Payment processing device, payment processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve the convenience of making electronic payments or topping up electronic money. [Solution] A payment processing device that provides an electronic payment service to a user, comprising: an information management unit that manages location conditions set in advance by the user that permit electronic payment or charging of electronic money; a location identification unit that identifies the user's current location; and a payment processing unit that performs electronic payment or charging of electronic money when the user's current location satisfies the location conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement processing device, a settlement processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electronic payment service using a user terminal device owned by a user has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is proposed an electronic payment system that executes electronic payment by causing a user terminal device to display code information such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) and causing a store terminal device installed in a store to read the code information. Patent Document 1 also proposes charging electronic money to a user's account.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional electronic payment system, since the user has to start a payment application installed in the user terminal device to perform electronic payment or charge electronic money, it may be inconvenient for the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide a settlement processing device, a settlement processing method, and a program that can improve the convenience when performing electronic payment or charging electronic money.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a payment processing device that provides an electronic payment service to a user, comprising: an information management unit that manages location conditions set in advance by the user that permit electronic payment or charging of electronic money; a location identification unit that identifies the user's current location; and a payment processing unit that performs electronic payment or charging of electronic money when the user's current location satisfies the location conditions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a payment processing device, a payment processing method, and a program can be provided that can improve the convenience of making electronic payments or charging electronic money. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an example of a configuration for implementing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the configuration of payment server 100. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of user information 171. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of the contents of merchant / store information 173. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the contents of Wireless Equipment Information 174. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the contents of base station information 175. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of the contents of Auto Payment Settings Information 176. [Figure 10] This diagram shows an example of the contents of Auto Charge setting information 177. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example flowchart of an automated payment process performed by the payment server 100. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a charge flowchart performed by the payment server 100. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the payment processing device, payment processing method, and program of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Various devices such as "servers" that appear below, which provide services to users or perform internal analysis, may be implemented by a distributed group of devices, and the operators of each device may be different. Furthermore, the owner of the hardware of the devices (the provider of the cloud server) and the operator that actually operates them may also be different. An electronic payment service is a service that supports payment for the purchase of goods and services at a store. A store is, for example, a physical store that exists in the real world (a physical store), but it may also include a virtual store for e-commerce. A virtual store may include one provided by an entity different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when settling a purchase at a virtual store, the user is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In an electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, a merchant (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at a store is mainly carried out between the user and the merchant. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be carried out 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 with a payment server 100 at its center. The payment server 100 communicates with, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and a telecommunications carrier server 200 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, and provider equipment.

[0011] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least optical reading function, communication function, display function, input acceptance function, and program execution function. In the following description, the components for realizing these functions will be referred to as a camera, communication device, touch panel, CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, a payment application (hereinafter referred to as the payment app) 20 is executed by a processor such as the CPU, and it operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to the user. The payment app 20 is installed on the user terminal device 10, for example, from 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 may include a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and 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 paper or plastic media. The store code image 60 may also 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 franchise store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc. In the second store terminal device 70, an interface 72 for franchise stores operates. The interface 72 for franchise stores may be an app for franchise stores or a browser. The interface 72 for franchise stores accepts settings of coupons, etc. by the operator of the franchise store and transmits them to the settlement server 100. The second store terminal device 70 which is a smartphone has functions such as displaying a code image corresponding to the store code image or reading the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing an app for franchise stores.

[0014] The settlement server 100 realizes electronic settlement based on the settlement information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and a franchise store server. In that case, the settlement information is transmitted from the POS device to the settlement server 100 via the franchise store server. In the following description, without particularly distinguishing this, it is assumed that the settlement information is transmitted from the first store terminal device 50.

[0015] The communication carrier server 200 is a server of the carrier that provides the communication service used by the user terminal device 10. The communication carrier has facilities such as base stations and wireless devices for the user terminal device 10 to communicate via the network NW. The base station is a device that relays communication between the user terminal device 10 and other devices (such as the server of the communication destination), and communicates with a plurality of wireless devices. The wireless device communicates with the user terminal device 10 wirelessly and relays communication between the user terminal device 10 and the base station. The wireless device may be, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router that communicates with the user terminal device 10 using Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0016] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating a rough flow of electronic settlement. There may be two patterns, pattern 1 and pattern 2, in electronic settlement.

[0017] In the case of Pattern 1 shown in Figure 2 (hereinafter referred to as User Scan), the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 contains information about the store URL (Uniform Resource Locator). This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which information that can identify the store has been added, and is associated with the merchant ID and store ID, etc., at the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 sends the first payment information, including the store URL and account ID, to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the merchant ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, obtains the merchant name and store name information (S3), and sends it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen where the merchant name and store name are displayed (S5). The user terminal device 10 then generates second payment information, including at least the payment amount, and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification (information for displaying the payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). If the store code image 60 is displayed on a display placed in the store, the store code image 60 may include payment amount information as well as the store URL. In this case, the procedure for the user to enter the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Merchant name and store name information may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0018] In the case of Pattern 2 shown in Figure 3 (hereinafter referred to as Store Scan), when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, when it is time for an automatic update (for example, every minute), and at other times, the payment app 20 sends a request to the payment server 100 to issue a one-time code (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 that was generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50 (presents it), and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). Then, the first store terminal device 50 generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, merchant ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is obtained in advance by barcode scanning or manual input. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs the electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification to the payment app 20 (S18), and the payment app 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0019] Furthermore, electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Also, the "account ID" explained in Figure 2 may be other information that can be used as user identification information (for example, a phone number). In addition, the issuance of a one-time code may be omitted during store scanning, and the payment app 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In that case, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0020] [Payment Server] Figure 4 is a diagram of the configuration of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a payment content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, a location identification unit 150, and a storage unit 170. Components other than the communication unit 110 and the 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 LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance on a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored on a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed on the storage device when the storage medium is inserted into the drive device.

[0021] The storage unit 170 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may also be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via the network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 171, payment content information 172, merchant / store information 173, wireless device information 174, base station information 175, auto-payment setting information 176, and auto-charge setting information 177.

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

[0023] The payment content provision unit 120, for example, has the functionality of a web server and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The payment content provision unit 120 reads the necessary content from the payment content information 172 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 receives various inputs from the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20 and transmits the aforementioned payment information, etc., to the payment server 100.

[0024] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 171.

[0025] Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of User Information 171. User Information 171 is an example of user registration information. User Information 171 includes, for example, user URL, account ID, telephone number, password, as well as information such as email address, user ID, name, address, gender, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit payment settings, credit payment limit, credit payment amount, available credit payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, and payment history information. The user URL is used for money transfer processing between users. When registering for a new electronic payment service, registration of a telephone number and password is mandatory. The account ID is identification information issued to the user by the payment server 100 to identify the user's account. The user ID is an ID that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). Similarly, the email address, name, address, and date of birth are also information that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). The registration date is the date the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date the account was created). Hereafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0026] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money set by the user by sending money to their account in advance. Methods of sending money include sending from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated provider (bank) and sending from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting indicates whether or not the user has completed the settings to enable electronic payments by credit card, and is set to either "Completed" or "Not Completed". The credit payment limit is the monthly limit for credit payments, the credit payment amount is the amount already used for credit payments in the current month, and the available credit payment amount is the amount available for credit payments in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment amount from the credit payment limit. While the diagram shows only one credit payment limit, in reality there are also 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 use electronic payment with the charge balance or payment by credit card at that time. The bank account and credit card number information, respectively, refers to the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) to which funds can be deposited into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a record of when the user has previously sent money to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information shows the details of each payment made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.).

[0027] Figure 6 shows an example of the contents of the merchant / store information 173. The merchant / store information 173 includes, for example, a first table 173A in which merchant IDs and store IDs are associated with store URLs, a second table 173B in which merchant names and sales figures are associated with merchant IDs, and a third table 173C in which store names are associated with store IDs. In addition to this information, the merchant / store information 173 may also include information such as the merchant or store category, store location, and payment patterns.

[0028] The information management unit 140 manages user information 171 and affiliated store / store information 173 based on information obtained from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. For example, the information management unit 140 adds, edits, deletes, etc., new records for user information 171 and affiliated store / store information 173.

[0029] Figure 7 shows an example of the contents of wireless device information 174. Wireless device information 174 is information regarding a list of wireless devices owned by a telecommunications carrier. Wireless devices are devices such as wireless LAN routers that relay communication between the user terminal device 10 and the base station.

[0030] Wireless device information 174 is, for example, information that links a wireless device ID with location information. The wireless device ID is identification information for identifying a wireless device. The wireless device ID may be, for example, the Wi-Fi® SSID (Service Set Identifier), the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the wireless device, or the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the wireless device. Location information is information that indicates the location where the wireless device is installed, and may include latitude and longitude.

[0031] The information management unit 140 obtains wireless device information 174 from the telecommunications carrier server 200 in advance and stores it in the storage unit 170. The payment server 100 can determine where the wireless devices are installed by referring to the wireless device information 174.

[0032] Figure 8 shows an example of the contents of base station information 175. Base station information 175 is information regarding a list of base stations owned by a telecommunications carrier. A base station is a device that relays communication between the user terminal device 10 and other devices (such as a server to which communication is received).

[0033] Base station information 175 is, for example, information that links a base station ID with location information. The base station ID is identification information for identifying a base station. The base station ID may be, for example, the cell ID of the base station or the IP address of the base station. The location information is information that indicates the location where the base station is installed and may include latitude and longitude.

[0034] The information management unit 140 obtains base station information 175 from the telecommunications carrier server 200 in advance and stores it in the storage unit 170. The payment server 100 can determine where the base stations are located by referring to the base station information 175.

[0035] [Electronic payment] When the payment processing unit 130 obtains payment information from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, it refers to the user information 171 to obtain the user's "payment method setting". 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, which is managed in association with the user ID, and increasing the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item. The merchant's sales proceeds item value is not used as electronic money itself, for example, but rather the amount corresponding to the sales proceeds item value is transferred to the bank account in a cycle according to the agreement between the merchant and the electronic payment service.

[0036] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows for users whose "payment method setting" is set to "credit card payment". Credit card payment is a payment method that is carried out in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service. The operator of the electronic payment service acts as the creditor and allows electronic payment that does not depend on the charge balance within the credit limit. In order to use the credit card payment service, it may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The amount used by credit card payment is settled in a lump sum for the month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by withdrawal from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs a provisional settlement by adding the settlement amount to the amount used by credit card payment and subtracting the same amount from the available credit card balance. When the closing date arrives, it processes the payment for the current month to be withdrawn on the payment date of the following month as described above, or requests the credit card company operator to perform the said process. If the settlement amount exceeds the available credit card balance at the time of provisional settlement, an error notification is sent back to the payment app 20.

[0037] [Automatic settlement] Auto-payment is a process that automatically performs electronic payment when pre-set conditions are met. Specifically, if a user is in a pre-set location at a pre-set time, the payment server 100 automatically performs electronic payment based on the auto-payment setting information 176. Normally, when performing electronic payment, the user needs to launch and operate the payment application 20 using the user terminal device 10, but when auto-payment is performed, electronic payment is executed automatically without launching the payment application 20. The following describes an example of auto-payment in this embodiment.

[0038] For example, if it is known that a user passes through a ticket gate at a specific station at a specific time during their commute, the payment server 100 will automatically perform an electronic payment when the user passes through the station's ticket gate, by setting information related to the auto-payment in the auto-payment setting information 176. Since the electronic payment is performed automatically without the user having to launch the payment app 20 and pay the fare, user convenience can be improved.

[0039] Furthermore, if it is known that a user will take a specific bus at a specific time during their commute, the payment server 100 will automatically perform electronic payment when the user boards the bus, by setting information related to automatic payment in the automatic payment setting information 176. Since the payment is made automatically without the user having to launch the payment app 20 and pay the fare, user convenience can be improved.

[0040] Furthermore, if it is known that a user will be using the shared office during specific time periods, the payment server 100 will automatically perform electronic payments when the user enters and then leaves the shared office by setting information related to automatic payments in the automatic payment setting information 176. This improves user convenience as electronic payments are automatically processed without the user having to launch the payment app 20 and pay the entrance fee.

[0041] In addition to these, you may also configure the auto-payment settings information 176 to enable automatic payment when entering an amusement park or concert venue. This will improve user convenience.

[0042] Figure 9 shows an example of the contents of the auto-payment setting information 176. The auto-payment setting information 176 is setting information related to auto-payment, which automatically performs electronic payment when pre-set conditions are met. The auto-payment setting information 176 is set for each user and is managed in conjunction with the user's account ID.

[0043] The auto-payment setting information 176 is information that links, for example, address / latitude and longitude, wireless device ID, base station ID, time zone, and electronic payment information. The address / latitude and longitude is information that indicates the address and latitude and longitude of the location where auto-payment is permitted. The wireless device ID is identification information for identifying the wireless device, and is the same information as the wireless device ID included in the wireless device information 174 shown in Figure 7. The base station ID is identification information for identifying the base station, and is the same information as the base station ID included in the base station information 175 shown in Figure 8. The address / latitude and longitude, wireless device ID, and base station ID are examples of location conditions for which electronic payment is permitted.

[0044] The time zone indicates the time period during which automatic payment is permitted. In this embodiment, the same time zone is set for all days of the week, but different time zones may be set for each day of the week. Setting the time zone is optional. If no time zone is set, automatic payment may be permitted at all times. The time zone is an example of the time conditions during which electronic payment is permitted.

[0045] Electronic payment information is information that indicates the details of the electronic payment executed by the automated payment system. For example, electronic payment information may include the merchant ID of the merchant where the electronic payment is made, the store ID of the store, and the payment amount.

[0046] In Figure 9, the address / latitude and longitude may be set according to user input. Furthermore, if the user wishes to use automatic payment at home, the user's home address, obtained as identity verification information when applying for the electronic payment service, may be set as the address / latitude and longitude. Also, in Figure 9, the wireless device ID and base station ID may be set according to user input, or automatically set by the payment server 100. For example, the payment server 100 may refer to the wireless device information 174 and base station information 175 to set the wireless device ID of the wireless device closest to the set address / latitude and longitude, and the base station ID of the base station, in the automatic payment setting information 176.

[0047] [Auto-charge] Auto-charge is a process that automatically charges electronic money when pre-set conditions are met. Specifically, if a user is in a pre-set location at a pre-set time, the payment server 100 automatically charges the electronic money based on the auto-charge setting information 177. Normally, when charging electronic money, the user needs to launch the payment application 20 using the user terminal device 10 and operate it, but when auto-charge is performed, the electronic money is charged automatically without launching the payment application 20. The following describes an example of auto-charge in this embodiment.

[0048] For example, if it is known that a user passes through a ticket gate at a specific station at a specific time during their commute, the payment server 100 will automatically charge the electronic money when the user passes in front of the station's ticket gate, by setting information related to auto-charge in the auto-charge setting information 177. By charging the electronic money before the user actually passes through the station's ticket gate, it is possible to prevent the user from being unable to pass through the gate due to insufficient electronic money balance. In addition, since the electronic money is automatically charged without the user having to launch the payment app 20 and charge the electronic money, user convenience is improved.

[0049] Furthermore, if it is known that a user will take a specific bus at a specific time during their commute, the payment server 100 will automatically charge the electronic money when the user passes the bus stop, by setting the auto-charge information in the auto-charge setting information 177. By charging the electronic money before the user actually boards the bus, it is possible to prevent the user from being unable to board the bus due to insufficient electronic money balance. In addition, since the electronic money is automatically charged without the user having to launch the payment app 20 and charge the electronic money, user convenience is improved.

[0050] Furthermore, if it is known that a user will be eating at a restaurant near their workplace at a specific time, the payment server 100 will automatically charge the electronic money when the user passes in front of the restaurant by setting information regarding auto-charge in the auto-charge setting information 177. By charging the electronic money before the user enters the restaurant, it is possible to prevent the user from being unable to pay for their meal due to insufficient electronic money balance. In addition, since the electronic money is automatically charged without the user having to launch the payment app 20 and charge the electronic money, user convenience is improved.

[0051] In addition to the above, if you want to avoid automatic charging occurring without your knowledge, you can configure the automatic charging settings (177) to limit automatic charging to your home at night. This can improve user convenience.

[0052] Figure 10 shows an example of the contents of the auto-charge setting information 177. The auto-charge setting information 177 is setting information related to auto-charge, which automatically charges electronic money when pre-set conditions are met. The auto-charge setting information 177 is set for each user and is managed in conjunction with the user's account ID.

[0053] The auto-charge setting information 177 is information that links, for example, address / latitude and longitude, wireless device ID, base station ID, time zone, and charge information. The address / latitude and longitude is information indicating the address and latitude and longitude of the location where auto-charging is permitted. The wireless device ID is identification information for identifying the wireless device, and is similar to the wireless device ID included in the wireless device information 174 shown in Figure 7. The base station ID is identification information for identifying the base station, and is similar to the base station ID included in the base station information 175 shown in Figure 8. The address / latitude and longitude, wireless device ID, and base station ID are examples of location conditions for which electronic money charging is permitted.

[0054] The time zone indicates the time period during which auto-charging will occur. In this embodiment, the same time zone is set for all days of the week, but different time zones may be set for each day of the week. Setting the time zone is optional. If no time zone is set, auto-charging may be permitted at all times. The time zone is an example of the time conditions during which electronic money charging is permitted.

[0055] Charge information refers to information that indicates the details of the electronic money charge performed by auto-charge. For example, charge information may include the amount of the electronic money charge.

[0056] In Figure 10, the address / latitude and longitude may be set according to the user's input. Furthermore, if the user wishes to use automatic charging at home, the user's home address, obtained as identity verification information when applying for the electronic payment service, may be set as the address / latitude and longitude. Also, in Figure 10, the wireless device ID and base station ID may be set according to the user's input, or the payment server 100 may set them automatically. For example, the payment server 100 may refer to the wireless device information 174 and base station information 175 and set the wireless device ID of the wireless device closest to the set address / latitude and longitude, and the base station ID of the base station, in the automatic charging setting information 177.

[0057] [Automatic Payment Flowchart] Figure 11 shows an example of a flowchart for automatic payment performed by the payment server 100. The flowchart shown in Figure 11 is executed repeatedly at regular time intervals.

[0058] First, the location identification unit 150 of the payment server 100 identifies the user's current location (S101). Specifically, the location identification unit 150 may identify the user's current location based on at least one of the following: the GPS (Global Positioning System) information of the user's user terminal device 10, a wireless device ID for identifying the wireless device with which the user terminal device 10 is communicating, and a base station ID for identifying the base station with which the user terminal device 10 is communicating.

[0059] For example, the location identification unit 150 may acquire GPS information from the user's terminal device 10 and determine the user's current location based on the GPS information. The GPS information is information indicating the latitude and longitude of the current location of the user's terminal device 10. For example, the user's terminal device 10 may acquire GPS information using a positioning device (such as a GPS receiver) and transmit the GPS information to the payment server 100. The location identification unit 150 may determine the location indicated by the GPS information acquired from the user's terminal device 10 as the user's current location.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, the location identification unit 150 may acquire the wireless device ID of the wireless device with which the user terminal device 10 is communicating, and identify the user's current location based on the wireless device ID. As mentioned above, the wireless device ID is the SSID, MAC address, IP address, etc. of the wireless device. The location identification unit 150 may acquire the location information of the wireless device corresponding to the acquired wireless device ID from the wireless device information 174. The location identification unit 150 may identify the location of the wireless device with which the user terminal device 10 is communicating as the user's current location.

[0061] Furthermore, for example, the location identification unit 150 may acquire the base station ID of the base station with which the user terminal device 10 is communicating, and identify the user's current location based on the base station ID. As mentioned above, the base station ID is the cell ID or IP address of the base station. The location identification unit 150 may acquire the location information of the base station corresponding to the acquired base station ID from the base station information 175. The location identification unit 150 may identify the location of the base station with which the user terminal device 10 is communicating as the user's current location.

[0062] The location identification unit 150 may determine the user's current location by combining multiple pieces of information from the three pieces of information (GPS information, wireless device ID, and base station ID). For example, the location identification unit 150 may determine the user's current location as the midpoint between the location determined by the GPS information and the location determined by the wireless device ID. Alternatively, the location identification unit 150 may set a priority for each of the three pieces of information (GPS information, wireless device ID, and base station ID) and determine the user's current location based on the information with the highest priority among the obtained information. Furthermore, the information management unit 140 may manage the combination of information used to determine the user's current location from the three pieces of information (GPS information, wireless device ID, and base station ID) in conjunction with the store ID. This allows the location identification unit 150 to determine the user's current location in a way that is appropriate for each store.

[0063] Next, the location identification unit 150 queries the telecommunications carrier server 200, which is the server of the provider of the communication service used by the user terminal device 10, for the user's current location (S102). Specifically, the location identification unit 150 may send an inquiry to the telecommunications carrier server 200 that includes the user's telephone number. The telecommunications carrier server 200 manages GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) information indicating the location of the user terminal device 10, and may send the GNSS information to the payment server 100 as the user's current location.

[0064] Next, the location identification unit 150 determines whether the user's current location identified in S101 is correct (S103). Specifically, if the user's current location identified in S101 is within a predetermined range from the user's current location received from the telecommunications carrier server 200 in S102, the location identification unit 150 may determine that the user's current location identified in S101 is correct. In this way, by querying the telecommunications carrier server 200 for the user's current location and performing a double check, the reliability of the identified user's current location can be increased. If the location identification unit 150 determines that the user's current location identified in S101 is incorrect, it terminates the process according to this flowchart.

[0065] On the other hand, if the current location of the user identified in S101 is determined to be correct, the payment processing unit 130 reads the auto-payment setting information 176 from the storage unit 170 (S104). At this time, the payment processing unit 130 reads the auto-payment setting information 176 associated with the account ID of the user whose current location has been identified from the storage unit 170.

[0066] Next, the payment processing unit 130 determines whether the user's current location satisfies the location conditions set in the auto-payment setting information 176 (S105). For example, if the user's current location is determined based on the GPS information of the user terminal device 10, the payment processing unit 130 may determine that the location conditions are met if the location indicated by the GPS information is within a predetermined range from the location indicated by the address / latitude and longitude included in the auto-payment setting information 176. Also, if the user's current location is determined based on the wireless device ID, the payment processing unit 130 may determine that the location conditions are met if the wireless device ID (such as SSID) matches the wireless device ID included in the auto-payment setting information 176. Also, if the user's current location is determined based on the base station ID, the payment processing unit 130 may determine that the location conditions are met if the base station ID (such as cell ID) matches the base station ID included in the auto-payment setting information 176. If the payment processing unit 130 determines that the user's current location satisfies the location conditions set in the auto-payment setting information 176, it proceeds to S106. On the other hand, if the payment processing unit 130 determines that the user's current location does not meet the location conditions set in the auto-payment setting information 176, it will terminate the process according to this flowchart without performing an auto-payment.

[0067] Next, the payment processing unit 130 determines whether the current time satisfies the time conditions set in the auto-payment setting information 176 (S106). The payment processing unit 130 may determine that the time conditions are met if the current time falls within the time period included in the auto-payment setting information 176. If the payment processing unit 130 determines that the current time satisfies the time conditions set in the auto-payment setting information 176, it proceeds to S107. On the other hand, if the payment processing unit 130 determines that the user's current location and current time do not satisfy the time conditions set in the auto-payment setting information 176, it terminates the process according to this flowchart without performing an auto-payment.

[0068] The payment processing unit 130 determines that the user's current location satisfies the location condition and that the current time satisfies the time condition, and then executes the automatic payment process (S107). Specifically, the payment processing unit 130 performs the electronic payment based on the contents of the electronic payment information contained in the automatic payment setting information 176. As mentioned above, the electronic payment information includes a merchant ID for identifying the merchant of the electronic payment service, a store ID, and the payment amount. The payment processing unit 130 refers to the user information 171 and performs the payment using the payment method set in the payment method settings (charge balance or credit payment).

[0069] As explained above, the information management unit 140 manages the location conditions for which electronic payment is permitted, the time conditions for which electronic payment is permitted, and the electronic payment information indicating the content of the electronic payment, linking them together. The payment processing unit 130 performs the electronic payment based on the content of the electronic payment information when the user's current location satisfies the location conditions and the current time satisfies the time conditions. This improves the convenience of performing electronic payments.

[0070] [Auto-charge flowchart] Figure 12 shows an example of a charge flowchart executed by the settlement server 100. The flowchart shown in Figure 12 is executed repeatedly at regular time intervals. Note that the processes S201 to S203 in Figure 12 are the same as the processes S101 to S103 in Figure 11, so their explanation is omitted.

[0071] If the user's current location is determined to be correct in S203, the payment processing unit 130 reads the auto-charge setting information 177 from the storage unit 170 (S204). At this time, the payment processing unit 130 reads the auto-charge setting information 177 associated with the account ID of the user whose current location has been identified from the storage unit 170.

[0072] Next, the payment processing unit 130 determines whether the user's current location satisfies the location conditions set in the auto-charge setting information 177 (S205). For example, if the user's current location is determined based on the GPS information of the user terminal device 10, the payment processing unit 130 may determine that the location conditions are met if the location indicated by the GPS information is within a predetermined range from the location indicated by the address / latitude and longitude included in the auto-charge setting information 177. Also, if the user's current location is determined based on the wireless device ID, the payment processing unit 130 may determine that the location conditions are met if the wireless device ID (such as SSID) matches the wireless device ID included in the auto-charge setting information 177. Also, if the user's current location is determined based on the base station ID, the payment processing unit 130 may determine that the location conditions are met if the base station ID (such as cell ID) matches the base station ID included in the auto-charge setting information 177. If the payment processing unit 130 determines that the user's current location satisfies the location conditions set in the auto-charge setting information 177, it proceeds to S206. On the other hand, if the payment processing unit 130 determines that the user's current location does not meet the location conditions set in the auto-charge setting information 177, it will terminate the process according to this flowchart without performing an auto-charge.

[0073] Next, the payment processing unit 130 determines whether the current time satisfies the time conditions set in the auto-charge setting information 177 (S206). The payment processing unit 130 may determine that the time conditions are met if the current time falls within the time period included in the auto-charge setting information 177. If the payment processing unit 130 determines that the current time satisfies the time conditions set in the auto-charge setting information 177, it proceeds to S207. On the other hand, if the payment processing unit 130 determines that the current time does not satisfy the time conditions set in the auto-charge setting information 177, it terminates the process according to this flowchart without performing auto-charging.

[0074] The payment processing unit 130 determines that the user's current location satisfies the location condition and that the current time satisfies the time condition, and then executes the auto-charge process (S207). Specifically, the payment processing unit 130 charges the electronic money based on the contents of the charge information contained in the auto-charge setting information 177. As mentioned above, the charge information includes the amount of the electronic money to be charged. The payment processing unit 130 refers to the user information 171 and charges the electronic money.

[0075] As explained above, the information management unit 140 manages the location conditions for which electronic money charging is permitted, the time conditions for which electronic money charging is permitted, and the charge information indicating the details of the electronic money charge, linking them together. The payment processing unit 130 charges the electronic money based on the contents of the charge information if the user's current location satisfies the location conditions and the current time satisfies the time conditions. This improves the convenience of charging electronic money.

[0076] In this embodiment, the payment processing unit 130 may perform authorization processing and electronic payment separately. For example, the information management unit 140 may manage a first location information indicating a first location and a second location information indicating a second location, which are set in advance by the user, by linking them together. Based on the user's current location, the payment processing unit 130 may perform authorization processing to determine whether electronic payment is possible if it determines that the user has passed the first location, and may perform electronic payment if it determines that the user has passed the second location. To give a specific example, if it is known that the user will travel by train from the first station to the second station for commuting, the payment processing unit 130 may perform authorization processing if it determines that the user has passed the ticket gate at the first station, and may perform electronic payment for the fare if it determines that the user has passed the ticket gate at the second station. In addition, during authorization processing, the payment processing unit 130 may reserve a predetermined amount of electronic money for the next electronic payment (for example, electronic payment when passing through the next ticket gate) so that it cannot be used for other purposes. Furthermore, this can be applied not only when boarding and alighting from trains, but also when boarding and alighting from buses, and when passing through highway toll booths using ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System). This will prevent situations where electronic payment cannot be made due to insufficient balance.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the location identification unit 150 identifies the user's current location based on at least one of the following: the GPS information of the user terminal device 10, the wireless device ID of the wireless device, and the base station ID of the base station. For example, if the user has not configured settings for communication with the wireless device (e.g., Wi-Fi® settings), the location identification unit 150 cannot obtain the wireless device ID. In such cases, the location identification unit 150 may identify the user's current location based on information other than the wireless device ID. Also, if the user is using a communication service other than that of a telecommunications carrier that manages the telecommunications carrier server 200, the base station ID cannot be used. In such cases, the location identification unit 150 may identify the user's current location based solely on the GPS information of the user terminal device 10.

[0078] Furthermore, when identifying a user's current location based on a wireless device ID, using a directional antenna in the wireless device can narrow the communication range, allowing for highly accurate detection of when a user has passed a specific location (e.g., a ticket gate at a train station). For example, a beamforming antenna may be used as the directional antenna.

[0079] The automatic payment and automatic charging of this embodiment not only improves user convenience, but also has the advantage of not requiring any special additional modifications to existing facilities such as ticket gates at train stations or fare boxes on buses.

[0080] As described above, the payment server 100 (payment processing device) of this embodiment is a device that provides electronic payment services to users. The payment server 100 comprises an information management unit 140, a location identification unit 150, and a payment processing unit 130. The information management unit 140 manages location conditions that are set in advance by the user and permit electronic payment or electronic money charging. The location identification unit 150 identifies the user's current location. The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment or electronic money charging if the user's current location satisfies the location conditions. As a result, the payment server 100 of this embodiment can improve the convenience of performing electronic payment or electronic money charging.

[0081] Although embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 10. User terminal device 20 Payment Apps 50. First store terminal device 70. Second store terminal device 100 Payment Servers 110 Communications Department 120 Payment Content Provision Department 130 Payment Processing Unit 140 Information Management Department 150 Location identification part 170 Storage section 200 telecommunications carrier servers

Claims

1. A payment processing device that provides electronic payment services to users, An information management unit manages location conditions that allow electronic payment or electronic money charging, which have been set in advance by the user. A location identification unit that identifies the current location of the user, If the user's current location satisfies the location conditions, a payment processing unit performs the electronic payment or electronic money charge, Equipped with, The location identification unit identifies the user's current location based on at least one of the following: GPS (Global Positioning System) information of the user terminal device operated by the user, wireless device identification information for identifying the wireless device with which the user terminal device is communicating, and base station identification information for identifying the base station with which the user terminal device is communicating. Payment processing device.

2. The location identification unit determines whether the identified location of the user is correct by querying the communication carrier server, which is the server of the communication service provider used by the user terminal device, for the user's current location. The payment processing device according to claim 1.

3. A payment processing device that provides an electronic payment service to a user, An information management unit manages location conditions that allow electronic payment or electronic money charging, which have been set in advance by the user. A location identification unit that identifies the current location of the user, If the user's current location satisfies the location conditions, a payment processing unit performs the electronic payment or electronic money charge, Equipped with, The aforementioned information management unit manages the location conditions and the time conditions that permit the electronic payment or electronic money charging, in a linked manner. The payment processing unit shall perform the electronic payment or electronic money charge if the user's current location satisfies the location condition and the current time satisfies the time condition. Payment processing device.

4. The aforementioned information management unit manages the location conditions, the time conditions, and the electronic payment information indicating the content of the electronic payment by linking them together. The payment processing unit shall perform an electronic payment based on the contents of the electronic payment information if the user's current location satisfies the location condition and the current time satisfies the time condition. The payment processing device according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned electronic payment information includes merchant identification information for identifying a merchant of the electronic payment service, and the payment amount. The payment processing device according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned information management unit manages the location conditions, the time conditions, and the charge information indicating the details of the electronic money charge by linking them together. The payment processing unit shall, if the user's current location satisfies the location condition and the current time satisfies the time condition, perform electronic money charging based on the contents of the charge information. The payment processing device according to claim 3.

7. The aforementioned charge information includes the amount of the electronic money charge, The payment processing device according to claim 6.

8. A payment processing device that provides an electronic payment service to a user, An information management unit manages location conditions that allow electronic payment or electronic money charging, which have been set in advance by the user. A location identification unit that identifies the current location of the user, If the user's current location satisfies the location conditions, a payment processing unit performs the electronic payment or electronic money charge, Equipped with, The aforementioned information management unit manages the location conditions by linking a first location information indicating a first location and a second location information indicating a second location. The payment processing unit, based on the user's current location, performs an authorization process to determine whether electronic payment is possible if it determines that the user has passed a first location, and performs electronic payment if it determines that the user has passed a second location. Payment processing device.

9. A payment processing device that provides electronic payment services to users, The system manages the location conditions that allow electronic payments or electronic money top-ups, as set in advance by the user. Identify the current location of the aforementioned user, If the user's current location meets the location conditions, the electronic payment or electronic money charge will be performed. The current location of the user is determined based on at least one of the following: GPS (Global Positioning System) information of the user terminal device operated by the user, wireless device identification information for identifying the wireless device with which the user terminal device is communicating, and base station identification information for identifying the base station with which the user terminal device is communicating. Payment processing method.

10. A payment processing device that provides an electronic payment service to a user, The system manages the location conditions that allow electronic payments or electronic money top-ups, as set in advance by the user. Identify the current location of the aforementioned user, If the user's current location meets the location conditions, the electronic payment or electronic money charge will be performed. The location conditions and the time conditions that permit the electronic payment or electronic money charging are managed in association with each other. If the user's current location satisfies the location condition and the current time satisfies the time condition, the electronic payment or electronic money charge will be performed. Payment processing method.

11. A payment processing device that provides an electronic payment service to a user, The system manages the location conditions that allow electronic payments or electronic money top-ups, as set in advance by the user. Identify the current location of the aforementioned user, If the user's current location meets the location conditions, the electronic payment or electronic money charge will be performed. As the aforementioned positional conditions, first position information indicating a first position and second position information indicating a second position are linked and managed. Based on the user's current location, if it is determined that the user has passed a first location, an authorization process is performed to determine whether electronic payment is possible; if it is determined that the user has passed a second location, electronic payment is performed. Payment processing method.

12. In a payment processing device that provides electronic payment services to users, A process for managing location conditions that allow electronic payment or electronic money charging, as set in advance by the user, The process of identifying the user's current location, If the user's current location satisfies the location conditions, the process of performing the electronic payment or electronic money charge is performed. A process to identify the user's current location based on at least one of the following: GPS (Global Positioning System) information of the user terminal device operated by the user; wireless device identification information for identifying the wireless device with which the user terminal device is communicating; and base station identification information for identifying the base station with which the user terminal device is communicating. A program that executes the command.

13. A payment processing device that provides an electronic payment service to a user, A process for managing location conditions that allow electronic payment or electronic money charging, as set in advance by the user, The process of identifying the user's current location, If the user's current location satisfies the location conditions, the process of performing the electronic payment or electronic money charge is performed. A process for managing the aforementioned location conditions and the time conditions that permit the electronic payment or electronic money charging, If the user's current location satisfies the location condition and the current time satisfies the time condition, the process of performing the electronic payment or electronic money charge is performed. A program that executes the command.

14. A payment processing device that provides an electronic payment service to a user, A process for managing location conditions that allow electronic payment or electronic money charging, as set in advance by the user, The process of identifying the user's current location, If the user's current location satisfies the location conditions, the process of performing the electronic payment or electronic money charge is performed. The aforementioned position conditions include a process for managing a first position information indicating a first position and a second position information indicating a second position by linking them together, Based on the user's current location, if it is determined that the user has passed a first location, an authorization process is performed to determine whether electronic payment is possible; if it is determined that the user has passed a second location, an electronic payment process is performed. A program that executes the command.

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