Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve convenience for users. [Solution] An information processing device comprising: a first processing unit that stores target information including a payment amount obtained from a store terminal device and terminal identification information for identifying the store terminal device in a storage unit; a second processing unit that obtains the terminal identification information obtained from the store terminal device by a user terminal device via short-range wireless communication from an application program that operates on the user terminal device and performs electronic payment; and a third processing unit that performs payment for the payment amount associated with the terminal identification information among the target information stored in the storage unit that matches the terminal identification information obtained from the application program.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, electronic payment using wireless communication has been performed between terminal devices. For example, a payment device that executes a payment process for using a payment service associated with an antenna in response to the start of wireless communication for payment processing via one of a plurality of antennas is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology, the convenience for users (users of electronic payment, stores, administrators) may not be sufficiently high. For example, it may not be a mechanism suitable for the existing environment.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can improve the convenience for users. It is possible to improve the convenience for users with a mechanism suitable for the existing environment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: a first processing unit that stores target information including a settlement amount obtained from a store terminal device and terminal identification information for identifying the store terminal device in a storage unit; a second processing unit that obtains the terminal identification information obtained from the store terminal device by a user terminal device via short-range wireless communication from an application program that operates on the user terminal device and performs electronic payment; and a third processing unit that performs payment on the settlement amount associated with the terminal identification information among the target information stored in the storage unit that matches the terminal identification information obtained from the application program.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an application program that performs electronic payment and operates on a user terminal device, wherein when the user terminal device is brought close to a store terminal device of a store, the user terminal device transmits terminal identification information for identifying the store terminal device, which it has obtained by short-range wireless communication with the store terminal device, to a payment server; the payment server obtains from the payment server the payment amount that matches the terminal identification information transmitted from the user terminal device among target information including the payment amount and the terminal identification information obtained in advance from the store terminal device; the obtained payment amount and a payment button for making a payment are displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device; and when the payment button is operated, the application program requests the payment server to make a payment for the payment amount.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an application program that operates on a terminal device in a store, This is an application program that causes a computer to perform the following processes: display an interface screen for accepting payment amounts on the display unit of a store's terminal device; generate target information including the payment amount and identification information for identifying the store when a payment amount is entered on the interface screen; transmit the target information to a payment server; obtain identification information for identifying the target information from the payment server; and provide the identification information to the user terminal device via short-range wireless communication when the user terminal device is brought close to the store's terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve convenience for users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [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 172. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the contents of merchant / store information 176. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of online payment services. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram of a communication payment process. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the target information. [Figure 10] This is an example of information transmitted in S114. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating the acquisition of target information. [Figure 12] This is a diagram to explain the behavior of payment app 20. [Figure 13] This is a sequence diagram of a communication payment process. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of target information and information to be processed. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of an interface screen displayed on the display unit of the second store terminal device 70. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following describes embodiments of the information processing apparatus, information 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. The application program and the payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program will be referred to as a payment app. The 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 (real store) that exists in the real world, but 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 the 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.

[0012] [Electronic payment service] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic payment system in which an electronic payment service is realized. The electronic payment service is realized centering around the payment server 100. The electronic payment system for realizing the electronic payment service includes, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, a payment terminal device 52, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and a payment server 100. These devices communicate with each other via, for example, a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like.

[0013] Part or all of the functional configurations included in the electronic payment system may be distributed among a plurality of devices in an arbitrary form or integrated into an arbitrary device. For example, part or all of the functional configuration of the payment server 100 may be included in other devices.

[0014] [User Terminal Device] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input reception function, and a program execution function. In the following description, the configurations for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc., respectively. In the user terminal device 10, the payment application 20 is executed by a processor such as a CPU, and it operates to provide an electronic payment service to the user in cooperation with the payment server 100. The payment application 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, etc. In the user terminal device 10, a mini application may operate. The mini application is an application program that operates within the payment application 20.

[0015] [First Store Terminal Device] 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).

[0016] [Payment terminal device] The payment terminal device 52 is a terminal device capable of short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication). The payment terminal device 52 communicates with the user terminal device 10 to support electronic payment. The payment terminal device 52 may be, for example, a terminal device included in the first store terminal device 50. The payment terminal device 52 transmits terminal identification information (terminal ID) of the first store terminal device 50 or the payment terminal device 52 and access information (e.g., URL; Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing the interface screen for making payments to the user terminal device 10. The above terminal ID is identification information that is pre-assigned to the first store terminal device 50 or the payment terminal device 52.

[0017] [Second store terminal device] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc. The affiliated store interface 72 operates on the second store terminal device 70. The affiliated store interface 72 may be an affiliated store application or a browser. The affiliated store interface 72 accepts coupon settings etc. from the affiliated store operator and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to the store code image (code information) by running the affiliated store application, and reading the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10.

[0018] [Payment Server] The payment server 100 implements electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and a merchant server, in which case payment information is transmitted from the POS device to the payment server 100 via the merchant server. In the following description, this distinction will not be made, and it will be assumed that payment information is transmitted from the first store terminal device 50.

[0019] Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment using code information. There may be two patterns for electronic payment: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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).

[0022] The above payment information may include terminal identification information. For example, the first store terminal device 50 generates payment information including the payment amount, merchant ID, store ID, terminal identification information, etc., in the one-time code etc. obtained in S15, and transmits it to the payment server 100. For example, in an electronic payment service, the above payment information may be transmitted from the first store terminal device 50 to the payment server 100.

[0023] 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 (e.g., phone number, user ID, etc.). 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 will identify the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0024] [Payment Server Functional Configuration] 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 content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, an information processing 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), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and SOC (System On Chip), 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.

[0025] 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 can be accessed by the payment server 100 via the network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, content information 174, merchant / store information 176, and communication payment information 178 (details will be described later).

[0026] 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.

[0027] The content provider 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 or the second store terminal device 70. The content provider unit 120 reads the necessary content from the content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user with the content being played by the payment application 20 and transmits the aforementioned payment information to the payment server 100. The above content may also be generated by the payment application 20. In this case, the content provider unit 120 provides the payment application 20 with the information necessary for generating the content.

[0028] 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 172.

[0029] [User information] Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of User Information 172. User Information 172 is an example of user registration information. User Information 172 includes, for example, user URL, account ID, telephone number, password, as well as information such as email address, user ID, name, address, 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 issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). Similarly, the email address and 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.

[0030] 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.). The account ID in user information 172 may be associated with a one-time code issued to the user (for example, the most recently issued one-time code).

[0031] If a user possesses coupons or other benefits, the benefit identification information is associated with the user's identification information. When an electronic payment is made, the payment server 100 determines whether the user possesses any usable benefits. If the user possesses usable benefits, the payment server 100 uses the benefits to make the electronic payment.

[0032] [Franchise / Store Information] Figure 6 shows an example of the contents of the merchant / store information 176. The merchant / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which the merchant ID and store ID are associated with the store URL, a second table 176B in which the merchant name and sales amount (as described above) are associated with the merchant ID, and a third table 176C in which the store name is associated with the store ID. In addition to this information, the merchant / store information 176 may also include information such as the merchant or store category, the store's location, and payment patterns.

[0033] [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 172 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 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. The merchant may receive the sales proceeds as electronic money. In this case, the payment server 100 manages the account (wallet) corresponding to the merchant ID, the electronic money balance of the account, and the sales proceeds history for each payment method in association.

[0034] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows for users whose "settings information" is set to "credit payment". Credit payment is a payment method in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and allows electronic payment that does not depend on the charge balance within the credit limit. In order to use the credit payment service, it may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The payment processing unit 130 adds the payment amount to the credit payment usage amount in the user information 172 and subtracts the above payment amount from the available credit payment amount. If the payment amount exceeds the available credit payment amount, an error notification is sent back to the payment app 20. The amount used by credit payment is settled, for example, in a lump sum for one month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by direct debit from a bank account. This processing is performed by the operator of the credit card company.

[0035] The Information Management Unit 140 acquires information provided by other server devices and terminal devices. Based on the information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70, the Information Management Unit 140 manages user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176. The Information Management Unit 140 performs operations such as adding, editing, and deleting new records for user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176.

[0036] The information processing unit 150 processes information provided by other server devices and terminal devices, and provides information stored in the storage unit 170 to the user terminal device 10.

[0037] The information processing unit 150 includes, for example, a first processing unit 152, a second processing unit 154, and a third processing unit 156. In addition to (or instead of) electronic payments using code information, the information processing unit 150 also performs electronic payments using communication (communication payments).

[0038] The first processing unit 152 stores target information, including the payment amount obtained from the first store terminal device 50 (or payment terminal device 52) and terminal identification information (terminal ID) for identifying the first store terminal device 50 (or payment terminal device 52), in the storage unit 170.

[0039] The second processing unit 154 obtains terminal identification information acquired by the user terminal device 10 via short-range wireless communication from the first store terminal device 50, and also obtains this information from the payment application 20 that operates on the user terminal device 10 and executes electronic payments.

[0040] The third processing unit 156 executes a settlement for the settlement amount associated with the terminal identification information that matches the terminal identification information obtained from the settlement application 20, from among the communication settlement information 178 (target information) stored in the storage unit 170. The third processing unit 156 transmits the settlement amount to the user terminal device 10, displays the settlement amount on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, and performs the settlement for the settlement amount when the user performs an operation to accept the settlement amount. Details of these processes will be described later.

[0041] [Overview of online payment] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the overview of telecommunications payments. (1) The store clerk of the affiliated store enters the payment amount into the first store terminal device 50. For example, the payment amount may be entered by reading the barcode attached to the product. (2) The first store terminal device 50 transmits the target information to the payment server 100. The target information includes, for example, at least the payment amount and the terminal ID. The terminal ID is information for identifying the first store terminal device 50 that is making the payment. The target information may include either or both of the merchant ID and the store ID. (3) The payment server 100 notifies the customer that it has finished receiving the target information. The store clerk confirms the completion notification and prompts the customer terminal device 10 to communicate with the payment terminal device 52.

[0042] (4) The user brings the user terminal device 10 closer to the payment terminal device 52. (5) The user terminal device 10 communicates with the payment terminal device 52 to obtain the deep link URL, unique ID, and terminal ID from the payment terminal device 52. The unique ID is unique identification information issued in advance by a designated device or administrator, such as the administrator of the electronic payment service or the first store terminal device 50. Either the unique ID or the terminal ID, or both, may be embedded in the URL, such as as URL parameters. The user terminal device 10 displays an interface screen on its display unit for accessing the URL and opening the payment application 20. Note that the use and transmission of the unique ID may be omitted. (6) When a user performs an operation to open the payment application 20, the user terminal device 10 displays an interface screen on its display unit that includes the merchant to which the payment will be made and the payment amount. At this time, identification information for identifying the user is shared between the payment application 20 and the payment server 100.

[0043] (7) The interface screen described in (6) above is performed by the following process: The payment application 20 (user terminal device 10) sends at least a terminal ID to the payment server 100 in response to the operation described in (6) above (a unique ID may also be sent). The payment server 100 identifies the target information including the terminal ID and sends the merchant and payment amount of the identified target information to the payment application 20. As a result, the payment application 20 displays an interface screen including the merchant and payment amount on its display unit. (8) When the user confirms the payment amount on the interface screen described in (6) above and operates the payment button, information that the payment button has been operated is sent to the payment server 100. The payment server 100 performs the payment according to the payment method set by the user. Once the payment is complete, the payment application 20 works in conjunction with the payment server 100 to display a payment completion interface screen on the display unit.

[0044] As described above, the payment server 100, the payment application 20, and the first store terminal device 50 can work together to perform electronic payments.

[0045] [Sequence Diagram] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram of a communication payment. First, the store clerk inputs the payment amount into the first store terminal device 50 (S100). Next, the first store terminal device 50 transmits the target information to the payment server 100 (S102). The target information is information that associates the terminal ID, the payment amount, the payment ID, and the time related to the target information (e.g., the transmission time).

[0046] Next, the payment server 100 stores the target information as communication payment information 178 in the storage unit 170 and registers it (S104). Specifically, the payment server 100 adds a unique ID (first unique identification information) to the target information and stores it in the storage unit 170 as processing target information. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of processing target information. Next, the payment server 100 receives a registration completion notification from the storage unit 170 (S106). The registration completion notification is an example of "notifying information that processing for the target information has been completed." Next, the payment server 100 sends the registration completion notification to the first store terminal device 50 (S108). The first store terminal device 50 outputs a display or sound indicating that it has received the registration completion notification.

[0047] Next, when the user brings the user terminal device 10 close to the payment terminal device 52 (S110), the payment terminal device 52 communicates with the user terminal device 10 and provides access information to the payment application 20 (S112). The access information consists of the deep link URL, the unique ID (second unique identification information), and the terminal ID. Next, the payment application 20 sends the unique ID and terminal ID to the payment server 100 (S114).

[0048] Next, the payment server 100 searches for processing target information corresponding to the terminal ID from the communication payment information 178 (S116). Then, the payment server 100 obtains the processing target information corresponding to the payment through the above search (S118).

[0049] Figure 10 shows an example of the information transmitted in S114. As described above, the unique ID and terminal ID are transmitted to the payment server 100. In addition to this information, the time and other information may be included. Transmission of the unique ID may be omitted.

[0050] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the acquisition of information to be processed. The settlement server 100 identifies the information to be processed, which has a unique ID and terminal ID transmitted in S114, from the communication settlement information 178. As shown in Figure 11, the communication settlement information 178 has multiple records. Each record includes a unique ID (first unique identification information), terminal ID, settlement ID, merchant ID, time related to the information to be processed, settlement deadline (expiration date), and processing status. The settlement server 100 has a unique ID (first unique identification information) corresponding to the unique ID (second unique identification information) transmitted in S114 and a terminal ID transmitted in S114, and identifies the unprocessed record. The settlement server 100 identifies the settlement amount of the identified record. If the unique ID is omitted in this process, the information to be processed is identified based on the terminal ID. The unique ID (first unique identification information) of the information to be processed generated in S104 and the unique ID (second unique identification information) transmitted in S114 may be different unique IDs. In this case, the payment server 100 can identify the unique IDs by referring to correspondence information that shows the correspondence between these unique IDs. For example, the first unique identification information corresponding to the second unique identification information can be identified. In addition, a URL may be assigned to the information to be processed, and a URL may also be assigned to the correspondence between the unique IDs in the correspondence information mentioned above. When the payment server 100 obtains the second unique identification information, it can obtain the information to be processed to which the first unique identification information is associated by accessing the URL associated in the correspondence information.

[0051] Next, the payment server 100 provides the payment amount to the payment application 20 (S120). The payment application 20 displays an interface screen including the payment amount on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. The second processing unit 154 obtains the terminal ID that the user terminal device 10 obtained from the payment terminal device 52 via short-range wireless communication from the user terminal device 10 (payment application 20). The third processing unit 156 refers to the communication payment information 178 (or communication payment information 178 and merchant / store information 176) which associates the above terminal ID with store identification information and store information (e.g., store name) in the target information, and displays the store information (merchant name, store name, etc.) and the payment amount on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0052] When a user operates the payment button on the interface screen (S122), the payment application 20 requests payment from the payment server 100 (S124). The payment server 100 performs the payment, notifies the first store terminal device 50 of the completion of the payment (S126), and then notifies the payment application 20 (S128).

[0053] An expiration date may be set for the target information. The third processing unit 156 performs the payment if the time at which it obtains the terminal ID from the payment application 20 is within the expiration date. For example, if the time at which the payment is performed, or the time at which the terminal ID and payment amount are transmitted from the payment application 20, is within a predetermined time from the time of the target information (time of transmission, acquisition, or generation), the third processing unit 156 performs the payment. If it is not within the predetermined time, it may send an error notification to one or both of the first store terminal device 50 and the user terminal device 10.

[0054] If the first time the payment application 20 sends the terminal ID to the payment server 100 is more than a predetermined time has elapsed since the time the payment server 100 obtained the same terminal ID and payment amount as the terminal ID at the first time from the first store terminal device 50, the payment application 20 displays an error on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0055] As described above, the payment server 100, payment application 20, and first store terminal device 50 can improve convenience by working together to perform electronic payments. For example, users can make payments without displaying code information, and store employees can make payments without reading code information, thus improving convenience.

[0056] When the payment server 100 obtains payment information (code payment information) that includes user identification information for identifying the user displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, the user identification information read by the first store terminal device, the payment amount, and the store identification information, it performs payment on the code payment information. Furthermore, when the payment server 100 obtains target information from the first store terminal device 50 that does not include user identification information but includes a terminal ID, after obtaining the terminal ID, it performs payment on the payment amount associated with the terminal ID that matches the terminal ID among the target information of the communication payment information 178 stored in the storage unit 170.

[0057] In this embodiment, by using the terminal ID as described above, communication payments can be made by utilizing an electronic payment system that uses existing code information. For example, communication payments can be made without burdening merchants by not having to prepare new information mappings or new formats for storing new information.

[0058] In this embodiment, payment using code information may be omitted, and payment may be made via telecommunications.

[0059] [Payment app behavior] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the behavior of the payment application 20. For example, the user brings the user terminal device 10 close to the payment terminal device 52. Alternatively, the user unlocks the user terminal device 10 and brings it close to the payment terminal device 52. The user terminal device 10 communicates with the payment terminal device 52. The OS (Operating System) of the user terminal device 10 obtains the deep link URL, unique ID, etc. from the payment terminal device 52.

[0060] When the OS is a first-type OS (OS-1), when the user terminal device 10 is brought close to the store's payment terminal device 52, the user terminal device 10 displays a screen on its display unit asking whether to open the payment application 20, and if the user selects to open the screen, it sends a terminal ID to the payment server 100. The above process may be performed by the OS or by the payment application 20.

[0061] If the OS is a Type 1 OS, the Type 1 OS displays interface screen IF1 in its display area. Interface screen IF displays a button to open the payment application 20. When the user operates the above button, the payment application 20 displays interface screen IF2 in its display area. Interface screen IF2 includes the payment amount and merchant information obtained from the payment server 100, as well as a payment button for making a payment.

[0062] When the payment button is pressed, the payment application 20 sends information to the payment server 100 indicating that the payment button has been pressed, and displays the interface screen IF3, which is the payment completion screen, on the display unit based on the payment completion information obtained from the payment server 100.

[0063] When the OS is a Type 2 OS (OS-2), when the user terminal device 10 is first brought close to the payment terminal device 52, a screen is displayed on the display unit asking whether to use the payment application 20 or another application program to view information. The above process may be executed by the OS or by the payment application 20. After the use of the payment application 20 is selected, the payment application 20 sends the terminal ID to the payment server 100. The next time the user terminal device 10 is brought close to the payment terminal device 52, the payment application 20 does not display a screen on the display unit asking whether to use the payment application 20 or another application program to view information, but instead sends the terminal ID to the payment server 100 and displays the payment amount on the display unit.

[0064] If the OS is a Type 2 OS, the processing differs depending on whether or not it is the first time using communication payment (communication between the payment terminal device 52 and the user terminal device 10). For example, if the payment terminal device 52 and the user terminal device 10 have not communicated before, the Type 2 OS displays interface screen IF4 on the display unit. Interface screen IF4 includes, for example, a button (A) to select to use the payment application 20 and a button (B) to select to use the browser of the Type 2 OS. For example, if button (A) is pressed, the payment application 20 displays interface screen IF2 on the display unit.

[0065] Previously, when a payment terminal device 52 and a user terminal device 10 communicated, and the user selected a payment application 20 on the interface screen IF4, the payment application 20 displayed the interface screen IF2 on the display unit when the payment terminal device 52 and the user terminal device 10 communicated.

[0066] As described above, an interface screen corresponding to the OS of the user terminal device 10 is displayed. Furthermore, in the case of the second type of OS, once the payment app 20 is selected, the next time interface screen IF2 will be displayed, improving user convenience.

[0067] [Electronic payment using the second store terminal] The merchant interface 72 (application program) operates in the second store terminal device 70 (store terminal device). The merchant interface 72 causes the computer in the second store terminal device 70 to perform the following processes: display an interface screen for accepting payment amounts on the display unit of the second store terminal device 70; generate target information including the payment amount and identification information for identifying the store when a payment amount is entered on the interface screen; transmit the target information to the payment server 100; obtain specific information from the payment server 100 to identify the target information; and provide the specific information to the user terminal device 10 via short-range wireless communication when the user terminal device 10 is brought close to the store terminal device.

[0068] The specific information is access information, such as a URL, that is associated with the target information mentioned above. The specific information may also be any information that can identify the target information.

[0069] [Sequence Diagram] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram of a communication payment. The explanation will focus on the processes performed by the second store terminal device 70 (merchant interface 72). First, the store clerk inputs the payment amount by operating the merchant interface 72 of the second store terminal device 70 (S200). Next, the second store terminal device 70 transmits the target information to the payment server 100 (S202). The target information is information that associates the terminal ID, payment amount, payment ID, time related to the target information (e.g., transmission time), merchant ID, and store ID. Some of this information may be omitted.

[0070] Next, the payment server 100 stores and registers the information to be processed in the storage unit 170 (S204). Specifically, the payment server 100 adds specific information (e.g., URL) to the target information and stores it in the storage unit 170 as information to be processed. Figure 14 shows an example of target information and information to be processed.

[0071] Next, the payment server 100 transmits specific information (e.g., a URL) to the second store terminal device 70 (S206). The information transmitted in S206 may be information for generating a QR code containing the specific information. The second store terminal device 70 acquires the specific information and stores it in its storage unit so that it can be transmitted to the user terminal device 10, as described later (S208). The second store terminal device 70 may also display a QR code encoded with the specific information on its display unit. Figure 15 shows an example of an interface screen displayed on the display unit of the second store terminal device 70. As described above, either the QR code or the amount, or both, may be omitted.

[0072] Next, when the user brings the user terminal device 10 close to the second store terminal device 70 (S210), the second store terminal device 70 communicates with the user terminal device 10 and provides specific information to the payment application 20 of the user terminal device 10 (S212).

[0073] Next, the payment application 20 of the user terminal device 10 accesses the access destination (payment server 100) based on the specific information (S214). Next, the payment server 100 searches for the processing target information to which the specific information is associated (S216) and obtains the retrieved processing target information (S218).

[0074] Next, the payment server 100 provides the payment amount, merchant name, store name, etc. to the payment application 20 (S220). Based on the information provided above, the payment application 20 displays a payment interface screen on its display unit, which includes the payment amount, merchant name, store name, etc.

[0075] When a user operates the payment button on the interface screen (S222), the payment application 20 requests payment from the payment server 100 (S224). The payment server 100 performs payment on the above-mentioned processing information, notifies the second store terminal device 70 of the completion of payment (S226), and further notifies the payment application 20 (S228). The payment server 100 obtains an instruction from the payment application 20 on the user terminal device 10 to perform payment of the payment amount and the user's identification information (account ID, etc.) on the user terminal device. The payment server 100 settles the payment amount based on the payment method corresponding to the user's identification information in the electronic payment service. This allows for payments using the charge balance or credit card payments.

[0076] An expiration date may be set for the target information. The payment server 100 (third processing unit 156) performs the payment if the time it receives the payment instruction from the user terminal device 10 is within the expiration date. For example, if the time the payment is performed or the time the instruction is received from the payment application 20 is within a predetermined time from the time of the target information (time of transmission, acquisition, or generation), the third processing unit 156 performs the payment. If it is not within the predetermined time, it may send an error notification to either or both the second store terminal device 70 and the user terminal device 10.

[0077] As described above, the payment server 100, payment application 20, and second store terminal device 70 can improve convenience by working together to perform electronic payments. For example, users can make payments without reading code information, and store employees at affiliated stores can also make payments without reading code information, thus improving convenience. Furthermore, this embodiment can be realized while utilizing existing mechanisms such as those shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0078] Through the above process, for example, a user can make a payment by bringing the user terminal device 10 close to the second store terminal device 70 and performing the payment operation. A merchant can make a payment by confirming the interface screen, which includes the payment amount, displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. In this way, convenience for both users and merchants is improved. In the above process, it has been explained that the second store terminal device 70 performs the process, but instead (or in addition to this), the payment terminal device 52 may perform the same process. Alternatively, the second store terminal device 70 and the payment terminal device 52 may perform the process in cooperation with each other. For example, the second store terminal device 70 may accept input of the payment amount and obtain a URL. Then, the second store terminal device 70 may provide the URL to the payment terminal device 52, and when the user terminal device 10 is brought close to the payment terminal device 52, the payment terminal device 52 may send the URL to the user terminal device 10.

[0079] According to the other embodiments described above, the payment server 100 stores target information, including the payment amount and terminal ID, obtained from the store terminal device (e.g., payment terminal device 52), in the storage unit 170. The user terminal device 10 obtains the terminal ID from the payment terminal device 52 via short-range wireless communication, and the payment application 20, which operates on the user terminal device 10 and performs electronic payment, obtains the terminal ID from the payment terminal device 52. The payment server 100 then performs payment for the payment amount associated with the terminal ID that matches the terminal ID obtained from the payment application 20 among the target information stored in the storage unit 170, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0080] According to other embodiments described above, when the user terminal device 10 is brought close to the store's payment terminal device 52, the payment application 20 transmits the terminal ID obtained by the user terminal device 10 through short-range wireless communication with the payment terminal device 52 to the payment server. The payment server 100 obtains from the payment server 100 the payment amount associated with the terminal ID that matches the terminal ID transmitted from the user terminal device 10, from the target information including the payment amount and terminal ID previously obtained from the first store terminal device 50 or the payment terminal device 52. The obtained payment amount and a payment button for making a payment are displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. When the payment button is operated, the payment application 20 requests the payment server 100 to make a payment for the payment amount, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0081] According to the other embodiments described above, the merchant interface 72 operating in the store's store terminal device displays an interface screen for accepting payment amounts on the display unit of the store terminal device, generates target information when a payment amount is entered on the interface screen, transmits specific information for identifying the target information to the store terminal device, and has the store terminal device transmit the specific information to the user terminal device 10, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0082] 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]

[0083] 10. User terminal device 20 Payment Apps 100 Payment Servers 120 Content Provision Department 130 Payment Processing Unit 140 Information Management Department 150 Information Processing Unit 152 First Processing Unit 154 Second Processing Unit 156 Third Processing Unit 178 Communication Payment Information

Claims

1. A first processing unit stores target information, including the payment amount obtained from the store terminal device, store identification information for identifying the store, and terminal identification information for identifying the store terminal device, in a storage unit, and sends a completion notification to the store terminal device indicating that the registration of the target information has been completed. A second processing unit obtains the terminal identification information obtained from the store terminal device by the user terminal device via short-range wireless communication after the store terminal device has received the completion notification, from an application program that operates on the user terminal device and performs electronic payment. From the target information stored in the memory unit, the payment amount associated with the terminal identification information that matches the terminal identification information obtained from the application program is identified, and further, by referring to the information that associates the store identification information and store information corresponding to the terminal identification information obtained from the application program, the store name of the store identification information is identified, and the store name of the store identification information, the payment amount, and the payment button are displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device. The system acquires payment instruction information transmitted from the user terminal device in response to the user operating the payment button, and performs electronic payment based on the acquired instruction information, the payment amount, and the payment method of the electronic payment service, which is the user identification information shared between the application program and the information processing device and is associated with the user identification information stored in the storage unit. A third processing unit that causes the store name, payment amount, and information indicating that the electronic payment has been completed to be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned terminal identification information is identification information that has been pre-assigned to the store terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The third processing unit is, When the user operates the payment button and accepts the payment amount, the payment for the payment amount is processed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An expiration date is set for the aforementioned target information. The third processing unit performs payment if the time at which the terminal identification information was obtained from the application program is within the validity period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The first processing unit stores the processing target information, which has the first unique identification information added to the target information, in the storage unit, and sends a completion notification to the store terminal device indicating that the registration of the target information has been completed. The second processing unit obtains the terminal identification information and the second unique identification information obtained from the store terminal device by the user terminal device via short-range wireless communication after the store terminal device has received the completion notification, from the application program that operates on the user terminal device and performs electronic payment. By referring to correspondence information showing the correspondence between the first unique identification information and the second unique identification information stored in the memory unit, the first unique identification information corresponding to the second unique identification information is identified. The third processing unit performs a settlement on the settlement amount of a processing target information among a plurality of processing target information stored in the storage unit that has terminal identification information that matches the terminal identification information obtained from the application program and has the first unique identification information corresponding to the second unique identification information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A first processing unit stores in a storage unit the target information obtained from the store terminal device, the store identification information for identifying the store, and the terminal identification information for identifying the store terminal device, to which a first unique identification information has been added, and sends a completion notification to the store terminal device indicating that the registration of the target information has been completed. A second processing unit obtains the terminal identification information and second unique identification information obtained from the store terminal device by short-range wireless communication after the store terminal device has received the completion notification from the store terminal device, from an application program that operates on the user terminal device and performs electronic payment. From among the multiple pieces of information to be processed stored in the memory unit, the payment amount of the information to be processed that has terminal identification information matching the terminal identification information obtained from the application program and has the first unique identification information corresponding to the second unique identification information is identified, and further, by referring to the information that associates the store identification information corresponding to the terminal identification information obtained from the application program with the store information, the store name of the store identification information is identified, and the store name of the store identification information, the payment amount and a payment button are displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device. The system acquires payment instruction information transmitted from the user terminal device in response to the user operating the payment button, and performs electronic payment based on the acquired instruction information, the payment amount, and the payment method of the electronic payment service, which is the user identification information shared between the application program and the information processing device and is associated with the user identification information stored in the storage unit. A third processing unit that causes the store name, payment amount, and information indicating that the electronic payment has been completed to be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

7. Computers The process involves storing target information, including the payment amount obtained from the store terminal device, store identification information for identifying the store, and terminal identification information for identifying the store terminal device, in a storage unit, and sending a completion notification to the store terminal device indicating that the registration of the target information has been completed. After the store terminal device receives the completion notification, the user terminal device performs a process to obtain the terminal identification information obtained from the store terminal device via short-range wireless communication from an application program that runs on the user terminal device and executes the electronic payment. The process involves identifying the payment amount associated with terminal identification information that matches the terminal identification information obtained from the application program, from among the target information stored in the storage unit, and further identifying the store name of the store identification information by referring to the information that associates the store identification information and store information corresponding to the terminal identification information obtained from the application program, and displaying the store name of the store identification information, the payment amount, and a payment button on the display unit of the user terminal device. The system acquires payment instruction information transmitted from the user terminal device in response to the user operating the payment button, and performs electronic payment based on the acquired instruction information, the payment amount, and the payment method of the electronic payment service, which is the user identification information shared between the application program and the information processing device and is associated with the user identification information stored in the storage unit. A process to display the store name, payment amount, and information indicating that the electronic payment has been completed on the display unit of the user terminal device, An information processing method that performs the following.

8. On the computer, The process involves storing target information, including the payment amount obtained from the store terminal device, store identification information for identifying the store, and terminal identification information for identifying the store terminal device, in a storage unit, and sending a completion notification to the store terminal device indicating that the registration of the target information has been completed. After the store terminal device receives the completion notification, the user terminal device performs a process to obtain the terminal identification information obtained from the store terminal device via short-range wireless communication from an application program that runs on the user terminal device and executes the electronic payment. The process involves identifying the payment amount associated with terminal identification information that matches the terminal identification information obtained from the application program, from among the target information stored in the storage unit, and further identifying the store name of the store identification information by referring to the information that associates the store identification information and store information corresponding to the terminal identification information obtained from the application program, and displaying the store name of the store identification information, the payment amount, and a payment button on the display unit of the user terminal device. The system acquires payment instruction information transmitted from the user terminal device in response to the user operating the payment button, and performs electronic payment based on the acquired instruction information, the payment amount, and the payment method of the electronic payment service, which is the user identification information shared between the application program and the information processing device and is associated with the user identification information stored in the storage unit. A process to display the store name, payment amount, and information indicating that the electronic payment has been completed on the display unit of the user terminal device, A program that executes the command.

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