Payment server, application program, payment system, payment server control method, and terminal device control method

Abstract

To improve convenience for users even when credit card payments using a specific credit card are not permitted. [Solution] A payment server that provides electronic payment services, comprising: a payment information acquisition unit that acquires payment information including the payment amount of the product a user wishes to purchase and user identification information for identifying the user; and a payment processing unit that performs electronic payment based on the amount of a voucher purchased by the user with a specific credit card, as indicated by the user identification information, and the payment amount.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a payment server, an application program, a payment system, a control method for a payment server, and a control method for a terminal device. [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. In addition to electronic payment based on a charge balance, electronic payment based on credit card payments has also been proposed as a payment method. [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] However, the electronic payment system described in Patent Document 1 can be inconvenient for users if credit card payments using a specific credit card (for example, a credit card from another company) are not permitted.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide a payment server, an application program, a payment system, a method for controlling a payment server, and a method for controlling a terminal device that can improve convenience for users even when credit card payments using a specific credit card are not permitted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a payment server that provides electronic payment services, comprising: a payment information acquisition unit that acquires payment information including the payment amount of a product that a user wishes to purchase and user identification information for identifying the user; and a payment processing unit that performs electronic payment based on the amount of a voucher that the user purchased with a specific credit card, as indicated by the user identification information, and the payment amount. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a payment server, an application program, a payment system, a control method for a payment server, and a control method for a terminal device that can improve convenience for users even when credit card payments using a specific credit card are not permitted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [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 172. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a user terminal device 200. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a top screen IM1 of a payment application 20. [Figure 9] This is an example of the purchase screen IM2-1 when purchasing a card voucher for another company with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand A." [Figure 10]This is an example of a payment confirmation screen IM3-1 when purchasing a card voucher for another company with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand A." [Figure 11] This is an example of the purchase screen IM2-2 when purchasing a card voucher for another company with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand B." [Figure 12] This is an example of a payment confirmation screen IM3-2 when purchasing a card voucher for another company with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand B." [Figure 13] This is an example of a payment completion screen IM4 when purchasing a card voucher from another company. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen IM5 when paying with electronic money balance. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment amount input screen IM6 when paying with electronic money balance. [Figure 16] This is an example of a payment completion screen IM7 when payment is made using electronic money balance. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen IM8 when paying by credit card. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment amount input screen IM9 when paying by credit card. [Figure 19] This is an example of a payment completion screen IM10 when payment is made by credit card. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process for purchasing a card voucher from another company. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the general flow of electronic payment using a card voucher of another company in electronic payment by user scanning. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the general flow of electronic payment using a card voucher from another company in electronic payment by store scanning. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a payment server, an application program, a payment system, a payment server control method, and a terminal device control method according to 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 hardware owner (the cloud server provider) and the business that actually operates the device 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 transactions. Virtual stores may also include those provided by entities other than the electronic payment service provider. In such cases, when making a payment for a purchase at a virtual store, the user is controlled to transition to an interface screen for the electronic payment service. In an electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and when a purchase is made at a store, processing such as payment is primarily conducted between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be conducted between the user and the store.

[0010] [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 200, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and a credit card company server 300 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.

[0011] The user terminal device 200 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or 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 (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 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, 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 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 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.

[0015] The credit card company server 300 is a computer managed by the credit card company, and communicates with the payment server 100 and the user terminal device 200 via the network NW. As will be described in detail later, the credit card company server 300 holds information relating to the user's credit card.

[0016] It should be noted that the credit card company operating credit card company server 300 is not a group company of the electronic payment service provider operating payment server 100. For this reason, credit cards issued by the credit card company operating credit card company server 300 are referred to as "other company's credit card." In other words, "other company's credit card" is a credit card that is different from credit cards issued by the electronic payment service provider or a group company of the electronic payment service provider. "Other company's credit card" is an example of a "specific credit card." On the other hand, a credit card issued by the electronic payment service provider or a group company of the electronic payment service provider is referred to as "one's own credit card." It should be noted that, as will be described in more detail later, when electronic payments are made at payment server 100, credit card payments using one's own credit card are permitted, but credit card payments using other company's credit cards are prohibited.

[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, user terminal device 200, with payment application 20 running, decodes store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). 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 payment server 100 (described below). Payment application 20 sends first payment information including the store URL and account ID to payment server 100 (S2). Payment server 100 searches for store information (described below) using the affiliated store ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires information on the affiliated store name and store name (S3), and sends this information to payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into user terminal device 200 on the screen displaying the affiliated store name and store name (S5). Then, the user terminal device 200 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 200 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] 4 is a configuration diagram of payment server 100. Payment server 100 includes, for example, communication unit 110, payment content providing unit 120, payment processing unit 130, information management unit 140, payment information acquisition unit 150, purchase amount acquisition unit 160, and storage unit 170. The components other than communication unit 110 and storage unit 170 are 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 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 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 hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), etc. The storage unit 170 may be a network attached storage (NAS) device that can be accessed by the payment server 100 via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, payment content information 174, and affiliated store / shop information 176.

[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 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 reads out necessary content from the payment content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 200. The user terminal device 200 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 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.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. User information 172 is an example of user registration information. User information 172 includes, for example, a user URL, account ID, telephone number, and password, as well as associated information such as email address, user ID, name, address, 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 voucher information. The user URL is used for remittance processing between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, registration of a phone number and password is required. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID can be set by the user (or does not have to be set). The email address, name, address, and date of birth are also information that can be set by the user (or do 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.

[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 service provider (bank) 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 make electronic payments using the charge balance (electronic money balance) or by credit payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information on the 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.).

[0028] Voucher information is information about vouchers held by a user. For example, voucher information may include the purchase price of the voucher and the number of vouchers. Vouchers can be used at affiliated stores of the international brand of the credit card used to purchase the voucher. In this embodiment, vouchers purchased with a credit card of another company are referred to as "other company's card vouchers." As will be described in more detail later, users can use vouchers for electronic payments.

[0029] 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 ID is associated with an affiliated store name and sales amount, 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 store's location, and payment patterns.

[0030] 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. For example, the information management unit 140 adds, edits, deletes, etc. new records for the user information 172 and the affiliated store / store information 176.

[0031] [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 references the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For users 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 account 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.

[0032] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payments for users whose "payment method setting" is set to "credit card payment" as follows. Credit card payment is a payment method using the user's credit card. The electronic payment service provider acts as the creditor, allowing electronic payments within the credit card payment limit and independent of the user's remaining balance. To receive the credit card payment service, the user may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the electronic payment service provider. 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 130 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 130 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.

[0033] When making an electronic payment, the payment processing unit 130 allows credit card payments using the company's own credit card (a credit card other than the specified credit card), but prohibits credit card payments using other companies' credit cards (the specified credit card). As a result, the user cannot make an electronic payment using another company's credit card. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can purchase a voucher with another company's credit card, and the purchased voucher can be used for electronic payment, thereby indirectly allowing the other company's credit card to be used for electronic payment. A voucher purchased using another company's credit card is referred to as a "other company's card voucher."

[0034] [User terminal device] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of user terminal device 200. User terminal device 200 includes, for example, a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, a display unit 230, an input unit 240, and a storage unit 270. The control unit 220 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 circuitry) 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-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.

[0035] Storage unit 270 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM, etc. Storage unit 270 may be a NAS device that user terminal device 200 can access via a network. Storage unit 270 stores payment application 20, information used by payment application 20, etc.

[0036] The communication unit 210 is a wireless communication module that performs wireless communication with a wireless base station connected to the network NW.

[0037] The display unit 230 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 240 is a device that accepts input from a user. The display unit 230 and the input unit 240 may be configured as a touch panel display.

[0038] [App screen] FIG. 8 is an example of the top screen IM1 of the payment app 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the top screen IM1 of the payment app 20 includes areas A1, A2, A3, and a button B1. Area A1 displays code images such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks) used for smartphone payments. Area A2 displays icons for instructing key smartphone payment operations such as charging and scanning. Area A3 displays various icons for launching various mini-apps that can be executed by the payment app 20. Button B1 is a button for displaying a payment screen, which will be described later.

[0039] Specifically, eight icons IC1 to IC8 are displayed in area A3. Icons IC1 to IC6 are icons for launching mini apps. When a user selects (tap) one of icons IC1 to IC6, the payment application 20 launches the mini app corresponding to the selected icon. Icon IC7 is a favorite icon. When a user selects (tap) icon IC7, the payment application 20 displays a favorite screen on the display unit 230 of the user terminal device 200, which displays a list of favorite mini apps preset by the user. Icon IC8 is a function list icon. When a user selects (tap) icon IC8, the payment application 20 displays a function list screen on the display unit 230 of the user terminal device 200, which displays a list of all mini apps.

[0040] When the user selects (tap) icon IC1, the voucher mini app launches. By operating the voucher mini app, the user can display a purchase screen for other company's card vouchers on the display unit 230 of the user terminal device 200. Other company's card vouchers are vouchers purchased with other company's credit cards.

[0041] The fee (purchase fee) required to purchase another company's card voucher varies depending on the international brand of the credit card used to purchase the other company's card voucher (VISA (registered trademark), Mastercard (registered trademark), etc.). This is because the IRF (interchange fee) payable to the issuer varies depending on the international brand of the credit card. In this embodiment, if the international brand of the credit card is "Brand A," the interest rate on the fee required to purchase another company's card voucher is 0% (free). On the other hand, if the international brand of the credit card is "Brand B," the interest rate on the fee required to purchase another company's card voucher is 2%. This point will be explained below.

[0042] 9 is an example of a purchase screen IM2-1 when purchasing a card voucher for another company with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand A." As shown in FIG. 9, the purchase screen IM2-1 for purchasing a card voucher for another company includes areas A4 to A6 and button B2.

[0043] Area A4 displays information about other company's card vouchers held by the user. In the example shown in Figure 9, the total amount (0 yen) of other company's card vouchers held by the user is displayed in area A4.

[0044] Area A5 displays the purchase amount of the other company's card voucher entered by the user. For example, when the user taps (selects) area A5, the payment app 20 may display a numeric keypad for entering numbers. The user may use the numeric keypad to enter the purchase amount. Area A5 also displays multiple buttons (such as "Clear," "+10000," and "+30000") that the user may use to enter the purchase amount. Area A5 also displays a purchase fee and a payment amount according to the purchase amount entered by the user. The purchase fee is a fee required to purchase the other company's card voucher, and the interest rate of the purchase fee varies depending on the international brand of the credit card used to purchase the other company's card voucher. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the international brand of the credit card used to purchase the other company's card voucher is "Brand A" (interest rate of purchase fee: 0%), so there is no purchase fee. The payment amount is the sum of the purchase amount of the other company's card voucher and the purchase fee. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the purchase amount (10,000 yen) of the other company's card voucher, the purchase fee (free), and the payment amount (10,000 yen) are displayed in area A5.

[0045] Area A6 displays information about the credit card of another company used to purchase the other company's card voucher. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the information about the credit card of another company is displayed, including the international brand of the credit card (Brand A), the name of the credit card, the last four digits of the card number (9999), and the available balance (50,000 yen). The available balance of the credit card of another company may be an amount managed by the payment server 100, not by the credit card company server 300. For example, the payment server 100 may manage the available balance in the user information 172, linked to the card number of the credit card of another company held by the user.

[0046] The user may have multiple credit cards of other companies registered with the payment server 100. When the user taps (selects) area A6, the payment application 20 may display a screen listing the credit cards of other companies held by the user. This allows the payment application 20 to allow the user to select a credit card of another company to use for purchasing a other company's card voucher.

[0047] Button B2 is displayed at the bottom of purchase screen IM2-1. When the user taps (selects) button B2, payment application 20 causes display unit 230 of user terminal device 200 to display a payment details confirmation screen, which will be described later.

[0048] FIG. 10 is an example of a payment confirmation screen IM3-1 when purchasing a card voucher from another company with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand A." As shown in FIG. 10, the confirmation screen IM3-1 displays the payment amount (10,000 yen) and payment details. The payment details include the purchase fee (free) and the purchase amount (10,000 yen). The confirmation screen IM3-1 also includes an area A7 and a button B3.

[0049] Area A7 displays information about the credit card of another company that will be used to purchase a voucher for another company's card. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the information about the credit card of another company is displayed, including the international brand of the credit card (Brand A), the name of the credit card, the last four digits of the card number (9999), and the available balance (50,000 yen). Note that the user may be able to change the credit card of another company that will be used by tapping (selecting) area A7.

[0050] Button B3 is displayed at the bottom of confirmation screen IM3-1. When the user confirms the payment details and taps (selects) button B3, payment application 20 causes display unit 230 of user terminal device 200 to display a payment completion screen, which will be described later.

[0051] 11 is an example of a purchase screen IM2-2 when purchasing a card voucher for another company with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand B." As shown in FIG. 11, the purchase screen IM2-2 for purchasing a card voucher for another company includes areas A4 to A6 and button B2.

[0052] The display content of the area A4 in FIG. 11 is the same as the display content of the area A4 in FIG. 9, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] Area A5 displays the purchase amount of the other company's card voucher entered by the user. As mentioned above, the user may enter the purchase amount using the numeric keypad or multiple buttons (such as "Clear," "+10000," or "+30000"). Area A5 also displays the purchase fee and payment amount according to the purchase amount entered by the user. The purchase fee is a fee required to purchase the other company's card voucher, and the interest rate of the purchase fee varies depending on the international brand of the credit card used to purchase the other company's card voucher. In the example shown in Figure 11, the international brand of the credit card used to purchase the other company's card voucher is "Brand B" (purchase fee interest rate: 2%), so the purchase fee is 200 yen. The payment amount is the sum of the purchase amount of the other company's card voucher and the purchase fee. In the example shown in Figure 11, the purchase amount of the other company's card voucher (10,000 yen), the purchase fee (200 yen), and the payment amount (10,200 yen) are displayed in area A5.

[0054] Area A6 displays information about the credit card of another company that is used to purchase the other company's card voucher. In the example shown in Figure 11, the information about the credit card of another company includes the international brand of the credit card (Brand B), the name of the credit card, the last four digits of the card number (9999), and the available balance (50,000 yen).

[0055] Button B2 is displayed at the bottom of purchase screen IM2-2. When the user taps (selects) button B2, payment application 20 causes display unit 230 of user terminal device 200 to display a payment details confirmation screen, which will be described later.

[0056] FIG. 12 is an example of a payment confirmation screen IM3-2 when purchasing a card voucher from another company with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand B." As shown in FIG. 12, the confirmation screen IM3-2 displays the payment amount (10,200 yen) and payment details. The payment details include the purchase fee (200 yen) and the purchase amount (10,000 yen). The confirmation screen IM3-2 also includes an area A7 and a button B3.

[0057] Area A7 displays information about the credit card of another company that is used to purchase a card voucher. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the information about the credit card of another company is displayed, including the international brand of the credit card (Brand B), the name of the credit card, the last four digits of the card number (9999), and the available balance (50,000 yen). Note that the user may be able to change the credit card of another company that is used by tapping (selecting) area A7.

[0058] Button B3 is displayed at the bottom of confirmation screen IM3-2. When the user confirms the payment details and taps (selects) button B3, payment application 20 causes display unit 230 of user terminal device 200 to display a payment completion screen, which will be described later.

[0059] Figure 13 is an example of a payment completion screen IM4 when a card voucher for another company is purchased. The payment completion screen IM4 shown in Figure 13 is an example of a screen when a card voucher for another company is purchased with a credit card whose international brand is "Brand B." As shown in Figure 13, the payment completion screen IM4 includes an area A8.

[0060] Area A8 displays the name of the purchased voucher (other company's card voucher), the purchase date and time (October 10, 2025, 10:10:10), and the payment amount (10,200 yen). If a other company's card voucher is purchased with a credit card with the international brand "Brand A," there is no purchase fee, so the payment amount displayed is 10,000 yen. The user can confirm that the purchase of the other company's card voucher has been completed by checking the payment completion screen IM4.

[0061] Users can use purchased other company's card vouchers for electronic payments. Furthermore, the payment processing unit 130 of the payment server 100 permits the use of other company's card vouchers for electronic payments at offline stores that have physical stores, but prohibits the use of other company's card vouchers for electronic payments at online stores that do not have physical stores. Since conventional paper vouchers could only be used at offline stores, the other company's card vouchers of this embodiment can also only be used at offline stores.

[0062] Specifically, when the user taps (selects) button B1 displayed on the top screen IM1 of the payment application 20 shown in FIG. 8, the payment application 20 causes the display unit 230 of the user terminal device 200 to display a payment screen.

[0063] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen IM5 when paying with an electronic money balance. As shown in Fig. 14, the payment screen IM5 includes areas A9 to A11 and a button B4.

[0064] Area A9 displays the code information used in the store scan described above. In the example shown in FIG. 14, a barcode and a QR code (registered trademark) are displayed as the code information. When the code information is read by a first in-store terminal device 50 installed in the affiliated store, payment information is transmitted from the first in-store terminal device 50 to the payment server 100, and electronic payment is executed by the payment server 100. The first in-store terminal device 50 may read either a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0065] Area A10 displays information about other company's card vouchers to be used for electronic payment. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the amount of the other company's card voucher (10,000 yen) is displayed in area A10. When area A10 is tapped (selected) by the user, payment app 20 may display a selection screen including a list of other company's card vouchers held by the user, and allow the user to select the other company's card voucher to use. When the user selects multiple other company's card vouchers, payment app 20 may display the total amount of the multiple other company's card vouchers in area A10.

[0066] Area A11 displays the electronic money balance (charge balance) held by the user. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the available electronic money balance (8,000 yen) is displayed in area A11. The payment application 20 may obtain the charge balance included in the user information 172 (FIG. 5) from the payment server 100 and display it in area A11. If the amount of the other company's card voucher is insufficient to cover the payment amount, the shortfall will be paid in electronic money.

[0067] Button B4 is displayed at the bottom of payment screen IM5. When the user taps (selects) button B4 after checking the contents of payment screen IM5, payment app 20 displays a scan screen (not shown) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. The scan screen is a screen on which the user scans store code image 60 using user terminal device 200 during the user scan described above. When store code image 60 is scanned on the scan screen, payment app 20 displays a screen for inputting the payment amount on display 230 of user terminal device 200.

[0068] Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a payment amount input screen IM6 when paying with an electronic money balance. As shown in Figure 15, the payment amount input screen IM6 displays the name of the affiliated store (XX Restaurant) and the store name (Marunouchi Store) where the electronic payment is made. The payment amount input screen IM6 also includes areas A12 to A15 and a button B5.

[0069] The payment amount entered by the user is displayed in area A12. The user may enter the payment amount using the numeric keypad displayed in area A15. In the example shown in Figure 15, the payment amount (15,000 yen) is displayed.

[0070] Area A13 displays information about other company's card vouchers to be used for electronic payment. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the amount of the other company's card voucher (10,000 yen) is displayed in area A13. When area A13 is tapped (selected) by the user, payment app 20 may display a selection screen including a list of other company's card vouchers held by the user, and allow the user to select the other company's card voucher to use. When the user selects multiple other company's card vouchers, payment app 20 may display the total amount of the multiple other company's card vouchers in area A13.

[0071] Area A14 displays the electronic money balance (charge balance) held by the user. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the available electronic money balance (8,000 yen) is displayed in area A14. The payment application 20 may obtain the charge balance included in the user information 172 (FIG. 5) from the payment server 100 and display it in area A14. If the amount of the other company's card voucher is insufficient to cover the payment amount, the shortfall will be paid in electronic money.

[0072] As described above, area A15 displays a numeric keypad used to input the payment amount. Additionally, button B5 is displayed between area A14 and area A15. When the user confirms the content of payment amount input screen IM6 and taps (selects) button B5, payment application 20 causes display unit 230 of user terminal device 200 to display a payment completion screen.

[0073] Fig. 16 is an example of a payment completion screen IM7 when payment is made using electronic money balance. As shown in Fig. 16, the payment completion screen IM7 includes an area A16.

[0074] Area A16 displays the name of the affiliated store where the electronic payment was made (XX Restaurant), the store name (Marunouchi Store), the date and time of the payment (December 12, 2025, 12:12:12), the payment amount (15,000 yen), and other details of the payment. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the payment details displayed in area A16 include the amount of the other company's card voucher (10,000 yen), the amount of electronic money used (5,000 yen), and the total payment (15,000 yen). Area A16 also displays a message stating, "A different company's card voucher was used for payment," as well as the payment method (the other company's card voucher). By checking the payment completion screen IM7, the user can see that the payment using the other company's card voucher and the electronic money balance has been completed.

[0075] In this way, the payment processing unit 130 of the payment server 100 performs electronic payment using both the electronic money balance held by the user and the other company's card voucher. As a result, even if the amount of the other company's card voucher is insufficient to cover the payment amount, the payment server 100 can make the electronic payment by making up the shortfall with the user's electronic money balance.

[0076] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen IM8 when paying by credit card. As shown in Fig. 17, the payment screen IM8 includes areas A17 to A19 and a button B6.

[0077] Area A17 displays the code information used in the store scan described above. In the example shown in FIG. 17, a barcode and a QR code (registered trademark) are displayed as the code information. When the code information is read by a first in-store terminal device 50 installed in the affiliated store, payment information is transmitted from the first in-store terminal device 50 to the payment server 100, and electronic payment is executed by the payment server 100. The first in-store terminal device 50 may read either a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0078] Area A18 displays information about other company's card vouchers to be used for electronic payment. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the amount of the other company's card voucher (10,000 yen) is displayed in area A18. When area A18 is tapped (selected) by the user, payment app 20 may display a selection screen including a list of other company's card vouchers held by the user, and allow the user to select the other company's card voucher to use. When the user selects multiple other company's card vouchers, payment app 20 may display the total amount of the multiple other company's card vouchers in area A18.

[0079] Area A19 displays information about the user's credit card payment. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the available credit card payment amount (20,000 yen) is displayed in area A19. The payment application 20 may obtain the available credit card payment amount included in the user information 172 (FIG. 5) from the payment server 100 and display it in area A19. If the amount on the other company's card voucher is insufficient to cover the payment amount, the remaining amount will be paid by credit card.

[0080] Button B6 is displayed at the bottom of payment screen IM8. When the user taps (selects) button B6 after checking the contents of payment screen IM8, payment app 20 displays a scan screen (not shown) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. The scan screen is a screen on which the user scans store code image 60 using user terminal device 200 during the user scan described above. When store code image 60 is scanned on the scan screen, payment app 20 displays a screen for inputting the payment amount on display 230 of user terminal device 200.

[0081] Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of a payment amount input screen IM9 when paying by credit card. As shown in Figure 18, the payment amount input screen IM9 displays the name of the affiliated store (XX Restaurant) and the store name (Marunouchi Store) where electronic payment is made. The payment amount input screen IM9 also includes areas A20 to A23 and a button B7.

[0082] The payment amount entered by the user is displayed in area A20. The user may enter the payment amount using the numeric keypad displayed in area A23. In the example shown in Figure 18, the payment amount (15,000 yen) is displayed.

[0083] Area A21 displays information about other company's card vouchers to be used for electronic payment. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the amount of the other company's card voucher (10,000 yen) is displayed in area A21. When area A21 is tapped (selected) by the user, payment app 20 may display a selection screen including a list of other company's card vouchers held by the user, and allow the user to select the other company's card voucher to use. When the user selects multiple other company's card vouchers, payment app 20 may display the total amount of the multiple other company's card vouchers in area A21.

[0084] Area A22 displays information about the user's credit card payment. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the available credit card payment amount (20,000 yen) is displayed in area A22. The payment application 20 may obtain the available credit card payment amount included in the user information 172 (FIG. 5) from the payment server 100 and display it in area A22. If the amount on the other company's card voucher is insufficient to cover the payment amount, the remaining amount will be paid by credit card.

[0085] As described above, area A23 displays a numeric keypad used to input the payment amount. Additionally, button B7 is displayed between area A22 and area A23. When the user taps (selects) button B7 after checking the contents of payment amount input screen IM9, payment application 20 causes a payment completion screen to be displayed on display unit 230 of user terminal device 200.

[0086] Fig. 19 shows an example of a payment completion screen IM10 when payment is made by credit card. As shown in Fig. 19, the payment completion screen IM10 includes an area A24.

[0087] Area A24 displays the name of the affiliated store where the electronic payment was made (XX Restaurant), the store name (Marunouchi Store), the date and time of the payment (December 12, 2025, 12:12:12), the payment amount (15,000 yen), and other details of the payment. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the payment details displayed in area A24 include the amount of the other company's card voucher (10,000 yen), the credit payment amount (5,000 yen), and the total payment amount (15,000 yen). Area A24 also displays a message stating "A different company's card voucher was used for payment" and the payment method (the other company's card voucher). By checking the payment completion screen IM10, the user can see that the credit payment using the other company's card voucher has been completed.

[0088] In this way, the payment processing unit 130 of the payment server 100 performs electronic payment by combining credit payment using the user's own credit card and a card voucher from another company. As a result, even if the amount of the card voucher from another company is less than the payment amount, the payment server 100 can make electronic payment by making up the shortfall with credit payment using the user's own credit card.

[0089] [Sequence diagram] 20 is a sequence diagram showing the process of purchasing a card voucher from another company. The process according to this sequence diagram is executed in response to tapping (selection) of button B3 on confirmation screen IM3-1 or IM3-2 after the purchase amount of the card voucher from another company is entered in payment application 20.

[0090] First, the payment application 20 acquires credit card information (such as card number) of the other company's credit card to be used to purchase the other company's card voucher (S21). For example, the payment application 20 may acquire the credit card information of the other company's credit card set in area A6 of the purchase screen IM2-1 (FIG. 9) or the purchase screen IM2-2 (FIG. 11).

[0091] Next, the payment app 20 acquires the purchase amount and purchase fee for the other company's card voucher (S22). For example, the payment app 20 may acquire the purchase amount entered in area A5 of the purchase screen IM2-1 (FIG. 9) or the purchase screen IM2-2 (FIG. 11). The payment app 20 may also acquire the purchase fee for the other company's card voucher from the payment server 100. Specifically, the payment app 20 may send the card number of the other company's credit card used to purchase the other company's card voucher to the payment server 100. The payment processing unit 130 of the payment server 100 determines the card brand of the other company's credit card used to purchase the other company's card voucher based on the card number received from the payment app 20. For example, the payment processing unit 130 may determine the card brand based on the first two digits of the card number. The payment processing unit 130 may also calculate the purchase fee for the voucher according to the determined card brand and send the calculated purchase fee to the payment app 20.

[0092] Next, payment application 20 transmits a request to purchase a voucher to credit card company server 300 (S23). The request to purchase a voucher may include the credit card information acquired in S21, the purchase amount and purchase fee for the other company's card voucher acquired in S22, and the user's account ID.

[0093] When the credit card company server 300 receives the request to purchase a voucher from the payment application 20, it sends a voucher purchase message to the payment server 100 (S24). The voucher purchase message may include the purchase amount and purchase fee for the other company's card voucher included in the request to purchase a voucher, and the user's account ID.

[0094] When the payment server 100 receives the voucher purchase message from the credit card company server 300, it performs a voucher purchase process (S25). Specifically, the payment processing unit 130 of the payment server 100 issues a voucher for another company's card equivalent to the purchase amount included in the voucher purchase message, and updates the voucher information included in the user information 172. More specifically, the payment processing unit 130 records the voucher information for the currently purchased voucher for another company's card in the user information 172, linking it to the user's account ID included in the voucher purchase message.

[0095] The payment processing unit 130 also stores an accounting report including the purchase amount and purchase fee for the other company's card voucher in the storage unit 170. After that, when the total amount of the purchase amount and purchase fee for the other company's card voucher is transferred from the credit card company's bank account to the electronic payment service provider's bank account, the payment processing unit 130 checks the accounting report to determine whether the correct amount has been transferred.

[0096] When the voucher purchase process is complete, the payment server 100 sends a purchase completion notice to the credit card company server 300 (S26). Thereafter, the credit card company server 300 sends a purchase completion notice to the payment application 20 (S27). The purchase amount and purchase fee for the other company's card voucher will be debited from the user's bank account to the credit card company's bank account on a specified day of the following month.

[0097] Next, upon receiving a purchase completion notification from the credit card company server 300, the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S28). Specifically, the payment application 20 may display a payment completion screen IM4 shown in Fig. 13. By checking the payment completion screen IM4, the user can understand that the purchase of the other company's card voucher has been completed.

[0098] As described above, payment application 20 of this embodiment causes user terminal device 200 to execute a process (S21) of acquiring the purchase amount of a voucher in response to input from the user, and a process (S23) of causing credit card company server 300 to perform a process for purchasing a voucher by sending a voucher purchase request including the purchase amount of the voucher to credit card company server 300 that manages credit cards of other companies. As a result, by using payment application 20 of this embodiment, a user can purchase a voucher using a credit card of another company.

[0099] Next, electronic payment using a coupon held by the user will be described. For example, the user may use the payment application 20 to instruct the payment server 100 to use the coupon for electronic payment. Based on instructions from the payment application, the payment server 100 may set "Coupon" in the payment method setting item of the user information 172. This allows the user to set in advance in the payment server 100 that the coupon will be used for electronic payment. Furthermore, when the payment information acquisition unit 150 acquires payment information and "Coupon" is set in the payment method setting item, the payment processing unit 130 may perform electronic payment using the coupon. This allows the payment server 100 of this embodiment to automatically apply the coupon held by the user to perform electronic payment.

[0100] However, electronic payments using a voucher held by the user are not limited to this. For example, rather than presetting the use of a voucher for electronic payments, the payment server 100 may obtain voucher information about the voucher the user intends to use from the payment app 20 or the first store terminal device 50 when the electronic payment is made, and may perform the electronic payment based on the obtained voucher information. This point will be explained separately for electronic payments by user scanning and electronic payments by store scanning.

[0101] 21 is a sequence diagram illustrating the general flow of electronic payment using another company's card voucher in electronic payment by user scanning. As mentioned above, electronic payment by user scanning is performed by the user reading the store code image 60 using the user terminal device 200.

[0102] First, the payment application 20 reads and decodes the store code image 60 using the optical reading function of the user terminal device 200 (S31). The store code image 60 contains information such as the store URL. The payment application 20 can obtain the store URL by decoding the store code image 60. Then, the payment application 20 transmits first payment information including the store URL and account ID to the payment server 100 (S32).

[0103] The payment server 100 acquires the affiliated store name and the store name based on the first payment information received from the payment application 20 (S33). Specifically, the information management unit 140 of the payment server 100 acquires the affiliated store ID and the store ID corresponding to the store URL included in the first payment information from the first table 176A of the affiliated store / store information 176. The information management unit 140 also acquires the affiliated store name corresponding to the acquired affiliated store ID from the second table 176B and the store name corresponding to the acquired store ID from the third table 176C. The payment server 100 then transmits the affiliated store name and the store name to the payment application 20 (S34).

[0104] When payment application 20 receives the affiliated store name and shop name from payment server 100, it displays a payment amount input screen on display 230 of user terminal device 200 (S35). For example, if the user's payment method is electronic money balance (charge balance), payment application 20 may display payment amount input screen IM6 (FIG. 15) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. On the other hand, if the user's payment method is credit payment, payment application 20 may display payment amount input screen IM9 (FIG. 18) on display 230 of user terminal device 200.

[0105] Next, payment application 20 acquires the payment amount (S36). For example, payment application 20 may acquire the payment amount entered in area A12 of payment amount input screen IM6 (FIG. 15) or the payment amount entered in area A20 of payment amount input screen IM9 (FIG. 18).

[0106] Next, the payment application 20 acquires the voucher information (S37). For example, the payment application 20 may acquire the voucher information set in area A13 of the payment amount input screen IM6 (FIG. 15) or the voucher information set in area A21 of the payment amount input screen IM9 (FIG. 18).

[0107] Next, payment application 20 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount and the voucher information, and transmits it to payment server 100 (S38). The second payment information may include the user's account ID.

[0108] The payment server 100 receives second payment information from the payment application 20. Specifically, the payment information acquisition unit 150 of the payment server 100 acquires second payment information including the payment amount of the product the user wishes to purchase and voucher information from the payment application 20 (user terminal device 200). The purchase amount acquisition unit 160 also acquires the voucher amount based on the voucher information. The payment processing unit 130 then makes an electronic payment based on the voucher amount and the payment amount (S39). Specifically, if the payment amount is higher than the voucher amount, the payment processing unit 130 makes an electronic payment based on the amount obtained by subtracting the voucher amount from the payment amount, and updates the voucher information item in the user information 172 to reduce the number of used vouchers. For example, if the payment amount is 15,000 yen and the voucher amount is 10,000 yen, an electronic payment of 15,000 - 10,000 = 5,000 yen is made, and the number of used vouchers is reduced by one. On the other hand, if the value of the voucher is higher than the payment amount, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment based on the payment amount and updates the amount of the used voucher. For example, if the payment amount is 3,000 yen and the value of the voucher is 10,000 yen, an electronic payment of 3,000 yen is performed and the amount of the used voucher is updated to 10,000 - 3,000 = 7,000 yen. When the electronic payment is completed, the payment processing unit 130 sends a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S40). The payment completion notice may include a payment completion screen.

[0109] When payment application 20 receives a payment completion notification from payment server 100, it displays a payment completion screen on display 230 of user terminal device 200 (S41). For example, if the user's payment method is electronic money balance (charge balance), payment application 20 may display payment completion screen IM7 (FIG. 16) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. On the other hand, if the user's payment method is credit payment, payment application 20 may display payment completion screen IM10 (FIG. 19) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. By checking payment completion screen IM7 or IM10, the user can understand that electronic payment using another company's card voucher has been completed.

[0110] 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating the general flow of electronic payment using a card voucher of another company in electronic payment by store scan. As mentioned above, electronic payment by store scan is carried out by reading the code information displayed on the user terminal device 200 by the first store terminal device 50 installed in the affiliated store.

[0111] First, the payment application 20 sends a request to issue a one-time code to the payment server 100 (S51). When the payment server 100 receives the request to issue a one-time code from the payment application 20, it generates a one-time code (S52). Then, the payment server 100 sends the generated one-time code to the payment application 20 (S53).

[0112] Upon receiving the one-time code from the payment server 100, the payment application 20 generates a code image based on the one-time code (S54). As described above, the code image may be a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0113] Next, payment application 20 displays a payment screen on display 230 of user terminal device 200 (S55). The payment screen includes the code image generated in S54. For example, if the user's payment method is electronic money balance (charge balance), payment application 20 may display payment screen IM5 (FIG. 14) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. On the other hand, if the user's payment method is credit card payment, payment application 20 may display payment screen IM8 (FIG. 17) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. The code information displayed on payment screen IM5 or IM8 may include voucher information in addition to the one-time code. The voucher information may be information about a different company's card voucher used for electronic payment, which is set in area A10 of payment screen IM5 (FIG. 14) or area A18 of payment screen IM8 (FIG. 17).

[0114] When the user holds the display screen of the user terminal device 200 over the first in-store terminal device 50, the first in-store terminal device 50 reads and decodes the code image displayed on the display unit 230 of the user terminal device 200 using its optical reading function (S56). This allows the first in-store terminal device 50 to obtain the one-time code and coupon information.

[0115] Next, the first store terminal device 50 generates payment information including the one-time code, the payment amount, the voucher information, the affiliated store ID, and the store ID, and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S57). The payment amount information is obtained by the first store terminal device 50 reading a barcode or by manually entering it. The affiliated store ID and the store ID are assumed to be stored in the first store terminal device 50 in advance.

[0116] The payment server 100 receives payment information from the payment application 20. Specifically, the payment information acquisition unit 150 of the payment server 100 acquires payment information from the payment application 20 (user terminal device 200), including the payment amount of the product the user wishes to purchase and voucher information. The purchase amount acquisition unit 160 also acquires the voucher amount based on the voucher information. The payment processing unit 130 then performs electronic payment based on the voucher amount and the payment amount (S58). The electronic payment in S58 is the same as the electronic payment in S39 described above. When the electronic payment is completed, the payment processing unit 130 sends a payment completion notification to the payment application 20 (S59). The payment completion notification may include a payment completion screen.

[0117] When payment application 20 receives a payment completion notification from payment server 100, it displays a payment completion screen on display 230 of user terminal device 200 (S60). For example, if the user's payment method is electronic money balance (charge balance), payment application 20 may display payment completion screen IM7 (FIG. 16) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. On the other hand, if the user's payment method is credit payment, payment application 20 may display payment completion screen IM10 (FIG. 19) on display 230 of user terminal device 200. By checking payment completion screen IM7 or IM10, the user can understand that electronic payment using another company's card voucher has been completed.

[0118] As described above, the payment server 100 of this embodiment is a server that provides electronic payment services and includes a payment information acquisition unit 150 and a payment processing unit 130. The payment information acquisition unit 150 acquires payment information including the payment amount of the product that the user wishes to purchase and user identification information (account ID or one-time code) for identifying the user. The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment based on the value of a voucher purchased by the user, identified by the user identification information, with a credit card of another company (a specific credit card) and the payment amount. In this way, the payment server 100 of this embodiment can improve convenience for users even in cases where credit card payments with credit cards of other companies are not permitted.

[0119] Furthermore, payment application 20 of this embodiment causes user terminal device 200, operated by the user, to execute the following processes (FIGS. 9 to 13) for the user to purchase a voucher with another company's credit card (specific credit card), a process for displaying a payment screen (payment screen IM5, payment screen IM8) on the display unit of user terminal device 200 when electronic payment is made, and a process for allowing the user to select, on the payment screen, a voucher to be used for electronic payment from among the vouchers purchased by the user with the specific credit card. Thus, payment application 20 of this embodiment can improve convenience for users even in cases where credit card payments with other companies' credit cards are not permitted.

[0120] The payment system of this embodiment also includes a payment server 100 that provides electronic payment services, and a payment application 20 installed on a user terminal device 200 that is operated by a user and can communicate with the payment server 100 via a network NW. The payment application 20 causes the user terminal device 200 to execute the following processes (FIGS. 9 to 13) for the user to purchase a voucher with another company's credit card (a specific credit card), a process for displaying a payment screen (payment screen IM5, payment screen IM8) on the display unit of the user terminal device 200 when electronic payment is made, and a process for prompting the user to select, on the payment screen, a voucher to be used for electronic payment from among the vouchers purchased by the user with the specific credit card. The payment server 100 includes a payment information acquisition unit 150 and a payment processing unit 130. The payment information acquisition unit 150 acquires payment information including the payment amount of the product the user wishes to purchase and user identification information (account ID or one-time code) for identifying the user. The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment based on the value of the voucher selected by the user on the payment screen, as indicated by the user identification information, and the payment amount. As a result, the payment system of this embodiment can improve convenience for users even in cases where credit card payments using other companies' credit cards are not permitted.

[0121] The payment processing unit 130 may reduce or exempt the purchase fee for other company's card vouchers if the cumulative total amount of other company's card vouchers used by the user within a predetermined period is equal to or exceeds a predetermined amount (e.g., 30,000 yen). This allows the payment server 100 of this embodiment to increase the motivation of users who wish to purchase and use other company's card vouchers.

[0122] Furthermore, if a user holds multiple other company's card vouchers, the payment processing unit 130 may transmit to the user terminal device 200 and display a selection screen that allows the user to select a different company's card voucher to use for electronic payment. The payment processing unit 130 may also change the display order of the multiple other company's card vouchers on the selection screen based on the purchase amount and payment amount of each of the multiple other company's card vouchers held by the user. For example, the payment processing unit 130 may generate a selection screen that prioritizes displaying other company's card vouchers with an amount close to the payment amount. Specifically, if the payment amount is 10,000 yen, the payment processing unit 130 may generate a selection screen that prioritizes displaying other company's card vouchers with an amount of 10,000 yen over other company's card vouchers with an amount of 50,000 yen. This allows the payment server 100 of this embodiment to improve usability when a user selects a different company's card voucher.

[0123] In this embodiment, a credit card from another company has been described as an example of a "specific credit card." However, the "specific credit card" is not limited to this, and may be any credit card other than the credit card designated by the electronic payment service provider.

[0124] Furthermore, although the voucher in this embodiment can be used at a store affiliated with the international brand of the credit card used to purchase the voucher, this is not limited to this. For example, the voucher may be used at any store affiliated with an electronic payment service, not necessarily at a store affiliated with the international brand of the credit card used to purchase the voucher.

[0125] 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]

[0126] 20. Payment App 100 Payment Server 110 Communications Department 120 Payment Contents Department 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information Management Department 150 Payment Information Acquisition Department 160 Purchase Amount Acquisition Unit 170 Storage section 200 User terminal device 210 Communications Department 220 Control Unit 230 Display section 240 Input section 270 Storage section 300 Credit card company server

Claims

1. A payment server that provides electronic payment services, a payment information acquisition unit that acquires payment information including a payment amount for a product that a user wishes to purchase and user identification information for identifying the user; a payment processing unit that performs electronic payment based on the amount of the voucher purchased by the user with a specific credit card indicated by the user identification information and the payment amount; A payment server comprising:

2. the payment information acquisition unit acquires the payment information from a user terminal device operated by the user, the payment processing unit performs electronic payment based on the value of the coupon held by the user and the payment amount indicated by the user identification information included in the payment information; The payment server according to claim 1.

3. the payment information acquisition unit acquires the payment information from a store terminal device installed in a store of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service; the payment processing unit performs electronic payment based on the value of the coupon held by the user and the payment amount indicated by the user identification information included in the payment information; The payment server according to claim 1.

4. the payment processing unit, when making an electronic payment, permits credit card payments using credit cards other than the specific credit card, but prohibits credit card payments using the specific credit card; The payment server according to claim 1.

5. the payment processing unit performs electronic payment using the electronic money balance held by the user and the voucher together; The payment server according to claim 1.

6. the payment processing unit performs electronic payment by using a credit card other than the specific credit card held by the user in combination with the voucher; The payment server according to claim 1.

7. the payment processing unit determines the international brand of the specific credit card and calculates a purchase fee for the voucher according to the international brand; The payment server according to claim 1.

8. the payment processing unit reduces or exempts the purchase fee for the voucher when the cumulative total amount of the voucher used by the user within a predetermined period is equal to or exceeds a predetermined amount; The payment server according to claim 1.

9. the payment processing unit permits the use of the voucher in electronic payments at offline stores that have physical stores, but prohibits the use of the voucher in electronic payments at online stores that do not have physical stores; The payment server according to claim 1.

10. The payment processing unit If the user has a plurality of the vouchers, a selection screen for allowing the user to select the voucher to be used for electronic payment is transmitted to and displayed on a user terminal device operated by the user; changing the display order of the plurality of vouchers on the selection screen based on the purchase price and the settlement price of each of the plurality of vouchers held by the user; The payment server according to claim 1.

11. The specific credit card is a credit card other than a credit card issued by an electronic payment service provider or a group company of the electronic payment service provider. The payment server according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A terminal device operated by a user A process for the user to purchase a voucher with a specific credit card; a process of displaying a payment screen on a display unit of the terminal device when electronic payment is made; A process of having the user select, on the payment screen, a voucher to be used for electronic payment from among vouchers purchased by the user with a specific credit card; An application program that runs

13. a payment server that provides electronic payment services; an application program installed on a terminal device operated by a user, which is capable of communicating with the payment server via a network; A payment system comprising: The application program is installed on the terminal device. A process for the user to purchase a voucher with a specific credit card; a process of displaying a payment screen on a display unit of the terminal device when electronic payment is made; and executing a process of selecting, on the payment screen, a voucher to be used for electronic payment from among vouchers purchased by the user with a specific credit card; The payment server a payment information acquisition unit that acquires payment information including a payment amount for the product that the user wishes to purchase and user identification information for identifying the user; a payment processing unit that performs electronic payment based on the amount of the coupon selected by the user from the payment screen indicated by the user identification information and the payment amount, Payment system.

14. The payment server that provides electronic payment services Acquire payment information including a payment amount for the product that the user wishes to purchase and user identification information for identifying the user; making an electronic payment based on the amount of the voucher purchased by the user indicated by the user identification information with a specific credit card and the payment amount; A method for controlling the payment server.

15. A terminal device operated by a user, The user performs a process to purchase a voucher with a specific credit card, When electronic payment is made, a payment screen is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device; On the payment screen, the user is prompted to select a voucher to be used for electronic payment from among the vouchers purchased by the user with a specific credit card. A method for controlling a terminal device.

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