Settlement device and settlement method

Abstract

The present invention improves UX in settlement such as when a product sold in a real space is purchased.　A settlement device 10 includes: an operation reception unit 11 that acquires information indicating a virtual space position corresponding to a position related to settlement in a real space, and receives a user's operation related to the virtual space position indicated by the acquired information; and a settlement processing unit 12 that performs processing related to settlement according to the operation received by the operation reception unit 11.

Description

Payment device and payment method

[0001] The present invention relates to a payment device and a payment method used for payment.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for making payments when purchasing products in a virtual space realized by a terminal device such as goggles worn by a user.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-3024

[0004] However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, products displayed in a virtual space are the items to be purchased. Therefore, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be used to purchase products sold in real space (the real world). For example, products sold in vending machines cannot be purchased.

[0005] When purchasing products sold in real space, there is a demand for improving the UX (user experience) in user payment processing using MR (mixed reality) devices such as head-mounted displays.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a payment device and a payment method that can improve UX in payments, such as when purchasing products sold in real space.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a payment device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an operation reception unit that acquires information indicating a position in a virtual space that corresponds to a payment-related position in the real space and accepts user operations related to the position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information, and a payment processing unit that performs payment-related processing in accordance with the operations accepted by the operation reception unit.

[0008] In a payment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, payment processing is performed by a user's operation in virtual space according to a payment location in real space. Therefore, the payment device according to one embodiment of the present invention can improve UX in payments, such as when purchasing products sold in real space.

[0009] Incidentally, one embodiment of the present invention can be described not only as a payment device invention as described above, but also as a payment method invention as described below. These are essentially the same invention, just in different categories, and have similar functions and effects.

[0010] A payment method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an operation reception step in which a payment device acquires information indicating a position in a virtual space corresponding to a payment position in real space and accepts a user operation related to the position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information, and a payment processing step in which the payment device performs processing related to payment in accordance with the operation accepted in the operation reception step.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve UX in payments such as when purchasing products sold in real space.

[0012] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the payment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram showing an example of a display on the payment device. It is a flowchart showing a payment method which is a process executed by the payment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the payment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a payment device and a payment method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a payment device 10 according to this embodiment. The payment device 10 is, for example, carried and used by a user. The payment device 10 is a device used for user payments. The payment in question is, for example, the payment of a user's fee when the user purchases a product sold in real space (for example, a product sold in a vending machine). The payment device 10 performs processing related to the user's payment using a virtual space.

[0015] The payment device 10 is a device that performs processing using a virtual space. For example, the payment device 10 realizes MR. In this case, the payment device 10 is a terminal such as an MR device used by a user. Specifically, the payment device 10 is a terminal that is worn around the user's eyes, such as a head-mounted display or smart glasses. Note that the processing using a virtual space performed by the payment device 10 may be a device other than one that realizes MR. Furthermore, the payment device 10 may be a device other than the above, such as a smartphone, as long as it is a device that performs processing using a virtual space.

[0016] The payment device 10 displays a virtual space to the user. The display corresponding to the virtual space may be performed in the same manner as in the past. When MR is realized by the payment device 10, for example, the payment device 10 has a display that is located in front of the user's eyes when worn by the user. The payment device 10 displays the virtual space on the display. The display is transparent, so the user can see the real space beyond the display along with the virtual space display. Alternatively, the payment device 10 has a camera that captures an image in the user's line of sight when worn by the user. The payment device 10 may display the virtual space by superimposing it on an image of the real space captured by the camera. With this configuration, the user can simultaneously view the virtual space display and the real space.

[0017] Furthermore, as will be described later, the user can perform operations in the virtual space. For example, the user can perform operations to move a character displayed in the virtual space. The user's operations in the virtual space may be performed in the same manner as in the past.

[0018] The payment device 10 is equipped with devices (functions) for realizing the functions according to this embodiment. For example, the payment device 10 is equipped with a display device such as a display that displays information related to a virtual space. The payment device 10 is also equipped with an input device that accepts user operations. The payment device 10 is also equipped with an imaging device such as a camera when capturing images of real space. In addition, the payment device 10 may be able to transmit and receive information to and from other devices via a network in order to realize the functions. These devices (functions) themselves may be the same as those of conventional devices.

[0019] Payment using the payment device 10 is performed, for example, as follows. Here, an example will be described in which a user purchases a product from a vending machine in real space. The user wearing the payment device 10 is positioned in a position where they can see the vending machine from which they will purchase the product. The payment device 10 displays a payment character (virtual object) in virtual space as a display corresponding to the virtual space. In this situation, as shown in FIG. 2, the user can see the vending machine 100 in real space and the payment character 200.

[0020] The user performs an operation to move the payment character 200 to a position where the vending machine 100 is visible. For example, the user performs an operation such as throwing the payment character 200 toward the vending machine 100 and touching the character 200 to the vending machine 100. When the payment character 200 moves to the position of the vending machine 100 (a position on the display where the vending machine 100 is visible) through the user's operation, the vending machine 100 performs a payment process to purchase a product from the vending machine. Through these processes, the user can purchase a product from the vending machine. The user's operation may also be to move the position to which the payment character 200 is moved to the position of a sample of the product to be purchased from the vending machine 100 (a position on the display where the sample is visible). In this case, the product may be purchased.

[0021] In this way, the payment device 10 allows a user to perform payment processing, such as when purchasing a product sold in real space, using displays and user operations that correspond to the virtual space. This improves UX in the user's payment processing. Note that the above example is based on the purchase of a product from a vending machine in real space, but the payment according to this embodiment is not limited to this case, and any payment may be targeted as long as it can be realized by the functions of the payment device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0022] Next, a description will be given of the functions of the payment device 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG.

[0023] The operation reception unit 11 is a functional unit that acquires information indicating a position in virtual space corresponding to a position related to a payment in real space and accepts a user operation related to the position in virtual space indicated by the acquired information. The operation reception unit 11 may display a character in virtual space and accept an operation to move the character as an operation. The operation reception unit 11 may display a character according to the content of the payment.

[0024] The operation accepting unit 11 may also accept a user operation to specify an object related to the payment. The operation accepting unit 11 may display a position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information. The operation accepting unit 11 may be in a state to accept a user operation depending on the state of the device 10 with respect to the position related to the payment in the real space. The operation accepting unit 11 may acquire an image of the real space and acquire information indicating the position based on the acquired image.

[0025] The operation reception unit 11, for example, acquires information indicating a position as follows and accepts a user's operation. The operation reception unit 11 sets a position in the virtual space corresponding to a position related to payment in the real space and acquires information indicating the position. The position related to payment in the real space is, for example, the position of a device that sells a product in the real space, which is the object that triggers the payment, or the product, etc. In the above example, the position related to payment in the real space set by the operation reception unit 11 is the position of the vending machine 100 or each sample on the vending machine 100. The position may also be the position of a reading panel or the like provided on the vending machine 100 for making payment (touch payment) with an IC card or the like.

[0026] The position set by the operation reception unit 11 is a position in the virtual space that corresponds to the position related to the payment in the real space, and is the position used to determine whether the payment will be made. When an operation is performed such as throwing the payment character 200 toward the position and touching the character 200 to the position, the payment processing is performed.

[0027] For example, the position set by the operation receiving unit 11 is a position corresponding to the display of the virtual space, specifically, a position (coordinates) on the display screen for displaying the virtual space.

[0028] To set the position, an image is captured in the payment device 10 by an imaging device such as a camera provided in the payment device 10, and an image of the real space is obtained. The imaging is performed so as to correspond to the display of the virtual space. For example, when the payment device 10 is worn by a user, an image is captured in the direction of the user's line of sight. This is similar to the imaging performed when an image of the real space is shown to the user, as described above. When an image is captured when an image of the real space is shown to the user, the image can be used as an image for setting the position.

[0029] The operation reception unit 11 acquires the image. From the image, the operation reception unit 11 detects the position of the object that triggers the payment (for example, a device that sells products existing in real space as described above, or the product). For example, the operation reception unit 11 stores in advance the object to be detected (its characteristics, etc.), and detects the position (coordinates) by image recognition. The above detection may be performed by a conventional method.

[0030] The operation reception unit 11 sets a position in the virtual space corresponding to the payment position in the real space based on the position detected from the image. For example, if the range captured by the imaging device and the display screen for displaying the virtual space are the same, the operation reception unit 11 sets the position (coordinates) in the image detected from the image as the position (coordinates) on the display screen. If there is a deviation between the range captured by the imaging device and the display screen for displaying the virtual space, the operation reception unit 11 sets a position (coordinates) on the display screen that is shifted from the position (coordinates) in the image detected from the image by the previously stored deviation.

[0031] After setting a position in the virtual space, the operation reception unit 11 may display a display indicating the set position. This display is intended to make it easier for the user to operate the payment character 200. For example, the operation reception unit 11 displays a character (e.g., an offering box character) indicating that the set position is a destination.

[0032] The set position may be a position in the virtual space that corresponds to the position related to the payment in the real space, other than a position (coordinates) on a display screen for displaying the virtual space. The position may also be set by a method other than a method using an image. For example, the position may be set based on the relative positional relationship between the payment device 10 and the object that triggers the payment in the real space.

[0033] The operation acceptance unit 11 accepts user operations relating to a set position in the virtual space. For example, the operation acceptance unit 11 displays a payment character 200 in the virtual space, which is the target of the user's operation. At that time, the operation acceptance unit 11 displays the payment character 200 at a position away from the set position. The operation acceptance unit 11 accepts user operations to move the payment character 200. The user operations are performed, for example, using an input device provided in the payment device 10. The user operations and the acceptance of the operations by the operation acceptance unit 11 may be performed in a conventional manner.

[0034] The operation acceptance unit 11 determines whether the accepted user operation is one that should be used for payment based on pre-stored criteria. The criteria correspond to a set position. For example, the criteria may be that payment is accepted if the operation is an operation that moves (throws) the payment character 200 toward a set position in the virtual space, i.e., an object such as a vending machine 100. If the operation acceptance unit 11 determines that the accepted user operation is one that should be used for payment, it notifies the payment processing unit 12 accordingly. The operation acceptance unit 11 may also notify the payment processing unit 12 of the object.

[0035] The operation acceptance unit 11 may display a payment character 200 according to the content of the payment. For example, if there are multiple payment methods (for example, when payment is made with one of multiple electronic money methods, or when payment is made with either electronic money or a credit card), the operation acceptance unit 11 may store a character for each payment method in advance and display the character 200 corresponding to the payment method. The operation acceptance unit 11 may display the character 200 for the payment method that is preset by the user to be used for payment. The operation acceptance unit 11 may display multiple characters 200 according to the payment methods.

[0036] The operation reception unit 11 may display characters 200 of available payment methods according to the object (for example, payment methods available at the vending machine 100 from which the user is trying to purchase a product). In this case, the operation reception unit 11 stores in advance the objects and available payment methods in association with each other, detects the object related to the payment, and performs the above display.

[0037] The operation reception unit 11 may display a payment character 200 according to points awarded upon payment. The points may be those of a conventional point program. For example, the points may be applied to the purchase price or exchanged for merchandise upon payment after being awarded. For example, if the points awarded upon payment differ depending on the payment method used for payment, the operation reception unit 11 may store rules for awarding points in advance and display the character 200 of the payment method with the highest number of awarded points (1, 2, 3). Furthermore, if an expiration date is set for the points, the operation reception unit 11 may display the payment character 200 according to the expiration date. For example, the operation reception unit 11 may change the display mode of the payment character 200 when points are about to expire. For example, the operation reception unit 11 may display a sweating character 200 when points are about to expire.

[0038] The operation reception unit 11 may display information associated with the payment. For example, the operation reception unit 11 may display points awarded when a payment is made (e.g., when a product is purchased), an amount of money that the user can use for payment (available amount), etc. The information is displayed near the payment character 200 or on the edge of the display screen (e.g., displayed together with the icon of the payment character 200 in the upper left corner), etc.

[0039] The operation acceptance unit 11 may accept a user operation to designate an object related to the payment before accepting a user operation to move the payment character 200 (i.e., a user operation that triggers the payment). The object designated here is, for example, a product to be purchased through the payment. In the above example, the designated object is a product that the user wishes to purchase from among multiple products sold in the vending machine 100. The user operation to designate (select) an object (e.g., a product) and the acceptance of the operation by the operation acceptance unit 11 may be performed in a conventional manner. The operation acceptance unit 11 notifies the payment processing unit 12 of the object (e.g., a product) designated by the user, together with a notification that a user operation to perform the payment has been performed.

[0040] In this case, the operation reception unit 11 may display a payment character 200 corresponding to the specified object of payment. For example, the operation reception unit 11 may display a character 200 for a product that the user is trying to purchase. Again, the payment character 200 to be displayed corresponds to the content of the payment.

[0041] The operation acceptance unit 11 may be set to a state in which it accepts a user's operation on the payment character 200 in response to a preset trigger. For example, the operation acceptance unit 11 is set to a state in which it accepts a user's operation on the payment character 200 in accordance with the state of the payment device 10 with respect to a location related to payment in real space. Specifically, the operation acceptance unit 11 is set to a state in which it accepts a user's operation on the payment character 200 when the payment device 10 enters an area near the location related to payment in real space (e.g., a geographical location where the vending machine 100 is installed) (i.e., when a user carrying (e.g., wearing) the payment device 10 enters). For example, the area near the vending machine 100 is within several meters (e.g., 1 meter) of the location of the vending machine 100.

[0042] For example, the operation acceptance unit 11 makes the above determination by detecting radio waves of short-range wireless communication transmitted from the vending machine 100. Alternatively, the operation acceptance unit 11 stores in advance the location related to payment in real space (e.g., the latitude and longitude of the vending machine 100), performs positioning of the device 10 itself to obtain the location of the device 10 (e.g., the latitude and longitude of the device 10), and makes the determination based on these locations. Alternatively, the operation acceptance unit 11 may make the above determination using any other conventional method.

[0043] Furthermore, the operation acceptance unit 11 may detect an indication from the user that the user intends to make a payment to the device 10 itself, and transition to a state in which the operation acceptance unit 11 is ready to accept the user's operation on the payment character 200. For example, the operation acceptance unit 11 may detect that the user has performed a preset action, and transition to a state in which the operation acceptance unit 11 is ready to accept the user's operation on the payment character 200. The action may be, for example, a gesture of waving a hand toward the vending machine 100 in the real space, or an action of pressing a product selection button provided on the vending machine 100 in the real space. Note that, when the operation acceptance unit 11 detects the action of pressing a selection button, it may detect an object (e.g., a product) corresponding to the pressed selection button, and set the object as the designated object related to the payment.

[0044] Furthermore, the operation reception unit 11 detects the user's operation of the above-described intention on the preset device 10, and sets the device 10 in a state where it is ready to receive the user's operation on the settlement character 200. The operation is, for example, an operation using a virtually displayed virtual object (for example, an operation of pressing a preset key on a virtually displayed controller). The detection of the user's operation or intention may be performed in the same manner as in the past.

[0045] For example, the operation acceptance unit 11 displays the payment character 200 to enter a state in which it is ready to accept user operations on the payment character 200. That is, the operation acceptance unit 11 may display the payment character 200 in response to the above-mentioned trigger. Furthermore, the operation acceptance unit 11 may enter a state in which it is ready to accept user operations on the payment character 200 by a method other than the above.

[0046] Furthermore, the operation reception unit 11 may acquire information indicating a position in the virtual space corresponding to a position related to payment in the real space by a method other than the setting. For example, the operation reception unit 11 may acquire information indicating the position set by another application or the like.

[0047] The payment processing unit 12 is a functional unit that performs processing related to payment in accordance with the operation accepted by the operation accepting unit 11. The payment processing unit 12 may perform processing related to payment for an object specified by the operation accepted by the operation accepting unit 11.

[0048] The payment processing unit 12 performs payment-related processing, for example, as follows. The payment processing unit 12 receives a notification from the operation reception unit 11 that a user operation to make a payment has been performed. Upon receiving the notification, the payment processing unit 12 performs payment-related processing. The payment-related processing performed by the payment processing unit 12 is processing related to payment for a user of the payment device 10 to purchase a product, as described above. This processing may be performed in the same manner as conventional online payments. For example, the payment processing unit 12 transmits and receives payment-related information to and from the payment destination device (e.g., a server that manages the vending machine 100).

[0049] If, in addition to the above notification, the operation acceptance unit 11 notifies the payment processing unit 12 of the object of payment (for example, the vending machine 100 and a product), the payment processing unit 12 receives the notification and performs processing related to payment for the notified object. Note that, if the operation acceptance unit 11 does not notify the payment processing unit 12 of the object of payment (for example, if it is assumed in advance that a specific product will be purchased), the payment processing unit 12 may perform processing related to payment for a pre-stored object. Furthermore, the payment processing unit 12 may perform processing other than the above, as long as it is processing related to payment performed in response to a notification from the operation acceptance unit 11.

[0050] Upon completion of the payment, for example, a product is purchased by the user. For example, information about the purchase of a product is transmitted to the vending machine 100 in real space from, for example, a server that manages the vending machine 100, and the purchased product is dispensed from the vending machine 100. This allows the user of the payment device 10 to obtain the purchased product.

[0051] When the payment processing is completed, the payment processing unit 12 may perform processing accordingly. For example, if the payment is successful, the payment processing unit 12 may change the payment character 200 displayed on the payment device 10 accordingly. For example, the payment processing unit 12 may cause the payment character 200 to take an action indicating the success of the payment. The payment processing unit 12 may also display information indicating the details of the payment. For example, the payment processing unit 12 may display a virtual object indicating the details of the payment (for example, a receipt (including any or all of information indicating that the payment has been completed, the amount, the remaining available amount, and the awarded points)). These are the functions of the payment device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0052] Next, a payment method, which is a process executed by the payment device 10 according to this embodiment (a method of operation performed by the payment device 10), will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 3. This method is a process performed when a payment is made for a user to pay a fee for purchasing a product sold in real space (for example, a product sold in a vending machine).

[0053] In this process, first, the operation reception unit 11 acquires information indicating a position in the virtual space corresponding to a position related to payment in the real space (S01, operation reception step). Next, the operation reception unit 11 accepts a user operation related to the position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information (S02, operation reception step). For example, the operation is an operation of throwing the character of the payment character 200 in the virtual space toward a position in the virtual space corresponding to the position of the vending machine 100, which is the position related to payment in the real space.

[0054] Next, the payment processing unit 12 performs a process related to the payment in accordance with the operation received by the operation receiving unit 11 (S03, payment processing step). The payment is completed by this process. The above is the payment method, which is the process executed by the payment device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0055] In this embodiment, payment processing is performed by a user's operation in the virtual space according to the payment location in the real space. Therefore, this embodiment can improve UX in payments, such as when purchasing products sold in the real space.

[0056] Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, the operation reception unit 11 may display a character in a virtual space and receive an operation to move the character as an operation. This configuration allows the user to intuitively and easily perform operations for making a payment, further improving UX in the payment process.

[0057] In this case, as in the present embodiment, the operation reception unit 11 may display a character corresponding to the content of the payment. With this configuration, by referring to the character, the user can easily understand the content of the payment (e.g., the payment method or points related to the payment, as described above). However, the user's operation does not need to involve the use of the displayed character, but may involve a position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information (e.g., a position set as described above).

[0058] Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, a user operation to specify an object for payment may be accepted, and payment processing for the specified object may be performed. With this configuration, even if there are multiple objects for payment (e.g., products sold in a vending machine that the user is attempting to purchase), payment can be appropriately performed after the object is specified. However, the object for payment does not necessarily need to be specified.

[0059] Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, the operation reception unit 11 may display a location in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information (e.g., a location set as described above). This configuration allows the user to easily perform an operation that triggers the payment process. However, the display of the location in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information does not necessarily have to be performed.

[0060] Furthermore, the operation reception unit 11 may be set to a state in which it receives user operations depending on the state of the device 10 with respect to the location related to the payment in real space. With this configuration, it is possible to have the user perform an operation that triggers the payment process when necessary and appropriate. However, the above configuration is not necessarily required.

[0061] Furthermore, the operation reception unit 11 may acquire an image of real space and acquire information indicating a position based on the acquired image. For example, the operation reception unit 11 may set a position based on the acquired image and acquire information indicating the position. This configuration makes it possible to acquire information indicating a position appropriately and reliably. However, the acquisition of information indicating a position does not necessarily have to be based on an image and may be performed by any method.

[0062] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or multiple devices.

[0063] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0064] For example, the payment device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs information processing according to the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the payment device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The payment device 10 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0065] In the following description, the term "device" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the payment device 10 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0066] Each function of the payment device 10 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 1004, and control at least one of the reading and writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0067] The processor 1001, for example, runs an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, each function of the payment device 10 described above may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0068] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, each function of the payment device 10 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0069] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for performing information processing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be called an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium provided in payment device 10 may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0071] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0072] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0073] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0074] Furthermore, payment device 10 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0075] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0076] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0077] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0078] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0079] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0080] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0081] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0082] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0083] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0084] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0085] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0086] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0087] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0088] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0089] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0090] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0091] The payment device and payment method disclosed herein have the following configuration. [1] A payment device comprising: an operation reception unit that acquires information indicating a position in a virtual space that corresponds to a position related to payment in real space, and accepts a user's operation related to the position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information; and a payment processing unit that performs payment-related processing in accordance with the operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit. [2] The payment device described in [1], in which the operation acceptance unit displays a character in a virtual space and accepts an operation to move the character as the operation. [3] The payment device described in [2], in which the operation acceptance unit displays the character in accordance with the content of the payment. [4] The payment device described in any of [1] to [3], in which the operation acceptance unit also accepts a user's operation to specify an object related to payment, and the payment processing unit performs payment-related processing for the object specified by the operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit. [5] The payment device described in any of [1] to [4], in which the operation acceptance unit displays an indication of the position in virtual space indicated by the acquired information. [6] The payment device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the operation acceptance unit is in a state where it is ready to accept a user's operation depending on the state of the payment device with respect to a position related to payment in real space. [7] The payment device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the operation acceptance unit acquires an image of real space and acquires information indicating the position based on the acquired image. [8] A payment method comprising: an operation acceptance step in which the payment device acquires information indicating a position in virtual space that corresponds to the position related to payment in real space and accepts a user's operation related to the position in virtual space indicated by the acquired information; and a payment processing step in which the payment device performs processing related to payment depending on the operation accepted in the operation acceptance step.

[0092] 10...Payment device, 11...Operation reception unit, 12...Payment processing unit, 1001...Processor, 1002...Memory, 1003...Storage, 1004...Communication device, 1005...Input device, 1006...Output device, 1007...Bus.

Claims

1. An operation reception unit that acquires information indicating a position in a virtual space corresponding to a position related to a settlement in the real space and receives a user operation related to the position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information, and a settlement processing unit that performs a process related to the settlement according to the operation received by the operation reception unit. A settlement device comprising the above.

2. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the operation reception unit displays a character in the virtual space and receives, as the operation, an operation of moving the character.

3. The settlement device according to claim 2, wherein the operation reception unit displays the character according to the content of the settlement.

4. The operation reception unit also receives a user operation for designating an object related to the settlement, and the settlement processing unit performs a process related to the settlement for the object designated by the operation received by the operation reception unit. The settlement device according to claim 1.

5. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the operation reception unit performs a display indicating the position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information.

6. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the operation reception unit is in a state of receiving a user operation according to the state of the own device with respect to the position related to the settlement in the real space.

7. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the operation reception unit acquires an image of the real space and acquires the information indicating the position based on the acquired image.

8. An operation reception step in which a settlement device acquires information indicating a position in a virtual space corresponding to a position related to a settlement in the real space and receives a user operation related to the position in the virtual space indicated by the acquired information, and a settlement processing step in which the settlement device performs a process related to the settlement according to the operation received in the operation reception step. A settlement method including the above.

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