System, computer device, program and method

Abstract

To provide a system, a computer device, a program and a method, capable of receiving a refund of a tax when a commodity is purchased using electric commerce.SOLUTION: In a system, a server device includes: order reception means that receives an order of a commodity from a user through an electronic commerce service; tax exemption data generation means that generates tax exemption data for receiving a refund of a tax for the commodity; and refund execution means that, when it is certified that the commodity purchased by the user can receive a refund of a tax, executes tax refund processing for the commodity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a computer device, a program, and a method. [Background technology]

[0002] As of June 2023, in Japan, when foreign tourists and other tax-exempt persons purchase tax-exempt items at duty-free shops, they can purchase the items at the price excluding tax.

[0003] However, there have been cases where products purchased at duty-free prices have been resold within Japan.

[0004] In response to these issues, Japan is considering changing the system for receiving tax exemptions. Specifically, the system is expected to be changed so that when a person eligible for tax exemption purchases a tax-exempt product at a tax-free shop, the person will purchase the product at the price including tax and will receive a refund of the tax on the product at a later date.

[0005] In addition, tax-free products can be purchased at both physical stores and online shops. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] At least one object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows a tax refund to be received when purchasing goods through electronic commerce. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The object of the present invention is to [1] A system comprising: an order receiving means for receiving product orders from users through an electronic commerce service; and a tax exemption data generating means for generating tax exemption data for receiving tax refunds on the products; [2] The system according to [1] above, further comprising a user information storage means for storing user information about the user, the user information including the user's name, address, nationality, date of birth, status of residence, date of landing, type of passport, passport number, face photo included in the passport, name of place where the user is staying, address of place where the user is staying, and / or expected date of return to Japan; [3] The system according to [1] or [2], wherein the tax exemption data generating means generates tax exemption data when predetermined conditions are met with respect to the content of the order accepted by the order accepting means, the user information stored in the user information storing means, the input from the user, and / or the input from the administrator; [4] The system according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising an authentication data output means for outputting information relating to authentication data indicating that the product has been authenticated as being eligible for a tax refund; [5] The system according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a refund request accepting means for accepting a request for a refund of the tax on the product; [6] The system according to any one of [1] to [5], further comprising a refund result output means for outputting information regarding the result of the tax refund on the product; [7] A computer device comprising: an order receiving means for receiving product orders from users through an electronic commerce service; and a tax exemption data generating means for generating tax exemption data for receiving tax refunds on the products; [8] A program that causes a computer device to function as an order receiving means that receives product orders from users through an e-commerce service, and as a tax exemption data generating means that generates tax exemption data for receiving tax refunds on the products; [9] A method comprising: an order receiving step of receiving an order for a product from a user through an electronic commerce service; and a tax exemption data generating step of generating tax exemption data for receiving a tax refund on the product; This is achieved by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system that allows a tax refund to be received when a product is purchased through electronic commerce. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a user information registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a tax exemption data issuing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a tax exemption authentication process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a refund request process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following describes embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments as long as they do not violate the spirit of the present invention. The order of each process constituting the flowcharts described below is random as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies occur in the process content. Furthermore, it is possible to omit some of the processes constituting the flowcharts or add new processes to each process constituting the flowcharts as long as they do not violate the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the device that executes each process constituting the flowcharts can be changed to another device as long as it does not violate the spirit of the present invention. In this case, the process content can be changed so as not to cause contradictions or inconsistencies in the process content.

[0011] In addition, the following describes a system that issues tax-exempt data so that a tax-exempt person can receive a tax refund for a product when purchasing the product through electronic commerce. Here, the explanation is based on the premise that a tax-exempt system is adopted in which, if the product corresponding to the tax-exempt data is authenticated as eligible for a tax refund by customs at an airport, the user can receive a tax refund for the product corresponding to the tax-exempt data.

[0012] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 1 includes a user terminal 2 and a server device 3. The user terminal 2 is operated by a user who purchases products through electronic commerce. The user may be a tax-exempt person, such as a foreign tourist. The server device 3 may be managed by an administrator who manages a system that allows users to receive tax refunds when purchasing products through electronic commerce. Although not shown, the system 1 may also include an administrator terminal operated by the administrator who manages the server device 3.

[0013] The system 1 may also include an e-commerce system 5, a customs system 6, and / or a refund system 7. The e-commerce system 5 is a system for conducting e-commerce transactions. Examples of the e-commerce system 5 include an e-commerce site system, an online shopping mall system, and the like. The customs system 6 is a system operated by a public institution or a private business that collects taxes and clears customs for exported or imported goods. The customs system 6 may be used to authenticate tax-exempt goods as eligible for a tax refund. The refund system 7 is a system for issuing tax refunds. The refund system 7 may be used to issue tax refunds for authenticated goods. The e-commerce system 5, the customs system 6, and / or the refund system 7 may include an administrator terminal operated by an administrator who manages each system, a server device, a user terminal operated by a user who uses each system, and the like. The user who uses each system may be the same person as the user who purchases goods through e-commerce transactions, or may be a different person. Furthermore, the user terminal may be the same as the user terminal 2 or may be different.

[0014] The server device 3, the electronic commerce system 5, the customs system 6, and the refund system 7 may be managed by the same administrator or at least some of them may be different. For example, the server device 3 and the electronic commerce system 5 may be managed by the same administrator or by different administrators. The systems that enable tax refunds, the electronic commerce system 5, the customs system 6, and the refund system 7 may be configured to work together using an API (Application Programming Interface).

[0015] The user terminal 2, server device 3, e-commerce system 5, customs system 6, and refund system 7 are communicatively connected to one another via a communication network 4. Furthermore, if the system 1 includes an administrator terminal operated by an administrator who manages the server device 3, it is preferable that the administrator terminal is also communicatively connected to the user terminal 2, server device 3, e-commerce system 5, customs system 6, and refund system 7 via the communication network 4. Note that "the systems are communicatively connected" means "computer devices provided in the systems are communicatively connected."

[0016] Furthermore, the user terminal 2, the server device 3, the electronic commerce system 5, the customs system 6, and the refund system 7 may be connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other without going through the communication network 4. Furthermore, at least some of the user terminal 2, the server device 3, the administrator terminal, the server device, and the user terminal provided in the electronic commerce system 5, the administrator terminal, the server device, and the user terminal provided in the customs system 6, and the administrator terminal, the server device, and the user terminal provided in the refund system 7 may be the same device.

[0017] The number of user terminals 2 included in the system 1 may be two or more. The number of e-commerce systems 5 included in the system 1 may be two or more. The server device 3 may function in a distributed manner across multiple computer devices. For example, instead of the server device 3, a distributed ledger technology such as a blockchain may be used.

[0018] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user terminal 2 includes a control unit 11, a RAM 12, a storage unit 13, an input unit 14, a display unit 15, and a communication interface 16, all of which are connected via a bus.

[0019] The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU and a ROM. The control unit 11 executes programs stored in the storage unit 13 and controls the exerciser terminal 2. The RAM 12 is the work area of ​​the control unit 11. The storage unit 13 is a memory area for saving programs and data. In other words, the storage unit 13 functions as a recording medium that stores programs. The control unit 11 performs arithmetic processing based on the programs and data read from the RAM 12 and the data input via the input unit 14.

[0020] The display unit 15 has a display screen. The control unit 11 outputs a video signal for displaying an image on the display screen according to the result of the arithmetic processing. Here, the display screen of the display unit 15 may be a touch panel equipped with a touch sensor. In this case, the touch panel functions as the input unit 14.

[0021] The communication interface 16 can be connected to the communication network 4 wirelessly or via a wire, and can transmit and receive data to and from other computer devices via the communication network 4. Data received via the communication interface 16 is loaded into the RAM 12, and the control unit 11 performs arithmetic processing.

[0022] The user terminal 2 may also be equipped with a camera. Examples of the user terminal 2 include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal. The user terminal 2 may also have installed thereon a dedicated application (hereinafter also referred to as a dedicated app) for using the system 1.

[0023] 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server device 3 includes at least a control unit 21, a RAM 22, a storage unit 23, and a communication interface 24, which are connected to each other via an internal bus.

[0024] The control unit 21 is composed of a CPU and a ROM, and executes programs stored in the storage unit 23 to control the server device 3. The control unit 21 also has an internal timer that measures time. The RAM 22 is the work area of ​​the control unit 21. The storage unit 23 is a memory area for saving programs and data. In other words, the storage unit 23 functions as a recording medium that stores programs. The control unit 21 reads out the programs and data from the RAM 22, and performs program execution processing based on information received from the user terminal 2, the e-commerce system 5, the customs system 6, and / or the refund system 7.

[0025] The program may also be stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In this case, the program stored in the recording medium may be installed in the user terminal 2, the server device 3, the e-commerce system 5, the customs system 6, and / or the refund system 7 to execute predetermined functions.

[0026] Alternatively, the program may be distributed from a computer device external to the system. In this case, the program distributed from the computer device external to the system may be installed in the user terminal 2, the server device 3, the e-commerce system 5, the customs system 6, and / or the refund system 7 to perform a predetermined function.

[0027] [User information registration process] First, the user registers information about the user (hereinafter also referred to as user information) in the system 1. The user may register the user information by starting a dedicated application on the user terminal 2, displaying a screen for inputting user information on the display screen (hereinafter also referred to as user information input screen), and performing the following user information registration process. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the user information registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the user terminal 2, input of user information is accepted on a user information input screen (step S101). The input user information is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the server device 3 (step S102). The transmitted user information is received in the server device 3 (step S103). The received user information is stored in the storage unit 23 of the server device 3 (step S104), and the user information registration process is terminated.

[0029] The user information is not particularly limited as long as it is information about the user, and may include, for example, the user's name, address, nationality, date of birth, residence status, date of landing, passport type, passport number, face photo included in the passport, name of the place where the user is staying, address of the place where the user is staying, expected date of return to Japan, etc.

[0030] The user information may also include information related to payment. For example, the user information may include information related to the user's credit card, bank account, electronic money, etc. The credit card information may include the credit card number, the account holder's name, the expiration date, the security code, etc. The bank account information may include the bank account number, the account holder's name, etc. The electronic money information may include the electronic money's two-dimensional code, one-dimensional code, identification number, the owner's name, etc. By registering the payment information as user information, the user can avoid the need to newly enter payment information when paying for products and / or receiving tax refunds, as described below.

[0031] The method by which the user inputs the user information in step S101 is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. For example, the user may input the user information by inputting characters or the like.

[0032] Alternatively, the user may input user information by taking a photograph and / or taking a picture of their passport and / or airline ticket with a camera. In this case, the page to be photographed and / or taken with the camera may be a page containing a face photograph or a page containing a stamp indicating the date of entry.

[0033] Alternatively, the user may input user information by importing predetermined data. The predetermined data may be, for example, a two-dimensional code containing passport information, facial photo data, or the like. The two-dimensional code containing passport information may be a two-dimensional code provided by the Visit Japan Web service. The predetermined data may be stored in the storage unit 13 of the user terminal 2 or in an external system.

[0034] Alternatively, the user may input the user information by referring to user information stored in association with the user's social media account, etc. In other words, the user may input the user information by loading user information stored in an external system into the system 1.

[0035] The user information is stored in step S104, thereby completing the registration of the user information. The system 1 may assign an identification number or the like to the user who has registered the user information. The identification number may be stored in the storage unit 23 of the server device 3 in association with the user information. The server device 3 may also store the user's ID, password, fingerprint information, and the like in association with the user information. When the user logs in to the system 1, the user may be required to input the user's ID, password, facial information, fingerprint information, and the like. The user may be able to change the registered user information in the system 1.

[0036] [Tax exemption data issuance processing] A user who has registered user information can obtain tax exemption data for receiving a tax refund when purchasing a product through e-commerce. The user may purchase the product through a dedicated app and obtain the tax exemption data. Alternatively, the user may access the e-commerce system 5 from the dedicated app, purchase the product through the e-commerce system 5, and then obtain the tax exemption data through the dedicated app. Below, an example in which a user purchases a product through the dedicated app and obtains the tax exemption data will be described.

[0037] 5 is a flowchart of the tax exemption data issuing process according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, the user causes the display screen of the user terminal 2 to display a screen for selecting a product to purchase (hereinafter also referred to as a product selection screen). Then, the user terminal 2 accepts an input of the selection of the product to purchase (step S201). Next, the user terminal 2 accepts a request to purchase the selected product (hereinafter also referred to as a purchase request) (step S202). The accepted purchase request is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the server device 3 (step S203). The server device 3 receives the transmitted purchase request (step S204). The server device 3 executes a payment process for the product (step S205). Next, the server device 3 determines whether or not a predetermined condition for generating tax exemption data is met (step S206).

[0038] If it is determined in step S206 that the predetermined condition is met (YES in step S206), tax exemption data is generated in the server device 3 (step S207). The generated tax exemption data is stored in the storage unit 23 of the server device 3 (step S208). The tax exemption data is transmitted from the server device 3 to the user terminal 2 (step S209). The transmitted tax exemption data is received in the user terminal 2 (step S210). Information related to the received tax exemption data is output in the user terminal 2 (step S211), and the tax exemption data issuance process is terminated.

[0039] On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S206 that the predetermined condition is met (NO in step S206), steps S207 to S211 are not performed and the tax exemption data issuance process ends.

[0040] In step S201, the manner in which the user terminal 2 accepts the input of the selection of the product to be purchased is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. For example, although not shown, when a product selection acceptance button (such as a button labeled "Add to Your Shopping Cart") displayed on the product selection screen for accepting the input of the product selection is pressed, the user terminal 2 may accept the input of the selection of the product corresponding to the product selection acceptance button. Furthermore, the selected product may be displayed on a screen for confirming the selected products (hereinafter also referred to as a selected product confirmation screen), which will be described later.

[0041] In step S202, the manner in which the user terminal 2 accepts the purchase request is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. For example, the user terminal 2 may accept the purchase request for the selected product when a purchase request acceptance button (such as a button labeled "Order") for accepting the purchase request is pressed on the selected product confirmation screen.

[0042] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing examples of display screens according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a selected product confirmation screen. When a user purchases a product, the display screen of the user terminal 2 may display a selected product confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 6A as an execution screen 30. The execution screen 30 (hereinafter also referred to as the selected product confirmation screen) displays information 31 about the selected product and a purchase request acceptance button 32.

[0043] 6(A), the words "Shopping Cart" are displayed at the top of the selected product confirmation screen. Below the words "Shopping Cart," information 31 about the selected product is displayed, including the product name "Japanese Fan," an image of the product showing the appearance of a folding fan, and the product price including tax, "¥8,800 (tax included)." Also displayed at the bottom of the selected product confirmation screen is a purchase request acceptance button 32 called "Order."

[0044] In step S201, when multiple product selections are input, the selected product confirmation screen may display multiple pieces of information 31 about the selected products. In this case, one piece of information 31 about the selected products may be displayed for each selected product, or one piece of information 31 about the selected products may be displayed for two or more of the multiple selected products.

[0045] 6(A), when the purchase request acceptance button 32 is pressed, the purchase request may be accepted in step S202. The purchase request may be for a product displayed as information 31 about the selected product.

[0046] When the purchase request is transmitted to the server device 3 in step S203, information about the product corresponding to the purchase request, that is, the selected product, may also be transmitted.

[0047] In step S203, information about the location and date and time at which the user will receive the product may be sent to the server device 3 along with the purchase request. The user terminal 2 may accept input of information about the location and date and time at which the user will receive the product. The location at which the user will receive the product may be the hotel where the user is staying, etc. In the user information registration process, if the name and / or address of the location at which the user is staying (hereinafter also referred to as accommodation information) is registered as user information, the user may refer to the registered accommodation information and input information about the desired pickup location.

[0048] Furthermore, in step S203, information regarding the payment method desired by the user may be sent to the server device 3 along with the purchase request. The user terminal 2 may accept input of information regarding the payment method desired by the user. The payment method is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. Payment may be made using a credit card, a bank account, or electronic money. If payment information is registered as user information in the user information registration process, the user may refer to the registered payment information and input information regarding the desired payment method. The user may also wish to make payment at the location where the user picks up the product.

[0049] Furthermore, in step S203, information as to whether the user desires to have tax exemption data issued may be transmitted together with the purchase request to the server device 3. The user terminal 2 may accept input of information as to whether the user desires to have tax exemption data issued.

[0050] In step S204, the server device 3 receives the product purchase request, and the product order is accepted.

[0051] The content of the payment process in step S205 is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. The payment process may be executed in any way desired by the user.

[0052] The predetermined conditions for generating the tax exemption data in step S206 are not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. The predetermined conditions for generating the tax exemption data may be, for example, conditions related to the content of the accepted order, conditions related to registered user information, conditions related to input from the user, and / or conditions related to input from an administrator. The administrator here may be the administrator of the server device 3 or the administrator of the electronic commerce system 5. The administrator also includes a person who has been entrusted by the administrator of the server device 3 or the administrator of the electronic commerce system 5.

[0053] Conditions regarding the contents of an accepted order may include, for example, that the total amount of the purchased items is within a specified amount, that the purchased items are eligible for tax exemption, that the location for receiving the purchased items is within a specified area, and that the store selling the purchased items is a duty-free store.

[0054] Conditions related to registered user information may include, for example, that the number of days the user will stay in the country is within a predetermined number of days, that the passport has a stamp indicating the date of entry, that a two-dimensional code containing passport information and facial photograph data have been registered, that information related to the passport such as the type of passport, passport number, and facial photograph included in the passport has been registered, that the registered residence status is a predetermined residence status, etc. The number of days the user will stay in the country can be calculated, for example, from the date of arrival and the planned date of return.

[0055] The conditions related to the input from the user may include, for example, receiving an input from the user indicating that the user wishes to have tax-exempt data issued. The user terminal 2 may receive an input indicating that the user wishes to have tax-exempt data issued when the contents of the received order and / or the registered user information satisfy predetermined conditions. Furthermore, information regarding whether the contents of the received order satisfy predetermined conditions and / or whether the registered user information satisfies predetermined conditions may be displayed on the product selection screen, selected product confirmation screen, etc.

[0056] The conditions regarding the input from the administrator may include, for example, receiving an input from the administrator of an instruction to issue tax-exempt data, etc. The administrator may input an instruction to issue tax-exempt data after checking whether or not the content of the received order, the registered user information, and / or the input from the user meets certain conditions.

[0057] The tax exemption data generated in step S207 is not particularly limited as long as it enables a tax refund. The tax exemption data is only required to include information necessary for receiving a tax refund. The information necessary for receiving a tax refund may be information indicating that the product is eligible for tax exemption. The tax exemption data is issued when a user purchases a product through electronic commerce. The information necessary for receiving a tax refund may include, for example, the purchase date of the product, the name of the purchased product, the price of the purchased product including tax, the price of the purchased product including tax, and the name of the store that sold the product. The tax exemption data may include letters, numbers, identifiers (such as two-dimensional codes and one-dimensional codes), images, and the like. The tax exemption data may also be formatted according to a format necessary for receiving a tax refund.

[0058] The tax-exempt data may be a digital version of a printed document. For example, the tax-exempt data may be a document for receiving a tax refund with necessary information filled in and scanned to be electronically handled.

[0059] The tax exemption data may also be data on information about a document for receiving a tax refund that is entered into a computer device after the document is physically issued.

[0060] Furthermore, the tax exemption data may be receipt data or the like.

[0061] In step S208, the tax exemption data may be stored in association with the user information. Also, in step S208, the information transmitted to the server device 3 in step S203, the date and time when the tax exemption data was generated, etc. may be stored in association with the user information.

[0062] The data transmitted in step S209 may or may not be the same data as the tax exemption data generated in step S207. The data transmitted in step S209 preferably includes at least a part of the tax exemption data generated in step S207. Furthermore, in step S209, information for outputting information related to the tax exemption data at the user terminal 2 may be transmitted together with the tax exemption data.

[0063] The information on the tax exemption data output in step S211 is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. The information on the tax exemption data may be at least a part of the tax exemption data generated in step S207.

[0064] Fig. 6(B) is a diagram showing an example of a tax exemption data display screen for displaying information related to tax exemption data. The display screen of the user terminal 2 may display a tax exemption data display screen as shown in Fig. 6(B) as an execution screen 40. Information 41 related to tax exemption data is displayed on the execution screen 40 (hereinafter also referred to as the tax exemption data display screen).

[0065] In Figure 6(B), the words "Tax Refund Form" are displayed at the top of the tax exemption data display screen. Also, below the words "Tax Refund Form," tax exemption data information 41 is displayed, including the purchase date of the product ("5-30-2024"), the name of the purchased product ("Japanese Fan"), the price of the purchased product ("¥8,800") including tax ("¥800"), and the name of the store that sold the purchased product ("XYZ online").

[0066] In step S211, a tax exemption data display screen such as that shown in FIG. 6(B) may be displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 2.

[0067] It should be noted that if a user purchases tax-exempt products at multiple stores, multiple tax exemption data may be generated for one user. When multiple tax exemption data are generated for one user, information 41 relating to the multiple tax exemption data may be displayed on the tax exemption data display screen. Alternatively, when multiple tax exemption data are generated for one user, information 41 relating to one tax exemption data that integrates the multiple tax exemption data may be displayed on the tax exemption data display screen.

[0068] The tax exemption data generated in step S207 may be transmitted to a server device included in the customs system 6 and / or the refund system 7. The tax exemption data may then be output from an administrator terminal and / or a user terminal included in the customs system 6 and / or the refund system 7. The tax exemption data may also be output from an authentication device included in the customs system 6 and / or a refund determination device included in the refund system 7.

[0069] Furthermore, the tax exemption data stored in the server device 3 in step S208 may be transmitted to an administrator terminal (hereinafter also referred to as the terminal of the administrator of the server device 3) operated by an administrator who manages the server device 3, and may be output on the terminal of the administrator of the server device 3. For example, a tax exemption data display screen as shown in FIG. 6(B) may be displayed on the display screen of the terminal of the administrator of the server device 3. Furthermore, the administrator of the server device 3 may be able to print out the information displayed on the tax exemption data display screen. For example, the administrator of the server device 3 may send a document on which information related to the tax exemption data is printed to the user together with the product purchased by the user.

[0070] The type of tax that can be refunded is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. The type of tax that can be refunded may be, for example, consumption tax, value-added tax, liquor tax, or tobacco tax.

[0071] If it is determined in step S206 that the specified conditions are not met, information indicating that the product order has been completed, information indicating that the payment process has been completed, information regarding the product shipping schedule, etc. may be sent to the user terminal 2.

[0072] Also, even if it is determined in step S206 that the specified conditions are met, information indicating that the product order has been completed, information indicating that the payment process has been completed, information regarding the product shipping schedule, etc. may be sent to the user terminal 2 together with the tax exemption data in step S209.

[0073] In the above, a case has been described in which a user who has performed the user information registration process orders a product and obtains tax exemption data, but the user information registration process may also be performed when the user orders a product. For example, in step S203, the user information may be transmitted to the server device 3 together with the purchase request.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above description, we have explained an aspect in which a user purchases a product on a dedicated app and obtains tax exemption data, that is, an aspect in which electronic commerce and generation of tax exemption data are possible on the server device 3, but if a user purchases a product on the electronic commerce system 5 and then obtains tax exemption data on the dedicated app, steps S201 to S205 may be executed on the server device included in the electronic commerce system 5. In that case, information for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied in step S206 may be transmitted from the server device included in the electronic commerce system 5 to the server device 3 that generates the tax exemption data.

[0075] [Tax exemption certification processing] Products corresponding to the tax-exempt data must be authenticated by customs as being eligible for a tax refund. If the product is authenticated as being eligible for a tax refund, the following tax-exempt authentication process may be performed. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the tax-exempt authentication process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] First, the customs system 6 receives an instruction to generate authentication data indicating that the product has been authenticated as eligible for a tax refund (hereinafter also referred to as an instruction to generate authentication data) (step S301). Next, the customs system 6 generates authentication data (step S302). The generated authentication data is stored in the customs system 6 (step S303). The authentication data is transmitted from the customs system 6 to the server device 3 (step S304). The server device 3 receives the transmitted authentication data (step S305). The server device 3 stores the received authentication data (step S306). The server device 3 transmits the authentication data to the user terminal 2 (step S307). The user terminal 2 receives the transmitted authentication data (step S308). The user terminal 2 outputs information related to the authentication data (step S309), and the tax exemption authentication process ends.

[0077] The instruction to generate the authentication data may be input to a terminal provided in the customs system 6 and operated by customs staff. The customs staff may certify that the product is eligible for a tax refund when, for example, they visually confirm that the tax exemption data, the product corresponding to the tax exemption data, the user's passport, the user's airline ticket, and the product corresponding to the tax exemption data are unopened. Hereinafter, "the product is authenticated as eligible for a tax refund" may also be simply referred to as "the product is authenticated."

[0078] The conditions for authenticating a product are not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. The conditions for authenticating a product may be conditions set by a public institution or the like. The conditions for authenticating a product may include, for example, that tax-exempt data has been issued for the product, that the user possesses the product corresponding to the tax-exempt data and is thought to take it out of the country, and that the product corresponding to the tax-exempt data has not been opened. Whether tax-exempt data has been issued for a product may be confirmed by outputting information related to the tax-exempt data on the display screen of the user terminal 2, by transmitting the tax-exempt data from the server device 3 to a server device included in the customs system 6, or by an inquiry from the server device included in the customs system 6 to the server device 3.

[0079] When a customs staff member authenticates a product, the customs staff member may input an instruction to generate authentication data for the authenticated product into a terminal operated by the customs staff member. The input instruction to generate authentication data may be transmitted from the terminal operated by the customs staff member to a server device included in the customs system 6. When the server device included in the customs system 6 receives the instruction to generate authentication data, the customs system 6 may accept the instruction to generate authentication data in step S301.

[0080] Alternatively, in the case where customs has introduced a device (hereinafter also referred to as an authentication device) for authenticating that an item is eligible for a tax refund, the authentication device may transmit an instruction to generate authentication data to a server device included in the customs system 6. For example, when a user causes the authentication device to read tax-exempt data, a product corresponding to the tax-exempt data, the user's passport, the user's airline ticket, etc., the authentication device may transmit an instruction to generate authentication data. When the server device included in the customs system 6 receives the instruction to generate authentication data, the customs system 6 may accept the instruction to generate authentication data in step S301.

[0081] The authentication data generated in step S302 is not particularly limited as long as it indicates that the product has been authenticated as eligible for a tax refund. The authentication data may be data indicating that tax-exempt data has been issued for the product, data indicating that the user possesses the product corresponding to the tax-exempt data and is likely to take it out of the country, or data indicating that the product corresponding to the tax-exempt data has not been opened. The authentication data may include the tax-exempt data, information about the product corresponding to the tax-exempt data, information about the user's passport, information about the user's airline ticket, etc. The authentication data may include letters, numbers, identifiers (such as two-dimensional codes or one-dimensional codes), images, etc.

[0082] The authentication data may be a digital version of a printed document. For example, the authentication data may be a document for receiving a tax refund with a certification stamp affixed thereto that has been scanned and made electronically accessible.

[0083] The authentication data may also be data obtained by inputting information about a document for receiving a tax refund into a computer device after a certification stamp has been affixed to the document.

[0084] In step S303, the generated authentication data may be associated with and stored as tax-free data corresponding to the authenticated product, information about the user's passport, information about the user's airline ticket, the date and time the authentication data was generated, and the like.

[0085] The data transmitted in step S304 may or may not be the same as the authentication data generated in step S302. Preferably, the data transmitted in step S304 includes at least a portion of the authentication data generated in step S302. Furthermore, in step S304, information for outputting information related to the authentication data at the user terminal 2 may be transmitted together with the authentication data.

[0086] In step S306, the received authentication data may be stored in association with user information. In this case, it is preferable that the received authentication data and the tax-exemption data corresponding to the authenticated product are linked and stored. In addition, in step S306, the information transmitted to the server device 3 in step S304, the date and time when the authentication data was generated, etc. may be stored in association with the received authentication data.

[0087] The data transmitted in step S307 may or may not be the same as the authentication data generated in step S302. Preferably, the data transmitted in step S307 includes at least a portion of the authentication data generated in step S302. Furthermore, in step S307, information for outputting information related to the authentication data to the user terminal 2 may be transmitted together with the authentication data.

[0088] The authentication data may be transmitted in step S307 when a request to transmit the authentication data (hereinafter also referred to as an authentication data transmission request) is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the server device 3. The user terminal 2 may receive an input of the authentication data transmission request from the user.

[0089] The authentication data received in step S308 may be stored in the storage unit 13 included in the user terminal 2. Storing the authentication data in the user terminal 2 makes it possible to output the authentication data in the user terminal 2 without accessing the server device 3.

[0090] The information on the authentication data output in step S309 is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. The information on the authentication data may be at least a part of the authentication data generated in step S302. In step S309, the information on the authentication data is output to the user terminal 2 in a manner that allows the user to recognize that the product has been authenticated as eligible for a tax refund.

[0091] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S309, an authentication data display screen as shown in Fig. 8 may be displayed as an execution screen 50 on the display screen of the user terminal 2. Information 51 related to tax exemption data and information 52 related to authentication data are displayed on the execution screen 50 (hereinafter also referred to as the authentication data display screen).

[0092] In Figure 8, the words "Tax Refund Form" are displayed at the top of the authentication data display screen. In addition, for information 51 relating to tax exemption data displayed below the words "Tax Refund Form", the description relating to information 41 relating to tax exemption data in Figure 6(B) can be adopted to the extent necessary.

[0093] In Fig. 8, the word "Accepted" is displayed as information 52 relating to authentication data below information 51 relating to tax exemption data. By the display of information 52 relating to authentication data, the user can recognize that the product corresponding to the tax exemption data has been authenticated as one for which a tax refund is available.

[0094] If multiple tax exemption data exist for one user, information 52 relating to authentication data may be displayed for each tax exemption data. It is preferable that information 51 relating to tax exemption data and information 52 relating to authentication data are displayed in a manner that allows the correspondence between them to be recognized. For example, information 52 relating to authentication data that corresponds to each tax exemption data may be displayed below information 51 relating to tax exemption data.

[0095] Furthermore, if the customs system 6 is equipped with a user terminal in an airport or the like, information regarding the authentication data may be output on the user terminal. The information regarding the authentication data output on the user terminal equipped in the customs system 6 may be the same as or different from the information regarding the authentication data output in step S309. It is preferable that the information regarding the authentication data output on the user terminal equipped in the customs system 6 is at least a part of the authentication data generated in step S302.

[0096] The user terminal provided in the customs system 6 may be operable by a person other than the user who purchases the product through e-commerce. The user terminal provided in the customs system 6 may be operable by a user who receives product authentication at customs. The user terminal provided in the customs system 6 may be the same as or different from the authentication device.

[0097] [Refund Request Processing] If the product is authenticated, the user can receive a tax refund for the product. Figure 9 is a flowchart of a refund request process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] First, a request for tax refund (hereinafter also referred to as refund request) is accepted at the user terminal 2 (step S401). The accepted refund request is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the server device 3 (step S402). The transmitted refund request is received at the server device 3 (step S403). The received refund request is stored at the server device 3 (step S404). The refund request is transmitted from the server device 3 to the refund system 7 (step S405). The transmitted refund request is received at the refund system 7 (step S406). The refund process is executed at the refund system 7 (step S407).

[0099] Next, the refund system 7 stores the refund result (step S408). The refund system 7 transmits the refund result to the server device 3 (step S409). The server device 3 receives the transmitted refund result (step S410). The server device 3 stores the received refund result (step S411). The server device 3 transmits the refund result to the user terminal 2 (step S412). The user terminal 2 receives the transmitted refund result (step S413). The user terminal 2 outputs information regarding the refund result (step S414), and the refund request process ends.

[0100] In step S401, the manner in which the user terminal 2 accepts the refund request is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. For example, the user terminal 2 may display a refund request acceptance button for accepting a refund request for an authenticated product.

[0101] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10(A) is a diagram showing an example of a refund request acceptance screen. The display screen of the user terminal 2 may display a refund request acceptance screen as shown in Figure 10(A) as an execution screen 60. The execution screen 60 (hereinafter also referred to as the refund request acceptance screen) displays information 61 related to tax exemption data, information 62 related to authentication data, and a refund request acceptance button 63.

[0102] In Figure 10(A), the words "Tax Refund Form" are displayed at the top of the refund request reception screen. In addition, for information 61 regarding tax exemption data displayed below the words "Tax Refund Form", the description regarding information 41 regarding tax exemption data in Figure 6(B) can be adopted to the extent necessary.

[0103] For the information 62 relating to the authentication data, the description relating to the information 52 relating to the authentication data in FIG. 8 can be adopted to the extent necessary.

[0104] In Figure 10(A), a refund request acceptance button 63 labeled "Claim a Refund" is displayed below the information 62 related to authentication data. When the refund request acceptance button 63 is pressed, the refund request may be accepted in step S401. The refund request may also be a refund request for a product corresponding to the information 61 related to tax exemption data displayed on the refund request acceptance screen. The refund request acceptance button 63 may be displayed after the information 62 related to authentication data is displayed.

[0105] In addition, if multiple tax exemption data exist for one user, the user may be able to make a refund request for products corresponding to multiple tax exemption data. For example, if multiple tax exemption data exist for one user, information 61 relating to multiple tax exemption data may be displayed on the refund request reception screen. Then, the user may be able to make a refund request for products corresponding to some or all of the information 61 relating to the tax exemption data displayed on the refund request reception screen. The user may be able to select the information 61 relating to the tax exemption data corresponding to the product for which a refund is requested.

[0106] In step S402, information about the recipient of the tax refund may be transmitted together with the refund request. The information about the recipient of the tax refund may be, for example, information about the user's credit card, bank account, or electronic money. The user may be able to input the information about the recipient of the tax refund at the user terminal 2. Furthermore, if information about the user's payment is registered as user information, it may be possible to omit inputting the information about the recipient of the tax refund.

[0107] In step S404, the refund request may be stored in association with user information. In this case, it is preferable that the refund request, tax exemption data corresponding to the refund request, and authentication data corresponding to the tax exemption data are stored in association with each other. In addition, in step S404, the server device 3 may store, in association with the refund request, the date and time when the refund request was accepted, the tax exemption data corresponding to the refund request, the authentication data corresponding to the tax exemption data, the date and time when the authentication data corresponding to the tax exemption data was generated, information on the tax refund recipient, etc.

[0108] In step S405, the refund request may be sent to the refund system 7 along with the date and time the refund request was accepted, the tax exemption data corresponding to the refund request, the authentication data corresponding to the tax exemption data, the date and time the authentication data corresponding to the tax exemption data was generated, and information regarding the tax refund recipient.

[0109] The content of the refund process in step S407 is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. In step S407, the tax may be refunded for the product corresponding to the refund request, depending on the refund destination desired by the user.

[0110] The refund result stored in step S408 is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. The refund result may include, for example, the date and time the refund process was performed, the refund amount, information about the refund recipient, the date and time the refund request was accepted, the tax exemption data corresponding to the refund request, the authentication data corresponding to the tax exemption data, and the date and time the authentication data corresponding to the tax exemption data was generated.

[0111] The result of the refund sent to the server device 3 in step S409 may be a part or all of the result of the refund stored in the refund system 7 in step S408.

[0112] In step S411, the result of the withdrawal may be stored in association with the corresponding withdrawal request.

[0113] Furthermore, the result of the refund sent to the user terminal 2 in step S412 may be a part or all of the result of the refund stored in the refund system 7 in step S408.

[0114] The information on the result of the refund output in step S414 is not particularly limited and can be designed as appropriate. The information on the result of the refund may be at least a part of the result of the refund stored in the refund system 7 in step S408.

[0115] Figure 10(B) is a diagram showing an example of a refund result display screen for displaying information about the result of the refund. The display screen of the user terminal 2 may display the refund result display screen as shown in Figure 10(B) as an execution screen 70. The execution screen 70 (hereinafter also referred to as the refund result display screen) displays information 71 about tax exemption data, information 72 about authentication data, and information 73 about the result of the refund.

[0116] In Figure 10(B), the words "Tax Refund Form" are displayed at the top of the refund result display screen. In addition, for information 71 regarding tax exemption data displayed below the words "Tax Refund Form", the description regarding information 41 regarding tax exemption data in Figure 6(B) can be adopted to the extent necessary.

[0117] For the information 72 relating to the authentication data, the description relating to the information 52 relating to the authentication data in FIG. 8 can be adopted to the extent necessary.

[0118] 10(B), the word "Refunded" is displayed as refund result information 73 below the authentication data information 72. By seeing the refund result information 73, the user can recognize that the refund for the product for which they requested a refund has been completed.

[0119] The user may be able to access the server device 3 and request the display of the result of the refund, thereby displaying the result of the refund on the user terminal 2.

[0120] Furthermore, information reflecting the progress of the refund process may be displayed as the result of the refund on the user terminal 2. For example, the user terminal 2 may display information indicating the progress, such as "Refund requested," "Refund in progress," or "Refund completed," as information 73 related to the refund result.

[0121] Although the above describes an example in which a refund request is sent from the user terminal 2, the user may request execution of the refund process at a refund counter provided at an airport. In this case, steps S401 to S406 of the refund request process described above may not be executed, and step S407 and subsequent steps may be executed. Also, in this case, staff at the refund counter may check the tax exemption data and / or authentication data. Then, input for executing the refund process may be performed on a terminal operated by the staff at the refund counter.

[0122] In this case, the staff member may check the information regarding the tax exemption data and / or authentication data output on the display screen of the user terminal 2, or may confirm that the tax exemption data and / or authentication data has been sent from the server device 3 to the server device provided in the refund system 7, or may check the tax exemption data and / or authentication data by making an inquiry to the server device 3 from the server device provided in the refund system 7.

[0123] Alternatively, if a device for determining whether or not a refund process is possible (hereinafter also referred to as a refund determination device) is installed at the refund counter, the refund determination device may transmit a refund request to a server device included in the refund system 7. For example, when a user causes the refund determination device to read tax exemption data, authentication data, etc., the refund determination device may transmit a refund request. Then, after the server device included in the refund system 7 receives the refund request, step S407 and subsequent steps may be executed.

[0124] Alternatively, the user may receive a cash refund of the tax at a refund counter provided at the airport. If a cash refund is received, steps S401 to S407 of the refund request process described above may not be executed, and step S408 and subsequent steps may be executed. The refund result stored in step S408 may be input into a terminal operated by a staff member at the refund counter.

[0125] Furthermore, if the refund system 7 is equipped with a user terminal in an airport or the like, the user terminal may be capable of accepting and transmitting a refund request. In this case, steps S401 to S405 of the refund request process described above may not be executed, and step S406 and subsequent steps may be executed. In this case, information indicating that the refund request has been accepted may be transmitted from the refund system 7 to the server device 3. Furthermore, in this case, information indicating that the refund request has been accepted by the refund system 7 may be output from the user terminal 2.

[0126] Furthermore, if the refund system 7 is provided with a user terminal in an airport or the like, the user terminal may be capable of outputting information relating to the refund result. The information relating to the refund result outputted on the user terminal provided in the refund system 7 may be the same as or different from the information relating to the refund result outputted in step S414. It is preferable that the information relating to the refund result outputted on the user terminal is at least a part of the refund result stored in step S408.

[0127] The user terminal provided in the refund system 7 may be operable by a person other than the user who purchases the product through electronic commerce. The user terminal provided in the refund system 7 may be operable by a user who receives a tax refund on the product. The user terminal provided in the refund system 7 may be the same as or different from the refund determination device.

[0128] The tax exemption data display screen, authentication data display screen, refund request acceptance screen, and / or refund result display screen may be viewable by accessing the same URL. For example, a user may be able to view at least a part of the information displayed on the tax exemption data display screen, authentication data display screen, refund request acceptance screen, and / or refund result display screen according to the progress of the tax exemption procedure on the URL for checking information about tax exemption.

[0129] In this way, by providing a system that includes an order receiving means for receiving product orders from users through an electronic commerce service and a tax exemption data generating means for generating tax exemption data for receiving a tax refund on the product, it is possible to provide a system that allows users to receive a tax refund when purchasing a product through electronic commerce.

[0130] In this way, the system is equipped with a user information storage means for storing user information about the user, and the user information includes the user's name, address, nationality, date of birth, residence status, date of landing, type of passport, passport number, facial photograph included in the passport, name of place where the user is staying, address of place where the user is staying, and / or planned date of return to Japan, thereby enabling the system to register user information about the user.

[0131] Furthermore, in this way, the tax-exempt data generating means generates tax-exempt data when predetermined conditions are met regarding the content of the order accepted by the order accepting means, the user information stored in the user information storing means, the input from the user, and / or the input from the administrator, thereby making it possible to generate tax-exempt data when predetermined conditions are met.

[0132] In addition, the system may include an authentication data output means for outputting information relating to authentication data indicating that the product has been authenticated as eligible for tax refund. This makes it easier for the user to verify that the product is authenticated.

[0133] Furthermore, by providing a refund request receiving means for receiving a request for a refund of the tax on the product, it becomes easy for the user to request a refund of the tax on the product.

[0134] Furthermore, by providing the system with a refund result output means for outputting the result of the tax refund for the product, it becomes easy for the user to check the result of the tax refund for the product.

[0135] In the above, an example has been described in which tax-exempt data is issued for a product purchased through e-commerce, authentication data is issued for the product for which the tax-exempt data has been issued, and a refund process is performed for the product for which the authentication data has been issued. However, the function of issuing authentication data and / or the function of performing the refund process may be performed independently. For example, it may be possible to perform tax-exempt authentication processing for a product purchased in a physical store. Furthermore, it may be possible to perform a refund request process for a product purchased in a physical store.

[0136] In this case, a document issued at a physical store for receiving a tax refund on a product may be read by the user terminal 2. Data of the document for receiving a tax refund on a product read by the user terminal 2 may be transmitted to the server device 3. Then, it may be possible to execute tax exemption authentication processing and / or refund request processing on the dedicated app for tax refunds on products purchased at a physical store.

[0137] Alternatively, a document issued in a physical store for receiving a tax refund on a product may be read into the authentication device, and the authentication device may be able to execute a tax exemption authentication process and / or a refund request process based on the data in the document for receiving a tax refund on a product that has been read.

[0138] That is, the system may be a system that includes an authentication data output means that outputs information regarding authentication data that indicates that the product has been authenticated as being eligible for a tax refund.

[0139] The system may also include a refund request accepting means for accepting a request for a refund of tax on a product.

[0140] The system may also include a refund result output means for outputting information regarding the result of the tax refund on the product. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1 System 2. User terminal 3. Server equipment 4. Communication Network 5. E-commerce systems 6. Customs System 7. Refund System 11 Control section 12 RAM 13 Storage Section 14 Input section 15 Display section 16 Communication Interface 21 Control Unit 22 RAM 23 Storage Department 24 Communication Interface 30 Execution screen 31 Information about selected products 32 Purchase request acceptance button 40 Execution screen 41 Information on tax exemption data 50 Execution screen 51 Information on tax exemption data 52 Information about authentication data 60 Execution screen 61 Information on tax exemption data 62 Information about authentication data 63 Refund request acceptance button 70 Execution screen 71 Information on tax exemption data 72 Information about authentication data 73 Information on the outcome of refunds

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising at least one computer device, a refund execution means for executing a tax refund process for a product purchased by a user when the product is authenticated as eligible for a tax refund; A system comprising:

2. a refund result storage means for storing information regarding the result of the tax refund on the product; Equipped with The system of claim 1 .

3. a refund request receiving means for receiving a request for a refund of the tax on the product; Equipped with 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a tax exemption data storage means for storing tax exemption data for receiving a tax refund on the product; Equipped with The tax-free data may include the date of purchase of the product, the name of the product purchased, the price of the product purchased including tax, the price of the product purchased including tax, and / or the name of the store that sold the product; 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. User information storage means for storing user information relating to users Equipped with The user information includes the user's name, address, nationality, date of birth, status of residence, date of landing, type of passport, passport number, photograph of face included in passport, name of place where the user is staying, address of place where the user is staying, planned date of return to Japan, and / or payment information, 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a refund execution means for executing a tax refund process for a product purchased by a user when the product is authenticated as eligible for a tax refund; A computer device comprising:

7. The computer device a refund execution means for executing a tax refund process for a product purchased by a user when the product is authenticated as eligible for a tax refund; A program that functions as a

8. 1. A method executed in a system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: a refund execution step for executing tax refund processing for the product when it is authenticated that the product purchased by the user is eligible for tax refund; A method comprising:

Images