Payment management device, payment management system, payment management device control method, and program

Abstract

To ensure security in selling gift cards without requiring a sales counter or salesperson for selling gift cards. [Solution] A vending machine that is connected via a network to a payment management device that provides an electronic payment service and sells gift cards that can be used with the electronic payment service, the vending machine comprising: a discrimination unit that determines the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase based on input from the user; a request unit that requests the payment management device to generate a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card; a gift code acquisition unit that acquires the gift code from the payment management device; and a printing unit that prints the gift code on the gift card.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine, a payment management device, a payment management system, a method for controlling a vending machine, a method for controlling a payment management device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic payment services using user terminal devices owned by users have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an electronic payment system in which code information such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) is displayed on a user terminal device and the code information is read by a store terminal device installed in a store, thereby executing electronic payment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-157339 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional electronic payment services sell gift cards for charging electronic money. Users can charge their accounts with electronic money by entering the gift code printed on the gift card into a payment app used to access the electronic payment service.

[0005] However, conventional electronic payment systems require the provision of a sales counter or salesperson to sell gift cards, and because conventional gift cards are activated upon issuance, security measures may be required.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide a vending machine, a payment management device, a payment management system, a method for controlling a vending machine, a method for controlling a payment management device, and a program that can ensure security when selling gift cards without requiring a sales counter or sales staff to sell gift cards. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a vending machine that is connected via a network to a payment management device that provides an electronic payment service and sells gift cards that can be used with the electronic payment service, and is equipped with a determination unit that determines the amount of the gift card that a user wishes to purchase based on input from the user, a request unit that requests the payment management device to generate a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card, a gift code acquisition unit that acquires the gift code from the payment management device, and a printing unit that prints the gift code on the gift card. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vending machine, a payment management device, a payment management system, a method for controlling a vending machine, a method for controlling a payment management device, and a program that can ensure security when selling gift cards without requiring a sales counter or sales staff to sell gift cards. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 171. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 173. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of gift card information 174. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of tally information 175. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a vending machine 200. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a vending machine 200. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a gift card issuing flow in the first process. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a charging process when a gift card is issued in the first process. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a gift code input screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a charge completion screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a gift card issuing flow in the second process. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a charging process when a gift card is issued in the second process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a vending machine, a payment management device, a payment management system, a vending machine control method, a payment management device control method, and a program of the present invention will be described. Various devices, such as the "server" mentioned below, that provide services to users and perform internal analysis may be realized by a group of distributed devices, and each device may be operated by a different business. Furthermore, the owner of the device's hardware (the cloud server provider) and the business that actually operates it may also be different. An electronic payment service is a service that supports payments for the purchase of goods and services at a store. A store may be, for example, a physical store (real-world store) existing in real space, but may also include a virtual store for e-commerce. Virtual stores may also include those provided by entities other than the operator of the electronic payment service. In such cases, when making a payment for a purchase at a virtual store, the user is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In an electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, a member store (brand), and when a purchase is made at a store, processing such as payment is primarily conducted between the user and the member store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be conducted between the user and the store.

[0011] [Electronic payment service] Figure 1 shows 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 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and one or more vending machines 200 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, etc.

[0012] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 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 10, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment application (hereinafter referred to as a payment app) 20, which operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to users. The payment app 20 is installed on the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0013] 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).

[0014] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc. An interface for affiliated stores 72 runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface for affiliated stores 72 may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface for affiliated stores 72 accepts coupon settings and the like from 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 the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

[0015] The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 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 payment information is sent from the POS device via the affiliated store server to the payment server 100. In the following explanation, this distinction will not be made and it is assumed that payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

[0016] Vending machine 200 is a device that sells gift cards that can be used for electronic payment services, and communicates with payment server 100 via network NW. As will be described in detail later, a gift card is a card used to charge electronic money to a user's account.

[0017] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns for electronic payment: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.

[0018] In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is the domain of the electronic payment service to which store identification information has been added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described below). The payment application 20 sends first payment information including the store URL and account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described below) using the affiliated store ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and store name information (S3), and sends this to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen displaying the affiliated store name and store name (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 makes the electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment app 20 (S8), and the payment app 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 information on the payment amount in addition to the store URL. In this case, the step of the user inputting the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and store name may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0019] In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, the payment app 20 sends a request to issue a one-time code to the payment server 100 when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, at the automatic update timing (e.g., every minute), and at other timings (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image, such as a QR code or barcode, generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first in-store terminal device 50, and the first in-store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). The first in-store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode, manually entering it, etc. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs electronic payment (S17). Then, the payment server 100 sends a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0020] 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, issuing a one-time code may be omitted in store scanning, 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.

[0021] [Payment server] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of payment server 100. Payment server 100 includes, for example, communication unit 110, payment content provider 115, payment processor 120, information manager 125, gift code generator 130, gift code notifier 135, charge unit 140, charge availability determination unit 145, tallying unit 150, point awarder 155, and memory unit 170. The components other than communication unit 110 and memory unit 170 are implemented by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be implemented by hardware (including circuitry) such as a large-scale integration (LSI), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or graphics processing unit (GPU), or may be implemented by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device with a non-transitory storage medium), or may be stored in a removable storage medium (a non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device.

[0022] The storage unit 170 is a HDD, flash memory, 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 171, payment content information 172, affiliated store / shop information 173, gift card information 174, and tally information 175.

[0023] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW, and is, for example, a network interface card.

[0024] The payment content providing unit 115 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 10. The payment content providing unit 115 reads out necessary content from the payment content information 172 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100.

[0025] The payment processing unit 120 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 120 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 171.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 171. User information 171 is an example of user registration information. For example, user information 171 includes a user URL, account ID, telephone number, password, as well as email address, user ID, name, address, gender, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit card payment settings, credit card limit, credit card payment amount, available credit card payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, payment history information, and points. The user URL is used for remittance processing between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, registration of a telephone number and password is required. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100 and is used to identify the user. The user ID can be set arbitrarily by the user (or may not be set). Similarly, the email address, name, address, and date of birth can be set arbitrarily by the user (or may not 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.

[0027] The charge balance indicates the balance of electronic money set by the user by transferring funds to the account in advance. Transfer methods include transfers from a designated bank's ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) or from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting indicates whether the settings for electronic credit payment have been completed and is set to either "completed" or "not completed." The credit payment limit is the monthly credit payment limit. The credit payment amount is the amount of credit payment already used in the current month. The available credit payment amount is the amount of credit payment available in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment amount from the credit payment limit. While the figure shows only one credit payment limit, in reality, there may also be daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. Further details on credit payments will be described later. The payment method setting indicates whether the user will currently make electronic payments using the charge balance or by credit payment. The bank account and credit card number are information about 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's previous transfers to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information that shows the breakdown 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.). The points are information that shows the number of points held by the user. Points can be used in electronic payments in the same way as electronic money, and for example, 1 point can be equivalent to 1 yen.

[0028] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 173. The affiliated store / store information 173 includes, for example, a first table 173A in which an affiliated store ID and a store ID are associated with a store URL, a second table 173B in which an affiliated store ID is associated with an affiliated store name and sales amount, and a third table 173C in which a store ID is associated with a store name. In addition to this information, the affiliated store / store information 173 may also include information such as the category of the affiliated store or store, the store's location, and payment patterns.

[0029] The information management unit 125 manages the user information 171 and the affiliated store / store information 173 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. For example, the information management unit 125 adds new records, edits, deletes, etc. for the user information 171, the affiliated store / store information 173, and the gift card information 174.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of gift card information 174. Gift card information 174 is information that associates, for example, a gift code, an amount, an account ID, a vending machine ID, a design ID, and valid / invalid information. The gift code is identification information for identifying the gift card and is printed on the gift card by vending machine 200. The gift code may be, for example, 16 alphanumeric characters. The amount is information indicating the amount of the gift card (the amount charged). The account ID is identification information for identifying a user who can use the gift card and is information similar to the account ID in user information 171 of FIG. 5. The vending machine ID is identification information for identifying vending machine 200 that sold the gift card. The design ID is identification information for identifying the design of the gift card. The valid / invalid information is information indicating whether the gift card is valid or invalid. When electronic money is charged to a user's account using a gift card, the gift card is considered used, and the valid / invalid information is rewritten from "valid" to "invalid." As will be described in detail later, the gift card information 174 is updated by the information management unit 125.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of tally information 175. Tally information 175 is information in which, for example, a design ID, the number of issued cards, and the sales amount are linked together. The design ID is identification information for identifying the design of the gift card, and is information similar to the design ID in gift card information 174 of FIG. 7. The number of issued cards is information indicating the number of gift cards issued with the design indicated by the design ID. The sales amount is information indicating the sales amount of gift cards with the design indicated by the design ID. Note that tally information 175 may be information in which at least one of the number of issued cards and the sales amount is linked to the design ID, and one of the number of issued cards and the sales amount may be omitted. As will be described in detail later, tally information 175 is generated by tally unit 150.

[0032] [Electronic Payment] When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 120 refers to the user information 171 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For users whose "payment method setting" is set to "electronic payment," the payment processing unit 120 performs electronic payment as follows. For example, the payment processing unit 120 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 proceeds. The item value of the affiliated store's sales proceeds is not itself used as electronic money, for example, but rather the amount corresponding to the item value of the sales proceeds is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

[0033] The payment processing unit 120 performs electronic payments for users whose "Payment Method Setting" is set to "Credit Card Payment" as follows. Credit card payment is a payment method in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service. The operator of the electronic payment service acts as the creditor, and allows electronic payments within the credit card payment limit, independent of the remaining balance. To receive the credit card payment service, a user may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The monthly amount used for credit card payment is settled on the following month's payment date, for example, by debit from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 120 makes a provisional settlement by adding the settlement amount to the credit card payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the available credit card balance. On the closing date, the payment processing unit 120 performs the process described above to debit the current month's payment on the following month's payment date, or requests the credit card company operator to perform this process. If the settlement amount exceeds the available credit card balance at the time of provisional settlement, an error notification is returned to the payment app 20.

[0034] [Vending machine] FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of vending machine 200. Vending machine 200 includes, for example, communication unit 210, input unit 220, discrimination unit 230, design selection unit 240, request unit 250, gift code acquisition unit 260, printing unit 270, and gift card storage unit 280. The components other than communication unit 210, input unit 220, and gift card storage unit 280 are implemented by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be implemented by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI, ASIC, FPGA, or GPU, or may be implemented by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device with a non-transitory storage medium) such as an HDD or flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (a non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device.

[0035] Gift card storage unit 280 is a repository that stores gift cards of various designs before gift codes are printed on them. For example, gift card storage unit 280 stores multiple gift cards of various designs, such as multiple gift cards 281 with design A, multiple gift cards 282 with design B, and multiple gift cards 283 with design C. For example, if vending machine 200 is installed in a baseball stadium, multiple gift cards with designs of baseball players may be stored in gift card storage unit 280. Also, for example, if vending machine 200 is installed in a concert venue, multiple gift cards with designs of idols or artists appearing at the concert may be stored in gift card storage unit 280.

[0036] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW, and is, for example, a network interface card.

[0037] The input unit 220 includes a plurality of buttons for selecting a gift card design, a plurality of buttons for selecting the gift card amount, and an input device such as a touch panel or keyboard for inputting the user's account ID.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of vending machine 200. Vending machine 200 shown in FIG. 10 is assumed to be installed in a baseball stadium. Therefore, a user can purchase a gift card with a design of a baseball player by inserting cash into vending machine 200. As shown in FIG. 10, vending machine 200 is provided with input unit 220, cash insertion unit 290, and gift card removal slot 295.

[0039] The input unit 220 includes a plurality of buttons B1 to B10 and an account ID input unit 221. Buttons B1 to B4 are buttons for selecting a gift card design. Specifically, button B1 is a button for selecting a gift card design A. Button B2 is a button for selecting a gift card design B. Button B3 is a button for selecting a gift card design C. Button B4 is a button for selecting a gift card design D. Here, as an example, four designs are available to choose from, but the number of gift card designs may be any number.

[0040] Buttons B5 to B10 are buttons for selecting the gift card amount. Electronic money equivalent to the gift card amount selected here will be charged to the user's account. Specifically, button B5 is a button for selecting 1,000 yen. button B6 is a button for selecting 2,000 yen. button B7 is a button for selecting 3,000 yen. button B8 is a button for selecting 5,000 yen. button B9 is a button for selecting 10,000 yen. button B10 is a button for selecting 20,000 yen. Note that instead of these buttons, an input device such as a numeric keypad that allows the user to input any amount may be provided in input unit 220.

[0041] The account ID input unit 221 is an input device for inputting the user's account ID. As described above, the account ID is the user's ID in an electronic payment service and is an example of user identification information for identifying a user. For example, the account ID input unit 221 may be a touch panel or a keyboard. Note that the account ID input unit 221 may be provided with a reading device that acquires the user's account ID by optically reading and decoding code information including the user's account ID displayed on the screen of the payment application 20. While inputting the account ID is not required when a user purchases a gift card, inputting the account ID can strengthen the security of the gift card. Details of this process will be described later.

[0042] Cash insertion unit 290 has an insertion slot for inserting cash (coins or bills) to purchase a gift card. Gift card removal slot 295 has a space for ejecting a gift card with a printed gift code when a user purchases a gift card.

[0043] There are two processes for issuing gift cards: a first process that does not link the user's account ID to the gift code, and a second process that links the user's account ID to the gift code. The first process allows for quick gift card issuance because it does not require the user to enter their account ID. On the other hand, the second process uses their account ID to authenticate the user who is topping up, thereby enhancing the security of the gift card. The first and second processes are described in detail below.

[0044] [Sequence diagram of the first process] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the gift card issuance flow in the first process. First, the design selection unit 240 of the vending machine 200 selects a design for the gift card in response to an input from the user (S21). Specifically, when the user presses one of buttons B1 to B4, the design selection unit 240 selects the design corresponding to the pressed button.

[0045] Next, the determination unit 230 determines the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase based on the input from the user (S22). Specifically, when the user inserts cash into the cash insertion unit 290 and presses one of buttons B5 to B10, the determination unit 230 determines the amount of the gift card corresponding to the pressed button.

[0046] Next, the request unit 250 requests the payment server 100 to generate a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card (S23). Specifically, the request unit 250 transmits to the payment server 100 a gift code generation request including the amount of the gift card, a vending machine ID for identifying the vending machine 200, and a design ID for identifying the design of the gift card.

[0047] Meanwhile, in response to a request from the vending machine 200, the gift code generation unit 130 of the payment server 100 generates a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card the user wishes to purchase (S24). Specifically, the gift code generation unit 130 receives a gift code generation request from the vending machine 200, which includes the amount of the gift card, the vending machine ID, and the design ID, and generates a gift code based on the gift code generation request. The gift code may be, for example, a 16-digit alphanumeric code.

[0048] Next, the information management unit 125 updates the gift card information 174 (S25). Specifically, the information management unit 125 associates the gift code generated by the gift code generation unit 130 with the gift card amount, vending machine ID, and design ID included in the gift code generation request, and writes them into the gift card information 174. Note that, because the user's account ID was not entered in the first process, the account ID field in the gift card information 174 is left blank. In addition, the information management unit 125 writes "valid" in the valid / invalid information field in the gift card information 174. This validates the gift code.

[0049] Next, the counting unit 150 updates the counting information 175 (S26). Specifically, the counting unit 150 counts at least one of the number of gift cards issued or the sales amount for each design ID, and updates the counting information 175 according to the counting results. For example, if the design ID included in the gift code generation request is D001, the counting information 175 may add 1 to the number of issued cards associated with D001. Furthermore, the counting information 175 may add the amount of the gift card included in the gift code generation request to the sales amount associated with D001. By updating the counting information, the electronic payment service provider can grasp the popular gift card designs.

[0050] Next, the gift code notification unit 135 notifies the vending machine 200 of the gift code generated by the gift code generation unit 130 (S27). Specifically, the gift code notification unit 135 notifies the vending machine 200 corresponding to the vending machine ID included in the gift code generation request of the gift code. This makes it possible to prevent the gift code from being sent to the wrong destination even when there are multiple vending machines 200.

[0051] Meanwhile, the gift code acquisition unit 260 of the vending machine 200 acquires a gift code from the payment server 100. The printing unit 270 prints the gift code acquired by the gift code acquisition unit 260 onto a gift card (S28). Specifically, the printing unit 270 prints the gift code onto a gift card with a design selected by the design selection unit 240. The printing unit 270 controls a printing mechanism installed in the vending machine to print the gift code onto the gift card. Any printing method may be used, such as inkjet printing, electrophotography, thermal printing, or thermal transfer printing. This allows the gift code to be printed onto a gift card with a design preferred by the user.

[0052] The printing unit 270 may print code information, which is an encoded version of the gift code, on the gift card. The code information may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The printing unit 270 may print only the gift code on the gift card, or may print both the gift code and the code information on the gift card.

[0053] A user can use a gift card with a printed gift code to charge electronic money to their account. The details of the charging process when a gift card is issued in the first process are explained below.

[0054] 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a charging process when a gift card is issued in the first process. First, the user launches the payment application 20 using the user terminal device 10 (S31). As a result, the home screen of the payment application 20 is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0055] Next, the user inputs the gift code printed on the gift card by operating the payment application 20 (S32). Specifically, the user can display a gift code input screen on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 by tapping a button indicating the gift code on the charge screen of the payment application 20.

[0056] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a gift code input screen. The gift code input screen includes an input area A1 and buttons B11 and B12. A user inputs the gift code printed on a gift card into input area A1 and selects button B11, and the amount of electronic money associated with the gift code is charged to the user's account.

[0057] The user can also input the gift code by scanning the gift card using the user terminal device 10. Specifically, the user can select button B12 to open the scan screen of the payment app 20 and scan the code information printed on the gift code from the scan screen. The payment app 20 can also obtain the gift code by decoding the scanned code information and automatically input the obtained gift code. This can save the user the trouble of manually inputting the gift code.

[0058] Next, the payment application 20 transmits a charge request to the payment server 100 (S33). The charge request includes the user's account ID and the gift code entered in S32.

[0059] On the other hand, when the charging unit 140 of the payment server 100 receives a charge request from the payment application 20 (user terminal device 10), it executes a charge process (S34). Specifically, the charging unit 140 charges electronic money in an amount corresponding to the gift code included in the charge request to the user's account linked to the account ID included in the charge request. For example, the charging unit 140 obtains the charge amount linked to the gift code from the gift card information 174, and adds the obtained charge amount to the charge balance linked to the user's account ID in the user information 171. In this way, the charging unit 140 can charge electronic money in an amount corresponding to the gift code to the user's account.

[0060] Next, the information management unit 125 updates the gift card information 174 (S35). Specifically, the information management unit 125 writes "invalid" in the valid / invalid information field in the gift card information 174. This invalidates the gift code, preventing a recharge process from being performed using a gift card that has already been used.

[0061] Next, the payment server 100 controls the communication unit 110 to send a charge completion notification to the payment application 20 (S36). The charge completion notification includes the charge amount.

[0062] Meanwhile, when the payment application 20 receives the charge completion notification from the payment server 100, it displays a charge completion screen (S37). The charge completion screen displays the charge amount included in the charge completion notification. This allows the user to know the charge amount through the payment application 20.

[0063] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a charge completion screen. As shown in Fig. 14, the charge completion screen displays the date and time when charge was completed, the charge amount, a message indicating that charge was completed, etc. In this way, the payment server 100 can execute the charge process when a gift card is issued in the first process.

[0064] In order to strengthen the security of the gift card more than in the first process, the vending machine 200 can also issue the gift card in a second process in which the user is prompted to input their account ID. Details of the second process will be described below.

[0065] [Sequence diagram of the second process] 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the gift card issuance flow in the second process. First, the user inputs the user's account ID using the account ID input unit 221 (S40). As mentioned above, the account ID is the user's ID (user identification information) in the electronic payment service.

[0066] Next, the design selection unit 240 of the vending machine 200 selects a design for the gift card in response to the input from the user (S41). Specifically, when the user presses one of buttons B1 to B4, the design selection unit 240 selects the design corresponding to the pressed button.

[0067] Next, the determination unit 230 determines the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase based on the input from the user (S42). Specifically, when the user inserts cash into the cash insertion unit 290 and presses one of buttons B5 to B10, the determination unit 230 determines the amount of the gift card corresponding to the pressed button.

[0068] Next, the request unit 250 requests the payment server 100 to generate a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card (S43). Specifically, the request unit 250 transmits to the payment server 100 a gift code generation request including the amount of the gift card, the user's account ID, a vending machine ID for identifying the vending machine 200, and a design ID for identifying the design of the gift card.

[0069] Meanwhile, in response to a request from the vending machine 200, the gift code generation unit 130 of the payment server 100 generates a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card the user wishes to purchase (S44). Specifically, the gift code generation unit 130 receives a gift code generation request from the vending machine 200, which includes the gift card amount, the user's account ID, the vending machine ID, and the design ID, and generates a gift code based on the gift code generation request. The gift code may be, for example, a 16-digit alphanumeric code.

[0070] Next, the information management unit 125 updates the gift card information 174 (S45). At this time, unlike the first process, the information management unit 125 links the gift code to the user's account ID. Specifically, the information management unit 125 links the gift code generated by the gift code generation unit 130 with the gift card amount, account ID, vending machine ID, and design ID included in the gift code generation request, and writes them into the gift card information 174. Note that, since the user's account ID has been input in the second process, unlike the first process, the user's account ID is written in the account ID field of the gift card information 174. Furthermore, the information management unit 125 writes "valid" in the valid / invalid information field of the gift card information 174. This validates the gift code.

[0071] Next, the counting unit 150 updates the counting information 175 (S46). Specifically, the counting unit 150 counts at least one of the number of gift cards issued or the sales amount for each design ID, and updates the counting information 175 according to the counting content. The counting process in S46 is the same as the counting process in S26 of FIG. 11.

[0072] Next, the gift code notification unit 135 notifies the vending machine 200 of the gift code generated by the gift code generation unit 130 (S47). Specifically, the gift code notification unit 135 notifies the vending machine 200 corresponding to the vending machine ID included in the gift code generation request of the gift code. This makes it possible to prevent the gift code from being sent to the wrong destination even when there are multiple vending machines 200.

[0073] Meanwhile, the gift code acquisition unit 260 of the vending machine 200 acquires a gift code linked to the user's account ID from the payment server 100. The printing unit 270 prints the gift code acquired by the gift code acquisition unit 260 on a gift card (S48). The printing process in S48 is the same as the printing process in S28 of FIG. 11.

[0074] The printing unit 270 may print code information, which is an encoded version of the gift code, on the gift card. The code information may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The printing unit 270 may print only the gift code on the gift card, or may print both the gift code and the code information on the gift card.

[0075] The user can use the gift card with the gift code printed on it to charge electronic money to their account. The details of the charging process when a gift card is issued in the second process are explained below.

[0076] 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a charging process when a gift card is issued in the second process. First, the user launches the payment application 20 using the user terminal device 10 (S51). As a result, the home screen of the payment application 20 is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0077] Next, the user operates the payment application 20 to input the gift code printed on the gift card (S52). The gift code input process in S52 is the same as the gift code input process in S32 of FIG.

[0078] Next, the payment application 20 transmits a charge request to the payment server 100 (S53). The charge request includes the user's account ID and the gift code entered in S32.

[0079] Meanwhile, when the rechargeability determination unit 145 of the payment server 100 receives a recharge request from the payment application 20 (user terminal device 10), it checks the user's account ID (S54). Specifically, the rechargeability determination unit 145 determines whether the account ID included in the recharge request matches the account ID linked to the gift code. If the account ID included in the recharge request matches the account ID linked to the gift code, the rechargeability determination unit 145 permits the recharge of electronic money to the user's account. On the other hand, if the account ID included in the recharge request does not match the account ID linked to the gift code, the rechargeability determination unit 145 prohibits the recharge of electronic money to the user's account. This prevents the gift card from being stolen and being recharged with electronic money by a third party. In this way, the second process can strengthen the security of the gift card.

[0080] Next, if the charge permission determination unit 145 permits the charging of electronic money to the user's account, the charging unit 140 executes the charge process (S55). Specifically, the charging unit 140 charges the user's account linked to the account ID included in the charge request with electronic money in an amount corresponding to the gift code included in the charge request. For example, the charging unit 140 acquires the charge amount linked to the gift code from the gift card information 174, and adds the acquired charge amount to the charge balance linked to the user's account ID in the user information 171. In this way, the charging unit 140 can charge the user's account with electronic money in an amount corresponding to the gift code.

[0081] Next, the information management unit 125 updates the gift card information 174 (S56). Specifically, the information management unit 125 writes "invalid" in the valid / invalid information field in the gift card information 174. This invalidates the gift code, making it possible to prevent a charge process from being performed using a gift card that has already been used.

[0082] Next, the payment server 100 controls the communication unit 110 to send a charge completion notification to the payment application 20 (S57). The charge completion notification includes the charge amount.

[0083] On the other hand, when the payment application 20 receives the charge completion notification from the payment server 100, it displays a charge completion screen (S58). As shown in FIG. 14 above, the charge completion screen displays the charge amount included in the charge completion notification. This allows the user to know the charge amount through the payment application 20.

[0084] As described above, according to this embodiment, gift cards are sold by vending machine 200, so there is no need for a sales counter or sales clerk to sell gift cards. Furthermore, since gift cards stored in gift card storage unit 280 of vending machine 200 are gift cards for which no gift code has been generated, even if the gift card is stolen from vending machine 200, it cannot be used to charge electronic money. Therefore, according to this embodiment, security can be ensured when selling gift cards.

[0085] Normally, a user can load electronic money from a bank ATM, but if there is no bank ATM nearby, the user cannot load electronic money. However, according to this embodiment, even if there is no bank ATM nearby, the user can purchase a gift card at vending machine 200 and load electronic money, thereby improving user convenience.

[0086] It is possible that an electronic payment service provider installs vending machine 200 in an area where it would like to promote the use of the electronic payment service. Therefore, payment server 100 may grant a benefit to a user when the user purchases a product at an affiliated store in the area where vending machine 200 is installed. For example, point granting unit 155 may grant points that can be used as electronic money to a user when the user purchases a product at an affiliated store in the area where vending machine 200 is installed, from which the user purchased a gift card. In this way, payment server 100 can promote the use of the electronic payment service in the area where vending machine 200 is installed.

[0087] In the first and second processes described above, the design selection unit 240 selects a design corresponding to the button pressed by the user. However, this is not limiting. For example, the design selection unit 240 may select a design to be used for a gift card from among a plurality of designs with different rarities. For example, gift cards with a plurality of designs with different rarities may be stored in the gift card storage unit 280, and the design selection unit 240 may select a design with a high rarity with a low probability. For example, the background design of the gift card may be changed depending on the rarity. A gift card with a high rarity design may be, for example, a so-called mirror card, in which part of the gift card is mirror-finished. This can encourage users to purchase gift cards and increase gift card sales.

[0088] Furthermore, the design selection unit 240 may increase the probability of selecting a design with a higher rarity as the value of the gift card increases, thereby further encouraging users to purchase gift cards and increasing gift card sales.

[0089] As described above, vending machine 200 of this embodiment is connected to payment server 100, which provides electronic payment services, via network NW, and is a device that sells gift cards that can be used in the electronic payment service. Vending machine 200 includes discrimination unit 230, request unit 250, gift code acquisition unit 260, and printing unit 270. Discrimination unit 230 determines the value of the gift card the user wishes to purchase based on input from the user. Request unit 250 requests payment server 100 to generate a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the gift card value. Gift code acquisition unit 260 acquires the gift code from payment server 100. Printing unit 270 prints the gift code on the gift card. As a result, vending machine 200 of this embodiment does not require a sales counter or salesperson to sell gift cards, and security can be ensured when selling gift cards.

[0090] Furthermore, payment server 100 of this embodiment is a device that is connected via network NW to vending machine 200, which sells gift cards that can be used in electronic payment services, and provides electronic payment services. Payment server 100 includes gift code generation unit 130 and gift code notification unit 135. In response to a request from vending machine 200, gift code generation unit 130 generates a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase. Gift code notification unit 135 notifies vending machine 200 of the gift code generated by gift code generation unit 130. As a result, payment server 100 of this embodiment does not require a sales counter or salesperson to sell gift cards, and can ensure security when selling gift cards.

[0091] The payment management system of this embodiment also includes a payment server 100 and a vending machine 200. The vending machine 200 includes a discrimination unit 230, a request unit 250, a gift code acquisition unit 260, and a printing unit 270. The discrimination unit 230 determines the value of the gift card the user wishes to purchase based on input from the user. The request unit 250 requests the payment server 100 to generate a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the value of the gift card. The gift code acquisition unit 260 acquires the gift code from the payment server 100. The printing unit 270 prints the gift code on the gift card. The payment server 100 includes a gift code generation unit 130 and a gift code notification unit 135. The gift code generation unit 130 generates a gift code in response to a request from the vending machine 200. The gift code notification unit 135 notifies the vending machine 200 of the gift code generated by the gift code generation unit 130. As a result, the payment management system of this embodiment does not require a sales counter or sales staff to sell gift cards, and can ensure security when selling gift cards.

[0092] 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]

[0093] 10 User terminal device 20. Payment App 100 Payment Server 110 Communications Department 115 Payment Contents Provider 120 Payment processing unit 125 Information Management Department 130 Gift Code Generation Unit 135 Gift Code Notification Section 140 Charging section 145 Charge possibility determination unit 150 Counting Unit 155 Points Awarding Department 170 Storage section 200 vending machines 210 Communications Department 220 Input section 221 Account ID input section 230 Discrimination part 240 Design Selection Department 250 Request part 260 Gift Code Acquisition Department 270 Printing section 280 Gift Card Storage 290 Cash input section 295 Gift card slot

Claims

1. A payment management device that is connected via a network to a vending machine that sells gift cards that can be used for an electronic payment service and provides the electronic payment service, a gift code generation unit that receives from the vending machine a gift code generation request including the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase and user identification information for identifying the user, and generates a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card based on the gift code generation request; a gift code notification unit that notifies the vending machine of the gift code; an information management unit that associates the gift code, the amount of the gift card, and the user identification information and stores them in a storage unit; a charge permission determination unit that, when a charge request including the user identification information and the gift code is received from a user terminal device operated by the user, allows the user to charge electronic money to the user's account if the user identification information included in the charge request matches the user identification information linked to the gift code, and prohibits the user from charging electronic money to the user's account if the user identification information included in the charge request does not match the user identification information linked to the gift code; A payment management device comprising:

2. The gift code generation request further includes vending machine identification information for identifying the vending machine, The gift code notification unit notifies the vending machine corresponding to the vending machine identification information included in the gift code generation request of the gift code. The payment management device according to claim 1.

3. and a charging unit that, when receiving the charge request from the user terminal device, charges electronic money in an amount corresponding to the gift code included in the charge request to an account of the user linked to the user identification information included in the charge request. The payment management device according to claim 2.

4. The gift code generation request further includes design identification information for identifying a design of the gift card, The gift card issuing unit may further include a counting unit that counts at least one of the number of issued gift cards or the sales amount for each of the design identification information. The payment management device according to claim 2.

5. The vending machine further includes a points granting unit that grants points that can be used as electronic money to the user when the user purchases a product at a member store in an area where the vending machine from which the gift card was purchased is installed. The payment management device according to claim 1.

6. A payment management system including a payment management device that provides an electronic payment service and a vending machine that sells gift cards that can be used with the electronic payment service, The vending machine is an input unit that accepts input of user identification information for identifying a user; a determination unit that determines the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase in response to an input from the user; a request unit that transmits a gift code generation request including the amount of the gift card and the user identification information to the payment management device; a gift code acquisition unit that acquires, from the payment management device, a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card; a printing unit that prints the gift code on the gift card; The payment management device a gift code generation unit that receives the gift code generation request from the vending machine and generates the gift code based on the gift code generation request; a gift code notification unit that notifies the vending machine of the gift code; an information management unit that associates the gift code, the amount of the gift card, and the user identification information and stores them in a storage unit; a charge permission determination unit that, when a charge request including the user identification information and the gift code is received from a user terminal device operated by the user, allows the user to charge electronic money to the user's account if the user identification information included in the charge request matches the user identification information linked to the gift code, and prohibits the user from charging electronic money to the user's account if the user identification information included in the charge request does not match the user identification information linked to the gift code; A payment management system comprising:

7. a payment management device that is connected via a network to a vending machine that sells gift cards that can be used for an electronic payment service and that provides the electronic payment service; A gift code generation request is received from the vending machine, the gift code including the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase and user identification information for identifying the user. Based on the gift code generation request, a gift code is generated for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card. notifying the vending machine of the gift code; The gift code, the amount of the gift card, and user identification information for identifying the user are stored in a storage unit in association with each other; When a charge request including the user identification information and the gift code is received from a user terminal device operated by the user, if the user identification information included in the charge request matches the user identification information linked to the gift code, the charge of electronic money to the user's account is permitted, and if the user identification information included in the charge request does not match the user identification information linked to the gift code, the charge of electronic money to the user's account is prohibited. A method for controlling a payment management device.

8. a payment management device that is connected via a network to a vending machine that sells gift cards that can be used for an electronic payment service and that provides the electronic payment service; a process of acquiring from the vending machine a gift code generation request including the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase and user identification information for identifying the user, and generating a gift code for charging electronic money equivalent to the amount of the gift card that the user wishes to purchase based on the gift code generation request and in response to a request from the vending machine; A process of notifying the vending machine of the gift code; a process of storing the gift code, the amount of the gift card, and user identification information for identifying the user in a storage unit in association with each other; When a charge request including the user identification information and the gift code is received from a user terminal device operated by the user, if the user identification information included in the charge request matches the user identification information linked to the gift code, the process allows the user to charge electronic money to their account, and if the user identification information included in the charge request does not match the user identification information linked to the gift code, the process prohibits the user from charging electronic money to their account; A program that executes the following.

Images