat customers), various businesses, such as credit card companies, drugstore chains, and restaurant chains, issue points based on the amount of spending by customers, and the accumulated points can be exchanged for prizes or for cash equivalents (used for discounts). In this case, since points are used for discounts aimed at increasing sales for private businesses, the concept of separating point consumption from the calculation of consumption tax has disappeared, and points are now used inseparably from consumption tax.

[0003] Patent Document 1 states: This paper discloses an electronic safe in an electronic currency system that houses a large number of recording means that store electronic currency and allows electronic currency to be deposited and withdrawn between the safe and recording means outside the safe, characterized in that the main body of the safe houses a control circuit, a power supply, and a card reader / writer for the recording means. An electronic safe in an electronic currency system is disclosed, characterized in that the recording means is an IC card. An electronic safe for an electronic currency system is disclosed, characterized in that the internal devices, including a control circuit, power supply, and multiple card readers / writers housed inside the main body, can be pulled out to the front side using a pull-out mechanism. The electronic safe in an electronic currency system stores a large number of IC cards containing electronic currency and allows electronic currency to be deposited and withdrawn between the safe and IC cards outside the safe. The electronic safe has at least a main body and a front door, and stores a control circuit, a power supply, and a large number of IC card readers / writers inside the main body. The internal devices stored inside the main body, including the control circuit, power supply, and a large number of IC card readers / writers, can be pulled out to the front side by a pull-out mechanism, and insertion slots for the IC card readers / writers are arranged on both sides or the top of the pull-out section. An electronic safe in an electronic currency system is disclosed, which is characterized by having a display unit that counts the number of accesses to each of the multiple IC cards and displays that fact when a predetermined number is reached or when the number is approaching that number. An electronic safe in an electronic currency system is disclosed, characterized in that one side of the electronic safe is provided with a centralized display unit that displays the operating status of the multiple IC cards. An electronic safe in an electronic currency system is disclosed, characterized in that the electronic safe is provided with a main case, a main storage section, and a door, and a centralized display section that displays the operating status of the multiple IC cards is provided in the main storage section. The electronic safe in the electronic currency system is disclosed, characterized in that the control circuit controls access to the IC cards so that the number of accesses to each of the multiple IC cards is averaged. The electronic safe in the electronic currency system is characterized in that the electronic safe is provided with a display that displays a message urging maintenance and inspection of the electronic safe. An electronic safe in an electronic currency system is disclosed, which is characterized in that the electronic safes are equipped with a mechanism that automatically connects them to each other when they are stacked or used side by side, and are equipped with an interface for connection inside. Paragraph 0029 also states that, although the above description has been given assuming that payment for a commodity transaction is made in a distribution system equipped with a number of POS terminals and an electronic safe in which a number of IC cards are stored in the central device 24, in the case of a system equipped with only one deposit machine at a privately owned store or the like, by providing the deposit machine with an IC card reader / writer for the customer's IC card and storing the store's own IC card inside the deposit machine, payment can be made in electronic currency between the store's own IC card and the customer's IC card connected via the IC card reader / writer. As mentioned above, the electronic currency stored in the store's IC card can be deposited into a bank account or can be cashed at a bank counter.

[0004] Patent Document 2 states: This document discloses an electronic currency POS terminal device used to pay for purchases using an IC card containing electronic currency, characterized by comprising an IC card insertion slot for inserting the customer's IC card, an IC card reader / writer unit for the IC card, a control circuit for exchanging electronic currency with the customer's IC card, and a receipt outlet. Also, The electronic currency POS terminal device is further provided with an IC card slot for inserting a store IC card, and an IC card reader / writer unit for the IC card. moreover, The electronic currency POS terminal device is disclosed as being equipped with an integrated display unit for displaying the purchase amount, or an interface for connection to an external display device. The electronic currency POS terminal device is disclosed as comprising a barcode scanner, a current POS terminal, and an interface for connection to other devices in a POS system. The electronic currency POS terminal device is characterized in that the IC card insertion slot for inserting the customer's IC card is positioned on the customer side, and the receipt outlet and the store's IC card insertion slot are positioned on the store clerk side. A POS terminal device for electronic currency according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is disclosed, characterized in that it receives an electromagnetic signal from a small, lightweight PIN input remote control device and unlocks the customer's IC card to enable processing of the electronic currency stored in the customer's IC card. The electronic currency POS terminal device is characterized in that the electronic currency stored in the store's IC card is transferred to an IC card in the electronic safe of the central device or transferred to a bank account at a predetermined time or in response to a command from the information control system. Furthermore, paragraph 0017 states that the personal computer 32 and the IC card telephone device 34 in the end user system 3 are equipped with two sets of card readers / writers for two IC cards, allowing electronic currency to be exchanged between the two IC cards. This allows for processing similar to that of handling regular cash, such as transferring electronic currency from the husband's IC card to the wife's IC card.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a vending machine that includes an electronic money payment control unit that processes payments for electronic money payment services and a vending machine main control unit that is connected to the electronic money payment control unit and controls product sales within the machine when payment by the electronic money payment control unit is completed, and the communication protocol between the electronic money payment control unit and the vending machine main control unit performs communication processing using brand identification numbers for each of a predetermined number of electronic money payment services or less, The vending machine is characterized in that the electronic money payment control unit allows the use of brands of the electronic money payment service that exceed the predetermined number of brands, classifies each brand into a predetermined classification category with the number of brands not exceeding the predetermined number, and communicates with the vending machine main control unit using each group number of the classified groups as a dummy brand identification number equivalent to the brand identification number. Also, The vending machine is characterized in that the group number is different from the brand identification number and has the same number of digits as the brand identification number. Also, The vending machine is disclosed as being characterized in that the number of groups includes one. moreover, The vending machine is characterized in that the predetermined classification category is either a discount price for each brand, a higher classification of the electronic money payment service, or a payment type of the electronic money payment service.

[0006] Patent Document 4 describes a computer system that includes a first storage means for storing the amount of virtual currency savings for each user identifier, and a second storage means for storing the identification number of each banknote and an identifier indicating whether the banknote data has been used, in pairs: When the user identifier and the banknote identification number are sent online, the second storage means is referenced to check whether the pseudo currency corresponding to the identification number has been used, If the virtual banknote identification number has not been used, the amount of the pseudo currency corresponding to the identification number is added to the savings amount of the user identifier stored in the first storage means, and the identifier paired with the virtual banknote identification number in the second storage means is set to an identifier indicating that the virtual banknote identification number has been used; when the virtual banknote identification number arrives from the store terminal, the process of inquiring whether the virtual banknote identification number stored in the second storage means has been used and transmitting the result of the inquiry to the store terminal is performed. A virtual currency management method characterized by the above is disclosed. Also, A computer system including a first storage means for storing the amount of virtual currency savings for each user identifier, and a second storage means for storing a pair of the identification number of each banknote and an identifier indicating whether the banknote data has been used, When a virtual banknote identification number arrives from a store terminal, the method performs a process of inquiring whether the virtual banknote identification number stored in the second storage means has been used, and transmitting the inquiry result to the store terminal; If the virtual banknote has not been used, the amount of the virtual banknote corresponding to the identification number is added to the savings amount of the user identifier stored in the first storage means, and the identifier paired with the virtual banknote identification number in the second storage means is set to an identifier indicating that the virtual banknote has been used; When the user identifier and the banknote identification number are sent online, the second storage means is referenced to check whether the pseudo currency corresponding to the identification number has been used, A virtual currency management method is disclosed which is characterized by adding, if the virtual currency has not been used, the amount of the pseudo currency corresponding to the identification number to the savings amount of the user identifier stored in the first storage means, and processing is performed to set the identifier paired with the virtual banknote identification number in the second storage means as an identifier indicating that the virtual banknote has been used. Also, a banknote image storage means for storing banknote images; The disclosed virtual currency management method is characterized in that when a banknote issuance request including the number of banknotes to be issued is sent online, the computer system adds the identification number of each banknote in the requested number to the second storage means. the computer system has a banknote image storage means for storing banknote images; The virtual currency management method described in Appendix 3 is characterized in that, when adding an identification number to each banknote, the computer system generates banknote image information for printing based on the banknote image stored in the banknote image storage means and transmits the banknote image information to a requesting party. moreover, a first storage means for storing the amount of virtual currency savings for each user identifier; a second storage means for storing a pair of the identification number of each banknote and an identifier indicating whether the banknote data has been used; a control means for, when a user identifier and a banknote identification number are sent online, referring to the second storage means to check whether the pseudo currency corresponding to the identification number has been used, and if it has not been used, adding the amount of the pseudo currency corresponding to the identification number to the savings amount of the user identifier stored in the first storage means, and performing a process of setting the identifier paired with the virtual banknote identification number in the second storage means to an identifier indicating that it has been used, and, when a virtual banknote identification number arrives from a store terminal, performing a process of inquiring whether the virtual banknote identification number stored in the second storage means has been used, and transmitting the inquiry result to the store terminal; A virtual currency management system characterized by the provision of [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-158569 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-161152 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-026513 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-258969 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] As mentioned above, there is a concept of community currency that aims to revitalize local activities within local governments and is being implemented in several regions across Japan. However, point systems aimed at increasing sales by private companies are currently widespread. Transactions of LETS currency play a role in revitalizing local economies, and although repeated transactions that are not subject to consumption tax are significant in revitalizing local economies, if private point systems are allowed to prevail, the benefits of LETS currency will not be utilized and a situation where "bad money drives out good money" may occur. The inventors of the present invention First, increasing the number of situations in which community currency is used will lead to the revitalization of local activities. Second, it makes it possible to use community currency in commercial transactions that use legal tender. Third, adhere to the rule of not exchanging it for legal tender. Fourth, it is different from point systems issued by companies. By providing a "payment system that simultaneously settles community currency and legal tender" with these characteristics, we believe that we can expect to see increased activity within the community, including economic activity. The present invention provides a "payment system for simultaneously settling community currency and legal currency." [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of intensive research in view of the above-mentioned problems to be solved, the present inventors have come up with the invention of a solution as shown in the following embodiment. To summarise the main points: Community currency cannot be exchanged for legal tender (cash, credit cards, prepaid cards, electronic money, barcode payments, points payments, credit sales, etc.). Cash top-ups, advance payments, and cash conversions are not permitted. Each community member's account can have a negative balance. Community currency is used as a "discount right" in commercial transactions using legal tender. The discount will be treated as a discount on the price excluding consumption tax (base price). Community currency transactions are not subject to consumption tax. Community currency can be exchanged among members of the community. The total amount of community currency held by all members of the community is always zero. is. The specific description of this payment system is as follows:

[0010] A payment system that allows payment for goods or services using legal tender, comprising: a payment terminal installed in a store of a product seller or a service provider; a payment server computer of a payment processor connected to the payment terminal via a store-to-store payment processor communication means; and payment authentication server computers of financial institutions, including credit card companies, debit card companies, prepaid card companies, electronic money companies, code payment application management companies, point management companies, and credit sales management companies, connected to the payment server computer via a payment processor-to-financial institution communication means, The settlement server computer is further connected to a community currency management server computer that manages a community currency, which is a currency used within a closed community and is not exchanged for legal tender; The community currency management server computer a member information storage device that can identify members belonging to the closed community and stores member information necessary for identity verification; a member account transaction history recording device for recording the transaction amount and balance of the community currency held by each of the members; a zero-sum verification device that calculates the sum of the account balances recorded in the member account transaction history recording device and verifies that the sum is zero; and The payment terminal is a payment possibility inquiry device that, when the product seller or service provider belongs to a community that uses the same community currency as the customer and when the customer agrees to pay a portion of the base price of the product or service, excluding consumption tax, using the community currency, sends to the payment server computer the amount of the base price to be paid in legal tender and the corresponding amount of consumption tax, the transaction amount of the community currency to be paid using the community currency, and personal identification information required to confirm that the customer belongs to the community, and asks whether payment is possible; a payment execution device that executes payment when the server computer responds that payment is possible; a payment execution result notification device that notifies the payment server computer that the payment has been executed; and The payment server computer an authentication request device that, when receiving an inquiry from the payment possibility inquiry device of the payment terminal asking whether a payment combining transactions of both legal tender and community currency is possible, inquires the payment authentication server computer about the transaction amount of legal tender and inquires the community currency management server computer about the transaction amount of the community currency; a payment possibility response device that, in response to a request from the authentication request device, sends a response to the payment terminal that payment is possible when both the payment authentication server computer and the community currency management server computer respond that payment is possible, and sends a response to the payment terminal that payment is not possible when either one responds that payment is not possible; a transaction result processing device that, when receiving a notice that the payment has been executed from the payment execution result notifying device of the payment terminal, sends information including the amount of the transaction to the payment authentication server computer and the community currency management server computer; and A payment system that allows simultaneous settlement using a combination of community currency and legal currency for a single transaction. This will enable the circulation of community currencies to be activated as something independent from the circulation of legal tender.

[0011] The community currency management server computer A transaction amount and balance upper limit monitor that monitors the upper limit of the transaction amount for a single transaction or the absolute upper limit of the balance for each individual account. and When the authentication request device of the settlement server computer inquires of the community currency management server computer about a transaction of the community currency, it not only verifies the identity of the customer but also verifies whether the transaction amount or the account balance has reached the upper limit, and then responds. A payment system characterized by: This will help prevent some members from being overburdened.

[0012] The payment terminal is a dedicated payment terminal, moreover, Face recognition camera or information embedded graphic reading camera It has The face of the customer is read by the face authentication camera, or an information-embedded figure that identifies the customer is read by the information-embedded figure reading camera, and the information is used as personal identification information, which is then sent to the payment server computer. A payment system characterized by: This helps prevent unauthorized use.

[0013] The payment terminal is a smartphone installed in the store of the product seller or service provider, and an application program that enables both community currency transactions and legal currency transactions is installed on the smartphone, Using the camera built into the smartphone, the customer's face or an information-embedded graphic that identifies the customer is read, and the read information is used as personal identification information, and the personal identification information is sent to the payment server computer. A payment system characterized by: This allows the payment system to be operated without the need for a dedicated payment terminal.

[0014] The payment terminal is a customer's smartphone that has installed thereon an application program that enables both community currency transactions and legal currency transactions, Using a camera built into the smartphone, an information-embedded graphic that identifies the store of the product seller or service provider is read, and the information is used as personal identification information, and the personal identification information is sent to the payment server computer. A payment system characterized by: This allows the payment system to be operated even if the store does not have a payment terminal.

[0015] The payment terminal installs an application program on the customer's smartphone that enables transactions of community currency, and An application program that enables legal currency transactions is also installed. Using a camera built into the smartphone, an information-embedded graphic that identifies the store of the product seller or service provider is read, and the information is used as personal identification information, and the personal identification information is sent to the payment server computer. A payment system characterized by: This allows the payment system to be operated even if the server side of the payment service provider remains the same as before.

[0016] The zero sum confirmation device of the community currency management server computer calculates the sum of the account balances at regular intervals to confirm that it is zero, and if it is not zero, detects the transaction that caused it, notifies the settlement server computer involved in the transaction, and requests a correction. A payment system characterized by: This allows the community currency to remain zero-sum.

[0017] A payment system characterized in that members belonging to the community can download and install an account application program onto their smartphones to check the balance and transaction history of the community currency they hold, and that members can use the application to transfer community currency between each other. This allows for the exchange of community currency between individuals.

[0018] The community currency management server computer moreover A community currency visualization device for grasping and visualizing the flow of the community currency The visualization device allows a user to see at a glance which members are effectively transferring the community currency to which members. This makes it possible to visualize the revitalization of the local economy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a payment system that contributes to economic revitalization by circulating a community currency with an effect independent of the circulation of legal tender. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a payment system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of paying for the product "coffee" using both legal tender (Japanese yen) and community currency (Domo) at the same time. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transaction in which a customer drinks coffee after face authentication is performed using a dedicated payment terminal (dedicated payment terminal) installed in the store. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transaction in which a customer drinks coffee after face authentication is performed using a store-side smartphone with a payment application program installed. [Figure 5]This diagram shows a transaction in which a customer brings a smartphone with an application program installed that links community currency (Domo) and legal tender (Japanese yen) and allows them to be traded in combination, and drinks coffee at a store that does not have a mobile terminal but has information-embedded graphics. [Figure 6] This figure shows a transaction in which a customer brings a smartphone with a community currency application program and an electronic money application program installed and drinks coffee at a shop that does not have a mobile terminal but has information-embedded graphics. [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic diagram of the Vector Currency Demo System. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing procedure in the demo system. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating reading of a QR code. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing registration at the start of use. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how a transaction is processed at a store. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021] The best mode for carrying out the system of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a payment system according to the present invention. The payment terminal 10 is preferably a dedicated payment terminal installed in a store and equipped with a face recognition camera or an information-embedded graphic reading camera. If the store does not have a dedicated payment terminal, it may be used by the store manager or employee with a payment application program installed on their smartphone. Furthermore, if the store does not have a payment terminal or a smartphone, a customer's smartphone may be used with the application program required for payment installed, and the customer's smartphone may read a graphic with the store's information embedded in it to make a payment. The payment terminal 10 is connected to the payment server computer 20 via the store-to-store payment business operator communication means 2. The store-to-store payment business operator communication means 2 can use, for example, the Internet network. The payment terminal 10 has a payment possibility inquiry device 11 that inquires of the payment server computer 20 as to whether or not payment is possible to complete a transaction between the customer and the store at the store, a payment execution device 13 that executes the payment when it receives a response that payment is possible, a face recognition camera 15 that performs face recognition to determine the legitimacy of the customer's use of the community currency based on whether or not the customer belongs to the community, or an information-embedded graphic reading camera 17 for customer identity authentication, and a payment execution result notification device 19 that notifies the payment server computer 20 when the payment execution device 13 has executed the payment. The payment server computer 20 is a server computer of a payment service provider, and serves as an intermediary between the payment terminal and the financial institution's payment authentication server computer 40 for the payment to be executed by the payment terminal. The financial institution is a company that manages and operates the payment authentication server computer 40 and handles credit cards, prepaid cards, electronic money, barcode payments, point payments, and credit sales. Cash transactions involving legal tender (Japanese yen in Japan) are conducted between a store and a customer using bills and coins. However, in the case of credit, prepaid, electronic money, barcode payments, point payments, and credit sales, the customer using the procedure is identified, as in the authentication procedure for a credit card, and a determination is made as to whether the amount of the payment being made is acceptable in relation to the customer's credit information. This determination is made by the financial institution's payment authentication server computer 40, and the payment service provider's payment server computer 20 and the financial institution's payment authentication server 40 are connected, for example, by a dedicated cable. The payment authentication server computer 40 has an authentication device 43 that responds to an inquiry from the payment server computer 20 and authenticates the transaction, and a post-processing device 45 that executes processing after the transaction has been executed. The payment server computer 20 has an authentication request device 21 that executes an authentication request to the payment authentication server computer 40 in response to a request from the payment terminal 10, a payment feasibility response device 23 that responds to the payment terminal 10 as to whether or not payment is possible based on the response from the payment authentication server computer 40, and a transaction result processing device 25 that executes subsequent processing when the payment terminal 10 executes payment in response to the response and returns that fact to the payment server computer 20. If only transactions using legal tender are to be carried out, the above configuration is sufficient, but if a community currency is also to be used, the community currency management server computer 30 must be connected to the settlement server computer 20. This connection is made, for example, by a dedicated line. The community currency management server computer 30 has a member information storage device 31 that stores information about members belonging to the community, including information necessary for identity verification; a member account transaction history recording device 33 that records the transaction history and balance history of each member's account; a zero-sum confirmation device 35 that confirms that the sum of the account balances of all members is zero; a transaction amount and balance upper limit monitoring device 37 that monitors the size of each member's transaction amount and balance and does not allow the upper limit to be exceeded if a pre-set upper limit is set; and a community currency visualization device 39 that visualizes how much community currency is moving from person to person by mapping it.

[0023] Figure 2 shows an example of paying for the product "coffee" using both legal tender and community currency at the same time. In this example, the legal tender is Japanese yen, and the community currency is called "Domo" and its abbreviation is "d." In this diagram, "Bal" means the balance, and "￥" and "d" indicate the amount moved in the transaction. A transaction between retailer B and resident C will be explained. In the initial state (first row in Figure 2), the retailer has zero yen balance and zero balance in the bank account. Resident C has 1,000 yen balance and zero balance in the bank account. In the second line, resident C does not yet belong to the community currency community. If he purchases a 100 yen coffee, his yen balance will decrease to 900 yen. Note that consumption tax is not taken into account in Figure 2. In the third line, both the retailer and resident C belong to the community currency community. A 100 yen coffee is sold to a member of the community for a combination of 80 yen in Japanese yen and 20 yen in Dou. Therefore, in the third line, the retailer's yen balance increases by 80 yen, leaving a yen balance of 180 yen. The Dou balance becomes 20 yen. Resident C has consumed 80 yen and 20 yen in Dou, so his yen balance decreases by 80 yen, and his Dou balance decreases by 20 yen. In this diagram, ▲ means a negative value. In the fourth line, a 100 yen coffee is sold for 90 yen Japanese yen and 10 doumo. The community currency doumo functions as a discount right, so the amount of the discount right exercised can change with each transaction. In the fifth line, the retailer sells a 100 yen coffee for 100 yen and gives a discount by returning 10 to the customer. In this case, resident C's balance increases by 10. In the sixth line, the retailer sells a 100 yen coffee for 90 yen and returns 5 yen to the customer. In this case, resident C's balance increases by 5 yen. In Figure 2, the X-axis represents legal currency and the Y-axis represents community currency, which is treated as a vector currency because community currency is a currency that cannot be exchanged for legal currency. Community currency allows for discounts on goods and services, but only on the base price excluding consumption tax, and cannot be used to pay consumption tax. This is because consumption tax is paid in legal currency. In this sense, it is different from the point systems currently available in the world.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a transaction in which a customer drinks coffee after face authentication is performed using a dedicated payment terminal installed in the store. In Figure 3, the "Thank you" is the community currency. In this example, even if a resident does not have a smartphone, they can use both legal tender and community currency at the same time to pay 88 yen for a 100 yen coffee. In this case, they use the 20 yen discount from the "Thank you" to pay 80 yen for the coffee itself, plus 8 yen in consumption tax.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a transaction in which a customer drinks coffee after facial authentication is performed using a payment application program installed on the store's smartphone. This is an example of a transaction similar to that shown in Figure 3 being achieved using a smartphone owned by the store, without using a dedicated payment terminal.

[0026] Figure 5 shows a transaction in which a customer brings a smartphone with an application program installed that links community currency and electronic money and enables transactions in combination, and drinks coffee at a shop that does not have a mobile terminal but has information-embedded graphics.

[0027] Figure 6 shows a transaction in which a customer brings a smartphone with a community currency application program and an electronic money application program installed and drinks coffee at a shop that does not have a mobile terminal but has information-embedded graphics. This example shows a resident using a QR code specifically for linking the service, installing a specific app specifically for linking the service, and conducting a transaction similar to that described above.

[0028] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the Vector Currency Demo System. Two servers running on the AWS cloud are the "LETS Payment System (Community Currency Payment System)" (Y-axis) and the "Fiat Currency Payment System" (X-axis), and a dedicated payment terminal (here, SATURN 1000 Lane) is connected via the internet network depicted in the center, and the virtual town resident registration procedure is carried out via this dedicated payment terminal.The following example shows a transaction where a 200 yen item is traded at a discount rate of 45%, or a 90 yen discount, for a price of 110 yen. Here, the community currency is set to a minimum account balance of -1,000 yen and is considered a LETS currency. Community currency is a currency that can be exchanged for the value of goods or services within a specific community, and cannot be exchanged for legal tender. Therefore, when using community currency to pay for goods, it functions as a discount on the price before consumption tax is levied (price excluding tax). In the fiat currency settlement system, the minimum account balance is set to zero, in this case Japanese yen.

[0029] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the processing procedure in the demo system. In Figures 8 to 11, symbols with numbers inside circles are used, but in this specification, they will be interpreted as numbers inside parentheses. FIG. 8 is a diagram that provides an overview of the entire procedure depicted in FIGS.

[0030] Figure 9 is a diagram showing how a QR code is read. In Figure 9, CCW and CCWallet refer to a system that combines a smartphone and a server to make legal tender payments. The user first registers for CCW (1). As shown in the upper right corner of Figure 9, registration is possible by scanning the QR code (registered trademark) with a camera. Furthermore, the user scans a QR code (registered trademark) to register the community currency (here, "Bandai Coin") (2). This links the Bandai registration code with the Value code mobile phone.

[0031] Figure 10 shows the registration process at the start of use. The My Number card is scanned with a camera (5), and if the community currency is for people who live in a specific area, the person is registered as a "real town resident" if they are a resident, and as a "virtual town resident" if they are not a resident (6).

[0032] Figure 11 shows how a transaction is processed at a store. The Bandai Coin charge QR code (registered trademark) is read (7). As a result of the code conversion, the transaction will be settled with the Bandai Code proxy Do and Value Code linked together (9). After the product is read, the discount rate, which may differ depending on whether the user is a real or virtual resident, is read, and the code, price, and discount rate are displayed on the user's smartphone (or payment terminal) (12), and the user is prompted to choose whether or not to use the discount coupon, and payment is made. The results are reflected in account management (13) and balance display (14).

[0033] Although the payment system of the present invention has been described above by showing specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the configurations and functions of the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0034] The system of the present invention can be widely used as a community currency in local governments such as prefectures, cities, towns, and villages, as well as in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, religious organizations, organizations of people with national or private qualifications, celebrity fan organizations, hobby organizations, and academic organizations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 2. Communication methods between store payment providers 10 Payment terminals 11 Payment availability inquiry device 13 Payment execution device 15. Facial recognition camera 17. Information-embedded image reading camera 19. Payment execution result notification device 20. Payment Server Computer 21 Authentication request device 23 Payment availability response device 25 Transaction results processing device 30 Community Currency Management Server Computer 31 Member information storage device 33 Member account transaction history recording device 35 Zero-sum confirmation device 37 Transaction balance upper limit monitoring device 39 Community Currency Visualization Device 40 Payment authentication server computer 41 Payment service provider and financial institution communication means 43 Authentication Device 45 Aftertreatment device

Claims

1. A payment system that allows payment for goods or services using legal tender, comprising: a payment terminal installed in a store of a product seller or a service provider; a payment server computer of a payment processor connected to the payment terminal via a store-to-store payment processor communication means; and payment authentication server computers of financial institutions, including credit card companies, debit card companies, prepaid card companies, electronic money companies, code payment application management companies, point management companies, and credit sales management companies, connected to the payment server computer via a payment processor-to-financial institution communication means, The settlement server computer is further connected to a community currency management server computer that manages a community currency, which is a currency used within a closed community and is not exchanged for legal tender; The community currency management server computer a member information storage device that can identify members belonging to the closed community and stores member information necessary for identity verification; a member account transaction history recording device for recording the transaction amount and balance of the community currency held by each of the members; a zero-sum verification device that calculates the sum of the account balances recorded in the member account transaction history recording device and verifies that the sum is zero; and The payment terminal is a payment possibility inquiry device that, when the product seller or service provider belongs to a community that uses the same community currency as the customer and when the customer agrees to pay a portion of the base price of the product or service, excluding consumption tax, using the community currency, sends to the payment server computer the amount of the base price to be paid in legal tender and the corresponding amount of consumption tax, the transaction amount of the community currency to be paid using the community currency, and personal identification information required to confirm that the customer belongs to the community, and asks whether payment is possible; a payment execution device that executes payment when the server computer responds that payment is possible; a payment execution result notification device that notifies the payment server computer that the payment has been executed; and The payment server computer an authentication request device that, when receiving an inquiry from the payment possibility inquiry device of the payment terminal asking whether a payment combining transactions of both legal tender and community currency is possible, inquires the payment authentication server computer about the transaction amount of legal tender and inquires the community currency management server computer about the transaction amount of the community currency; a payment possibility response device that, in response to a request from the authentication request device, sends a response to the payment terminal that payment is possible when both the payment authentication server computer and the community currency management server computer respond that payment is possible, and sends a response to the payment terminal that payment is not possible when either one responds that payment is not possible; a transaction result processing device that, when receiving a notice that the payment has been executed from the payment execution result notifying device of the payment terminal, sends information including the amount of the transaction to the payment authentication server computer and the community currency management server computer; and A payment system that allows simultaneous settlement using a combination of community currency and legal currency for a single transaction.

2. 2. A payment system according to claim 1, The community currency management server computer A transaction amount and balance upper limit monitor that monitors the upper limit of the transaction amount for a single transaction or the absolute upper limit of the balance for each individual account. and When the authentication request device of the settlement server computer inquires of the community currency management server computer about a transaction of the community currency, it not only verifies the identity of the customer but also verifies whether the transaction amount or the account balance has reached the upper limit, and then responds. A payment system characterized by:

3. 2. A payment system according to claim 1, The payment terminal is a dedicated payment terminal, moreover, Face recognition camera or information embedded graphic reading camera It has The face of the customer is read by the face authentication camera, or an information-embedded figure that identifies the customer is read by the information-embedded figure reading camera, and the information is used as personal identification information, which is then sent to the payment server computer. A payment system characterized by:

4. 2. A payment system according to claim 1, The payment terminal is a smartphone installed in the store of the product seller or service provider, and an application program that enables both community currency transactions and legal currency transactions is installed on the smartphone, Using the camera built into the smartphone, the customer's face or an information-embedded graphic that identifies the customer is read, and the read information is used as personal identification information, and the personal identification information is sent to the payment server computer. A payment system characterized by:

5. 2. A payment system according to claim 1, The payment terminal is a customer's smartphone that has installed thereon an application program that enables both community currency transactions and legal currency transactions, Using a camera built into the smartphone, an information-embedded graphic that identifies the store of the product seller or service provider is read, and the information is used as personal identification information, and the personal identification information is sent to the payment server computer. A payment system characterized by:

6. 2. A payment system according to claim 1, The payment terminal installs an application program on the customer's smartphone that enables transactions of community currency, and An application program that enables legal currency transactions is also installed. Using a camera built into the smartphone, an information-embedded graphic that identifies the store of the product seller or service provider is read, and the information is used as personal identification information, and the personal identification information is sent to the payment server computer. A payment system characterized by:

7. 2. A payment system according to claim 1, The zero sum confirmation device of the community currency management server computer calculates the sum of the account balances at regular intervals to confirm that it is zero, and if it is not zero, detects the transaction that caused it, notifies the settlement server computer involved in the transaction, and requests a correction. A payment system characterized by:

8. 2. A payment system according to claim 1, A payment system characterized in that members belonging to the community can download and install an account application program onto their smartphones to check the balance and transaction history of the community currency they hold, and that members can use the application to transfer community currency between each other.

9. 2. A payment system according to claim 1, The community currency management server computer moreover A community currency visualization device for grasping and visualizing the flow of the community currency The visualization device allows a user to see at a glance which members are effectively transferring the community currency to which members.

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