Server device, system, control method and program for server device

Abstract

We provide server equipment that enables system operators who operate systems providing age verification services and electronic payment service providers who use said age verification services to pay fees that are acceptable to them. [Solution] The server device comprises a storage means, a notification means, and a payment control means. The storage means stores the payment code in association with the result of the user's age verification. The notification means obtains the payment code issued to the payment applicant from the payment terminal. The notification means identifies the payment applicant based on the obtained payment code. Based on the result of the age verification of the identified payment applicant, the notification means notifies the payment terminal whether the store can sell the payment applicant products, etc., that have age restrictions on purchase. The payment control means calculates a first fee to be paid to a predetermined business operator based on the number of times such notifications have been made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the predetermined business operator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a system, a control method for a server device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There are technologies related to electronic payment and code payment.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes providing an information processing method and a program for presenting content to a user who performs code payment while reducing the burden on a device that performs code payment. The payment system of Patent Document 1 includes a payment processing device, a user terminal, and a store terminal. In this payment system, the payment processing device, which is a server that performs payment for the purchase amount of a user, includes a payment information receiving unit, an access destination specifying unit, and a completion information transmitting unit. The payment information receiving unit receives a payment token, store information, and payment information regarding the purchase of goods in the user's store from the store terminal that has read the payment code displayed by the user terminal. The access destination specifying unit specifies access destination information for the user terminal to access the content based on at least any one of the user information regarding the user indicated by the user ID associated with the received store information, payment information, and payment token. The completion information transmitting unit transmits payment completion information and access destination information to the user terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] To improve the convenience of electronic payments as described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to provide an age verification service that stores the payment code issued to the user and the user's age information, and determines whether it is possible to sell the user a product that has an age restriction when the user makes a purchase.

[0006] In this case, if the electronic payment service provider and the system operator are different entities, the electronic payment service provider will need to pay a service fee for the age verification service to the system operator. In this instance, the fee must be one that is acceptable to both the electronic payment service provider and the system operator.

[0007] The primary objective of this invention is to provide a server device, a system, a method for controlling the server device, and a program that contribute to enabling the payment of fees acceptable to both system operators who operate a system that provides an age verification service and electronic payment service providers who use said age verification service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a server device is provided that includes: a storage means for storing in a database a payment code issued to each of a plurality of users and the results of age verification for each of the plurality of users; a notification means for obtaining the payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for a product or service to purchase from a payment terminal installed in a store that sells the product or service, identifying the person who wishes to pay from among the plurality of users based on the obtained payment code, and notifying the payment terminal whether the store can sell the product or service with an age restriction to the person who wishes to pay based on the results of age verification for the identified person; and a payment control means for calculating a first fee to be paid to a predetermined business operator based on the number of times the notification has been made in a predetermined period, and controlling the payment of the calculated first fee to the predetermined business operator.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system is provided comprising: a payment terminal installed in a store selling goods or services; a server device, wherein the server device includes: a storage means that stores in a database a payment code issued to each of a plurality of users and the result of age verification for each of the plurality of users in association; a notification means that obtains the payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for goods or services to purchase from the payment terminal, identifies the person who wishes to pay from among the plurality of users based on the obtained payment code, and notifies the payment terminal whether the store can sell the person who wishes to pay for goods or services with an age restriction based on the result of age verification for the identified person; and a payment control means that calculates a first fee to be paid to a predetermined business based on the number of times the notification has been made in a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the predetermined business.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention provides a control method for a server device, comprising: a storage step of associating a payment code issued to each of a plurality of users with the results of age verification for each of the plurality of users and storing them in a database; a notification step of obtaining the payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for a product or service to purchase from a payment terminal installed in a store that sells the product or service, identifying the person who wishes to pay from among the plurality of users based on the obtained payment code, and notifying the payment terminal whether the store can sell the product or service with an age restriction to the person who wishes to pay based on the results of age verification for the identified person; and a payment control step of calculating a first fee to be paid to a predetermined business based on the number of times the notification has been made in a predetermined period, and controlling the payment of the calculated first fee to the predetermined business.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention is provided, which causes a computer mounted on a server device to perform a storage process that stores in a database a payment code issued to each of several users and the results of age verification for each of the several users; a notification process that obtains the payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from a payment terminal installed in a store that sells the goods or services, identifies the person who wishes to pay from among the several users based on the obtained payment code, and notifies the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person who wishes to pay based on the results of age verification for the identified person; and a payment control process that calculates a first fee to be paid to a predetermined business based on the number of times the notification has been made in a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the predetermined business. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to each aspect of the present invention, a server device, a system, a method for controlling the server device, and a program are provided that contribute to enabling the payment of fees acceptable to both a system operator operating a system that provides an age verification service and an electronic payment service provider using the age verification service. However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above. The present invention may produce other effects in lieu of or in conjunction with the effects described above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the outline of one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation overview of one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a settlement terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a user management database according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a code issuance control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a log management database according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration of a settlement terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a settlement control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration of a server device according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. The reference numerals in the drawings attached to this overview are provided for convenience as examples to aid understanding, and this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks shown in each drawing represent functional units, not hardware units. The connecting lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows schematically indicate the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectional flow. In this specification and in the drawings, elements that can be similarly described are given the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

[0015] A server device 100 according to one embodiment includes a storage means 101, a notification means 102, and a payment control means 103 (see Figure 1). The storage means 101 stores in a database the payment code issued to each of the multiple users and the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users in association (step S1 in Figure 2). The notification means 102 obtains the payment code issued to the person who wishes to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from a payment terminal installed in the store that sells the goods or services (step S2). Based on the obtained payment code, the notification means 102 identifies the person who wishes to pay from among the multiple users (step S3). Based on the results of the age verification of the identified person who wishes to pay, the notification means 102 notifies the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services that have an age restriction to the person who wishes to pay (notification of sale eligibility; step S4). The payment control means 103 calculates a first fee to be paid to a designated business operator based on the number of times the notification was made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator (execute fee payment control; step S5).

[0016] The server device 100 stores the results of age verification performed on the user before the payment code is used, associating them with the payment code issued to the user. When the payment terminal requests a determination from the user regarding the sale of age-restricted products or services, the server device 100 notifies the payment terminal of the determination result based on the age verification result stored in association with the payment code. Furthermore, the server device 100 calculates the fees that the electronic payment service provider pays to the system provider at predetermined timings. At that time, the fees are calculated according to the number of times the above determination (notification of the result of the determination regarding the sale of age-restricted products, etc.) has been made, so the server device 100 can realize fee payments that are acceptable to both the system provider and the electronic payment service provider. In other words, if the age verification service is used many times, a large fee is paid to the system provider, and if the age verification service is used few times, a small fee is paid to the system provider, so a reasonable amount of fee is paid to the system provider.

[0017] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The information processing system according to the first embodiment is constructed by a designated business operator. For example, the information processing system is constructed, managed, and operated by a system operator (system vendor).

[0020] [System Configuration] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing system includes a server device 10 and at least one payment terminal 20.

[0021] Server device 10 is a server that controls and manages electronic payments. More specifically, server device 10 provides electronic payment services using 2D barcodes, etc. Server device 10 may be installed in the building of a system operator or electronic payment service provider, or it may be installed on a network (on the cloud).

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the server device 10 provides electronic payment services to at least one retailer (for example, a business operator such as a convenience store or supermarket; in Figure 3, retailer A and retailer B). The information processing system according to the first embodiment provides consumer-presented mode (CPM) electronic payment services.

[0023] The payment terminal 20 will be installed in each retailer's store. Each store will have at least one payment terminal 20 installed.

[0024] The payment terminal 20 is a terminal used to settle payments for goods and services purchased by users. For example, the payment terminal 20 may be a POS (Point of Sale) terminal or tablet capable of reading barcodes or 2D barcodes.

[0025] The user possesses a device 30 such as a smartphone. The user operates the device 30 to access the server device 10, etc., and inputs or retrieves various information.

[0026] The devices shown in Figure 3 (server device 10, payment terminal 20, and terminal 30) are connected by wired or wireless communication means and are configured to communicate with each other.

[0027] The configuration of the information processing system shown in Figure 3 is illustrative and not intended to limit the possible configurations. For example, the system may include multiple server devices 10. Load balancing and redundancy may be achieved by using multiple server devices 10.

[0028] [General operation] Next, we will describe the general operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment.

[0029] <Preparation> Before the system is put into operation, the system operator's administrators input information about retailers and other businesses that will use the electronic payment service into the server device 10. For example, the administrators input information about the retailers (e.g., their names), the number of payment terminals 20 that support the electronic payment service, and information about each payment terminal 20 (e.g., information about the stores where they are installed) into the server device 10.

[0030] Furthermore, if the above information (for example, the number of payment terminals 20) changes during system operation, the administrator will update the information registered in the server device 10.

[0031] <Electronic Payment Application> Users can utilize electronic payment services using credit cards, electronic money, etc., by creating an account with an electronic payment service provider. First, the user installs the electronic payment application on terminal 30. The user can then enjoy electronic payment services using the installed electronic payment application.

[0032] <Create an account> After installing the electronic payment application, the user creates an account on the server device 10. The user operates the terminal 30 to launch the electronic payment application. The electronic payment application accesses the server device 10.

[0033] The server device 10 obtains, for example, the user's name, gender, date of birth, address, login information, contact information (for example, telephone number, email address), credit card information, etc., from a website for member registration.

[0034] When the server device 10 obtains the user's name, date of birth, etc., it generates a user ID to identify the user. The server device 10 associates the generated user ID with the obtained information and stores it in the user management database. Details of the user management database will be described later.

[0035] Furthermore, the server device 10 issues the generated user ID to the user. Specifically, the server device 10 sends the generated user ID to the terminal 30. The terminal 30 stores the received user ID.

[0036] <Identity Verification> The electronic payment application installed on terminal 30 will verify the user's identity upon initial launch, etc.

[0037] Specifically, electronic payment applications acquire users' biometric information using a GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc. For example, an electronic payment application might acquire a user's facial image through a selfie.

[0038] Subsequently, the electronic payment application obtains biometric information and other data from the user's identification document. For example, the electronic payment application reads facial images, names, dates of birth, etc., from IC (Integrated Circuit) chips such as passports, driver's licenses, and My Number cards.

[0039] Electronic payment applications perform identity verification (one-to-one authentication) using two pieces of biometric information.

[0040] If identity verification is successful, the electronic payment application will store the user's biometric information (e.g., a facial image obtained through photography) and date of birth.

[0041] <Issuance of payment code> Users who wish to pay for goods at a store request a payment code from the electronic payment service provider. Specifically, the user operates terminal 30 to launch the electronic payment application.

[0042] The launched electronic payment application performs user identity verification. Specifically, terminal 30 (electronic payment application) takes a photograph of the user. Terminal 30 obtains the user's facial image through what is known as a selfie.

[0043] Terminal 30 performs an authentication process (one-to-one authentication) using the acquired facial image and the facial image stored internally.

[0044] Upon successful user authentication, terminal 30 sends a "payment code issuance request" to server device 10 containing the user ID issued by server device 10 and information regarding the user's age (hereinafter referred to as age information) (see Figure 4).

[0045] For example, age information is the user's current age, obtained from the user's date of birth stored in terminal 30. Alternatively, age information may be the user's date of birth itself. Alternatively, age information may be information (a flag) indicating whether the user is under a predetermined age (e.g., 20 years old).

[0046] If identity verification using an identification document such as a My Number Card has not been completed in advance, terminal 30 will send a request to the server device 10 for the issuance of a payment code that does not include age information.

[0047] The server device 10 searches the user management database using the user ID included in the payment code issuance request as a key, and identifies the user who wishes to receive a payment code from among multiple members.

[0048] The server device 10 issues a payment code for the identified user. For example, the server device 10 generates a unique string or sequence of numbers as the payment code, determined from the user's user ID and the current time. The server device 10 also determines the expiration date of the payment code.

[0049] Furthermore, if the payment code issuance request includes age information, the server device 10 verifies the age of the user who wishes to receive the payment code. More specifically, the server device 10 determines whether the user has reached a predetermined age (for example, 20 years old) at which they can purchase products such as alcohol and tobacco.

[0050] In the following explanation, products with age restrictions on purchase, such as alcohol and tobacco, will be referred to as "age-restricted products."

[0051] If the user has reached the specified age, the server device 10 determines that "age-restricted products can be purchased." If the user is under the specified age, the server device 10 determines that "age-restricted products cannot be purchased."

[0052] The server device 10 stores the generated payment code, expiration date, and age verification result (purchase of age-restricted products permitted or not permitted) in an entry (an entry in the user management database) identified by a search.

[0053] If the payment code issuance request does not include age information, the server device 10 sets the age verification result to "Age Unknown" for the identified entry.

[0054] If the issuance of the payment code is successful, the server device 10 transmits the payment code to the terminal 30. Specifically, the server device 10 transmits an acknowledgment to the terminal 30 that includes the payment code and its expiration date.

[0055] Terminal 30 displays the acquired payment code. Specifically, terminal 30 converts the payment code into a barcode or 2D barcode format and displays the 2D barcode or similar format. For example, as shown in Figure 5, terminal 30 displays the payment code (the payment code converted into a 2D barcode format) and the remaining time until the expiration date.

[0056] <Payment for goods> A user paying for a purchased item provides the payment code displayed on terminal 30 to payment terminal 20 within its validity period. Specifically, the user has the payment code displayed on terminal 30 read by payment terminal 20 via a card reader. Alternatively, a store employee or similar person may use a card reader to have the payment code read by payment terminal 20.

[0057] Furthermore, the user or store employee will have the payment terminal 20 read the information of the items purchased by the user. Specifically, the user or employee will scan the barcode attached to the product and register the information of the purchased product with the payment terminal 20.

[0058] If the purchased items do not include age-restricted items (e.g., alcohol, tobacco), the payment terminal 20 sends a "payment request" that includes a payment code obtained by decoding a 2D barcode, the payment amount (the amount to be charged to the user), and the terminal ID (see Figure 6).

[0059] The terminal ID is an ID used to identify each store's payment terminal 20. The terminal ID can be the MAC (Media Access Control) address or IP (Internet Protocol) address of the payment terminal 20.

[0060] The terminal ID is shared between the server device 10 and the payment terminal 20 by any means. For example, a retailer's representative determines the terminal ID and sets it on the payment terminal 20. The representative also notifies the system administrator or the electronic payment service provider of the determined terminal ID and information about the payment terminal 20 (such as the name of the retailer and the name of the store where it will be installed). The system administrator, etc., then inputs the notified terminal ID and information about the payment terminal 20 into the server device 10.

[0061] The server device 10 identifies the user who wishes to pay for the purchased goods using the payment code included in the payment request. The server device 10 then settles the payment for the purchased goods using the identified user's credit card information.

[0062] The server device 10 notifies the payment terminal 20 of the result of the payment processing (payment successful, payment failed). Specifically, if the payment is successful, the server device 10 sends an affirmative response to the payment terminal 20. If the payment fails, the server device 10 sends a negative response to the payment terminal 20.

[0063] The payment terminal 20 notifies users, store employees, etc., of the results of the payment processing received from the server device 10.

[0064] If the purchased items include age-restricted items, the payment terminal 20 sends a "sales eligibility determination request" containing the payment code obtained from the user to the server device 10 (see Figure 7).

[0065] Upon receiving a request for sale eligibility determination, the server device 10 uses the payment code included in the payment request to identify the user who wishes to pay for the purchased goods. Based on the results of the age verification of the identified user, the server device 10 determines whether the store, such as a convenience store, is able to sell age-restricted goods to that user.

[0066] If the user's account is set to "allow purchase of age-restricted products," the server device 10 determines that the store can sell age-restricted products to that user. In this case, the server device 10 sends an affirmative response to the payment terminal 20 to that effect.

[0067] If a user's account is set to "Age-restricted products cannot be purchased" or "Age unknown," the server device 10 determines that the store cannot sell age-restricted products to that user. In this case, the server device 10 sends a negative response to the payment terminal 20 indicating this.

[0068] The payment terminal 20 notifies users, store employees, etc., of the determination result regarding the sale of age-restricted products received from the server device 10.

[0069] If the sale of age-restricted products is permitted, the payment terminal 20 requests payment from the server device 10 (sending a payment request including a payment code, etc., to the server device 10) either in response to an operation by the user or a store employee, or automatically.

[0070] If the sale of age-restricted products is not permitted, the payment terminal 20 will exclude the age-restricted products from the purchase and recalculate the payment amount, depending on the user's or store employee's actions. For example, the payment terminal 20 will use a GUI as shown in Figure 8 to notify the user that alcoholic beverages cannot be sold and obtain their consent to exclude such alcoholic beverages and recalculate the payment amount.

[0071] The payment terminal 20 requests the server device 10 to settle the recalculated payment amount. The payment terminal 20 sends a payment request to the server device 10, including the payment code and the recalculated payment amount.

[0072] The server device 10 processes the received payment request in the same manner as described above and sends the payment result to the payment terminal 20.

[0073] In this way, the server device 10 provides electronic payment services to users and retailers. Furthermore, the server device 10 provides age verification services to retailers (stores operated by retailers). In other words, employees at each store do not need to verify the age of customers themselves when selling alcohol or tobacco. Age verification is performed automatically by the system.

[0074] <Payment of fees> Electronic payment service providers pay system providers (system vendors) a fee for using the age verification service implemented in their electronic payment services. Specifically, electronic payment service providers pay system providers a fee based on the number of sales eligibility requests processed within a predetermined period (e.g., one month, three months, etc.).

[0075] For example, when a sales eligibility determination request is processed, a fee of A yen is paid to the system provider (the unit price for the age verification service is A yen). For example, if server device 10 processes B sales eligibility determination requests in one month, a fee of A × B yen is paid to the system provider.

[0076] Here, the server device 10 generates log information when it processes payment requests or sales approval / rejection requests. The server device 10 calculates the fees to be paid to the system provider based on the log information at a predetermined time (for example, at the beginning of the month).

[0077] Server device 10 pays the calculated fee. For example, server device 10 transfers the fee to a bank account designated by the system provider.

[0078] Next, we will describe the details of each device included in the information processing system according to the first embodiment.

[0079] [Server equipment] Figure 9 shows an example of the processing configuration (processing module) of the server device 10 according to the embodiment disclosed herein. Referring to Figure 9, the server device 10 comprises a communication control unit 201, a user management unit 202, a code issuance control unit 203, a settlement control unit 204, a payment control unit 205, and a storage unit 206.

[0080] The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the payment terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the payment terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 passes the data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits the data obtained from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules send and receive data with other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has the function of a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and the function of a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0081] The User Management Unit 202 is a means of controlling and managing users (user accounts).

[0082] User Management Department 202 obtains users' names, genders, dates of birth, addresses, login information (e.g., ID, password), contact information (telephone number, email address, etc.), credit card information, etc., from designated websites, etc.

[0083] Furthermore, the user management unit 202 generates a user ID to identify the user. The user ID can be any information that uniquely identifies the user. For example, the user management unit 202 may assign a unique value each time a member registers and use that as the user ID.

[0084] The user management unit 202 stores the generated user ID, acquired name, etc., in the user management database (see Figure 10). Note that in Figure 10, "Age-restricted products can be purchased" is abbreviated as "Purchase permitted," and "Age-restricted products cannot be purchased" is abbreviated as "Purchase prohibited."

[0085] Furthermore, the user management database shown in Figure 10 is an example and is not intended to limit the items that can be stored. For example, the user management database may store the user's biometric information (e.g., facial image).

[0086] The user management unit 202 sends the generated user ID to terminal 30.

[0087] Furthermore, payment codes stored in the user management database are reset to an unissued state once their corresponding expiration date has passed.

[0088] The code issuance control unit 203 is a means for performing control related to the issuance of payment codes.

[0089] The code issuance control unit 203 receives a payment code issuance request from a terminal 30 held by a person who wishes to receive a payment code, which includes age information regarding the person's age. In response to receiving the payment code issuance request, the code issuance control unit 203 issues a payment code. At that time, the code issuance control unit 203 performs age verification using the age information included in the payment code issuance request to determine whether the person has reached a predetermined age, and stores the generated payment code and the age verification result in the user management database.

[0090] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the code issuance control unit 203 according to the embodiment disclosed herein. The operation of the code issuance control unit 203 will be explained with reference to Figure 11.

[0091] When the code issuance control unit 203 receives a payment code issuance request from terminal 30, it searches the user management database using the user ID included in the request as a key and identifies the corresponding user (step S101).

[0092] Subsequently, the code issuance control unit 203 issues a payment code (step S102). More specifically, the code issuance control unit 203 generates a string (sequence of numbers) based on the user ID of the person requesting the code, the current time, etc. For example, the code issuance control unit 203 concatenates the user ID and the current time and calculates the hash value. The code issuance control unit 203 treats the calculated hash value as the payment code.

[0093] When the code issuance control unit 203 generates a payment code, it sets an expiration date for the payment code. Specifically, the code issuance control unit 203 sets the expiration date to a time that is a predetermined time after the current time (for example, 5 minutes later).

[0094] Subsequently, the code issuance control unit 203 determines whether the user has reached the age at which they can purchase age-restricted products (perform age verification; step S103). More specifically, the code issuance control unit 203 determines whether the user has reached a predetermined age (for example, 20 years old) at which they can purchase age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco.

[0095] If the user is above a specified age, the code issuance control unit 203 sets the age verification result to "Age-restricted product purchase permitted". If the user is below a specified age, the code issuance control unit 203 sets the age verification result to "Age-restricted product purchase prohibited".

[0096] If the payment code issuance request does not include age information, the code issuance control unit 203 sets the age verification result to "Age Unknown".

[0097] When age verification is performed, the code issuance control unit 203 stores the payment code, expiration date, and age verification result (age-restricted product purchase permitted, purchase not permitted, age unknown) in the entry identified by the search.

[0098] The code issuance control unit 203 transmits a response to the payment code issuance request (step S104).

[0099] Specifically, if a payment code is successfully issued, the code issuance control unit 203 sends an acknowledgment including the payment code and its expiration date to the terminal 30.

[0100] If the user ID included in the payment code issuance request is not registered in the user management database, the payment code will not be issued. In this case, the code issuance control unit 203 sends a negative response to the terminal 30 indicating that the issuance of the payment code failed.

[0101] As described above, the code issuance control unit 203 performs age verification of the user when issuing a payment code. If the person requesting the payment code has reached a predetermined age, the code issuance control unit 203 sets the age verification result to "purchase permitted for products or services with age restrictions." If the person requesting the code is under the predetermined age, the code issuance control unit 203 sets the age verification result to "purchase prohibited for products or services with age restrictions." If the payment code issuance request does not include age information, the code issuance control unit 203 sets the age verification result to "age unknown."

[0102] The payment control unit 204 is a means for executing control related to the payment of the user's purchased goods. The payment control unit 204 processes payment requests and sales approval / failure requests received from the payment terminal 20.

[0103] When a payment request is received, the payment control unit 204 executes the payment processing for the payment amount included in the request.

[0104] Specifically, the payment control unit 204 searches the user management database using the payment code included in the payment request as a key and identifies the corresponding entry. If the expiration date listed in the identified entry has not expired, the payment control unit 204 settles the payment amount included in the payment request using the credit card information.

[0105] For example, the payment control unit 204 sends the credit card number and payment amount to a server (not shown in Figure 3, etc.) operated by the credit card company and requests payment.

[0106] When the payment control unit 204 receives a response from the credit card company's server indicating that the payment was successful, it determines that the payment process was successful.

[0107] If the payment control unit 204 receives a response from the credit card company's server indicating that the payment failed, it determines that the payment process has failed. Alternatively, if the payment code issued to the user has expired or if the retrieval of the payment code fails, the payment control unit 204 determines that the payment process has failed.

[0108] Furthermore, since payment processing using credit card information is obvious to those skilled in the art and is contrary to the purpose of this disclosure, a more detailed explanation of payment processing using credit card information will be omitted.

[0109] The payment control unit 204 sends a response to the payment request to the payment terminal 20. If the payment process is successful, the payment control unit 204 sends an affirmative response to the payment terminal 20. If the payment process fails, the payment control unit 204 sends a negative response to the payment terminal 20.

[0110] When a sales approval / rejection request is received, the payment control unit 204 searches the user management database using the payment code included in the sales approval / rejection request as a key and identifies the corresponding entry. The payment control unit 204 reads the age verification result set for the identified entry.

[0111] If the result of age verification is "age-restricted product purchase permitted," the payment control unit 204 sends an affirmative response to the payment terminal 20 indicating that it is possible to sell age-restricted products to the user.

[0112] If the result of age verification is "Age-restricted product purchase not permitted" or "Age unknown," the payment control unit 204 sends a negative response to the payment terminal 20 indicating that the user cannot purchase age-restricted products.

[0113] When the settlement control unit 204 processes a settlement request or a sale approval / rejection request, it stores the result of the processing in the log management database (see Figure 12). As shown in Figure 12, the settlement control unit 204 stores the type of processed request, processing date and time, result, requester (retailer name), etc., in the log management database.

[0114] Thus, the payment control unit 204 functions as a notification means. The payment control unit 204 obtains a payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for the goods or services they wish to purchase from the payment terminal 20 installed in the store selling the goods or services. Based on the obtained payment code, the payment control unit 204 identifies the person who wishes to pay from among multiple users. Based on the results of the age verification of the identified person who wishes to pay, the payment control unit 204 notifies the payment terminal 20 whether the store can sell the goods or services that have an age restriction to the person who wishes to pay.

[0115] If the age verification result is set to "Purchase Allowed," the payment control unit 204 notifies the payment terminal 20 that the store can sell the product or service with an age restriction to the person wishing to pay. If the age verification result is set to "Purchase Not Allowed," or if the age verification result is set to "Age Unknown," the payment control unit 204 notifies the payment terminal 20 that the store cannot sell the product or service with an age restriction to the person wishing to pay.

[0116] The payment control unit 205 is a means for executing controls to pay the usage fee for the age verification service to the system operator.

[0117] The payment control unit 205 accesses the log management database at predetermined intervals and counts the number of times the age verification service was used during a predetermined period (for example, one month). More specifically, the payment control unit 205 calculates the number of times a sales eligibility determination request was processed during the predetermined period.

[0118] The payment control unit 205 calculates the fee that the electronic payment service provider pays to the system provider by multiplying the calculated number of times by a predetermined value (the unit price for using the age verification service). For example, if A sales approval / rejection requests are processed during a predetermined period, and the unit price for the fee paid per processing is B yen, then A × B yen is calculated as the fee to be paid to the system provider.

[0119] The payment control unit 205 pays the calculated fee. For example, the payment control unit 205 transfers the fee from the electronic payment service provider's bank account to a bank account designated by the system provider. Alternatively, the payment control unit 205 may pay the fee using cryptocurrency or the like. In this case, the payment control unit 205 transfers cryptocurrency equivalent to the fee from the electronic payment service provider's wallet to the system provider's wallet.

[0120] Alternatively, the payment control unit 205 may provide the accountant with a payment instruction form that includes the fees. In this case, the payment control unit 205 may print the payment instruction form or send it to the accountant's email address.

[0121] In this manner, the payment control unit 205 calculates a first fee to be paid to a designated business operator (system operator) based on the number of times a notification regarding the age verification result has been issued during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator.

[0122] The storage unit 206 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the server device 10. For example, the storage unit 206 uses a user management database to store the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users in association with the results of the age verification for each of those multiple users.

[0123] Furthermore, the storage unit 206 stores the terminal ID of the payment terminal 20, information about the retailer managing the payment terminal 20 (name of the retailer), and information about the store where the payment terminal 20 is installed (for example, the store name), in association with each other. Alternatively, the storage unit 206 stores the number of payment terminals 20 for each retailer (the number of payment terminals 20 that support electronic payment services).

[0124] [Terminal] Examples of terminal 30 include mobile devices such as smartphones, cell phones, game consoles, and tablets. Terminal 30 can be any device or equipment as long as it can receive user input and communicate with the server device 10, etc.

[0125] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration (processing module) of a terminal 30 according to the embodiment disclosed herein. Referring to Figure 13, the terminal 30 comprises a communication control unit 301, an identity verification unit 302, a payment control unit 303, and a storage unit 304.

[0126] The communication control unit 301 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 301 receives data (packets) from the server device 10. The communication control unit 301 also transmits data to the server device 10. The communication control unit 301 passes the data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 301 transmits the data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules send and receive data with other devices via the communication control unit 301. The communication control unit 301 has the function of a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and the function of a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0127] The identity verification unit 302 and the payment control unit 303 implement the functions of the electronic payment application.

[0128] The identity verification unit 302 is a means of verifying the identity of the user.

[0129] The identity verification unit 302 verifies the user's identity when the electronic payment application is first launched, etc. Alternatively, the identity verification unit 302 verifies the user's identity when it detects a predetermined operation by the user (for example, pressing the identity verification button).

[0130] The identity verification unit 302 acquires biometric information for identity verification. Specifically, the identity verification unit 302 acquires a facial image of the user by taking a photograph of the user.

[0131] Furthermore, the identity verification unit 302 acquires biometric information from the user's identification document. For example, the identity verification unit 302 acquires a facial image from the IC chip embedded in an identification document such as a passport, driver's license, or My Number card. The identity verification unit 302 communicates with the IC chip using NFC (Near Field Communication) and acquires the facial image stored in the IC chip.

[0132] Subsequently, the identity verification unit 302 performs identity verification. Specifically, the identity verification unit 302 performs identity verification using a facial image obtained by photographing the user and a facial image read from the IC chip of the identification document. The identity verification unit 302 determines whether the two biometric pieces of information are substantially the same and performs identity verification.

[0133] Specifically, the identity verification unit 302 generates feature quantities from both the facial image obtained by photography and the facial image obtained from the identification document.

[0134] Regarding the feature generation process, existing technologies can be used, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. For example, the identity verification unit 302 extracts the eyes, nose, mouth, etc., from the face image as feature points. Then, the identity verification unit 302 calculates the position of each feature point and the distance between each feature point as feature quantities (generating a feature vector consisting of multiple feature quantities).

[0135] Next, the identity verification unit 302 performs authentication processing (one-to-one authentication) using the two generated feature quantities. Specifically, the identity verification unit 302 calculates the similarity between corresponding face images using the two feature quantities. Based on the result of thresholding the calculated similarity, the identity verification unit 302 determines whether the two images are face images of the same person. The similarity can be calculated using methods such as the chi-squared distance or the Euclidean distance. The greater the distance, the lower the similarity, and the closer the distance, the higher the similarity.

[0136] If the similarity is greater than a predetermined value (if the distance is shorter than a predetermined value), the identity verification unit 302 determines that identity verification was successful. If the similarity is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the identity verification unit 302 determines that identity verification failed.

[0137] Furthermore, the identity verification unit 302 may perform "liveness authentication" to prove that the user is real. Specifically, after successfully authenticating (matching) using the facial image obtained by photography and the facial image read from the identification document, the identity verification unit 302 instructs the user to perform a predetermined action and determines whether the user (authenticated person) is following the instructions. For example, the identity verification unit 302 may give an instruction such as "Please close your right eye," and determine whether the user is real based on whether the user is following the instructions.

[0138] If identity verification fails, the identity verification unit 302 notifies the user accordingly. The identity verification unit 302 repeats the identity verification process as necessary.

[0139] If identity verification is successful, the identity verification unit 302 stores the user's biometric information (for example, a facial image or features generated from a facial image) and the user's date of birth obtained from the identification document in the storage unit 304.

[0140] In this manner, the identity verification unit 302 performs a first identity verification of the user using the identification document, and if the first identity verification is successful, it stores the user's biometric information and date of birth obtained from the identification document.

[0141] The payment control unit 303 is a means for performing control related to electronic payments.

[0142] The payment control unit 303 performs identity verification of the user when the user performs a predetermined action (for example, pressing a payment button) in the electronic payment application.

[0143] Specifically, the payment control unit 303 photographs the operator operating the terminal 30 and acquires the operator's biometric information (e.g., a facial image). The payment control unit 303 then performs authentication processing using the acquired facial image (a facial image obtained through self-photography) and the facial image stored in the storage unit 304.

[0144] If the authentication process is successful (if identity verification is successful), the payment control unit 303 generates age information from the date of birth stored in the memory unit 304. For example, the payment control unit 303 calculates the user's current age from the date of birth. Alternatively, the payment control unit 303 determines the value of a flag indicating whether the user is under a predetermined age (e.g., 20 years old). Alternatively, the payment control unit 303 treats the date of birth itself as age information.

[0145] The payment control unit 303 sends a "payment code issuance request" to the server device 10, which includes the user ID stored internally and the age information generated above.

[0146] If the date of birth is not stored in the memory unit 304, the payment control unit 303 sends a payment code issuance request to the server device 10 that does not include age information.

[0147] The payment control unit 303 receives a response (affirmative response, negative response) to the payment code issuance request from the server device 10.

[0148] If a negative response is received, the payment control unit 303 notifies the user that the issuance of the payment code failed.

[0149] When an acknowledgment is received, the payment control unit 303 displays the payment code included in the acknowledgment. The payment control unit 303 converts the payment code into a barcode or 2D barcode format and displays the resulting 2D barcode or format.

[0150] The payment control unit 303 displays the remaining time until the expiration date, which is included in the 2D barcode and the acknowledgment. For example, the payment control unit 303 displays a screen as shown in Figure 5.

[0151] In this manner, the payment control unit 303 performs a second identity verification of the user who wishes to pay for the purchased goods (purchased services). If the second identity verification is successful, it requests the server device 10 to issue a payment code. At that time, if the date of birth (the date of birth obtained during the first identity verification) is stored internally, the payment control unit 303 transmits the date of birth to the server device 10.

[0152] The memory unit 304 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the terminal 30.

[0153] The explanation of the processing module for account creation will be omitted, as account creation is self-evident to those skilled in the art.

[0154] [Payment terminal] The payment terminal 20 is a POS terminal or a tablet.

[0155] Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration (processing module) of a payment terminal 20 according to the embodiment disclosed herein. Referring to Figure 14, the payment terminal 20 comprises a communication control unit 401, a payment control unit 402, and a storage unit 403.

[0156] The communication control unit 401 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 401 receives data (packets) from the server device 10. The communication control unit 401 also transmits data to the server device 10. The communication control unit 401 passes the data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 401 transmits the data obtained from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules send and receive data with other devices via the communication control unit 401. The communication control unit 401 has the function of a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and the function of a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0157] The payment control unit 402 is a means for executing control related to the payment of the price of goods.

[0158] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement control unit 402 according to the embodiment disclosed herein. The operation of the settlement control unit 402 will be explained with reference to Figure 15.

[0159] The payment control unit 402 reads the payment code displayed on the terminal 30 in response to an operation by a user or store employee. The payment control unit 402 decodes the 2D barcode or the like to obtain the payment code (step S201).

[0160] Furthermore, the payment control unit 402 reads the barcode of the product purchased by the user in response to the user's operation. The payment control unit 402 obtains the product code from the read barcode (step S202).

[0161] The payment control unit 402 determines whether or not the purchased items include age-restricted items (age-restricted item confirmation; step S203).

[0162] For example, the payment control unit 402 accesses table information where the product codes of age-restricted products are stored and determines whether or not the purchased items include age-restricted products (e.g., alcohol or tobacco). Alternatively, the payment control unit 402 may send the product code of each purchased item to an external server and obtain from that external server whether or not it includes age-restricted products.

[0163] If the purchased items include age-restricted items (step S204, Yes branch), the payment control unit 402 sends a sales eligibility determination request including a payment code to the server device 10 (step S205).

[0164] The payment control unit 402 receives a response (affirmative response, negative response) to the sale approval / denial request.

[0165] If an affirmative response is received (meaning that the sale of alcohol, etc., is possible; step S206, Yes branch), the payment control unit 402 sends a payment request to the server device 10 including the payment code, the total amount of the payment (billing amount), and the terminal ID (step S207).

[0166] If a negative response is received (i.e., the sale of alcohol, etc. is not permitted; step S206, No branch), the payment control unit 402 notifies the store's employees, etc., that age verification has failed (notification of sale not permitted; step S208). At that time, the payment control unit 402 notifies the user (store's customer) or employees that age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco must be excluded from the purchased products (products subject to payment).

[0167] For example, the payment control unit 402 displays a GUI as shown in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 8, the payment control unit 402 displays information about age-restricted products included in the purchased goods (e.g., product name) and notifies the user that the payment amount (billing amount) will be recalculated after excluding the age-restricted products.

[0168] When age-restricted items are excluded (when the confirmation button in Figure 8 is pressed), the payment control unit 402 recalculates the payment amount excluding age-restricted items (step S209).

[0169] Subsequently, the payment control unit 402 sends a payment request to the server device 10, including the payment code, the recalculated payment amount (billing amount), and the terminal ID (step S207).

[0170] If the purchased items do not include age-restricted items (step S204, No branch), the payment control unit 402 sends a payment request including a payment code, payment amount (billing amount), and terminal ID to the server device 10 (step S207).

[0171] In Figure 8, if the payment cancellation button is pressed, the payment control unit 402 cancels the payment processing for all products, including age-restricted products and other products.

[0172] The memory unit 403 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the payment terminal 20.

[0173] [System operation] Next, the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment disclosed in this application. Referring to Figure 16, the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment disclosed in this application will be described.

[0174] Terminal 30 performs identity verification of the user in response to the user's actions (step S01).

[0175] If identity verification is successful, terminal 30 sends a request to server device 10 for the issuance of a payment code including age information (step S02).

[0176] The server device 10 issues a payment code, verifies the user's age, and stores the payment code in association with the age verification result (storing the age verification result; step S03).

[0177] The server device 10 transmits a payment code to the terminal 30 (step S04).

[0178] Terminal 30 converts the payment code into a two-dimensional barcode or the like, and displays the converted payment code (step S05).

[0179] The payment terminal 20 reads the payment code from the terminal 30 and also obtains information about the product the user is purchasing (obtaining the payment code, etc.; step S06).

[0180] If the purchased items include age-restricted items, the payment terminal 20 sends a sales approval / rejection request, including a payment code, to the server device 10 (step S07).

[0181] The server device 10 notifies the payment terminal 20 whether or not the user is eligible to purchase age-restricted products based on the age verification result stored in association with the payment code (notification of purchase eligibility; step S08).

[0182] The payment terminal 20 recalculates the payment amount as necessary and sends a payment request including the payment code and payment amount to the server device 10 (step S09).

[0183] The server device 10 executes the settlement process for the notified settlement amount and notifies the settlement terminal 20 of the result (step S10).

[0184] Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described.

[0185] <Example 1> The server device 10 may determine the fee to be paid to the system operator based on the number of payment terminals 20 included in the system.

[0186] More specifically, the payment control unit 205 calculates a second fee to be paid to a designated business operator (system operator) based on the number of payment terminals 20 operating during a predetermined period. Furthermore, the payment control unit 205 may control the payment of the sum of the first and second fees (a fee based on the number of times the age verification service is used, and a fee based on the number of payment terminals 20) to the designated business operator.

[0187] For example, if the system includes C payment terminals 20 and the basic fee per terminal is D yen, then a fee of C × D yen will be paid to the system provider as a fee based on the number of payment terminals 20.

[0188] <Modification 2> In the above embodiment, the case was described in which the payment terminal 20 sends a payment request to the server device 10 that does not include details regarding the payment of purchased goods (transaction details; for example, product name, price, product code, etc.). However, the payment terminal 20 may also send a payment request to the server device 10 that includes transaction details.

[0189] Furthermore, when transaction details are sent to the server device 10, the payment control unit 205 may calculate the fee to be paid to the system operator according to the number of age-restricted products settled during a predetermined period. For example, if the price of E age-restricted products is settled during a predetermined period, and the unit price for the age verification service per product is F yen, the fee is calculated as E × F yen.

[0190] <Variation 3> The server device 10 may pay all or part of the above three types of fees (a fee based on the number of sales approval / rejection requests processed, a fee based on the number of payment terminals 20, and a fee based on the number of age-restricted products) to the system operator.

[0191] <Modification 4> The electronic payment service provider (server device 10) may charge the retailer a fee for using the age verification service. In this case, the server device 10 includes a billing control unit 207 (see Figure 17).

[0192] The billing control unit 207 calculates usage fees based on the number of sales feasibility determination requests processed for each retailer and the number of payment terminals 20 for each retailer within a predetermined period. The billing control unit 207 controls the billing of the calculated usage fees. For example, the billing control unit 207 creates an invoice for each retailer and provides the created invoice to the accounting officer.

[0193] As described above, when the server device 10 according to the first embodiment receives a request from a user to issue a payment code, it performs age verification of the user. The server device 10 stores the result of the performed age verification in association with the issued payment code. When the payment terminal 20 requests the server device 10 to determine whether or not to sell age-restricted products (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, etc.) to the user, the server device 10 notifies the payment terminal 20 of the result of the determination according to the age verification result stored in association with the payment code. Furthermore, the server device 10 calculates the fee that the electronic payment service provider pays to the system provider at a predetermined timing. At that time, the fee is calculated according to the number of times the above determination (notification of the result of determining whether or not to sell age-restricted products) has been made and the unit price per determination, so that the server device 10 can realize the payment of a fee that is acceptable to both the system provider and the electronic payment service provider.

[0194] Furthermore, the terminal 30 according to the first embodiment performs identity verification each time a payment code is requested. Therefore, even if a third party other than the user who has previously undergone identity verification using a My Number Card, etc., attempts to make a payment using the terminal 30, a payment code will not be issued. In other words, a third party who has illegally obtained the terminal 30 cannot receive a payment code and pay for the goods.

[0195] Next, we will describe the hardware of each device that makes up the information processing system. Figure 18 shows an example of the hardware configuration of server device 10.

[0196] The server device 10 can be configured using an information processing device (a so-called computer), and has the configuration illustrated in Figure 18. For example, the server device 10 includes a processor 311, memory 312, input / output interface 313, and communication interface 314, etc. The components of the processor 311, etc., are connected by an internal bus or the like and are configured to communicate with each other.

[0197] However, the configuration shown in Figure 18 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the server device 10. The server device 10 may include hardware not shown, and it may not have to have an input / output interface 313 if necessary. Also, the number of processors 311 etc. included in the server device 10 is not intended to be limited to the example in Figure 18; for example, multiple processors 311 may be included in the server device 10.

[0198] The processor 311 is a programmable device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor 311 executes various programs, including an operating system (OS).

[0199] Memory 312 includes RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. Memory 312 stores the OS program, application programs, and various data.

[0200] The input / output interface 313 is an interface for a display device or input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a device that accepts user input such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel.

[0201] The communication interface 314 is a circuit, module, etc., that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), etc.

[0202] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by various processing modules. These processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in memory 312. The program can also be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory material such as semiconductor memory, hard disk, magnetic recording medium, or optical recording medium. In other words, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. Furthermore, the program can be downloaded via a network or updated using the storage medium on which the program is stored. Moreover, the processing module may be realized by a semiconductor chip.

[0203] Furthermore, payment terminals 20 and 30 can also be configured using information processing devices, similar to the server device 10, and their basic hardware configurations are identical to those of the server device 10, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0204] The server device 10 is equipped with a computer, and its functions can be realized by having the computer execute a program. Furthermore, the server device 10 executes a control method for the server device 10 using this program.

[0205] [Differentiation] The configuration and operation of the information processing system described in the above embodiment are illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the system configuration.

[0206] In the above embodiment, the determination of whether or not to sell was made for products that have age restrictions (age conditions) on purchase, such as alcohol and tobacco. However, the determination of whether or not to sell may also be made for services that have age restrictions on purchase (age-restricted services). For example, the determination of whether or not to sell may be made when a user purchases horse racing tickets or boat racing tickets.

[0207] Alternatively, the information processing system may also determine whether or not to sell products and services that have a minimum purchase age of 20, such as alcohol and tobacco. For example, the information processing system may also determine whether or not to sell products and services that qualify for senior discounts or student discounts. In the former case, for example, "60 years old (60 years or older)" could be set as the predetermined age at which one can purchase age-restricted products or services. In the latter case, for example, "22 years old (under 22 years old)" could be set as the predetermined age at which one can purchase age-restricted products or services.

[0208] The payment terminal 20 may be a self-checkout machine, a POS terminal operated by a store employee, or a vending machine that sells beverages, etc.

[0209] In the above embodiment, the payment terminal 20 was described as sending a sales eligibility determination request to the server device 10 when the user's purchased items include age-restricted items. However, the payment terminal 20 may send a sales eligibility determination request to the server device 10 regardless of whether the user's purchased items include age-restricted items or not. For example, the payment terminal 20 may send a sales eligibility determination request to the server device 10 before the amount to be charged to the user is determined (before the scanning of each product's barcode is completed).

[0210] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which credit card information is stored in the account of an electronic payment service provider and the price of goods is settled using that credit card information. However, other payment methods (e.g., electronic money, cryptocurrency, points) may also be stored in the account. Furthermore, if multiple payment methods are stored in the account, the terminal 30 may notify the user of the payment method selected when requesting the issuance of a payment code. The server device 10 should then issue a payment code corresponding to the notified payment method.

[0211] The above embodiment describes a case where the payment terminal 20 determines whether or not the user's purchased items include age-restricted items. However, this determination may also be performed by the server device 10. In this case, once the payment terminal 20 has finished scanning each of the user's items, it sends a payment request to the server device 10 that includes the user's payment code and information about each item (e.g., product code). The server device 10 identifies the user using the payment code. The server device 10 also determines whether or not the purchased items include age-restricted items. If no age-restricted items are included or if the user has reached a predetermined age (e.g., 20 years old), the payment terminal 20 proceeds with the payment for the items. If the purchased items include age-restricted items and the user is under the predetermined age or their age is unknown, the server device 10 notifies the payment terminal 20 that payment for the items cannot be processed. Upon receiving this notification, the payment terminal 20 recalculates the price, excluding age-restricted items, in accordance with the user's actions.

[0212] The above embodiment describes a case where the request for issuance of a payment code is made before the product is scanned. However, the request for issuance of a payment code may also be made after the product has been scanned.

[0213] In the above embodiment, the case in which the server device 10 obtains the user's date of birth, etc., when the user registers as a member was described. The server device 10 does not need to obtain the user's date of birth (the date of birth declared by the user). This is because a date of birth that is not supported by an identification document cannot be used for age verification. Alternatively, the server device 10 may perform identity verification using an identification document when the user registers as a member.

[0214] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which a payment code is exchanged between terminal 30 and payment terminal 20 using a two-dimensional barcode or a barcode. However, the payment code may also be transmitted and received using short-range wireless communication means such as Bluetooth® or NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0215] The displays of terminal 30 described above are illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the screen displays (interfaces) of terminal 30. For example, instead of displaying a 2D barcode obtained from a payment code as shown in Figure 5, terminal 30 may display a barcode obtained from a payment code in place of or in addition to the 2D barcode.

[0216] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which the user management database and log management database are configured inside the server device 10, but these databases may be built on an external database server or the like. In other words, some functions of the server device 10 may be implemented in another device. More specifically, it is sufficient that the "payment control unit (payment control means)" etc. described above are implemented in any device included in the system.

[0217] The form of data transmission and reception between each device (server device 10, payment terminal 20) is not particularly limited, but the data transmitted and received between these devices may be encrypted. Since payment codes and the like are transmitted and received between these devices, it is desirable that encrypted data be transmitted and received in order to properly protect this information.

[0218] In the flowcharts (sequence diagrams) used in the above description, multiple processes (processes) are shown in order, but the execution order of the processes performed in the embodiment is not limited to the order in which they are shown. In the embodiment, the order of the illustrated processes can be changed to the extent that it does not impair the content, for example, by executing each process in parallel.

[0219] The embodiments described above are explained in detail to facilitate understanding of the disclosure, and it is not intended that all the configurations described above are necessary. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used individually or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with those of another embodiment, or to add configurations from other embodiments to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with those of another.

[0220] As described above, the industrial applicability of the present invention is clear, and it is particularly suitable for application to information processing systems that provide electronic payment services.

[0221] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0222] [Note 1] A storage means that stores in a database the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users and the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users in association with each other. A notification means that obtains the payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from a payment terminal installed in a store selling the goods or services, identifies the person who wishes to pay from among the multiple users based on the obtained payment code, and notifies the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services with age restrictions to the person who wishes to pay based on the results of the age verification of the identified person. A payment control means that calculates a first fee payable to a designated business operator based on the number of times the aforementioned notice was made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator, A server device equipped with the following features.

[0223] [Note 2] The payment control means is The server device described in Appendix 1, which calculates a second fee payable to the specified business operator based on the number of payment terminals operating during the specified period, and controls the payment of the sum of the first and second fees to the specified business operator.

[0224] [Note 3] The server device described in Appendix 2, further comprising code issuance control means, which issues the payment code when it receives a payment code issuance request, including age information relating to the age of the applicant, from a terminal held by the applicant who wishes to be issued the payment code.

[0225] [Note 4] The code issuance control means is The server device described in Appendix 3, which performs age verification by determining whether the applicant has reached a predetermined age using the age information included in the payment code issuance request, and stores the generated payment code and the result of the age verification in the database in association with each other.

[0226] [Note 5] The code issuance control means is If the applicant has reached the specified age, the result of the age verification will be set to allow the purchase of the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set. If the applicant is under the specified age, the result of the age verification will be set to "cannot purchase the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase." The server device described in Appendix 4, which sets the age verification result to "age unknown" if the payment code issuance request does not include the age information.

[0227] [Note 6] The notification means is, If the result of the age verification indicates that the purchase is permitted, the payment terminal is notified that the store may sell the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person wishing to pay. The server device described in Appendix 5, which, if the result of the age verification is set to "purchase not permitted" or if the result of the age verification is set to "age unknown," notifies the payment terminal that the store cannot sell the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person wishing to pay.

[0228] [Note 7] The aforementioned designated business operator is a system operator that operates a system that provides age verification services to the aforementioned stores, and is a server device as described in any one of the items 1 to 6 of the appendix.

[0229] [Note 8] A payment terminal installed in a store that sells goods or services, Server device, Includes, The server device is A storage means that stores in a database the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users and the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users in association with each other. A notification means that obtains the payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from the payment terminal, identifies the person who wishes to pay from among the multiple users based on the obtained payment code, and notifies the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person who wishes to pay, based on the result of the age verification of the identified person who wishes to pay. A payment control means that calculates a first fee payable to a designated business operator based on the number of times the aforementioned notice was made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator, A system that includes these features.

[0230] [Note 9] The payment control means is The system described in Appendix 8, which calculates a second fee payable to the specified business operator based on the number of payment terminals operating during the specified period, and controls the payment of the sum of the first and second fees to the specified business operator.

[0231] [Note 10] The system according to Appendix 9, further comprising a code issuance control means that issues the payment code when it receives a payment code issuance request, which includes age information relating to the age of the applicant, from a terminal held by the applicant who wishes to be issued the payment code.

[0232] [Note 11] The code issuance control means is The system described in Appendix 10, which performs age verification by determining whether the applicant has reached a predetermined age using the age information included in the payment code issuance request, and stores the generated payment code and the result of the age verification in the database in association with each other.

[0233] [Note 12] The code issuance control means is If the applicant has reached the specified age, the result of the age verification will be set to allow the purchase of the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set. If the applicant is under the specified age, the result of the age verification will be set to "cannot purchase the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase." The system described in Appendix 11, wherein if the payment code issuance request does not include the age information, the result of the age verification is set to "age unknown".

[0234] [Note 13] The notification means is, If the result of the age verification indicates that the purchase is permitted, the payment terminal is notified that the store may sell the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person wishing to pay. The system as described in Appendix 12, which, if the result of the age verification is set to "purchase not permitted" or if the result of the age verification is set to "age unknown," notifies the payment terminal that the store cannot sell the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person wishing to pay.

[0235] [Note 14] The aforementioned designated business operator is a system operator that provides an age verification service to the aforementioned store, and is one of the systems described in any one of the appendices 8 to 13.

[0236] [Note 15] A storage step involves associating the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users with the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users and storing them in a database. A notification step is to obtain the payment code issued to the person wishing to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from a payment terminal installed in the store selling the goods or services, identify the person wishing to pay from among the multiple users based on the obtained payment code, and notify the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set to the person wishing to pay based on the result of the age verification of the identified person wishing to pay, and A payment control process that calculates a first fee to be paid to a designated business operator based on the number of times the aforementioned notification was made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator. A control method for a server device, comprising the following features.

[0237] [Note 16] The payment control process described above is: A control method for a server device as described in Appendix 15, which calculates a second fee payable to the specified business operator based on the number of payment terminals operating during the specified period, and controls the payment of the sum of the first and second fees to the specified business operator.

[0238] [Note 17] A control method for a server device as described in Appendix 16, further comprising a code issuance control step, which involves issuing a payment code when a request for issuance of a payment code, including age information relating to the age of the requesting party, is received from a terminal held by the requesting party who wishes to be issued the payment code.

[0239] [Note 18] The code issuance control process is as follows: A control method for a server device as described in Appendix 17, comprising: using the age information included in the payment code issuance request, performing age verification to determine whether the applicant has reached a predetermined age; and storing the generated payment code and the result of the age verification in the database in association with each other.

[0240] [Note 19] The code issuance control process is as follows: If the applicant has reached the specified age, the result of the age verification will be set to allow the purchase of the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set. If the applicant is under the specified age, the result of the age verification will be set to "cannot purchase the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase." A control method for the server device described in Appendix 18, wherein if the payment code issuance request does not include the age information, the result of the age verification is set to "age unknown".

[0241] [Note 20] The aforementioned notification process is, If the result of the age verification indicates that the purchase is permitted, the payment terminal is notified that the store may sell the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person wishing to pay. A control method for the server device described in Appendix 19, which notifies the payment terminal that the store cannot sell the product or service for which an age restriction has been set to purchase to the person wishing to pay, if the result of the age verification is set to "purchase not permitted" or if the result of the age verification is set to "age unknown".

[0242] [Note 21] The aforementioned designated business operator is a system operator that operates a system that provides age verification services to the aforementioned stores, and the control method for the server device described in any one of the appendices 15 to 20.

[0243] [Note 22] The computer installed in the server device A storage process involves associating the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users with the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users and storing them in a database. A notification process is performed which involves obtaining the payment code issued to the person wishing to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from a payment terminal installed in the store selling the goods or services, identifying the person wishing to pay from among the multiple users based on the obtained payment code, and notifying the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services with age restrictions to the person wishing to pay based on the results of the age verification of the identified person. A payment control process that calculates a first fee payable to a designated business operator based on the number of times the aforementioned notice was given during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator. A program to execute.

[0244] [Note 23] The aforementioned payment control process is: The program described in Appendix 22 calculates a second fee payable to the specified business operator based on the number of payment terminals operating during the specified period, and controls the payment of the sum of the first and second fees to the specified business operator.

[0245] [Note 24] The program described in Appendix 23 further includes a code issuance control process that issues the payment code when it receives a request to issue a payment code, including age information relating to the age of the applicant, from a terminal held by the applicant who wishes to be issued the payment code.

[0246] [Note 25] The code issuance control process is as follows: The program described in Appendix 24, which performs age verification by determining whether the applicant has reached a predetermined age using the age information included in the payment code issuance request, and stores the generated payment code and the result of the age verification in the database.

[0247] [Note 26] The code issuance control process is as follows: If the applicant for issuance has reached a predetermined age, set the result of the age confirmation to allow the purchase of goods or services for which an age limit is set for the purchase, If the applicant for issuance is under the predetermined age, set the result of the age confirmation to disallow the purchase of goods or services for which an age limit is set for the purchase, If the age information is not included in the request for issuance of the payment code, set the result of the age confirmation to unknown age, the program described in Supplementary Note 25.

[0248] [Supplementary Note 27] The notification process is When the result of the age confirmation is set to allow the purchase, notify the payment terminal that the store can sell the goods or services for which an age limit is set for the purchase to the applicant for payment, When the result of the age confirmation is set to disallow the purchase, or when the result of the age confirmation is set to unknown age, notify the payment terminal that the store cannot sell the goods or services for which an age limit is set for the purchase to the applicant for payment, the program described in Supplementary Note 26.

[0249] [Supplementary Note 28] The predetermined business operator is a system operator who operates a system that provides an age confirmation service to the store, the program described in any one of Supplementary Notes 22 to 27.

[0250] Also, part or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 7 subordinate to Supplementary Note 1 described above may be subordinate to Supplementary Notes 8, 15, and 22 in the same subordinate relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 7. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 8, 15, and 22, within the scope not departing from the above-described embodiments, similarly, part or all of the configurations described as supplementary notes can be made subordinate to various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems.

[0251] Note that each disclosure of the above-cited prior art documents shall be incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. That is, the present invention naturally includes all disclosures including the claims, as well as various modifications and corrections that can be made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the technical idea.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0252] 10 Server device 20 Payment terminal 30 Terminal 100 Server device 101 Storage means 102 Notification means 103 Payment control means 201 Communication control unit 202 User management unit 203 Code issuance control unit 204 Settlement control unit 205 Payment control unit 206 Storage unit 207 Billing control unit 301 Communication control unit 302 Identity verification unit 303 Settlement control unit 304 Storage unit 311 Processor 312 Memory 313 Input / output interface 314 Communication interface 401 Communication control unit 402 Settlement control unit 403 Storage unit

Claims

1. A storage means that stores in a database the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users and the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users in association with each other. A notification means that obtains the payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from a payment terminal installed in a store selling the goods or services, identifies the person who wishes to pay from among the multiple users based on the obtained payment code, and notifies the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services with age restrictions to the person who wishes to pay based on the results of the age verification of the identified person. A payment control means that calculates a first fee payable to a designated business operator based on the number of times the aforementioned notice was made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator. A server device equipped with the following features.

2. The payment control means is The server device according to claim 1, which calculates a second fee payable to the predetermined business operator based on the number of payment terminals operating during the predetermined period, and controls the payment of the sum of the first and second fees to the predetermined business operator.

3. The server device according to claim 2, further comprising a code issuance control means that issues the payment code when it receives a payment code issuance request, which includes age information relating to the age of the applicant, from a terminal held by the applicant who wishes to be issued the payment code.

4. The code issuance control means is The server device according to claim 3, which performs age verification by determining whether the applicant has reached a predetermined age using the age information included in the payment code issuance request, and stores the generated payment code and the result of the age verification in the database in association.

5. The code issuance control means is If the applicant has reached the specified age, the result of the age verification will be set to allow the purchase of the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set. If the applicant is under the specified age, the result of the age verification will be set to "cannot purchase the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase." The server device according to claim 4, wherein if the payment code issuance request does not include the age information, the result of the age verification is set to "age unknown".

6. The notification means is, If the result of the age verification indicates that the purchase is permitted, the payment terminal is notified that the store may sell the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person wishing to pay. The server device according to claim 5, which, if the result of the age verification is set to "purchase not permitted" or if the result of the age verification is set to "age unknown", notifies the payment terminal that the store cannot sell the product or service for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person wishing to pay.

7. The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the specified business operator is a system operator that operates a system that provides age verification services to the store.

8. A payment terminal installed in a store that sells goods or services, Server device, Includes, The server device is A storage means that stores in a database the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users and the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users in association with each other. A notification means that obtains the payment code issued to a person who wishes to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from the payment terminal, identifies the person who wishes to pay from among the multiple users based on the obtained payment code, and notifies the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set for purchase to the person who wishes to pay, based on the result of the age verification of the identified person who wishes to pay. A payment control means that calculates a first fee payable to a designated business operator based on the number of times the aforementioned notice was made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator. A system that includes these features.

9. A storage step involves associating the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users with the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users and storing them in a database. A notification step is to obtain the payment code issued to the person wishing to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from a payment terminal installed in the store selling the goods or services, identify the person wishing to pay from among the multiple users based on the obtained payment code, and notify the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services for which an age restriction has been set to the person wishing to pay based on the result of the age verification of the identified person wishing to pay, and A payment control process that calculates a first fee to be paid to a designated business operator based on the number of times the aforementioned notification was made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator. A control method for a server device, comprising the following features.

10. The computer installed in the server device A storage process involves associating the payment codes issued to each of the multiple users with the results of the age verification for each of the multiple users and storing them in a database. A notification process is performed which involves obtaining the payment code issued to the person wishing to pay for the goods or services to be purchased from a payment terminal installed in the store selling the goods or services, identifying the person wishing to pay from among the multiple users based on the obtained payment code, and notifying the payment terminal whether the store can sell the goods or services with age restrictions to the person wishing to pay based on the results of the age verification of the identified person. A payment control process that calculates a first fee to be paid to a designated business operator based on the number of times the aforementioned notification was made during a predetermined period, and controls the payment of the calculated first fee to the designated business operator. A program to execute.

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