Application program, payment system, and terminal device control method

Abstract

To provide an application program, payment system, and terminal device control method, which enable visualization of information on each of billed amounts of charges related to multiple resources and energies.SOLUTION: An application program disclosed herein causes a terminal device to acquire information on billed amounts of charges related to multiple resources and energies, and display the acquired information on billed amounts for each charge related to the multiple resources and energies, where the charges related to the multiple resources and energies include payment amounts at EV stations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an application program, a payment system, and a control method for a terminal device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic payment services using a user's own user terminal are known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an electronic payment system that displays the history of electronic payments (date and time of use, payee, amount used, product name) when a user makes an electronic payment using a payment app on the user's terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-157339 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the electronic payment system described in Patent Document 1, it was sometimes not possible to visualize information regarding the billing amounts for multiple resource and energy fees (e.g., electricity, gas, water, etc.) on the payment app for each of the multiple resource and energy fees.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an application program, a payment system, and a control method for a terminal device that can visualize information regarding billing amounts for fees related to multiple resources and energy, for each fee related to the multiple resources and energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an application program that causes a terminal device to obtain information regarding billing amounts for fees related to multiple resources and energy, and displays the obtained information regarding the billing amounts for each fee related to the multiple resources and energy, the fees related to the multiple resources and energy including a payment amount at an EV station. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an application program, a payment system, and a control method for a terminal device that can visualize information regarding billing amounts for fees related to multiple resources and energy, for each fee related to the multiple resources and energy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. [Diagram 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Diagram 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 4] 1 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a user terminal device 200. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen 310 of the payment application 20. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a solar panel screen 320 of the payment application 20. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an invoice screen 330 of the payment application 20. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the user terminal device 200. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the application program, the payment system, and the control method of the terminal device of the present invention will be described. The application program and the payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payments related to the purchase of goods and services at a store. The store is, for example, a physical store (real store) existing in the real world, but may also include a virtual store of electronic commerce. The virtual store may also include a store provided by an entity other than the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a payment for shopping at the virtual store, the screen is controlled to transition to an interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, the store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at the store is mainly performed between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be performed between the user and the store. The electronic payment service can also perform payment processing of bills for charges related to resources and energy. Charges related to resources and energy are, for example, utility charges (electricity charges, gas charges, water charges, etc.), but are not limited to these charges. For example, the charges for resources and energy may include payment amounts at gas stations and EV (Electric Vehicle) stations.

[0010] [Electronic payment service] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. The payment server 100 communicates with, for example, one or more user terminal devices 200, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, an electric power company server 30, a gas company server 31, and a waterworks server 32 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like.

[0011] The user terminal device 200 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 200 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input acceptance function, and a program execution function. In the following description, components for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 200, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment application 20, thereby operating to provide an electronic payment service to a user in cooperation with the payment server 100. The payment application 20 is installed in the user terminal device 200 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0012] The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store, and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. The store code image 60 may be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0013] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. An interface 72 for affiliated stores runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface 72 for affiliated stores may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface 72 for affiliated stores accepts coupon settings and the like by the operator of the affiliated store and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image and reading a code image displayed by the user terminal device 200 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

[0014] The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 200 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case the payment information is sent from the POS device via the affiliated store server to the payment server 100. In the following explanation, no distinction is made between these two and it is assumed that the payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

[0015] The electric power company server 30 is installed at an electric power company and is a server that manages users' electricity charges, the amount of electricity used, the amount of power generated by solar panels installed at users' homes, etc. The gas company server 31 is installed at a gas company and is a server that manages users' gas charges, the amount of gas used, etc. The waterworks bureau server 32 is installed at a waterworks bureau and is a server that manages users' water charges, the amount of tap water used, etc.

[0016] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns of electronic payment: pattern 1 and pattern 2.

[0017] In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 200 with the payment application 20 activated decodes the store code image 60 by the optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which store-identifying information is added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, a store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 transmits the first payment information including the store URL and the account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the affiliated store ID and the store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and the store name information (S3), and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user inputs the payment amount into the user terminal device 200 on the screen on which the affiliated store name and the store name are displayed (S5). Then, the user terminal device 200 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount, and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that when the store code image 60 is displayed on a display installed in the store, the store code image 60 may include not only the store URL but also information on the payment amount. In this case, the step of the user inputting the payment amount is omitted, and the information on the payment amount is included in the first payment information and transmitted to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and the store name may be included in the payment completion screen and displayed.

[0018] In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, when the payment application 20 is started, when a payment operation is performed in the payment application 20, when an automatic update timing (e.g., every minute) occurs, and at other timings, the payment application 20 transmits a request for issuing a one-time code to the payment server 100 (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S13). The payment application 20 displays a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 200 over the first store terminal device 50, and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image by an optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). The first store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode or manually entering it. The payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code based on the received information and performs electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0019] Note that electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Furthermore, the "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information. Furthermore, issuance of a one-time code may be omitted in the store scan, and the payment application 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In this case, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0020] [Payment server] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a payment content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, and a storage unit 170. The components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (storage device having a non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or a CD-ROM, and may be installed in the storage device by mounting the storage medium in a drive device.

[0021] The storage unit 170 is a HDD, a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, payment content information 174, and affiliated store / shop information 176.

[0022] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW. The communication unit 110 is, for example, a network interface card.

[0023] The payment content providing unit 120 has, for example, a function of a Web server, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 200. The payment content providing unit 120 appropriately reads necessary content from the payment content information 174 and provides it to the user terminal device 200. The user terminal device 200 accepts various inputs by the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100.

[0024] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 200 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the user information 172. The user information 172 is an example of the registration information of a user. The user information 172 is, for example, a user URL, an account ID, a telephone number, a password, as well as information associated with an email address, a user ID, a name, an address, a date of birth, a registration date, a charge balance, a post-payment setting, a post-payment limit, a post-payment usage amount, a post-payment available amount, a payment method setting, a bank account, a credit card number, charge history information, payment history information, and points. The user URL is used for a remittance process between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, it is necessary to register a telephone number and a password. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). Similarly, the email address, and the name, address, and date of birth are information that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created). Hereinafter, the user's instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0026] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money that is set by a user by transferring money to an account in advance. The means of transfer include transfer from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated company (bank) and transfer from a registered bank account. The deferred payment setting is information indicating whether or not the setting for enabling electronic payment by deferred payment has been completed, and is set to either "completed" or "not completed." The deferred payment limit is the limit of deferred payment that can be used each month, the deferred payment usage amount is the amount of deferred payment that has already been used in the current month, and the deferred payment available amount is the amount of deferred payment that can be used in the current month, which is calculated by subtracting the deferred payment usage amount from the deferred payment limit. Although only one deferred payment limit is shown in the figure, in reality, there is also a daily upper limit, and the lower of these may be set as the deferred payment limit. Further details of deferred payment will be described later. The payment method setting is setting information indicating whether the user will perform electronic payment using the charge balance or payment by deferred payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information on a bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user transferring funds to the electronic payment service in advance to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information that indicates the details of payments made by the user for each payment (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.). Points are a value that is earned each time an electronic payment is made using the payment application 20, and can be used as electronic money in the electronic payment service.

[0027] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. The affiliated store / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which an affiliated store ID and a store ID are associated with a store URL, a second table 176B in which an affiliated store name and sales amount (described above) are associated with an affiliated store ID, and a third table 176C in which a store ID is associated with a store name. In addition to this information, the affiliated store / store information 176 may also include information such as the category of the affiliated store or store, the location of the store, and payment patterns.

[0028] The information management unit 140 manages the user information 172 and the affiliated store / store information 176 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 200 and the second store terminal device 70. The information management unit 140 adds new records to, edits, and deletes the user information 172 and the affiliated store / store information 176.

[0029] [Electronic payment] When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 200 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 130 refers to the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For a user whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows. For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the affiliated store's sales. The item value of the affiliated store's sales is not used as electronic money itself, for example, and an amount corresponding to the item value of the sales is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

[0030] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment for users whose "setting information" is set to "deferred payment" as follows. Deferred payment is set separately from "credit payment" in cooperation with a credit card company that is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and the operator of the electronic payment service acts as a creditor and allows electronic payment that is not dependent on the charge balance within the deferred payment limit. In order to receive the deferred payment service, a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service may be required. The amount used for deferred payment is settled on the payment date of the following month, for example, by debiting from a bank account, for one month. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs provisional payment by adding the payment amount to the deferred payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the deferred payment available amount, and when the closing date comes, it performs processing to debit the payment for the current month on the payment date of the following month as described above. In addition, if the payment amount exceeds the deferred payment available amount at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment application 20.

[0031] [User terminal device] 7 is a configuration diagram of user terminal device 200. User terminal device 200 includes, for example, a communication unit 210, a display unit 220, an input unit 230, a control unit 240, and a storage unit 250. Communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with payment server 100. Display unit 220 and input unit 230 are realized, for example, by a touch panel display.

[0032] The control unit 240 is realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including a circuit unit) such as an LSI, ASIC, FPGA, or GPU, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as an HDD or flash memory (a storage device having a non-transient storage medium), or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by mounting the storage medium in a drive device.

[0033] Storage unit 250 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM, or the like. Storage unit 250 may be a NAS device accessible by user terminal device 200 via a network. User information 252, payment application 20, and the like are stored in storage unit 250. User information 252 is some or all of the information of a record corresponding to the user who owns user terminal device 200, among user information 172 shown in FIG. 5. Payment application 20 is read and executed by a hardware processor (such as a CPU) in user terminal device 200.

[0034] [Payment app display screen] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of home screen 310 of payment application 20. When payment application 20 is started up on user terminal device 200 and the user selects (tap) the icon for utility charges on the screen of payment application 20, home screen 310 shown in Fig. 8 is displayed on display unit 220 of user terminal device 200.

[0035] Also displayed at the top of the home screen 310 are a home tab 301, a solar panel tab 302, and a bill tab 303. When the user selects (tap) the home tab 301, the home screen 310 is displayed on the display unit 220 of the user terminal device 200.

[0036] Home screen 310 includes utility bill trends 311 and current usage 312. Utility bill trends 311 displays information about bill amounts for multiple utility bills (electricity, gas, and water) for each of the multiple utility bills. For example, the information about bill amounts for multiple utility bills may be a graph showing the trends in bill amounts for the multiple utility bills. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the monthly trends in electricity bills are shown with a solid line, the monthly trends in gas bills are shown with a dashed line, and the monthly trends in water bills are shown with a dashed line. This allows the user to easily understand the trends in bill amounts for multiple utility bills.

[0037] Also, for example, the information on the billed amounts for multiple utility bills may be the resource / energy usage amounts that are the basis for calculating the billed amounts. In current usage 312, information such as meter readings and billed amounts for multiple utility bills (electricity, gas, and water) are displayed for each of the multiple utility bills. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the date, meter readings, and billed amounts are displayed for each item of electricity, water, and gas. The date is the current date. The meter readings are readings (amount of electricity consumed [kWH], amount of gas consumed [m 3 ], and tap water volume [m 3The billed amount is the current amount for the current month's utility bill. This allows users to easily understand the current meter readings and the current amount for the utility bill.

[0038] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a solar panel screen 320 of the payment application 20. When a user selects (tap) the solar panel tab 302, the solar panel screen 320 is displayed on the display unit 220 of the user terminal device 200.

[0039] The solar panel screen 320 includes a trend 321 of the amount of power generated by the panel and a point 322. The trend 321 of the amount of power generated by the panel displays a graph showing the trend of the amount of power generated by the solar panel installed at the user's home and a graph showing the trend of the amount of power actually used by the user at home. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the trend of the amount of power generated by the solar panel and the trend of the amount of power actually used can be displayed by switching between daily, weekly, and monthly. This allows the user to easily understand the trend of the amount of power generated by the solar panel and the trend of the amount of power actually used.

[0040] In the point 322, points given to the user according to the amount of power generated by the solar panel and the amount of power actually used are displayed. The points can be used as electronic money in an electronic payment service. For example, in an electronic payment service, the user can use 1 point as 1 yen. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the amount of power generated by the solar panel, the amount of power actually used, and the acquired points are displayed. Specifically, when the amount of power actually used is less than the amount of power generated by the solar panel, the control unit 240 of the user terminal device 200 calculates points given to the user based on a value obtained by subtracting the amount of power actually used from the amount of power generated by the solar panel. In the example shown in FIG. 9, a value obtained by subtracting the amount of power actually used (1000 kWH) from the amount of power generated by the solar panel (1134 kWH) is calculated as the points given to the user. This allows the user to easily grasp the points given to the user according to the amount of power generated by the solar panel and the amount of power actually used.

[0041] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an invoice screen 330 of the payment application 20. When the user selects (tap) the invoice tab 303, the invoice screen 330 is displayed on the display unit 220 of the user terminal device 200.

[0042] The bill screen 330 includes this month's bill 331, bill history 332, and a read instruction button 333. This month's bill 331 displays the customer number and bill amount for each of a plurality of utility charges. When the user selects (tap) the mark ">" displayed to the right of the bill amount, an image of the actual bill is displayed. Specifically, the control unit 240 of the user terminal device 200 acquires bills from the electric power company server 30, the gas company server 31, and the waterworks server 32 using the communication unit 210. When the user selects one of the utility charges from the bill screen 330 using the input unit 230, the display unit 220 displays the bill corresponding to the selected utility charge. This allows the user to easily check the contents of this month's bill.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 240 of the user terminal device 200 transmits payment information for performing payment processing of the invoice to the payment server 100 using the communication unit 210 in response to instructions from the user. Specifically, when the user inputs an instruction to pay the amount of the invoice using the input unit 230, the control unit 240 transmits the payment information (such as the payment amount and identification information of the payee) to the payment server 100 using the communication unit 210. When the payment processing unit 130 of the payment server 100 receives the payment information from the user terminal device 200, it performs payment processing. This enables the user to easily perform the procedure for paying the invoice.

[0044] Invoice history 332 displays a list of multiple utility charges. In addition, when the user selects (tap) the ">" mark displayed to the right of a utility charge, a list of past invoices corresponding to the selected utility charge is displayed. This allows the user to easily check the past invoice history for the selected utility charge. As described above, the user can check information related to online invoices from invoice screen 330.

[0045] In addition, when a paper utility bill arrives at the user's home, the user can instruct the reading of code information (such as a barcode) written on the paper utility bill by selecting (tapping) the read instruction button 333. Specifically, when the user selects the read instruction button 333, the control unit 240 of the user terminal device 200 activates the function of the camera mounted on the user terminal device 200. When the user inputs a read instruction using the input unit 230, the control unit 240 controls the camera to read the code information (such as a barcode) written on the paper utility bill, and decodes the code information to obtain identification information of the bill. In addition, the control unit 240 obtains the bill corresponding to the obtained identification information from any of the electric power company server 30, the gas company server 31, and the waterworks server 32 using the communication unit 210. In addition, as described above, the control unit 240 transmits payment information for performing payment processing of the bill to the payment server 100 using the communication unit 210 in response to an instruction from the user. This will allow users to easily pay their paper utility bills when they arrive at their home.

[0046] The control unit 240 may set the electric power company server 30, the gas company server 31, or the waterworks server 32 to transmit an online bill from the next time onwards to the user terminal device 200 by notifying the electric power company server 30, the gas company server 31, or the waterworks server 32 of the identification information of the bill obtained by reading the paper bill using the communication unit 210. This allows the user to easily set up transmission of the online bill.

[0047] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the user terminal device 200. The processing according to this flowchart is executed each time any one of the home tab 301, the solar panel tab 302, and the invoice tab 303 is selected (tapped) by the user.

[0048] First, the control unit 240 determines which of the home tab 301, the solar panel tab 302, and the invoice tab 303 has been selected (S101). In the initial state, the home tab 301 is selected.

[0049] When it is determined in S101 that the home tab 301 has been selected, the control unit 240 acquires information regarding billing amounts for a plurality of utility charges (electricity charges, gas charges, and water charges) (S102). For example, the control unit 240 receives history information on past billing amounts from the electric power company server 30, the gas company server 31, and the waterworks server 32 using the communication unit 210.

[0050] Next, the control unit 240 causes the display unit 220 to display a graph showing the trends in the billing amounts for a plurality of utility charges based on the received history information of past billing amounts (S103). Specifically, the control unit 240 causes the display unit 220 to display the trends 311 of utility charges shown in Fig. 8. The control unit 240 also causes the display unit 220 to display the current usage 312 shown in Fig. 8. Thereafter, the control unit 240 ends the processing according to this flowchart.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined in S101 that the solar panel tab 302 has been selected, the control unit 240 acquires the amount of electricity actually used by the user at home (S104). The amount of electricity actually used by the user at home is measured by an electric meter installed in the user's home. The electric meter measurement values ​​are managed by the power company server 30. Therefore, the control unit 240 queries the power company server 30 to acquire from the power company server 30 the amount of electricity actually used by the user at home.

[0052] Next, the control unit 240 acquires the amount of power generated by the solar panels installed at the user's home (S105). The amount of power generated by the solar panels installed at the user's home is measured by a control device for the solar panels. The amount of power generated by the solar panels is managed by the power company server 30. Therefore, the control unit 240 acquires the amount of power generated by the solar panels installed at the user's home from the power company server 30 by inquiring to the power company server 30. Note that the control unit 240 may acquire the amount of power generated by the solar panels directly from the control device for the solar panels.

[0053] Next, the control unit 240 causes the display unit 220 to display a graph showing the transition of the amount of power generated by the solar panel and a graph showing the transition of the amount of power actually used (S106). Specifically, the control unit 240 causes the display unit 220 to display the transition 321 of the amount of power generated by the panel shown in FIG.

[0054] Next, the control unit 240 causes the display unit 220 to display the acquired points (S107). Specifically, when the amount of electricity actually used is less than the amount of electricity generated by the solar panels, the control unit 240 calculates points that can be used as electronic money in electronic payment services based on a value obtained by subtracting the amount of electricity actually used from the amount of electricity generated by the solar panels. The control unit 240 causes the display unit 220 to display the calculated points as acquired points. Specifically, the control unit 240 causes the display unit 220 to display points 322 shown in FIG. 9. Thereafter, the control unit 240 ends the processing according to this flowchart.

[0055] When the amount of power actually used is greater than the amount of power generated by the solar panels, the control unit 240 may calculate the electricity fee based on the value obtained by subtracting the amount of power generated by the solar panels from the amount of power actually used. The control unit 240 may also cause the display unit 220 to display the calculated electricity fee.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined in S101 that the bill tab 303 has been selected, the control unit 240 acquires information regarding a plurality of utility bills (S108). Specifically, the control unit 240 acquires the bills from the electric power company server 30, the gas company server 31, and the waterworks server 32 using the communication unit 210.

[0057] Next, the control unit 240 displays a list of multiple utility bills (S109). Specifically, the control unit 240 causes the display unit 220 to display this month's bill 331 in Fig. 10. As described above, the user can select a bill by selecting (tapping) the mark ">" displayed to the right of the bill amount shown in Fig. 10.

[0058] Next, the control unit 240 transmits payment information for performing payment processing of the invoice to the payment server 100 in response to an instruction from the user (S110). Specifically, the control unit 240 transmits payment information (such as the payment amount and identification information of the payee) to the payment server 100 using the communication unit 210 in response to an instruction from the user to pay the amount of the invoice. When the payment processing unit 130 of the payment server 100 receives the payment information from the user terminal device 200, it performs payment processing. Thereafter, the control unit 240 ends the processing according to this flowchart.

[0059] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 240 of the user terminal device 200 acquires information related to the billed amounts for fees related to a plurality of resources and energy, and causes the display unit 220 to display the acquired information related to the billed amounts for each fee related to the plurality of resources and energy. This allows the user terminal device 200 to visualize the information related to the billed amounts for each fee related to the plurality of resources and energy.

[0060] Although public utility charges (electricity charges, gas charges, water charges, etc.) have been described as an example of charges related to resources and energy, the charges are not limited to these charges. For example, charges related to resources and energy may include settlement amounts at gas stations and EV stations. Therefore, the user terminal device 200 can visualize information related to billing amounts at gas stations and EV stations.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 240 of the user terminal device 200 may grant the user power-saving points that can be used as electronic money in electronic payments according to the amount of power saved by the user. The power-saving points may be points issued by companies, governments, local public organizations, etc. as a measure to solve the recent power shortage. For example, the control unit 240 may calculate the amount of power saved by subtracting the amount of power actually used from the standard amount of power usage in a target time period with high power consumption. Furthermore, the control unit 240 may calculate the amount of power saved by subtracting the amount of power actually used this month from the amount of power usage in the same month of the previous year.

[0062] The control unit 240 of the user terminal device 200 may set an upper limit for each of a plurality of utility charges for each predetermined period. For example, the user may input an upper limit (e.g., 10,000 yen) for each of a plurality of utility charges using the input unit 230, and the control unit 240 may register the input upper limit in the user information 252. Furthermore, when the billed amount for any of the plurality of utility charges approaches the upper limit, the control unit 240 may cause the display unit 220 to display that fact. For example, the control unit 240 may cause the display unit 220 to display a message such as "This month's electricity bill is approaching the upper limit." This allows the user to easily understand that the billed amount for the utility charges is increasing.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 240 of the user terminal device 200 may give the user points that can be used as electronic money in electronic payment if the billed amount of at least one of a plurality of utility charges does not exceed the upper limit during a predetermined period. For example, the control unit 240 may add a predetermined number of points (e.g., 100 points) to the points included in the user information 252 if the billed amount of at least one of a plurality of utility charges does not exceed the upper limit during a predetermined period (e.g., three months). This makes it possible to reduce the user's use of infrastructure such as electricity, gas, and water, thereby contributing to the conservation of the global environment.

[0064] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 20. Payment App 30 Electric power company server 31 Gas company server 32 Waterworks Bureau Server 100 Payment Server 110 Communications Department 120 Payment Contents Provider 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information Management Department 170 Storage section 172 User information 174 Payment Content Information 200 User terminal device 210 Communications Department 220 Display section 230 Input section 240 Control Unit 250 Storage section 252 User information

Claims

1. The terminal device Obtain information regarding billing amounts for multiple resources and energy sources; Displaying the acquired information on the billing amount for each of the charges related to the plurality of resources and energies; Setting an upper limit for each of the fees for the plurality of resources and energy for a predetermined period; if the amount of a bill for at least one of the fees relating to the plurality of resources / energy does not exceed the upper limit during the predetermined period, points that can be used as electronic money in electronic settlement are given to a user who possesses the terminal device; The fees for the plurality of resources and energies include the charges at the EV station. Application program.

2. The terminal device further includes: obtaining information regarding bills for charges relating to the plurality of resources and energies; In response to an instruction from a user who owns the terminal device, the terminal device transmits payment information for performing a payment process for the invoice to a payment server via a network.

2. The application program according to claim 1.

3. The terminal device, displaying a graph showing a change in the billing amount as information regarding the billing amount; 2. The application program according to claim 1.

4. The terminal device, displaying the usage amounts of the plurality of resources and energies as information regarding the billing amount; 2. The application program according to claim 1.

5. The fees related to the plurality of resources and energies include an electricity fee; The terminal device further includes: The amount of electricity actually used at home by a user who owns the terminal device is acquired, The amount of power generated by a solar panel installed in the user's home is acquired, displaying a graph showing a change in the amount of power generated by the solar panel and a graph showing a change in the amount of power actually used; 3. The application program according to claim 2.

6. The terminal device further includes: When the amount of power actually used is less than the amount of power generated by the solar panel, a point that can be used as electronic money in electronic payment is calculated based on a value obtained by subtracting the amount of power actually used from the amount of power generated by the solar panel; Displaying the calculated points; 6. The application program according to claim 5.

7. The terminal device further includes: When the amount of power actually used is greater than the amount of power generated by the solar panel, the electricity fee is calculated based on a value obtained by subtracting the amount of power generated by the solar panel from the amount of power actually used; Displaying the calculated electricity rate.

6. The application program according to claim 5.

8. The terminal device further includes: When the billed amount for any of the charges relating to the plurality of resources / energy approaches the upper limit, a message to that effect is displayed.

2. The application program according to claim 1.

9. The terminal device further includes: Calculating the amount of power saved by a user of the terminal device by subtracting the amount of power actually used from the standard amount of power usage during a target time period when power consumption is high; giving the user points that can be used as electronic money in electronic payments according to the calculated amount of power saved by the user; 2. The application program according to claim 1.

10. A payment server that performs payment processing; an application program installed in a terminal device capable of communicating with the payment server via a network; A payment system comprising: The application program is installed in the terminal device. Obtain information regarding billing amounts for multiple resources and energy sources; Displaying the acquired information on the billing amount for each of the charges related to the plurality of resources and energies; Setting an upper limit for each of the fees for the plurality of resources and energy for a predetermined period; if the amount of a bill for at least one of the fees relating to the plurality of resources / energy does not exceed the upper limit during the predetermined period, points that can be used as electronic money in electronic settlement are given to a user who possesses the terminal device; The payment server performs payment processing for bills for fees related to the plurality of resources and energies; The fees for the plurality of resources and energies include the charges at the EV station. Payment system.

11. The terminal device Obtain information regarding billing amounts for multiple resources and energy sources; Displaying the acquired information on the billing amount for each of the charges related to the plurality of resources and energies; setting an upper limit for each predetermined period for each of the fees related to the plurality of resources and energy; if an amount of a bill for at least one of the fees for the plurality of resources / energy does not exceed the upper limit during the predetermined period, points that can be used as electronic money in electronic payments are given to a user who possesses the terminal device; The fees for the plurality of resources and energies include the charges at the EV station. A method for controlling a terminal device.

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