Electronic payment program and terminal device

Abstract

We provide electronic payment services to a variety of affiliated stores. [Solution] A terminal device 1[q] capable of accepting payments by multiple payment methods including electronic money is equipped with a payment method determination unit 112 that determines whether a member store Y[k] providing services to a user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an electronic money-compatible member store YD1 that accepts payments by electronic money, an auto-charge determination unit 113 that determines whether a member store Y[k] providing services to a user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1 that supports auto-charge, which charges electronic money without the user U[q]'s operation when the electronic money balance is insufficient, and a payment authorization unit 115 that authorizes payment by electronic money to the member store Y[k] providing services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] when the determination result of the payment method determination unit 112 is positive and when the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit 113 is positive.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic payment program and a terminal device. [Background technology]

[0002] So-called electronic payment technology, in which a user of a terminal device pays for a service to a service provider (hereinafter referred to as "affiliated store") using electronic payment means such as electronic money, is becoming widespread. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic payment technology having an auto-charge function that automatically charges electronic money when the user's electronic money balance is insufficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-020046 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional technology assumes that all affiliated stores that use electronic payments will uniformly use the auto-charge function, and there is a problem in that it does not take into account variations among affiliated stores.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one of the problems to be solved is to provide technology that makes it possible to provide electronic payment services to a wider variety of affiliated stores than conventional technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the electronic payment program of the present invention is an electronic payment program installed on a terminal device capable of payment by multiple payment methods including electronic money, and is characterized in that it causes the processor of the terminal device to function as a payment method determination unit that determines whether a service providing member store that provides a service to a user of the terminal device is a member store that uses payment by electronic money, an auto-charge determination unit that determines whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports auto-charge, which charges the electronic money without the user's operation when the electronic money balance is insufficient, and a payment permission unit that permits the service providing member store to make payment by electronic money when the determination result of the payment method determination unit is positive and the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit is positive.

[0007] In addition, the terminal device of the present invention is a terminal device capable of payment by multiple payment methods including electronic money, and is characterized by comprising: a payment method determination unit that determines whether a service providing member store that provides a service to a user of the terminal device is a member store that uses payment by electronic money; an auto-charge determination unit that determines whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports auto-charge, which charges the electronic money without the user's operation when the electronic money balance is insufficient; and a payment permission unit that, when the determination result of the payment method determination unit is positive and the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit is positive, authorizes the service providing member store to make payment by electronic money. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present application, since the determination regarding auto-charge is made for each affiliated store, it becomes possible to provide electronic payment services to a variety of affiliated stores. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic payment system Sys according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 1[q]. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the franchise information DS. [Figure 4] It is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the electronic payment system Sys. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic payment system Sys. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the electronic money-compatible payment means selection screen GS1. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the non-electronic money-compatible payment means selection screen GS2. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the franchise information DS according to Modification 1 of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic payment system Sys according to Modification 1 of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the dimensions and scales of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones. Further, the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are imposed. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is a description to particularly limit the present invention in the following description.

[0011] <A. Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0012] <A.1. Outline of the Electronic Payment System Sys> While referring to FIG. 1, the outline of the electronic payment system Sys will be described.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic payment system Sys.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic payment system Sys includes a payment server 3, one or more terminal devices 1 that can communicate with the payment server 3 via a network NW, and one or more affiliated store servers 5 that can communicate with the one or more terminal devices 1 via the network NW, and provides electronic payment services to users U of the terminal devices 1.

[0015] In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the electronic payment system Sys has K affiliated store servers 5. Here, the value K is a natural number that satisfies "K≧1." Hereinafter, the kth affiliated store server 5 of the K affiliated store servers 5 included in the electronic payment system Sys will be referred to as affiliated store server 5[k]. Here, the variable k is a natural number that satisfies "1≦k≦K."

[0016] The affiliated store server 5[k] is a server device through which a business entity managing the affiliated store server 5[k] provides services to user U. Here, "provision of services" is a concept that includes the sale of products and the provision of services. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the affiliated store server 5[k] is a web server that manages a website through which the business entity managing the affiliated store server 5[k] provides services to user U. Specifically, the affiliated store server 5[k] may be a web server that manages a product sales site through which the business entity managing the affiliated store server 5[k] sells products such as home appliances to user U, or a web server that manages a service provision site (e.g., a travel reservation site) through which the business entity managing the affiliated store server 5[k] provides services such as travel to user U. Hereinafter, websites through which the business entity managing the affiliated store server 5[k] provides services to user U may be collectively referred to as service provision sites.

[0017] In the following, the business entity that manages the affiliated store server 5[k] will be referred to as the affiliated store Y[k]. In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that there are K affiliated stores Y[1] to Y[K] that correspond one-to-one to the K affiliated store servers 5[1] to 5[K]. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, one affiliated store Y[k] may manage multiple affiliated store servers 5.

[0018] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the affiliated store Y[k] provides services to the user U via a service provider site, but the present invention is not limited to this. The affiliated store Y[k] may provide services to the user U at a physical store that exists in real space. In this case, the affiliated store server 5[k] may be a management server that manages the provision of services at the physical store.

[0019] In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the electronic payment system Sys has Q terminal devices 1. Here, the value Q is a natural number that satisfies "Q≧1". In addition, hereinafter, the qth terminal device 1 of the Q terminal devices 1 that the electronic payment system Sys has will be referred to as terminal device 1[q]. Here, the variable q is a natural number that satisfies "1≦q≦Q". In addition, hereinafter, a user U who uses terminal device 1[q] will be referred to as user U[q].

[0020] Terminal device 1[q] is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and is carried by user U[q]. In this embodiment, terminal device 1[q] has an electronic payment program PG-P installed. Terminal device 1[q] executes the electronic payment program PG-P to launch an electronic payment application (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "payment app"). When user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] receives a service from affiliated store Y[k], terminal device 1[q] executes the payment app on terminal device 1[q], which allows terminal device 1[q] to link with payment server 3 and pay for the service received from affiliated store Y[k] by electronic payment.

[0021] The payment server 3 (an example of a "payment device") executes payment processing in response to a request from the terminal device 1[q] when the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] receives a service from the affiliated store Y[k]. Here, the payment processing is a process of finalizing payment from the user U[q] to the affiliated store Y[k] as consideration for the service when the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] receives a service from the affiliated store Y[k].

[0022] In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the payment server 3 manages the usage fee for the terminal device 1[q] by the user U[q]. Here, the usage fee for the terminal device 1[q] includes, for example, the purchase price of the terminal device 1[q] and communication fees incurred when the terminal device 1[q] communicates. In this embodiment, the payment server 3 debits the usage fee for the terminal device 1[q] from the bank account of the user U[q] registered in advance with the payment server 3, for example, on the payment date of each month. In the following, the usage fee for the terminal device 1[q] may be referred to as "telephone charges."

[0023] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the payment server 3 manages the electronic money of the user U[q] that can be used at the terminal device 1[q]. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the electronic money managed by the payment server 3 is so-called prepaid electronic money, and that the user U[q] charges the electronic money in advance, and the electronic money equivalent to the charged amount can be used for payment.

[0024] In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the payment server 3 manages the credit card of the user U[q]. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the payment server 3 can communicate with a credit card server operated by a credit card company, and that the payment of the user U[q] can be made using the credit card of the user U[q] issued by the credit card company.

[0025] In this embodiment, the settlement server 3 can perform settlement processing corresponding to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] by using the settlement means selected by the user U[q] from among three types of settlement means: electronic money payment, combined telephone bill payment, and credit card payment.

[0026] Here, electronic money payment is a settlement means by which the settlement server 3 makes a payment from the user U[q] to the franchise store Y[k] using the electronic money of the user U[q] managed by the settlement server 3. Combined telephone bill payment is a settlement means by which a payment from the user U[q] to the franchise store Y[k] is made by combining it with the usage fee of the terminal device 1[q]. Credit card payment is a settlement means by which a payment from the user U[q] to the franchise store Y[k] is made using the credit card of the user U[q].

[0027] <A.2. Overview of Terminal Device 1> Hereinafter, the overview of the terminal device 1 will be described while referring to FIG. 2.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 1[q].

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 1[q] includes a control device 11, a storage device 12, a display device 13, an input device 14, a communication device 15, and a bus 1000 that interconnects these devices.

[0030] The storage device 12 (an example of a “storage unit”) is a recording medium readable by the control device 11. The storage device 12 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a working area of the control device 11, and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) that stores various information, and stores franchise store information DS and an electronic settlement program PG-P. Note that the franchise store information DS will be described later.

[0031] The control device 11 includes a processor. The processor provided in the control device 11 includes, for example, one or more central processing units (CPUs). However, the processor provided in the control device 11 may include hardware such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) in addition to or in place of some or all of the one or more CPUs. The processor provided in the control device 11 executes an electronic payment program PG-P stored in the storage device 12 and operates in accordance with the electronic payment program PG-P to launch a payment app, which can function as an affiliated store identification information acquisition unit 111, a payment method determination unit 112, an auto-charge determination unit 113, a specific affiliated store determination unit 114, and a payment permission unit 115.

[0032] When a user U[q] of a terminal device 1[q] receives a service from a member store Y[k], the member store identification information acquisition unit 111 acquires a member store ID corresponding to the member store Y[k] from the member store server 5[k] corresponding to the member store Y[k]. Here, the member store ID is information for identifying each member store Y[k] from among the K member stores Y[1] to Y[K].

[0033] When a user U[q] of a terminal device 1[q] receives a service from an affiliated store Y[k], the payment method determination unit 112 determines whether the affiliated store Y[k] is an affiliated store Y that accepts payment by electronic money.

[0034] In the following, the member store Y that accepts electronic money payments may be referred to as the electronic money-compatible member store YD1, and the member store Y that does not accept electronic money payments may be referred to as the electronic money-non-compatible member store YD2.

[0035] When a user U[q] of a terminal device 1[q] receives a service from an affiliated store Y[k], the auto-charge determination unit 113 determines whether the affiliated store Y[k] is an affiliated store Y that supports auto-charge.

[0036] Here, auto-charge is a function that charges the electronic money of user U[q] without user U[q] operating terminal device 1[q] when user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] receives a service from affiliated store Y[k] and the balance of the electronic money of user U[q] is insufficient to cover the amount that user U[q] owes to affiliated store Y[k]. When the balance of the electronic money of user U[q] is insufficient, the payment server 3 may, for example, auto-charge the electronic money by debiting a fee equivalent to the amount to be charged to the electronic money from the bank account of user U[q] registered in advance in the payment server 3.

[0037] In addition, an affiliated store Y[k] that supports auto-charge is an affiliated store Y[k] that allows user U[q]'s electronic money to be auto-charged when user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] receives a service from affiliated store Y[k] and the user U[q]'s electronic money balance is insufficient to cover the amount that user U[q] must pay to affiliated store Y[k].

[0038] In the following, the member store Y that supports auto-charge may be referred to as the auto-charge-compatible member store YC1, and the member store Y that does not support auto-charge may be referred to as the auto-charge-incompatible member store YC2.

[0039] That is, when user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] receives a service from auto-charge-compatible member store YC1 and the balance of user U[q]'s electronic money is insufficient to cover the amount that user U[q] owes to the auto-charge-compatible member store YC1, the payment server 3 auto-charges the electronic money of user U[q]. On the other hand, when user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] receives a service from auto-charge-compatible member store YC2 and the balance of user U[q]'s electronic money is insufficient to cover the amount that user U[q] owes to the auto-charge-compatible member store YC2, the payment server 3 charges the electronic money of user U[q] based on the operation of terminal device 1[q] by user U[q], but does not auto-charge the electronic money of user U[q] if user U[q] does not operate terminal device 1[q].

[0040] The specific affiliated store determination unit 114 (an example of an "affiliated store determination unit") determines whether or not the affiliated store Y[k] is a specific affiliated store YT1 when a user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] receives a service from the affiliated store Y[k].

[0041] Here, the specified member store YT1 is a member store Y that is permitted to accept payments by electronic money by the payment server 3, regardless of whether the specified member store YT1 is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1 or not. In the following, a member store Y that does not fall under the category of a specific member store YT1 will be referred to as a general member store YT2. A general member store YT2 is a member store Y that is permitted to accept electronic money payments by the payment server 3 only if the general member store YT2 falls under the category of an auto-charge compatible member store YC1.

[0042] When the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] receives a service from the affiliated store Y[k], the settlement permission unit 115 permits the settlement by electronic money payment of the user U[q] to the affiliated store Y[k] based on part or all of the determination result by the settlement means determination unit 112, the determination result by the auto-charge determination unit 113, and the determination result by the specific affiliated store determination unit 114.

[0043] The display device 13 is hardware for displaying various information. As the display device 13, for example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic EL display panel can be adopted. In the present embodiment, the display device 13 displays various images under the control of the control device 11.

[0044] The input device 14 is hardware for receiving an operation from the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q]. As the input device 14, for example, devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, or a combination of these devices can be adopted. Note that the display device 13 and the input device 14 may be integrally configured. In this case, for example, a touch panel may be adopted as the display device 13 and the input device 14.

[0045] The communication device 15 is hardware for communicating with an external device existing outside the terminal device 1[q] via the network NW. In the present embodiment, the control device 11 transmits various information to the settlement server 3 or the affiliated store server 5[k] via the communication device 15. Also, the control device 11 acquires various information from the settlement server 3 or the affiliated store server 5[k] via the communication device 15.

[0046] <A.3. Overview of the affiliated store information DS> Hereinafter, the overview of the affiliated store information DS will be described while referring to FIG. 3.

[0047] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the affiliated store information DS.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, the member store information DS has K records that correspond one-to-one to the K member stores Y[1] to Y[K] that exist in the electronic payment system Sys. Of the K records that the member store information DS has, the kth record corresponding to the member store Y[k] includes a member store ID for identifying the member store Y[k], member store name information indicating the name of the member store Y[k], and member store characteristic information DSS indicating the characteristics of the member store Y[k].

[0049] The affiliated store characteristic information DSS is information that includes payment method information DK, auto-charge information DC, and specific affiliated store information DT.

[0050] The payment method information DK is information that indicates whether the member store Y[k] corresponds to the electronic money-accepting member store YD1. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that if the member store Y[k] is the electronic money-accepting member store YD1, the value "1" is set to the payment method information DK, and if the member store Y[k] is the electronic money-non-accepting member store YD2, the value "0" is set to the payment method information DK.

[0051] The auto-charge information DC is information that indicates whether the member store Y[k] is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that if the member store Y[k] is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1, the value "1" is set to the auto-charge information DC, and if the member store Y[k] is a non-auto-charge compatible member store YC2, the value "0" is set to the auto-charge information DC.

[0052] The specific franchisee information DT is information indicating whether the franchisee Y[k] corresponds to the specific franchisee YT1. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that if the franchisee Y[k] is the specific franchisee YT1, the value "1" is set to the specific franchisee information DT, and if the franchisee Y[k] is the general franchisee YT2, the value "0" is set to the specific franchisee information DT.

[0053] Thus, according to this embodiment, the K franchise stores Y[1] to Y[K] existing in the electronic payment system Sys will have up to eight variations.

[0054] <A.4. Operation of the Electronic Payment System Sys> Hereinafter, while referring to FIG. 4, an overview of the operation of the electronic payment system Sys will be described.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the electronic payment system Sys.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, when the payment application is launched in the terminal device 1[q], the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] displays a list screen of franchise stores on the display device 13 of the terminal device 1[q] (S10). Here, the list screen of franchise stores (not shown) is a screen that displays the franchise stores Y[1] to Y[K] in a list.

[0057] Next, when the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] selects the franchise store Y[k] on the list screen of franchise stores, the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] transmits a franchise store screen request, which is a message requesting display information of the franchise store screen, to the franchise store server 5[k] (S11). Here, the franchise store screen (not shown) is, for example, the above-mentioned service providing site, and is a screen on which a list of products sold by the franchise store Y[k] or services provided by the franchise store Y[k] is displayed. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed as an example that the franchise store Y[k] is a franchise store that sells products and the franchise store screen is a screen on which a list of products sold by the franchise store Y[k] is displayed.

[0058] Next, when the franchise store server 5[k] receives the franchise store screen request from the terminal device 1[q], it transmits franchise store screen information, which is information for causing the terminal device 1[q] to display the franchise store screen, to the terminal device 1[q] (S12).

[0059] Next, the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] causes the display device 13 of the terminal device 1[q] to display the affiliated store screen based on the affiliated store screen information received from the affiliated store server 5[k] (S13). As described above, user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] can select one or more products from a list of products sold by affiliated store Y[k] on the affiliated store screen and purchase the selected products. Furthermore, when purchasing products sold by affiliated store Y[k] on the affiliated store screen, user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] can select a desired payment method from multiple payment methods, including those provided by the electronic payment system Sys, as the payment method for the price of the products. In the following, we will assume that user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] selects a payment method provided by the electronic payment system Sys as the payment method for the price of the products when purchasing products sold by affiliated store Y[k] on the affiliated store screen.

[0060] Next, when user U[q] selects one or more products on the affiliated store screen, the control device 11 of terminal device 1[q] sends product purchase information indicating the one or more products selected by user U[q] to the affiliated store server 5[k] (S14). In this embodiment, the product purchase information includes information indicating that a payment method provided by the electronic payment system Sys has been selected.

[0061] Next, when the affiliated store server 5[k] receives the product purchase information from the terminal device 1[q], it transmits payment information to the terminal device 1[q] (S15). Here, the payment information includes information indicating the total purchase price of one or more products that user U[q] selected to purchase on the affiliated store screen and the affiliated store ID corresponding to affiliated store Y[k].

[0062] Next, the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] executes a payment method determination process based on the affiliated store ID provided by the affiliated store server 5[k] in step S15, thereby causing the display device 13 of the terminal device 1[q] to display the payment method selection screen GS (S16). The details will be described later, but the payment method determination process is a process that determines the payment method that user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] can select from among the payment methods provided by the electronic payment system Sys (i.e., electronic money payment, combined telephone bill payment, and credit card payment) when user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] purchases a product sold by affiliated store Y[k]. Furthermore, as will be described in more detail later, the payment method selection screen GS is a screen that allows user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] to select the payment method to be used from some or all of the payment methods provided by the electronic payment system Sys (i.e., electronic money payment, combined telephone bill payment, and credit card payment) when purchasing a product sold by affiliated store Y[k] on the affiliated store screen.

[0063] Next, when the user U[q] selects a payment method on the payment method selection screen GS, the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] sends a payment request to the affiliated store server 5[k] (S17). Here, the payment request includes information indicating the total purchase price of one or more products that user U[q] selected to purchase on the affiliated store screen, the affiliated store ID corresponding to affiliated store Y[k], and the payment method selected by user U[q] on the payment method selection screen GS.

[0064] Next, when the affiliated store server 5[k] receives the payment request from the terminal device 1[q], it executes the payment process (S18). As described above, the payment process is a process for finalizing payment from user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] to affiliated store Y[k] as consideration for a service provided by the affiliated store Y[k] when the user U[q] of terminal device 1[q] receives the service. Specifically, in step S18, the affiliated store server 5[k] finalizes payment from user U[q] to affiliated store Y[k] using the payment method selected by user U[q] on the payment method selection screen GS.

[0065] Next, the affiliated store server 5[k] transmits a payment completion report to the terminal device 1[q] indicating that the payment process has been completed (S19).

[0066] Thereafter, the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] transmits a payment completion report to the affiliated store server 5[k] (S20).

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, the time from when a payment request is sent from the terminal device 1[q] to the affiliated store server 5[k] in step S17 to when the terminal device 1[q] receives the payment completion report sent from the affiliated store server 5[k] in step S19 is referred to as the payment response time T1.

[0068] In this embodiment, we assume that among the K member stores Y[1] to Y[K], some member stores Y[k] desire to set the payment response time T1 to a predetermined reference time Tth or less. Hereinafter, a member store Y[k] that desires to set the payment response time T1 to a reference time Tth or less will be referred to as a fast-response member store YR1. Hereinafter, a member store Y[k] that does not desire a fast payment response time T1, i.e., a member store Y[k] that does not desire to set the payment response time T1 to a reference time Tth or less, will be referred to as a normal-response member store YR2. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that in the member store information DS, the fast response member store YR1 is set as the specific member store YT1, and the normal response member store YR2 is set as the general member store YT2. In this embodiment, the reference time Tth is an example of a "specific time length."

[0069] <A.5. Outline of Payment Method Determination Process> Hereinafter, while referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the payment method determination process and the payment method selection screen GS will be described.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 1[q] when the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] executes the payment method determination process in step S16 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. 4.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 5, when the payment method determination process is started, the affiliated store identification information acquisition unit 111 of the terminal device 1[q] acquires the affiliated store ID supplied from the affiliated store server 5[k] in step S15 (S101).

[0072] Next, the specific affiliated store determination unit 114 of the terminal device 1[q] determines whether or not the specific affiliated store information DT corresponding to the affiliated store Y[k] in the affiliated store information DS indicates "1" (S102). That is, in step S102, the specific affiliated store determination unit 114 determines whether or not the affiliated store Y[k] is the specific affiliated store YT1.

[0073] If the result of the determination in step S102 is affirmative, that is, if the specific affiliated store information DT corresponding to the affiliated store Y[k] indicates "1" and the affiliated store Y[k] is the specific affiliated store YT1, the payment method determination unit 112 of the terminal device 1[q] determines whether or not the payment method information DK corresponding to the affiliated store Y[k] in the affiliated store information DS indicates "1" (S103). That is, in step S103, the payment method determination unit 112 determines whether or not the affiliated store Y[k] is an electronic money-compatible affiliated store YD1.

[0074] If the result of the determination in step S102 is negative, i.e., if the specific member store information DT corresponding to the member store Y[k] indicates "0" and the member store Y[k] is a general member store YT2, the payment method determination unit 112 of the terminal device 1[q] determines whether the payment method information DK corresponding to the member store Y[k] in the member store information DS indicates "1" (S104). That is, in step S104, the payment method determination unit 112 determines whether the member store Y[k] is an electronic money-accepting member store YD1.

[0075] If the result of the determination in step S104 is positive, that is, if the payment method information DK corresponding to the member store Y[k] indicates "1" and the member store Y[k] is an electronic money-compatible member store YD1, the auto-charge determination unit 113 of the terminal device 1[q] determines whether the auto-charge information DC corresponding to the member store Y[k] in the member store information DS indicates "1" (S105). That is, in step S105, the auto-charge determination unit 113 determines whether the member store Y[k] is an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1.

[0076] If the result of the judgment in step S103 is positive, i.e., if the member store Y[k] is a specific member store YT1 and also an electronic money-compatible member store YD1, or if the result of the judgment in step S105 is positive, i.e., if the member store Y[k] is a general member store YT2, an electronic money-compatible member store YD1, and an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1, the payment permission unit 115 of the terminal device 1[q] will permit payment to be made by electronic money to the member store Y[k], and will cause the display device 13 to display a payment method selection screen GS on which electronic money payment can be selected as a payment method (S106), and will terminate the payment method determination process. In the following, the payment method selection screen GS on which electronic money payment can be selected as a payment method will be referred to as the electronic money compatible payment method selection screen GS1.

[0077] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the electronic money compatible payment method selection screen GS1.

[0078] As shown in Figure 6, the electronic money-compatible payment method selection screen GS1 includes a payment method list display area AS and a payment method selection button BS. The payment method list display area AS of the electronic money-compatible payment method selection screen GS1 includes three radio buttons RB: an electronic money selection radio button RB1 for selecting electronic money payment as the payment method; a combined payment selection radio button RB2 for selecting combined telephone bill payment as the payment method; and a credit card payment selection radio button RB3 for selecting credit card payment as the payment method. User U[q] can select one of the three radio buttons RB and then press the payment method selection button BS to select the payment method corresponding to the selected radio button RB.

[0079] Returning to the explanation of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, if the result of the judgment in step S104 is negative, i.e., if the member store Y[k] is a general member store YT2 and an electronic money non-compatible member store YD2, or if the result of the judgment in step S105 is negative, i.e., if the member store Y[k] is a general member store YT2, an electronic money compatible member store YD1, and an auto-charge non-compatible member store YC2, the payment permission unit 115 of the terminal device 1[q] does not permit payment by electronic money to be made to the member store Y[k], and causes the display device 13 to display a payment method selection screen GS in which electronic money payment cannot be selected as a payment method (S107), and terminates the payment method determination process. In the following, the payment method selection screen GS on which electronic money payment cannot be selected as a payment method will be referred to as the electronic money non-compatible payment method selection screen GS2.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the electronic money non-supporting payment method selection screen GS2.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 7, the non-e-money payment method selection screen GS2 includes a payment method list display area AS and a payment method determination button BS. In the non-e-money payment method selection screen GS2, in the payment method list display area AS, two radio buttons RB are provided: a radio button RB2 for selecting combined payment for telephone charges as a payment method and a radio button RB3 for selecting credit card payment as a payment method. That is, on the non-e-money payment method selection screen GS2, a radio button RB1 for selecting e-money payment as a payment method is not provided in the payment method list display area AS. Then, the user U[q] can select the payment method corresponding to the selected radio button RB by pressing the payment method determination button BS while selecting any one of the two radio buttons RB.

[0082] <A.6. Conclusion of the Embodiment> As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the storage device 12 included in the terminal device 1[q], the store information DS including the payment method information DK indicating whether the store Y[k] is an e-money compatible store YD1, the auto-charge information DC indicating whether the store Y[k] is an auto-charge compatible store YC1, and the specific store information DT indicating whether the store Y[k] is a specific store YT1 is stored. And in the present embodiment, the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] determines the payment method provided to the user U[q] who has received the service from the store Y[k] based on the store information DS. That is, according to the present embodiment, the payment method corresponding to the store Y[k] can be finely set according to the request of the store Y[k]. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide various payment services according to the needs of the store Y[k].

[0083] Also, in the present embodiment, when the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] receives a service from an auto-charge compatible franchise store YC1, and the balance of the user U[q]'s electronic money is insufficient for the consideration that the user U[q] should pay to the auto-charge compatible franchise store YC1, the settlement server 3 auto-charges the user U[q]'s electronic money. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent a settlement failure caused by a shortage of the balance of the user U[q]'s electronic money.

[0084] Also, in the present embodiment, when the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] receives a service from a specific franchise store YT1, the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] avoids determining whether the auto-charge information DC executed in step S105 indicates "1". That is, in the present embodiment, when the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] receives a service from a specific franchise store YT1, the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] avoids determining whether the specific franchise store YT1 is an auto-charge compatible franchise store YC1. Further, in the present embodiment, when the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] receives a service from a specific franchise store YT1, the settlement server 3 avoids auto-charging the user U[q]'s electronic money. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the franchise store Y[k] is the specific franchise store YT1 and the high-speed response franchise store YR1, it is possible to promptly report the completion of settlement for a settlement request, and it is possible to provide a settlement service that meets the requirement of the high-speed response franchise store YR1 to suppress the settlement response time T1 to be equal to or less than the reference time Tth.

[0085] <B. Modified Example> Each of the above embodiments can be variously modified. Specific modification modes are exemplified below. Two or more modes arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined within a range where they do not conflict with each other. In the modified examples exemplified below, for elements whose operations and functions are equivalent to those of the embodiment, the reference numerals referred to in the above description are reused, and the detailed description of each is appropriately omitted.

[0086] <Modified Example 1> In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the affiliated store information DS includes the specific affiliated store information DT, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The affiliated store information DS does not have to include the specific affiliated store information DT. In this case, the terminal device 1[q] does not have to be equipped with the specific affiliated store determination unit 114.

[0087] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the member store information DS in this modified example.

[0088] As shown in Figure 8, the member store information DS according to this modification has K records that correspond one-to-one to the K member stores Y[1] to Y[K] that exist in the electronic payment system Sys. Of the K records in the member store information DS, the record that corresponds to the member store Y[k] includes a member store ID, member store name information, and member store characteristic information DSS. In this modification, the member store characteristic information DSS includes payment method information DK and auto-charge information DC, but does not include specific member store information DT.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 1[q] when the control device 11 of the terminal device 1[q] according to this modified example executes a payment method determination process in step S16 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. 4.

[0090] As shown in Figure 9, when the payment method determination process for this modified example is started, the affiliated store identification information acquisition unit 111 of the terminal device 1[q] acquires the affiliated store ID provided by the affiliated store server 5[k] in step S15 (S201).

[0091] Next, the payment method determination unit 112 of the terminal device 1[q] determines whether the payment method information DK corresponding to the member store Y[k] in the member store information DS indicates "1" (S202).

[0092] If the result of the judgment in step S202 is positive, that is, if the payment method information DK corresponding to the member store Y[k] indicates "1" and the member store Y[k] is an electronic money compatible member store YD1, the auto-charge judgment unit 113 of the terminal device 1[q] judges whether the auto-charge information DC corresponding to the member store Y[k] in the member store information DS indicates "1" (S203).

[0093] If the result of the judgment in step S203 is positive, that is, if the member store Y[k] is an electronic money-compatible member store YD1 and an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1, the payment permission unit 115 of the terminal device 1[q] will permit the member store Y[k] to make payment by electronic money, and will cause the display device 13 to display an electronic money-compatible payment method selection screen GS1 on which electronic money payment can be selected as the payment method (S204), and will terminate the payment method determination process.

[0094] If the result of the judgment in step S202 is negative, i.e., if the member store Y[k] is the electronic money non-compatible member store YD2, or if the result of the judgment in step S203 is negative, i.e., if the member store Y[k] is the electronic money compatible member store YD1 and the auto-charge non-compatible member store YC2, the payment permission unit 115 of the terminal device 1[q] does not permit payment by electronic money to be made to the member store Y[k], and causes the display device 13 to display the electronic money non-compatible payment method selection screen GS2, on which electronic money payment cannot be selected as a payment method (S205), and terminates the payment method determination process.

[0095] In this way, in this modification, payment by electronic money to the member store Y[k] is permitted only if the member store Y[k] is an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent payment failures due to insufficient electronic money balance of the user U[q].

[0096] <Variation 2> In the above-described embodiments and Modification 1, the mode in which the affiliated store Y[k] provides services to the user U[q] via a website (service-providing site) has been exemplified and described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, the affiliated store Y[k] may provide services to the user U[q] via an application (hereinafter referred to as an "affiliated store application") that is an affiliated store program provided by the affiliated store Y[k] and is activated when the affiliated store program installed in the terminal device 1[q] is executed by the terminal device 1[q]. In this case, the affiliated store identification information acquisition unit 111 may acquire the affiliated store ID from the affiliated store application.

[0097] <C. Supplementary Note> Aspects related to the above embodiments and modification examples are appended below. For the sake of easy understanding of each aspect, hereinafter, descriptions with reference numerals of the drawings are provided, but the present invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated aspects.

[0098] <Supplementary Note 1> The electronic payment program PG-P according to Supplementary Note 1 is an electronic payment program PG-P installed in a terminal device 1[q] capable of making payments by a plurality of payment means including electronic money. The processor of the terminal device 1[q] is provided with a payment means determination unit 112 that determines whether the affiliated store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an affiliated store YD1 corresponding to electronic money payment using electronic money, and an auto-charge determination unit 113 that determines whether the affiliated store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an affiliated store YC1 corresponding to auto-charge for charging electronic money without the operation of the user U[q] when the balance of the electronic money is insufficient. When the determination result of the payment means determination unit 112 is affirmative and the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit 113 is affirmative, it functions as a payment permission unit 115 that permits payment by electronic money to the affiliated store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q].

[0099] According to Appendix 1, it is determined whether member store Y[k] is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1 that supports auto-charge, so it becomes possible to provide payment services to a variety of member stores Y compared to the conventional method in which all member stores Y are uniformly considered to support auto-charge. Furthermore, according to Appendix 1, the electronic money-compatible merchant YD1 that uses electronic money must also be an auto-charge compatible merchant YC1 that supports auto-charge, thereby preventing payment failures due to insufficient electronic money balance.

[0100] <Appendix 2> The electronic payment program PG-P according to Appendix 2 is the electronic payment program PG-P described in Appendix 1, wherein the terminal device 1[q] is provided with a storage device 12 that stores payment method information DK indicating whether each of a plurality of member stores Y[1] to Y[K] that use some or all of a plurality of payment methods is an electronic money-compatible member store YD1 that uses payment by electronic money, and auto-charge information DC indicating whether each of the plurality of member stores Y[1] to Y[K] is an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1 that supports auto-charge, and the payment method determination unit 112 determines, based on the payment method information DK, whether the member store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an electronic money-compatible member store YD1 that uses payment by electronic money, and the auto-charge determination unit 113 determines, based on the auto-charge information DC, whether the member store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1 that supports auto-charge.

[0101] According to Supplementary Note 2, for each of the multiple member stores Y[1] to Y[K], it is managed whether or not it is an electronic money-compatible member store YD1 and whether or not it is an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1. Therefore, according to Supplementary Note 2, it is possible to provide a payment service that precisely meets the needs of each member store Y for a variety of member stores Y.

[0102] <Appendix 3> The electronic payment program PG-P according to Supplementary Note 3 is an electronic payment program installed in a terminal device 1[q] capable of accepting payments by a plurality of payment means including electronic money, and the processor of the terminal device 1[q] comprises a specific member store determination unit 114 that determines whether the member store Y[k] providing a service to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is a specific member store YT1, and an auto-charge compatible account unit 114 that determines whether the member store Y[k] providing a service to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an auto-charge compatible account unit that supports auto-charge, which charges electronic money without the operation of the user U[q] when the balance of electronic money is insufficient. The device is characterized by having an auto-charge determination unit 113 that determines whether the user is a member store YC1, and a payment permission unit 115 that, when the determination result of the specific member store determination unit 114 is positive, authorizes payment by electronic money to the member store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] without making a determination by the auto-charge determination unit 113, and when the determination result of the specific member store determination unit 114 is negative, authorizes payment by electronic money to the member store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] when the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit 113 is positive.

[0103] According to Supplementary Note 3, when the member store Y[k] is a specified member store YT1, the determination of whether the member store Y[k] is an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1 is avoided. Therefore, according to Supplementary Note 3, faster payment processing is possible compared to a mode in which a uniform determination of whether the member store Y[k] is an auto-charge-compatible member store YC1 is made, and it is possible to provide a payment service that is tailored to the needs of the specified member store YT1.

[0104] <Appendix 4> The electronic payment program PG-P according to Appendix 4 is the electronic payment program PG-P described in Appendix 3, characterized in that the terminal device 1[q] is equipped with a memory device 12 that stores specific member store information DT indicating whether each of a plurality of member stores Y[1] to Y[K] that use some or all of a plurality of payment methods is a specific member store YT1, and auto-charge information DC indicating whether each of the plurality of member stores Y[1] to Y[K] is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1 that supports auto-charge, and the specific member store determination unit 114 determines whether the member store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is a specific member store YT1 based on the specific member store information DT, and the auto-charge determination unit 113 determines whether the member store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1 that supports auto-charge based on the auto-charge information DC.

[0105] According to Supplementary Note 4, since it is managed for each of the multiple member stores Y[1] to Y[K] whether it is a specific member store YT1 or not, it is possible to avoid determining whether the specific member store YT1 among the multiple member stores Y[1] to Y[K] is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1 or not. Therefore, according to Supplementary Note 4, it is possible to provide a payment service that precisely meets the needs of each member store Y to a variety of member stores Y.

[0106] <Appendix 5> The electronic payment program PG-P according to Appendix 5 is the electronic payment program PG-P described in Appendix 3 or Appendix 4, and is characterized in that it includes a payment method determination unit 112 that determines whether the affiliated store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] is an electronic money-compatible affiliated store YD1 that uses payment by electronic money, and the payment permission unit 115 permits payment by electronic money to the affiliated store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] when the determination result of the specific affiliated store determination unit 114 is positive and when the determination result of the payment method determination unit 112 is positive.

[0107] According to Appendix 5, when the member store Y[k] is a specified member store YT1, quick payment processing is possible without determining whether the member store Y[k] is an auto-charge compatible member store YC1, and it becomes possible to provide a payment service that responds to the needs of the specified member store YT1 in detail.

[0108] <Appendix 6> The electronic payment program PG-P according to Appendix 6 is the electronic payment program PG-P described in Appendix 5, characterized in that the payment permission unit 115 permits payment by electronic money to the affiliated store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] when the judgment result of the specific affiliated store judgment unit 114 is negative, the judgment result of the payment method judgment unit 112 is positive, and the judgment result of the auto-charge judgment unit 113 is positive.

[0109] According to Appendix 6, if a general member store YT2 other than the specific member store YT1 is an electronic money compatible member store YD1 that uses electronic money, it is necessary for the general member store YT2 to be an auto-charge compatible member store YC1 that supports auto-charge, thereby preventing payment failures due to insufficient electronic money balance.

[0110] <Appendix 7> The electronic payment program PG-P according to Appendix 7 is the electronic payment program PG-P described in Appendix 5 or Appendix 6, characterized in that the payment permission unit 115 restricts payment by electronic money to the affiliated store Y[k] that provides services to the user U[q] of the terminal device 1[q] when the judgment result of the specific affiliated store judgment unit 114 is negative, the judgment result of the payment method judgment unit 112 is positive, and the judgment result of the auto-charge judgment unit 113 is negative.

[0111] According to Appendix 7, if a general member store YT2 other than the specific member store YT1 is an electronic money compatible member store YD1 that uses electronic money, it is necessary for the general member store YT2 to be an auto-charge compatible member store YC1 that supports auto-charge, thereby preventing payment failures due to insufficient electronic money balance.

[0112] <Appendix 8> The electronic payment program PG-P according to Appendix 8 is the electronic payment program PG-P described in Appendices 3 to 7. Among the plurality of franchise stores Y[1] to Y[K] that use some or all of a plurality of payment means, the specific franchise store YT1 is a franchise store Y whose payment response time T1 is less than or equal to the reference time Tth. The payment response time T1 is the time from the payment request by electronic money from the terminal device 1[q] to the payment server 3 that provides a plurality of payment means to the payment completion report from the payment server 3 to the terminal device 1[q]. This is the feature.

[0113] According to Appendix 8, when the franchise store Y[k] is the specific franchise store YT1, it is possible to perform a quick payment process that avoids determining whether the franchise store Y[k] is an auto-charge corresponding franchise store YC1, and it is possible to provide a payment service that finely responds to the needs of the specific franchise store YT1.

[0114] <D. Others> (1) In the above-described embodiments (including modifications. The same applies hereinafter), the storage device 12 has been exemplified as a ROM and a RAM, but a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., compact disk, digital versatile disk, Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), smart card, flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive), CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM), register, removable disk, hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, magnetic strip, database, server, or other appropriate storage medium. Also, the electronic payment program PG-P may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line. Also, the electronic payment program PG-P may be transmitted from a communication network via a telecommunication line.

[0115] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the described information, signals, etc. may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0116] (3) In the above-described embodiment, input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0117] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the determination may be made by a value (0 or 1) represented using one bit, by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0118] (5) The order of the process procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. illustrated in the above-described embodiments may be rearranged unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0119] (6) Each function illustrated in FIG. 2 is realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. A functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0120] (7) The electronic payment program PG-P exemplified in the above-described embodiments should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names.

[0121] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0122] (8) In each of the foregoing embodiments, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0123] (9) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0124] (10) In the above-described embodiments, the terminal device 1[q] may be a mobile station (MS). Those skilled in the art may also refer to a mobile station as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other appropriate term. In this disclosure, the terms "mobile station," "user terminal," "user equipment (UE)," "terminal," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0125] (11) In the above-described embodiments, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variations thereof refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0126] (12) In the above embodiments, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0127] (13) As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0128] (14) In the above embodiments, when "include," "including," and variations thereof are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or" as used in this disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0129] (15) In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are plural.

[0130] (16) In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combined" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0131] (17) Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0132] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1[q]...terminal device, 3...payment server, 5[k]...member server, 11...control device, 12...storage device, 13...display device, 14...input device, 15...communication device, 111...member store identification information acquisition unit, 112...payment method determination unit, 113...auto-charge determination unit, 114...specific member store determination unit, 115...payment permission unit.

Claims

1. An electronic payment program installed in a terminal device capable of accepting payments by multiple payment methods including electronic money, a processor of the terminal device, a payment method determination unit that determines whether a service providing member store that provides a service to the user of the terminal device is a member store that accepts payment by electronic money; an auto-charge determination unit that determines whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports auto-charge, which charges the electronic money without any operation by the user when the balance of the electronic money is insufficient; When the determination result of the payment method determination unit is positive, and when the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit is positive, a payment authorization unit that authorizes the service providing member store to make a payment using the electronic money; and make it work, The payment method determination unit For each of a plurality of member stores that use some or all of the plurality of payment methods, based on payment method information indicating whether the member store uses payment by electronic money, determining whether the service providing member store is a member store that accepts payment by electronic money; The auto-charge determination unit For each of the plurality of member stores, based on auto-charge information indicating whether the member store supports the auto-charge, determining whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports the auto-charge; An electronic payment program comprising:

2. An electronic payment program installed in a terminal device capable of accepting payments by multiple payment methods including electronic money, a processor of the terminal device, a member store determination unit that determines whether a service providing member store that provides a service to the user of the terminal device is a specified member store; an auto-charge determination unit that determines whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports auto-charge, which charges the electronic money without any operation by the user when the balance of the electronic money is insufficient; If the determination result of the member store determination unit is positive, the service providing member store is permitted to make the payment using the electronic money without making a determination by the auto-charge determination unit; a payment authorization unit that authorizes the service providing member store to make a payment using the electronic money when the determination result of the member store determination unit is negative and the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit is positive; and make it work, The affiliated store determination unit For each of a plurality of member stores that use some or all of the plurality of payment methods, based on specific member store information indicating whether or not the member store is the specific member store, Determine whether the service providing franchisee is the specified franchisee; The auto-charge determination unit For each of the plurality of member stores, based on auto-charge information indicating whether the member store supports the auto-charge, determining whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports the auto-charge; An electronic payment program comprising:

3. a payment method determination unit that determines whether the service providing member store is a member store that accepts payment by electronic money; The payment permission unit When the determination result of the affiliated store determination unit is positive, and when the determination result of the payment method determination unit is positive, permitting payment by the electronic money to the service providing member store; 3. The electronic payment program according to claim 2.

4. The payment permission unit When the determination result of the affiliated store determination unit is negative, the determination result of the payment method determination unit is positive, and the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit is positive, permitting payment by the electronic money to the service providing member store; 4. The electronic payment program according to claim 3.

5. The payment permission unit When the determination result of the affiliated store determination unit is negative, the determination result of the payment method determination unit is positive, and the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit is negative, restricting payments made by the electronic money to the service providing member store; 4. The electronic payment program according to claim 3.

6. The specified member store is Among a plurality of affiliated stores that use some or all of the plurality of payment methods, an affiliated store whose payment response time is equal to or shorter than a specific time period; The settlement response time is the time from a request for payment by electronic money from the terminal device to a payment device that provides the plurality of payment means to a report of completion of payment from the payment device to the terminal device; 3. The electronic payment program according to claim 2.

7. A terminal device capable of accepting payments by a plurality of payment methods including electronic money, a payment method determination unit that determines whether a service providing member store that provides a service to the user of the terminal device is a member store that accepts payment by electronic money; an auto-charge determination unit that determines whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports auto-charge, which charges the electronic money without any operation by the user when the balance of the electronic money is insufficient; When the determination result of the payment method determination unit is positive, and when the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit is positive, a payment authorization unit that authorizes the service providing member store to make a payment using the electronic money; Equipped with The payment method determination unit For each of a plurality of member stores that use some or all of the plurality of payment methods, based on payment method information indicating whether the member store uses payment by electronic money, determining whether the service providing member store is a member store that accepts payment by electronic money; The auto-charge determination unit For each of the plurality of member stores, based on auto-charge information indicating whether the member store supports the auto-charge, determining whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports the auto-charge; A terminal device characterized by:

8. A terminal device capable of accepting payments by a plurality of payment methods including electronic money, a member store determination unit that determines whether a service providing member store that provides a service to the user of the terminal device is a specified member store; an auto-charge determination unit that determines whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports auto-charge, which charges the electronic money without any operation by the user when the balance of the electronic money is insufficient; If the determination result of the member store determination unit is positive, the service providing member store is permitted to make the payment using the electronic money without making a determination by the auto-charge determination unit; a payment authorization unit that authorizes the service providing member store to make a payment using the electronic money when the determination result of the member store determination unit is negative and the determination result of the auto-charge determination unit is positive; Equipped with The affiliated store determination unit For each of a plurality of member stores that use some or all of the plurality of payment methods, based on specific member store information indicating whether or not the member store is the specific member store, Determine whether the service providing franchisee is the specified franchisee; The auto-charge determination unit For each of the plurality of member stores, based on auto-charge information indicating whether the member store supports the auto-charge, determining whether the service providing member store is a member store that supports the auto-charge; A terminal device characterized by:

Images