WO2018163312A1

WO2018163312A1 - Electronic wallet and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2018163312A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/009176
Authority: WO
Inventors: 幹直小林; 石川　拓也
Original assignee: 株式会社ミックナイン
Priority date: 2017-03-08
Filing date: 2017-03-08
Publication date: 2018-09-13

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic wallet which can more simply make payments between individuals. The electronic wallet is provided with: an input unit to which an instruction to transmit a payment request is input from an operator; an electronic money control unit which controls a communication unit and allows the communication unit to transmit, to another electronic wallet, the payment request; and the communication unit which transmits, to the other electronic wallet, a payment request instruction, when the other electronic wallet contacts the present electronic wallet. In addition, the other electronic wallet is provided with: a communication unit which receives a payment request from another electronic wallet; an electronic money control unit which transmits, to a communication means, electronic money that corresponds to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request and subtracts, from a money amount information holding unit, the amount of the electronic money included in the payment request; and the money amount information holding unit, wherein the communication unit transmits the electronic money to an electronic wallet that is contacting the present electronic wallet.

Description

Electronic wallet and computer program

The present invention relates to technology for managing and operating electronic money. In particular, the present invention relates to a technology for depositing and withdrawing electronic money between electronic wallets held by individual users, that is, an electronic wallet and a computer program capable of performing settlement between individuals.

In recent years, electronic money has been widely used. There is no need to carry cash, and since the exact amount of money is deposited and withdrawn, there are a number of convenient benefits such as no need to consider fishing, so it is rapidly spreading to the world .

Conventionally, one type of typical electronic money is premised on use in a store equipped with a predetermined reader, and often does not have a function of transmitting and receiving electronic money between individuals. In order to deposit and withdraw electronic money among individuals, in many cases, procedures such as online bank transfer are performed. In other words, basically, money is transferred via a financial system such as a bank on the Internet under an internet connection environment. Can know from.

As described above, it is assumed that conventional electronic money is in a network connection environment, and when it is not possible to connect to the network, for example, it is difficult to use it in a region where there is no network environment or underground where radio waves do not reach. .

In addition, when transferring electronic money between individuals, there are many cases where it is necessary to use a method similar to real money bank transfer by so-called Internet banking. Therefore, there may be a time limit on the transaction. Furthermore, it may take a certain amount of time for the electronic money transfer to reach the other party, which is often not suitable for real-time transactions. Note that the real genuine currency is referred to herein as “real money” as opposed to “electronic money”.

However, there are many requests to make small payments in a face-to-face manner, such as small stores and taxi payments. For example, in the case of a small personal store or the like, it is very expensive to provide an electronic money reader for settlement. Also, when paying for a taxi or the like, there is no need to give change, so it is highly worth using electronic money. In addition, if funds can be transferred between individuals, it is easy to use a small amount of money and “return” of daily shopping, so that daily convenience is improved.

For such applications, with conventional electronic money, inter-individual funds transfer (inter-individual settlement) tends to be a complicated procedure, and it is often difficult to carry out on a daily basis. In particular, when a fee is required for each transfer of funds, such as a bank account transfer, there is a tendency that the transfer of funds between individuals does not take place because of the cost.

Here, for payments between corporations other than payments between individuals and payments using commercial facilities (purchase of goods at stores, payment of fares at transportation facilities), relatively large-scale equipment can be easily introduced, As a result, it is ready to build a network connection environment. Therefore, it is possible to easily execute a transaction via a management device or a server device on the network. In other words, we were able to make stable transactions in fixed locations such as terminals and ticket gates inside bank branches, stores, and transportation stations.

On the other hand, as described above, inter-individual settlement may be executed in a situation where there is not necessarily a network connection environment. There is no guarantee that the network communication environment is in place, such as when handing over pocket money from the parent to the child or returning your change. For security and other reasons, connection to the network or mobile phone network is not always possible. It is convenient if you can make an individual payment even in places and stores where this is not allowed.

Also, if you want to make payments between individuals, it is desirable for individuals to carry a suitable electronic wallet, but the electronic wallet carried by such individuals cannot be configured on a large scale, It is necessary to make it a small device suitable for carrying, and it is difficult to adopt a configuration like a large ATM installed in a bank or the like, or a configuration like a ticket machine for transportation.

Here, an example of a patent document that says that human settlement can be performed is shown below.
<Patent Literature>
The following Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic wallet called “family-friendly”. According to the electronic wallet system shown here, there are a plurality of devices on an open network, each with a smart card reader. The smart card read by the smart card reader becomes a wallet. One of the devices is a server that can receive tokens from other wallets. Therefore, it is described that a token can be transferred when the server receives the token even when there is no remittance wallet.

The following Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic settlement system that can carry out an individual merchandise transaction on the Internet. According to this system, the settlement server issues electronic money of the amount accepted from the successful bidder's terminal to the account of the seller of the product. This notifies the successful bidder that the settlement has been completed, and notifies the seller that electronic money has been issued.

The following Patent Document 3 discloses a remittance settlement system. According to this remittance settlement system, the remittance terminal transmits electronic money to the receiving terminal based on the received remittance information. When receiving the electronic money, the receiving terminal transmits the receiving information. Further, the remittance management apparatus determines whether to return to the state after remittance or to shift to the state after remittance when the remittance process of electronic money is interrupted in the middle. This is described as maintaining consistency.

Patent Documents 4 and 5 below disclose an inter-individual remittance system and a remittance management server that can specify a remittance destination by a telephone number.
Patent Document 5 listed below discloses an inter-individual remittance system and a remittance management server that can perform telephone communication between a remittance and a recipient in order to effectively prevent wire fraud.

JP 2001-266028 A JP 2003-331202 A JP 2007-172358 A JP 2010-108177 A JP 2011-128837 A

As shown in the above-mentioned patent documents, a conventional electronic money system suitable for inter-individual payment assumes a network, and it is difficult to make a payment when the network cannot be connected.

In particular, in Patent Document 1, since there is a server, remittance is impossible when the server cannot be connected. Moreover, in patent document 2, since the payment server manages the state of remittance and notifies the user, it is impossible to conduct a commercial transaction in a state where the payment server cannot be connected. In Patent Document 3, since a remittance management device is assumed, it is inherently difficult to make a settlement that cannot be managed by the remittance management device.

Also, in Patent Document 4. Since it is assumed that the remittance management server is used, remittance processing cannot be performed in situations where telephone communication is not possible. Similarly, since Patent Document 5 is premised on telephone conversation and the like, it is difficult to execute inter-individual remittance in situations where the telephone cannot be communicated.

As described above, the conventional electronic money has a problem that it is difficult to make a settlement if there is no communication environment, such as when the network connection environment is not available or when telephone communication is not possible. In addition, the presence of some kind of management device such as a server or a remittance management device is necessary for conventional electronic money. Under such restrictions, there is a problem that electronic money cannot be used in regions where internet connection is not possible, basements where radio waves do not reach, mountain tops, and the like.

As described above, there are many scenes in which payments between individuals are unlikely to be made in a network connection environment, unlike product purchases in stores. Therefore, it is desirable to have an electronic wallet that can make payments between individuals even in a situation where there is no connection environment to the network.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic wallet and a program that can make inter-person settlement more easily .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors propose an electronic wallet that is suitable for personal settlement and that can be carried by an individual. In particular, the present invention proposes an electronic wallet that can easily execute an individual settlement between electronic wallets having the same configuration as the self.

Specifically, the present invention employs the following means.
(1) In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a communication unit that communicates with another electronic wallet, which can communicate with the other electronic wallet, and an electronic money A money amount information holding unit that holds information on the amount of money, an electronic money control unit that controls the operation of the electronic wallet, and an input unit that inputs an operator's instruction, the input unit from the operator When a payment request transmission instruction is input, the payment request transmission instruction is transmitted to the electronic money control unit, and when the payment request transmission instruction is received, the electronic money control unit controls the communication unit, and A communication unit transmits a payment request based on the transmission instruction to another electronic wallet, the communication unit is controlled by the electronic money control unit, and the other electronic wallet is controlled by the electronic wallet. The payment request instruction is transmitted to the other electronic wallet in the case of contact with the electronic wallet, and the payment request instruction includes at least an amount of electronic money according to the payment request transmission instruction. It is a wallet.
The electronic wallet according to the present invention is basically an electronic wallet that can be settled with another electronic wallet having the same configuration, and the “other electronic wallet” in the above-described invention basically has the same configuration as itself. Any other electronic wallet or at least a function capable of settlement with the electronic wallet may be provided. The same applies to other electronic wallets described later of the present invention.

(2) Further, the present invention provides the electronic wallet described in (1) above, further comprising a display unit controlled by the electronic money control unit, wherein the electronic money control unit receives the payment request transmission instruction. And displaying at least the amount of the electronic money included in the payment request transmission instruction on the display unit, and the electronic money control unit inputs payment approval from an operator of the other electronic wallet. In this case, the electronic wallet controls the communication unit and causes the communication unit to transmit the payment request to the other electronic wallet.

(3) The present invention further includes a user information holding unit for holding information on a user of the electronic wallet in the electronic wallet described in the above (1) or (2). The electronic wallet includes the user information.

(4) Further, in the electronic wallet according to (1) or (2), the user information holding unit holds the attribute information of the user,
The electronic wallet, wherein the payment request further includes the attribute information of the user.

(5) In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a communication unit that communicates with another electronic wallet, which can communicate with the other electronic wallet, and an electronic money A money amount information holding unit that holds information on the amount of money and an electronic money control unit that controls the operation of the electronic wallet, and the communication unit requests payment from the other electronic wallet that is in contact with the electronic money control unit. When received, the payment request is transmitted to the electronic money control unit, and when the electronic money control unit receives the payment request, the electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is transmitted to the communication The electronic money amount included in the payment request is subtracted from the money amount information holding unit, and the communication unit receives the money of the electronic money based on the payment request. The corresponding electronic money, an electronic wallet and transmits to said other electronic wallet.

(6) Further, the present invention includes a user information holding unit that holds non-permission information indicating a partner to which the user of the electronic wallet is not allowed to trade in the electronic wallet described in (5) above, When the electronic money control unit receives the payment request, the electronic money control unit checks the attribute information of the user of another electronic wallet included in the payment request, and the disallowed information and the attribute information held by the user information holding unit The electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is transmitted to the communication means, and the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is calculated from the amount information holding unit. The communication unit transmits the electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money based on the payment request to the other electronic wallet. It is an electronic wallet.

(7) Further, the present invention includes a user information holding unit that holds permission information indicating a partner with whom the user of the electronic wallet is permitted to trade in the electronic wallet described in the above (5), When the electronic money control unit receives the payment request, the electronic money control unit checks the attribute information of the user of another electronic wallet included in the payment request, and the permission information and the attribute information held by the user information holding unit are If they match, the electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is transmitted to the communication means, and the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is subtracted from the amount information holding unit. The communication unit transmits electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money based on the payment request to the other electronic wallet. It is a toilet.

(8) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the communication unit receives the electronic money from another electronic wallet, An electronic wallet, wherein money is transmitted to the electronic money control unit, and when the electronic money control unit receives the electronic money, the amount of the electronic money is added to the amount information holding unit .

(9) Moreover, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to (8), in which the electronic money control unit compares the received amount of the electronic money with the transmitted amount of the payment request, If they match, the amount of the electronic money is added to the amount information holding unit, and a message to the effect that the electronic money has been received is transmitted to the communication unit, and the communication unit has received the electronic money. The electronic wallet is characterized by transmitting a message to the effect to the other electronic wallet.

(10) The present invention is the electronic wallet according to (9), further including a history information holding unit that holds a history of receipt of electronic money, wherein the electronic money control unit receives the received electronic money And the amount related to the transmitted payment request are compared, and if they match, a history of receipt of electronic money that includes information on the amount of electronic money is stored in the history information holding unit. An electronic wallet characterized by recording.

(11) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to (9), including a display unit controlled by the electronic money control unit, wherein the electronic money control unit receives the amount of the received electronic money And the transmitted amount of money for the payment request, and if they match, the display unit is instructed to display that the electronic money has been normally received, and the display unit is based on the instruction, An electronic wallet that displays that the electronic money has been normally received.

(12) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to any one of (5) to (7) above, and includes a history information holding unit that holds a history of payment of electronic money, and the electronic The money control unit is an electronic wallet that records a history of payment of electronic money and includes information on the amount of the electronic money in the history information holding unit.

(13) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to (12) above, wherein when the communication unit receives a message indicating that electronic money has been received, the electronic money control unit The electronic wallet is characterized in that a history of payment, which includes information on the amount of electronic money, is recorded in the history information holding unit.

(14) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to any one of (5) to (7) above, including a display unit controlled by the electronic money control unit, wherein the communication unit When receiving a message that electronic money has been received, the electronic money control unit instructs the display unit to display that the electronic money has been normally paid, and the display unit responds to the instruction. The electronic wallet is characterized by displaying that the electronic money has been normally transmitted.

(15) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to (10), further including a wide area communication unit connected to an external wide area communication network, wherein the electronic money control unit has a history of receipt of the electronic money. Is recorded in the history information holding unit together with the upload flag indicating that the history is not uploaded to the predetermined management server, and the electronic money control unit Makes the wide area communication unit try to connect to the management server every predetermined period, and when the wide area communication unit can connect to the management server, the electronic money control unit A history indicating that the upload flag is not uploaded is sent to the wide area communication unit, and the wide area communication unit sends the history sent to the Upload the constant management server, wherein the electronic money control unit, the upload flag of the uploaded history, an electronic wallet and changes to the content indicating that uploading the history.

(16) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to the above (12), comprising a wide area communication unit connected to an external wide area network, wherein the electronic money control unit is a history of payment of the electronic money Is recorded in the history information holding unit together with the upload flag indicating that the history is not uploaded to the predetermined management server, and the electronic money control unit Makes the wide area communication unit try to connect to the management server every predetermined period, and when the wide area communication unit can connect to the management server, the electronic money control unit The history indicating that the upload flag is not uploaded is sent to the wide area communication unit, and the wide area communication unit Upload to a predetermined management server, wherein the electronic money control unit, the upload flag of the uploaded history, an electronic wallet and changes to the content indicating that uploading the history.

(17) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to (10), further including a wide area communication unit connected to an external wide area network, wherein the electronic money control unit has a history of receipt of the electronic money. Is recorded in the history information holding unit together with the upload flag indicating that the history is not uploaded to the predetermined management server, and the electronic money control unit Makes the wide area communication unit try to connect to the management server every predetermined period, and when the wide area communication unit can connect to the management server, the electronic money control unit A history indicating that the upload flag is not uploaded is sent to the wide area communication unit, and the wide area communication unit sends the history sent to the Upload the constant management server, wherein the electronic money control unit, a history of the upload, an electronic wallet, characterized in here to be deleted from the history information holding unit.

(18) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to (12) above, comprising a wide area communication unit connected to an external wide area network, wherein the electronic money control unit is a history of payment of the electronic money Is recorded in the history information holding unit together with the upload flag indicating that the history is not uploaded to the predetermined management server, and the electronic money control unit Makes the wide area communication unit try to connect to the management server every predetermined period, and when the wide area communication unit can connect to the management server, the electronic money control unit The history indicating that the upload flag is not uploaded is sent to the wide area communication unit, and the wide area communication unit Upload to a predetermined management server, wherein the electronic money control unit, a history of the upload, an electronic wallet and deletes from the history information holding unit.

(19) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to (17) or (18), wherein the electronic money control unit has a capacity of the history and the upload flag recorded in the history information holding unit. However, the electronic wallet is characterized by issuing a warning for prompting uploading to the predetermined management server when a predetermined ratio is exceeded with respect to the total storage capacity of the history information holding unit.

(20) Further, the present invention is the electronic wallet according to (17) or (18), wherein the electronic money control unit has a capacity of the history and the upload flag recorded in the history information holding unit. However, an electronic wallet that causes the display unit to display an upload request to the predetermined management server when a predetermined ratio is exceeded with respect to the total storage capacity of the history information holding unit. is there.

(21) In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a communication IC that communicates with another communication IC, and can perform communication in contact with the other communication IC. And an electronic money control unit for controlling the operation of the electronic wallet, and an input unit for inputting an operator's instruction, and the communication IC can hold information on the amount of electronic money inside. The input unit inputs a payment request instruction from the operator, and transmits the payment request instruction to the electronic money control unit. When the electronic money control unit receives the payment request instruction, the communication IC controls, the communication IC, the billing instructions to send for the communication IC other electronic wallet, the communication IC is controlled by the electronic money controller, the said payment request instruction And sending to the communication IC electronic wallet, the billing instructions, at least, an electronic wallet which comprises a amount of electronic money according to the billing instructions.

(22) In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a communication IC that communicates with another communication IC, and can perform communication in contact with the other communication IC. And an electronic money control unit that controls the operation of the electronic wallet, and a display unit that is controlled by the electronic money control unit, wherein the communication IC requests a payment from a communication IC of another electronic wallet When the instruction is received, the electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request instruction is transmitted to the communication IC of the other electronic wallet, and the electronic IC held by the communication IC Subtracting the amount of electronic money included in the payment request instruction from the amount of money, and transmitting that the electronic money has been paid to the electronic money control unit, the electronic money control Is an electronic wallet comprising: an instruction to display the fact that the electronic money has been paid; and a display part that indicates that the electronic money has been paid based on the instruction. is there.
Here, the other communication ICs in (21) and (22) can communicate with another communication IC of the same type as the communication IC of the present invention, or at least the communication IC. It means a simple communication IC.

(23) The present invention is a computer program that causes a computer to operate as the electronic wallet described in (1) in order to solve the above-described problem, and inputs an instruction to send a payment request from the operator to the computer. A payment request instruction based on the transmission instruction is transmitted to the other electronic wallet when the other electronic wallet is in contact with the electronic wallet. A computer program characterized in that it includes at least the amount of electronic money related to the payment request transmission instruction.

(24) The present invention provides a computer program for operating a computer including an amount information holding unit for holding information on the amount of electronic money as the electronic wallet described in (5), in order to solve the above-described problem, The computer receives the payment request from the other electronic wallet, subtracts the amount of electronic money included in the payment request from the amount information holding unit, and the electronic included in the payment request. A computer program for executing electronic money corresponding to the amount of money to the other electronic wallet in contact with the electronic wallet.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily realize an electronic wallet capable of settlement between individuals. *

1 is a configuration block diagram of an electronic wallet according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic wallet which concerns on this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic wallet which concerns on this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of the electronic wallet according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic wallet which concerns on this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram of the configuration of the electronic wallet according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, an electronic wallet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a state of personal settlement using the electronic wallet will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1. FIG. Electronic Wallet (1) Configuration of Electronic Wallet FIG. 1 shows a configuration block diagram of an electronic wallet 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the electronic wallet 10 includes a communication unit 12, a money amount information holding unit 14, a user information holding unit 16, an electronic money control unit 18, a display unit 20, and an input unit 22. I have.

The electronic wallet 10 can be suitably configured with a computer. For example, it can be realized by a smart phone, various portable electronic devices, various portable information devices, various portable communication devices, various portable game devices, various portable music devices, and the like. Moreover, you may implement | achieve with a notebook-type personal computer, a tablet-type personal computer, etc. Moreover, you may implement | achieve with a wearable computer.

Note that the electronic wallet 10 (30, 40) described in the first embodiment (2 to 3) is settled with another electronic wallet 10 (30, 40) having the same configuration. It is assumed that. in this way,
Communication unit 12
The communication unit 12 is a means for communicating with another electronic wallet 10.

The electronic wallet 10 according to the first embodiment is an electronic wallet suitable for inter-personal payment in face-to-face use, and is an electronic wallet 10 that is preferably used in a face-to-face transaction (inter-personal settlement) between user users. is there. Therefore, the communication part 12 should just be a communication means which can perform communication in a comparatively short distance. For example, it is preferable to employ a communication means that can perform communication based on so-called NFC (Near Field Communication). Other communication means (wireless or wired) may be used as long as they can communicate at a short distance.

The electronic wallet 10 in the present embodiment is an electronic wallet 10 suitable for electronic money that can be used as it is in a cash transaction in a normal cash transaction. Therefore, any communication means that can perform communication at a distance of approximately close contact to several meters can be used as the communication unit 12. That is, it is only necessary that communication is possible in a state where the electronic wallets 10 are substantially in close contact with each other and are separated by a distance of several meters.

As will be described later, from the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of transactions in actual interpersonal settlement, it is preferable to perform communication by bringing the electronic wallets 10 close to a close contact state where they are substantially in contact with each other. When it is used only for such usage, it may be a means capable of executing communication only in a contact (contact) state to about several centimeters. If it is a means which can communicate only in such a short distance, it can prevent that communication will be interrupted by carrying out separation several cm or more, and unexpected settlement will be performed.
The communication unit 12 may use a configuration such as a communication interface of a computer.

Amount information holding unit 14
The money amount information holding unit 14 is means for holding the amount and type (type of currency such as dollars, yen, etc.) of electronic money held by the electronic wallet 10, and various semiconductor storage means (memory) can be used. In addition, it is preferable that so-called non-volatile storage means be employed so that the contents are retained even when the power is turned off.

In the first embodiment, the electronic money realization method is not particularly defined. For example, if the amount information holding unit 14 stores the amount of electronic money, for example, 10,000 yen, the amount may be stored as a numerical value such as “10000”. Further, a method in which data representing value (amount) is stored in the storage means may be used. For example, in the case of 10,000 yen, a form in which data of 10,000 yen is held may be used, or a form in which 10 data of 1,000 yen data is held may be used. In the first embodiment, the electronic money realization method is not particularly limited. For example, data such as a block chain (BlockChain is a registered trademark) may be used. In the first embodiment, the electronic money is an electronic representation of actual currency, and may be electronic money corresponding to yen, dollars, euros, or the like. The money amount information holding unit 14 can cope with various currencies by recording the numerical value of the money amount and the type of such currency.

It is also preferable to provide multiple types of money to be held. For example, it is also preferable to hold the amount for each currency such as 10,000 yen as a yen, 1000 dollars as a dollar, 100 euros as a euro. In this case, when the electronic money is deposited (received), the electronic money is appropriately distributed according to the currency type of the deposited electronic money. Moreover, when withdrawing (paying), the user may select a payment currency as appropriate. Moreover, you may comprise so that the currency concerning the charge from the other party's electronic wallet 10 may be selected automatically.

In addition, the types of electronic money to be held may be provided separately according to the usage (subject) as well as the currency type. For example, if it is managed separately by the company's necessary expenses, own entertainment expenses, travel expenses, etc., it is convenient for accounting processing. As described above, when the usage (subject) is divided, the settlement history is also taken for each type, which can be useful for later accounting processing and the like. The payment history is preferably recorded in the history information holding unit 24 described later.

A so-called virtual currency can be used instead of the actual currency. Moreover, you may comprise so that a point like a shopping point may be hold | maintained. Further, a mechanism for exchanging electronic money in the electronic wallet for shopping points may be provided. Moreover, you may provide the mechanism which converts and inputs a shopping point into electronic money.
The money amount information holding unit 14 is preferably encrypted. For encryption, various conventionally known ciphers may be used, and a mechanism such as an error check code may be employed.

User information holding unit 16
The money amount information holding unit 16 is a means for holding information on the user of the electronic wallet 10, and various semiconductor storage means (memory) can be used. The user information holding unit 16 may also use so-called non-volatile storage means. Here, the user means the owner of the electronic wallet 10. As will be described later, the person who actually “operates” the electronic wallet is not necessarily a user.

In the first embodiment, various types of user information are conceivable. Basically, the user information is broadly divided into identification information and other information.
The ID in this embodiment includes a system ID and a personal ID. The system ID is information unique to the electronic wallet 10 and uses a MAC address, a manufacturing number, or the like. This system ID is used effectively when performing various types of management. This system ID is an indispensable ID in principle.
On the other hand, the personal ID is information representing the user, but the electronic wallet 10 assumes that the personal ID is not required (unsigned) in principle. Similarly, in other embodiments described later, it is assumed that there is no personal ID (called anonymous or anonymous). Of course, if the user specifically desires, his / her name and address can be registered as a personal ID.

Conventionally, when a product is purchased in cash at a predetermined store, the purchased user information does not remain at the store side, and personal information is protected. The electronic wallet 10 of the present embodiment is also intended to realize such a conventional personal cash transaction. As a general rule, the personal ID is “anonymous” or “anonymous”. As a result, even when electronic money is paid using the electronic wallet 10 according to the present embodiment, the payer's personal information does not remain on the other party in principle. In addition, when it is desired to explicitly leave that the user has paid, the user's name (name), address, and the like can be registered as the user ID.
Further, when using the electronic wallet 10, it is preferable to hold the password of the user in order to authenticate that the user is a valid user. The password is a kind of information other than the ID as described above, and is used for authentication to determine whether or not the user is a valid user (not necessarily the owner). Even in the case of anonymity (personal ID = anonymous (or anonymous)), this password may be set.

Further, the user information holding unit 16 may hold various information other than the ID according to the user's selection. As other information other than the ID, for example, various attributes other than the user's address and age may be held in addition to the password described above. It is also preferable to configure such user attribute information so that the user can appropriately select the attribute information when the user starts using the electronic wallet 10.

Here, the various attributes of the user may be, for example, the business type of the user. For example, if the user is an attribute of a play facility for adults, it is possible to restrict transactions so that one child cannot use the electronic money 10 at the play facility alone. Moreover, you may put the attribute of an individual (natural person) or a corporation as various attributes of a user. The electronic wallet 10 in the first embodiment is an electronic wallet 10 suitable for inter-individual settlement, meaning settlement as an individual action, and may be applied to cases where an individual executes a transaction in the name of a corporation. Good. That is, the user (owner) of the electronic wallet 10 may be in the name of a corporation.

As described above, the user information holding unit 16 holds the system ID that is the identification information of the electronic wallet 10, but the personal ID representing the personal information of the user is, in principle, “anonymous” “anonymized”. "
However, when anonymous (unsigned), personal information is protected, but when the electronic wallet 10 is lost, it is difficult to return to the owner because the owner of the electronic wallet 10 discovered thereafter is unknown.

Basically, the electronic wallet 10 according to the present embodiment is intended to be used in the same way as real money. As a result, if it is lost, it is basically literally like a “wallet”, It is difficult to return to the owner.
Even in the case of anonymity, as described above, if a password is set, the possibility that a malicious third party who has picked up the lost electronic wallet 10 will illegally use the electronic wallet is reduced. Can do.

Permission information and non-permission information Further , the user information holding unit 16 preferably includes permission information as a kind of user attribute information. This permission information is information for identifying a partner (a user of another electronic wallet 10 that is a trading partner) that is permitted as a partner for the settlement between individuals using the electronic wallet 10. The electronic money control unit 18 compares the attribute information of the other electronic wallet 10 of the other party of the interpersonal settlement with the own permission information held by the user information holding unit 16, and if the two match, the interpersonal settlement is performed. May be configured to execute.
For example, electronic money that is determined to purchase office supplies such as stationery can be prevented from being used outside a stationery store. In this case, the attribute information is, for example, “stationery store”, and the permission information includes, for example, “stationery store”, “office supply store”, “writing tool store”, “office supply store”, and the like. It is done. As described above, when the stationery store of the attribute information is included in the permission information, it can be cited as an example of matching.

By such control, it is possible to limit the usage destination of the electronic money stored in the electronic wallet 10 and prevent illegal transactions.

In addition, the user information holding unit 16 preferably includes non-permission information as a kind of attribute information. This non-permitted information is information that identifies a partner who is not permitted as a partner for inter-person settlement. The electronic money control unit 18 compares the attribute information of the other electronic wallet 10 of the other party of the settlement between individuals with his / her disapproval information held by the user information holding unit 16, and if both do not match, the individual An interim settlement may be performed.
By such control, for example, a minor can be prevented from using electronic money at a racetrack or the like. In this case, the attribute information is, for example, “horse race track”, and the non-permission information includes, for example, “horse race track”, “bicycle race track”, etc. In such a case, a case where the racetrack of the attribute information is included in the non-permission information is an example of a case where they match.

By such control, for example, the usage destination of the electronic money stored in the electronic wallet 10 can be limited, and unauthorized transactions can be prevented.

Such control can prevent electronic money stored in the electronic wallet 10 from being used for items that cannot be purchased by some users.

Electronic money control unit 18
The electronic money control unit 18 is a control unit that controls the operation of the electronic wallet 10, executes electronic money deposit / withdrawal operations, displays the amount of electronic money on the display unit 20, and the user Are input via the input unit 22 and other operations are executed. The electronic wallet 10 can be realized by a computer, and the electronic money control unit 18 can be composed of a CPU (or processor) of the computer and a program executed by the CPU (processor). The program corresponds to a preferred example of the computer program recited in the claims.

Display unit 20
The display unit 20 is means for displaying various information, messages, operation statuses, and the like of the electronic wallet 10 to the user. For example, a liquid crystal display or the like is preferable. The display unit 20 can use various display means other than liquid crystal, for example, an LED display device, an organic EL device, a plasma display, and the like. The display unit 20 preferably uses a display as a peripheral device of the computer.

Input unit 22
The input unit 22 is a means for inputting user instructions and operations, and can use a touch panel, a keyboard, or the like. Various pointing devices such as a mouse, a trackball, and a touch pad can also be used. The input unit 22 preferably uses various input means used as peripheral devices of the computer.

In the first embodiment, it is preferable to use a (liquid crystal) display with a touch panel in which the display unit 20 and the input unit 22 are integrated. In particular, since the electronic wallet 10 is assumed to be carried by an individual, a (liquid crystal) display with a touch panel is preferable from the viewpoint of making the configuration compact. Therefore, in the following description, it demonstrates focusing on a display with a touch panel.

History information holding unit 24
The history information holding unit 24 records a history (history) of payment processing performed using the electronic wallet 10. The history information holding unit 24 is realized by using a predetermined storage device, such as a semiconductor storage device, in the same manner as the money amount information holding unit 14 and the user information holding unit 16. Further, the history information holding unit 24 may share the same storage device as the money amount information holding unit 14 and the user information holding unit 16. The history information holding unit 24 is also preferably configured using so-called non-volatile storage means.

In this embodiment, each of the deposit processing (receipt) and withdrawal processing (payment) is recorded as a history in time series. For example, it is preferable to record the date and time when payment was made, the amount of money, information on the electronic wallet 10 of the other party, and the like. In some cases, the personal ID of the partner's electronic wallet 10 may be anonymous, but in this case, “anonymous” may be recorded. Even when the personal ID is anonymous, if the system ID is registered, it is preferable to record the system ID of the partner's electronic wallet 10.

The history information holding unit 24 records the processing history every time there is a change in the amount information holding unit 14, but as described above, the amount information holding unit 14 may hold a plurality of types of amounts. . For example, it may hold yen and dollar amounts. In that case, the history is recorded for each of the plurality of amounts (for each yen and dollar).
Although not shown, the electronic wallet 10 includes a power source for supplying power for performing the operation. The power source may be a power source using a so-called battery, but may be configured to be able to use a commercial power source such as an AC adapter. If this power supply is turned off, the electronic wallet 10 stops its function, so that it is possible to prevent unexpected settlement due to inadvertent contact with other electronic wallets 10. it can. As a result, a safer electronic wallet 10 can be provided.

Note that the above-described units of the electronic wallet 10 are connected to each other by a bus 26 and can transmit and receive instructions and data to and from each other.

As described above, the electronic wallet 10 is preferably realized by a mobile terminal such as a smart phone. For example, it is also preferable that a predetermined computer program (application) is installed in the mobile terminal to realize the above-described units.

(2) Operation Hereinafter, based on the drawings, an operation flow of the inter-individual settlement using the electronic wallet 10 will be described.

(2a) Electronic Wallet Usage Start Process A user who wants to use the electronic wallet 10 first installs a computer program for the electronic wallet 10 on his / her smartphone and starts using the computer. This computer program is a program for operating a smart phone as the electronic wallet 10, and the operations described in the detailed description of the present invention are described by this computer program. This computer program corresponds to a preferred example of the computer program recited in the claims. The computer program is hereinafter simply referred to as a program. A store application, an application, and the like also correspond to suitable examples of the claimed computer program.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when the use of the electronic wallet 10 is started.

In step S2-1, the user first downloads the program for the electronic wallet 10 to his / her smartphone. The program is preferably downloaded and installed from a predetermined website on the Internet. For example, downloading from a website such as Google Play (registered trademark) or iTunes Store (registered trademark) is also suitable. Moreover, it is also preferable to be supplied as a so-called store application. Various programs are provided as a store application of Android (registered trademark) and a store application of Windows (registered trademark), but the program can be provided by the same mechanism. Further, the program may be stored in a storage medium such as a predetermined USB memory, and the program may be transferred from the storage medium. In addition, the program may be transferred to the smartphone by various methods.

Specifically, the user performs a predetermined operation on the touch panel as the input unit 22 and instructs to download a predetermined program. Then, it is preferable that the electronic money control unit 18 downloads a program from a predetermined Web site using predetermined Internet connection means (not shown) based on such an instruction. In addition, the program can be installed using a storage medium such as a USB memory in which the program is stored instead of the Internet. Note that various conventional means may be used as the predetermined Internet connection means. In addition to communication means using a communication line such as a cellular phone and Wi-fi connection means, the communication unit 12 in FIG. 1 may be configured as means capable of connecting to the Internet.

In step S2-2, the user installs the downloaded (transferred) program on his / her smartphone. At the time of this installation, the user inputs the user ID (system ID, personal ID), the user's name (or anonymous), and a password. Moreover, you may comprise so that a user can input other various information.

Moreover, although a user may input system ID, you may comprise so that the manufacturing number and MAC address of the smart phone may be applied as it is. Further, as described above, the personal ID is anonymous in principle, and in that case, the user's name may be anonymous (anonymous).
The electronic wallet 10 is ready for use through the process described above. Hereinafter, such a program (app) can be activated to operate the smart phone or the computer as the electronic wallet 10.

If the program is terminated, it no longer functions as the electronic wallet 10, so that an unexpected transaction does not occur and the user can safely carry it. In this case, if the user activates the program again, it can be used as the electronic wallet 10.
Even when the program is running, it is also preferable to stop the operation as the electronic wallet 10 by issuing a stop command to the program. Such a stop command may be appropriately input by the user from the input unit 2. The stop command is sent to the electronic money control unit 18. When the electronic money control unit 18 receives the stop command, the electronic money control unit 18 maintains a state where the operation as the electronic wallet 10 is stopped. In this state, the operation as the electronic wallet 10 is stopped and the transaction cannot be performed. From this state, if the user inputs an activation command from the input unit 22, the activation command is sent to the electronic money control unit 18, and when the electronic money control unit 18 receives the activation command, the electronic money control unit 18 Start operation.

By such operations and processing, it is possible to function as the electronic wallet 10 only when the user wants to use it and to stop the others.

In step S2-3, the user deposits a desired amount of money into the electronic wallet 10. The user issues a deposit instruction via the input unit 22. The instruction is sent to the electronic money control unit 18, and the electronic money control unit 18 performs a deposit process based on the instruction.

The deposit process (referred to as charge) can be executed by various methods. It is also preferable to charge in the same manner as conventional electronic money. For example, you may deposit using a credit card. It is also possible to deposit using a predetermined prepaid card. If a prepaid card is purchased with cash and the card number is input, the electronic money control unit 18 obtains electronic money corresponding to the corresponding cash via the Internet, and the amount of money stored in the amount information holding unit 14 is the cash You may comprise so that it may increase by an amount. Here, the card number can be read by optical means such as a barcode reader. For example, the barcode may be read by a camera provided in the smartphone.

Also, by using Internet shopping, only the card number may be acquired, and the user may deposit a desired (paid) amount based on the number. These processes are executed by the electronic money control unit 18 based on an instruction input by the user via the input unit 22.

The deposit can be executed by various other methods. For example, the money may be charged (charged) from cash or a credit card via a predetermined charging terminal prepared in a predetermined store or station. Moreover, you may deposit by the method according to a bank transfer. That is, when an account corresponding to the electronic wallet 10 is set by a bank or the like and a transfer is made to the account, electronic money corresponding to the transfer amount can be sent to the electronic wallet 10.

In addition, the electronic wallet 10 according to the present embodiment is an electronic wallet 10 that can send and receive electronic money to and from other electronic wallets 10 as described later. Therefore, electronic money may be received from another electronic wallet 10 and deposited into its own money amount information holding unit 14. Alternatively, so-called shopping points may be converted into electronic money and deposited into the electronic wallet 10. Alternatively, the virtual currency may be deposited as it is or converted into electronic money into the electronic wallet 10.
In addition, the electronic money control unit 18 performs these deposit processes, and when the amount of money in the amount information holding unit 14 is increased, records the processing in the history information holding unit 24.

(2b) Flow of operation for settlement between individuals The state of the operation when performing settlement between individuals using the electronic wallet 10 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 3 shows the operation of the electronic wallet 10 on the receiving side (payment side) and the operation of the electronic wallet on the payment side (withdrawal side). The receiving-side electronic wallet 10 is, for example, an electronic wallet 10 of a store that sells products. The payment-side electronic wallet 10 is, for example, an electronic wallet 10 of a purchaser who purchases a product.

In this embodiment, the state of personal settlement when a person makes a face-to-face transaction will be described. However, the owner of the electronic wallet may be a corporation (store, company). Even when a store employee uses the store's electronic wallet 10, this embodiment is referred to as personal payment. In other words, the personal settlement in the present embodiment refers to a settlement in which a person performs an action (work) of a face-to-face transaction, even if the owner (user) of the electronic wallet 10 is not a person but a corporation. Good. For example, payment by the name of the store may be used. The name of this store may be displayed on the display unit 20. A person who is not a user (for example, an employee or a clerk) may operate the electronic wallet 10. In the claims, an operator is particularly referred to as a person who actually performs an operation. The operator may be a user (owner) or a person who performs an operation upon receiving an instruction from the user. In the present embodiment, the term “user” is basically used. However, the term “user” may be used to mean a person who performs an operation without being limited to a user.

In step S 3-1, the user (operator) of the receiving-side electronic wallet 10 sends the amount of money, a transmission instruction, etc. to the receiving-side electronic wallet 10 so that the receiving-side electronic wallet 10 sends a payment request for the price of the product. To the electronic wallet 10.
Specifically, the person (operator) who performs the operation may be a salesperson or the like of a store other than the user (owner), but is referred to as a user unless otherwise distinguished. From the input unit 22 of the electronic wallet 10, an amount of the commodity price is input, and an instruction to transmit a request for the commodity price to the purchaser's electronic wallet 10 is input.

In addition, although it is preferable that the user inputs the amount by touching the input unit 22 by hand, the camera provided in the smartphone used as the electronic wallet 10 is used as a barcode reader. It is also preferable to read the barcode of the product to be sold. A camera provided in a smart phone or the like can usually be operated as a bar code reader, and can read not only one-dimensional but also two-dimensional bar codes. Such a mechanism may be used to input the sales price of the product. In this case, the camera corresponds to a preferable example of the input unit in the claims.

The amount is, for example, 10,000 yen. By the way, it is also possible to configure so that the type of currency can be selected when inputting the amount. As described above, the money amount information holding unit 14 can hold a money amount for each currency. For example, yen: 10,000 yen, US dollar: 5000, etc. may be stored in the money amount information holding unit 14. Therefore, the payment requester may be configured so that the type of “currency” of the electronic money can be specified as the amount of the payment request.

As a result, for example, in Japan, it is possible to execute inter-individual settlement in yen, and in the United States, it is possible to perform inter-individual settlement in US dollars with one electronic wallet 10.

User ID is an ID representing a user such as “0000100” as a system ID. The personal ID may be anonymous, but in the case of a store, a name such as “Suzuki Electric Store” is also preferable. Further, the name of the user can be freely set, for example, “Suzuki Electric Store: Suzuki in charge”, and the person in charge may be entered or only the store name may be used. As described above, the user can freely set the name in the user information holding unit 16. The name of the individual or the legal name of the store may be used. It may also be a nickname name. Moreover, you may combine a shop name and a person in charge name. The electronic money control unit 18 may include the above-described user attribute in the payment request. For example, an attribute such as “store” may be included. The amount and instruction input in this way are transmitted to the electronic money control unit 18.

In step S3-2, the electronic money control unit 18 sends the amount related to the payment request to the display unit 20, and the display unit 20 displays the amount. In addition, the amount of money may be displayed together with this display. For example, the purchase price of the personal computer may be displayed. Moreover, you may display a user name, a store name, etc. In the display operation of the display unit 22 in step S3-2, the amount for the payment request is displayed and an OK button is displayed.

Next, in step S3-3, the user of the payment-side electronic wallet 10 looks at the display unit of the reception-side electronic wallet 10 and checks the amount and other information (the amount of money, the store name, etc.) When approving, the OK button is touched (or pressed).

This touch of the OK button corresponds to a suitable example of payment approval in the claims. This payment approval may be any event that can confirm the user's intention to pay and any means that can input the event. In the first embodiment, for example, the input unit 22 may be a touch input unit of a touch panel, but may be an independent keyboard or a mechanical switch. When a mechanical switch or the like is used as the input unit 22, it is also preferable to provide a key or button for payment approval.

Thereafter, in step S3-4, the user of the payment-side electronic wallet 10 brings the payment-side electronic wallet 10 into contact with the reception-side electronic wallet 10.

In step S3-5, when the fact that the OK button has been touched in the input unit 22 of the receiving electronic wallet 10 is sent to the electronic money control unit 18 of the electronic wallet 10, the electronic money control unit 18 It is determined that the approval has been input, and the communication unit 12 is instructed to transmit a payment request. The payment request includes an amount (for example, a product price) related to the payment request input by the user and the system ID of the user (store side) of the electronic wallet. In the case of a store, it is also preferable that a personal ID, a store name, and the like are included.
The payment request may include attribute information of the receiving user. This attribute information may be any attribute as long as it indicates the receiving-side business type or attribute, such as “racetrack” or “stationery store”. These pieces of attribute information can be used when performing control such as prohibiting use of a racetrack when the paying user is a minor. In step S3-6, which will be described later, a control operation using these attribute information and the payment-side permission information or non-permission information will be described.

In step S3-5, when the electronic wallet 10 on the payment side is in contact, the communication unit 12 transmits a payment request including the amount, name, attribute information, and the like to the electronic wallet 10 of the other party. If the contact has not been made yet, it waits for a predetermined time before transmitting to the other party's electronic wallet 10. What is characteristic in the present embodiment is that the communication unit 12 communicates (transmits) with a nearby electronic wallet 10 in contact using NFC communication technology.

<Contact>
Here, “contact” does not mean that the electronic wallet 10 is in electrical contact, but means that the electronic wallets 10 are in physical close contact with each other or are in close proximity to each other as close to each other. . A distance that is typically communicable by a so-called NFC communication technology, and a distance of approximately 0 to 1 m is collectively referred to as “in contact”.

This “contacting” state includes a so-called “touching” state and a “holding” state. However, in general NFC communication technology, communication at a distance of about 0 to 10 cm is often assumed. In addition to the state of being physically in close contact with the other party of communication, communication is possible even in a “holding” state. In this embodiment, this case is also one of the “contacting” states. It is said.

In the present embodiment, the communication unit 12 uses the same technology as the NFC communication technology to communicate with the other party's electronic wallet 10 in a “contact” state, and transmits a payment request. From the viewpoint of communication, about 0 to 1 m corresponds to the state of “contact” in the present embodiment as described above, but it is actually preferable to perform communication between the two at about 0 cm to 10 cm. It is. This is because it is considered that interference with other electronic wallets 10 other than the two electronic wallets 10 performing personal settlement is unlikely to occur if the distance is about 0 to 10 cm.

If the other party is not in contact, the communication unit 12 waits for a predetermined time until the communicating party is in “contact” state. Then, if the other party is “in contact”, communication is performed and a payment request is transmitted. If the other party does not almost "contact" even after a predetermined time has passed, it is assumed that some error has occurred and transmission is stopped, and the electronic money control unit 18 causes an error in the display unit 20. It is preferable to display the effect.

As described above, in this embodiment, since communication is performed in a state where the other party is “in contact”, there is little risk of erroneous communication with an unrelated third party. In particular, in face-to-face personal settlement, unlike general online shopping, it is often unclear who the other party (buyer) is (the name and age of the other party). Even in such a case, it is preferable to allow communication only in a state of actually “contacting” in order to accurately identify the other party. Such an operation can effectively prevent erroneous transmission and the like.

In step S3-6, the communication unit 12 of the electronic wallet 10 on the payment side (buyer side) “in contact with” the electronic wallet 10 on the receiving side receives the payment request. As described above, the communication unit 12 of the payment-side electronic wallet 10 also performs communication based on the NFC technology, and can communicate only with the other party's electronic wallet 10 in the “contact” state. .

As a result, the communication unit 12 of the payment-side electronic wallet 10 receives the above-mentioned payment request and transmits it to the electronic money control unit 18. When the electronic money control unit 18 receives the payment request, the electronic money control unit 18 executes payment (remittance) of the electronic money. First, the electronic money control unit 18 subtracts the amount included in the transmitted payment request from the amount held by the amount information holding unit 14. Next, the electronic money control unit 18 instructs the communication unit 12 to transmit electronic money corresponding to the amount included in the payment request to the electronic wallet 10 on the receiving side. In accordance with this instruction, the communication unit 12 transmits the electronic money of the face value to the receiving electronic wallet 10. The transmitted electronic money preferably includes the face value of the electronic money and the user ID of the user on the payment side. The user ID includes the above-described system ID, but the personal ID of the paying user is often “anonymous” or “unsigned” and cannot be transmitted to the other party. In particular, when an individual wants to purchase a product at a store, the user of the electronic wallet 10 on the payment side is often an individual, so the personal ID is often “anonymous” or “unsigned”. Conceivable. As a result, confidentiality of personal information is realized. Such ID (system ID, personal ID) of the paying user is stored in the user information holding unit 16 of the paying electronic wallet 10.

<Use of permission information and non-permission information>
As described above, in the first embodiment, when the payment request is received in step S3-6, the electronic money corresponding to the amount included in the payment request is transmitted to the electronic wallet 10 on the receiving side. You may perform control using permission information or non-permission information. As described above, the user information holding unit 16 can include permission information and non-permission information as a kind of user attribute information.

If the permission information is included, in step S3-6, the electronic money control unit 18 compares the permission information held in the user information holding unit 16 with the attribute information included in the transmitted payment request. If they match, the electronic money is transmitted by the operation as described above. On the other hand, if they do not match, the transmission of electronic money is stopped. By such processing, payment of electronic money can be permitted only for a predetermined use and purpose. For example, the permission information is “post office”, “communication company” or the like, and the attribute information of the user of the receiving electronic wallet 10 included in the payment request is “post office”, “communication company” or the like. If there is, it can be said that it matches, and electronic money may be transmitted. As described above, the permission information and the attribute information may be information indicating, for example, a business type, an industry type, or the like.

If the non-permission information is included, in step S3-6, the electronic money control unit 18 displays the non-permission information held in the user information holding unit 16 and the attribute information included in the transmitted payment request. If the two do not match, the electronic money is transmitted by the operation as described above. On the other hand, if they match, the transmission of electronic money is stopped. By such processing, it is possible to prevent the purchase of goods and the use of services that are not permitted by the user. For example, the disapproval information is “alcohol sales”, “cigarette sales”, etc., and the attribute information of the user of the receiving electronic wallet 10 included in the payment request is “alcohol sales”, “cigarette sales”, etc. If it is, it can be said that it matches, and transmission of electronic money is stopped. As a result, if such an electronic wallet 10 is carried by a minor user, the sale of alcoholic beverages to the minor user can be prevented.

Next, in step S3-7, the communication unit 12 of the receiving electronic wallet 10 receives the electronic money transmitted in step S3-6. The communication unit 12 sends the received electronic money to the electronic money control unit 18. The electronic money control unit 18 confirms whether or not the amount (face value) of the electronic money matches the amount required for the payment request, and then adds the amount to the amount information holding unit 14 of the receiving electronic wallet 10. . As a result, the amount information holding unit 14 increases the amount of electronic money held by the amount related to the payment request.

In step S3-7, the electronic money control unit 18 records the contents of the personal payment in the history information holding unit 14 of the electronic wallet 10 on the receiving side. The contents of this record preferably include the ID (system ID, personal ID) of the user of the payment-side electronic wallet 10, the amount of electronic money required for payment, the date and time when payment is completed, and the like. It is also preferable to record various attributes of the paying user. If attributes such as age and gender can be recorded, it is possible to record which products are sold to which age group, which is preferable from the viewpoint of marketing research.

Next, in step S3-8, the electronic money control unit 18 in the receiving electronic wallet 10 instructs the display unit 20 to display that electronic money has been normally received. Upon receiving this instruction, the display unit 20 displays to the user that the electronic money has been successfully received. For example, when the user of the receiving electronic wallet 10 is a store clerk or the like of a predetermined store, it is possible to know that the reception of electronic money has been completed normally by such display.

In step S3-8, the electronic money control unit 18 in the receiving electronic wallet 10 instructs the communication unit 12 to transmit a message to the effect that it has been received to the paying electronic wallet 10. Receiving this instruction, the communication unit 12 transmits a message indicating that the electronic money has been received to the payment side.

In step S3-9, the communication unit 12 of the payment-side electronic wallet 10 receives the message indicating that the electronic money has been received and sends the message to the electronic money control unit 18. When the electronic money control unit 18 receives the message indicating that the electronic money has been received, the electronic money control unit 18 determines that the personal payment has been completed normally and instructs the display unit 20 to display that the payment has been completed normally. To do. Upon receiving this instruction, the display unit 20 displays that the payment has been made normally. The user of the electronic wallet 10 on the payment side can see that the payment has been completed normally by viewing this display.

In step S3-9, the electronic money control unit 18 of the payment-side electronic wallet 10 records the contents of the personal payment in the history information holding unit 14 of the payment-side electronic wallet 10. The contents of this record preferably include the ID of the user of the receiving electronic wallet 10, the amount of electronic money required for payment, the date and time when payment is completed, and the like. Further, when the receiving side is anonymous, “anonymous”, “unsigned”, or the like is recorded as the personal ID of the receiving side. It is also preferable to record various attributes of the receiving user. As explained on the payment side, “age”, “gender”, etc. are also suitable, but in addition, record the type of business of the other party such as “retail store”, “store”, “restaurant”, “transportation” as an attribute. It is also suitable to do. If such attributes are registered, it is possible to record the subject in which the payment was made, which can contribute to the accounting process.

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
The inter-individual settlement is executed by the operation as described above. Thereafter, the electronic wallets 10 are separated from each other, and electronic money is transferred between individuals. If the electronic wallet 10 is pulled apart before the above processing is completed, for example, if communication cannot be performed, the processing is performed so that there has been no previous transaction. Preferably it is done. Further, for example, the same applies when the power is turned off in the middle.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since communication technology such as NFC is used, payment can be performed only when the electronic wallets 10 are in contact with each other, so that payment can be executed more safely. Further, by turning off the power of the electronic wallet 10, it is possible to easily prevent unexpected settlement.

In the above embodiment, in principle, it is possible to make a payment decision after confirming the amount of payment prior to settlement, so that it is more troublesome than a mechanism in which payment is automatically performed. It is possible to realize a settlement method that is less likely to occur.
Furthermore, since the electronic wallet 10 in the present embodiment holds the amount of electronic money inside, it is possible to execute an inter-individual settlement without being connected to a separate management device or the like. Accordingly, it is possible to execute settlement between individuals even in a state where there is no so-called network connection environment, and it is possible to safely perform settlement between individuals even in an underground shopping street or a mountainous area where radio waves are difficult to reach.

<Modification Example 1 of Embodiment 1: Omission of OK Button>
In the first embodiment, the user of the payment-side electronic wallet 10 touches the OK button displayed on the display unit 20 of the reception-side electronic wallet 10, but in such a step S3-3. It is also preferable to omit the touch.
That is, it is also preferable that the electronic money is automatically transmitted in step S3-4 when the payment-side electronic wallet 10 comes into contact with the receiving-side electronic wallet 10. In this case, since the OK button is no longer necessary, the display of the OK button is not executed in step S3-2.

<Modification 2 of Embodiment 1: Omission of receipt message>
In the first embodiment, the payment-side electronic wallet 10 determines that the personal payment has been completed by receiving a message indicating that the payment-side electronic wallet 10 has been normally received from the receiving-side electronic wallet 10, and the history information holding unit 24 determines the predetermined items. And display that the payment was successful (step S3-9). However, the personal settlement may be completed without receiving a message indicating that the message has been normally received. In this case, after step S3-6, the payment-side electronic wallet 10 may immediately move to step S3-9. Further, the electronic wallet 10 on the receiving side does not have to transmit a message indicating that the electronic wallet has been normally received in step S3-8.

<Modification 3 of Embodiment 1: Omission of Various Displays>
In the first embodiment, both the payment-side electronic wallet 10 and the receiving-side electronic wallet 10 perform various displays, so that the user can better understand the processing operation. However, these displays may be omitted because they are not essential processes for personal settlement. For example, the display of the amount of money in step S3-2 is not essential, and as described above, the display of the OK button is not essential and may be omitted.

Also, the display in step S3-8 and the display in step S3-9 can be omitted. It is also preferable that these displays are omitted and a predetermined error display or warning is issued only when an error occurs.

Also, it may be configured such that the user can switch between “display / not display” regarding the display. For example, when the user is not familiar with the electronic wallet 10, it is preferable to set it to “display” and use it while checking the processing operation.

<Modification 4a of First Embodiment: Storage Operation of History Information Holding Unit 1>
In the first embodiment described above, the payment side receiving side also records the contents of the personal settlement in the history information holding unit 14. Such a history can be confirmed later by the user displaying it on the display unit 20. The history may be configured such that only a predetermined administrator or a management company (for example, a financial institution) of the electronic wallet 10 can be viewed from the viewpoint of confidentiality.
In the first embodiment, the history is stored in steps S3-7 and S3-9. However, the history may not be stored depending on the application and purpose. However, as a general rule, it is preferable to store the history for the safety of transactions.

<Modification 4b of First Embodiment: Storage Operation of History Information Holding Unit 02>
Further, the history is stored, and the capacity of the history information holding unit 14 may be exceeded, but the operation in that case can take various operations.

For example, the operation of the electronic wallet 10 may be stopped. In this case, the electronic wallet 10 may be brought into a management company or the like, and may be used again after performing predetermined maintenance such as information field dumping or resetting of the history information holding unit 14.
Further, for example, the old history in the history information holding unit 14 may be deleted. In other words, when the history to be stored exceeds the storage capacity of the history information holding unit 14, the old history is overwritten with the new history.

Embodiment 2 to be described later shows an example in which history information is uploaded to the management server. However, there may be a case where the history of inter-individual settlement exceeds the storage capacity of the history information holding unit 14 without being able to upload. In that case, you may perform the operation | movement demonstrated in the modification 4b of this Embodiment 1. FIG.

<Conversion to real money>
The conversion from the electronic wallet 10 to the real money can be realized by various methods.
For example, as described above, it has been described that a predetermined terminal of a transportation facility can deposit money in the same manner as a conventional IC card (IC card type electronic money). However, it can be converted into real money at a similar terminal. It is also preferable to configure.

Furthermore, it is also preferable that a so-called bank transfer can be executed for a predetermined account in a predetermined bank. Thereafter, real money can be obtained by withdrawing real money from a predetermined account. Of course, this transfer may be executed by so-called online banking (Internet banking) or the like.

Embodiment 2. FIG. Management Server In the first embodiment, the electronic wallet 10 has been described in which it is possible to make an individual settlement with electronic money without using an external management device. However, if the inter-individual settlement is stored in a predetermined (external) management server, the contents of the settlement are confirmed or adjusted when it becomes necessary to confirm or adjust the internal capabilities of the inter-person settlement. It becomes easy. For example, when it becomes necessary to prove the fact that payment has actually been made, or when it is necessary to make adjustments by checking whether the mistake is warm in the applied tax rate when the consumption tax rate is changed Is done.
When such a management server is used, normal personal payment is executed as described in the first embodiment. When connection with the management server becomes possible, the history information of the personal payment executed so far is stored in a predetermined external format. It is preferable to upload to the management server.

(1) Configuration FIG. 4 shows a configuration block diagram of an electronic wallet 30 having such a function. As shown in the figure, the electronic wallet 30 includes a communication unit 12, a money amount information holding unit 14, a user information holding unit 16, an electronic money control unit 18, a display unit 20, an input unit 22, a wide area, And a communication unit 32. Among these, the communication unit 12, the money amount information holding unit 14, the user information holding unit 16, the electronic money control unit 18, the display unit 20, and the input unit 22 are described in FIG. Since it is basically the same as the configuration, its description is omitted. These configurations are the same as the configuration of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified in the following description. A characteristic configuration in the second embodiment is a wide area communication unit 32, and hereinafter, the wide area communication unit. Description will be made with reference to 32.

Wide area communication unit 32
The wide-area communication unit 32 is a means capable of communicating via a wide-area communication network (also simply referred to as a wide-area network) such as the Internet, a mobile phone network, or a regional IP network, and means for connecting to an external (for example, remote) management server. It is. As this means, a Wi-fi connection means for connecting to the Internet, a communication means in a mobile phone, or the like can be used. It is also preferable to share a part of the configuration with the communication unit 12 in FIG.

(2) Operation Hereinafter, the state of connection to the management server by the electronic wallet 30 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation when the electronic wallet 30 is in a state where it cannot be connected to the management server (basement or the like) and is in a state where it can be connected to the management server (for example, when going up to the ground). ing.

In step S5-1, the electronic wallet 30 confirms whether it can be connected to a management server (not shown). Specifically, the electronic money control unit 18 causes the wide area communication unit 32 to try to connect to an external management server in a predetermined cycle. The period can be various, and a period of about 1 ms to 100 ms may be set. Further, the period may be about 1 second to several minutes. It is preferable to set an appropriate cycle according to the frequency of settlement between individuals. If the frequency of settlement between individuals is low, a period of about 1 hour to 1 day may be used. As described above, the wide area communication unit 32 is a means that can be connected to a wide area network (public network) such as the Internet, and attempts to connect to a management server connected to this wide area network. As a result, if the connection to the management server can be established, the process proceeds to step S5-2. If the connection cannot be established, step S5-1 is repeated. In step S5-1, connection to the management server is attempted after a predetermined period has elapsed.

In step S5-2, the history information holding unit 24 is searched to search for personal payment history information that has not yet been uploaded to the management server. Various search and history uploading methods are conceivable.

<Use upload flag>
For example, it is preferable to set an upload flag for each history in the history information holding unit 24. The upload flag is a flag that indicates whether or not uploading (transmission) to the management server is performed. For example, a history that has not been uploaded (transmitted) to the management server can be set to “0”, and a history that has been uploaded (transmitted) to the management server can be set to “1” (the reverse of 1 and 0) Good).
The initial value of the upload flag is “0”, indicating that it has not been uploaded yet.
In step S5-2, the electronic money control unit 18 searches the history information holding unit 24 for an upload flag of “0”.

In step S5-3, the electronic money control unit 18 sends to the wide area communication unit 32 the history in which the upload flag found in step S5-2 is “0”. The wide area communication unit transmits (uploads) the history of the sent upload flag “0” to the management server.
In step S5-3, the electronic money control unit 18 changes the upload flag of the transmitted history to “1” to indicate that it is an uploaded history.

With such a configuration and operation, in addition to the function of the electronic wallet 10 described in the first embodiment, when communication with the outside becomes possible, an electronic device capable of automatically uploading an interpersonal settlement history A wallet 30 is realized.
The management server may have substantially the same functions and roles as various conventional electronic money management devices. Many conventional management devices have a function of managing electronic money transaction records, and the management server in this embodiment may also have a function of managing transaction records.

In addition, since the history of settlement between individuals is uploaded from each electronic wallet 30, the management server in the present embodiment is preferably provided with a function of checking the consistency between each history. If the management server finds inconsistency in the consistency of the uploaded history, it notifies the two electronic wallets 30 that have made the settlement between the individuals that some error has occurred, and the inconsistency It may be possible to promote the cancellation.

The management server can also be used to prove that payment has been made. When an electronic wallet 30 carried by an individual is lost, it is generally difficult to prove later that payment has been made, but if it is recorded in the management server, various proofs can be easily made later. . In addition, the management server is useful when confirming the contents of settlement at a later date.

<Modification of Embodiment 2>
(Modification 1) In the above-described second embodiment, a history that has not been uploaded is searched using the upload flag (step S5-2), and an unuploaded history is uploaded to the management server (step S5-3). ).

However, since the capacity of the history information holding unit 24 is also finite, it is preferable to delete the uploaded history from the history information holding unit 24. When deleting, it may be deleted each time it is uploaded, or when the history storage amount has increased to a predetermined ratio (for example, 90%) with respect to the capacity of the history information holding unit 24, the upload has been completed. You may select and delete the history. These deletion processes may be performed in step S5-3 described above. Here, an example of 90% is shown as the predetermined ratio, but it may be any percentage, 80% or 99%. It may be determined as appropriate in consideration of the remaining storage area when the history is stored.

(Modification 2) Further, after uploading the history, the history information holding unit 24 may immediately delete the uploaded history from the history information holding unit 24 regardless of whether the storage amount is large or small. In this case, the upload flag is not particularly required, and as soon as the management server can be connected, the entire history held in the history information holding unit 24 may be uploaded and deleted after the upload. In the second modification, it is not necessary to use a mark as an upload flag.

(Modification 3) As described in (Modification 1), the capacity of the history information holding unit 24 is naturally limited. Therefore, if it has not been uploaded to the management server for a long period of time, the history of unuploaded data may exceed the capacity of the history information holding unit 24. As described above, if the unuploaded history exceeds the storage capacity of the history information holding unit 24, the excess amount must be deleted. Alternatively, as described in the modified example 4b of the first embodiment, the electronic wallet 30 may be in a state where it cannot be traded. In this case, after that, the history may be uploaded to the management server, and when the history information holding unit 24 becomes empty, the electronic wallet 30 may be transferred to a state where the transaction can be performed again. These controls may also be executed by the electronic money control unit 18.

Therefore, when the capacity of the history stored in the history information holding unit 24 increases to a predetermined ratio (for example, 90%) with respect to the total capacity of the history information holding unit 24, upload to the management server is used. It is also preferable to urge the person or issue a warning. The predetermined ratio may be determined freely, but may be determined in consideration of the remaining amount of the storage area of the history information holding unit 24.

For example, when the predetermined ratio is reached, for example, the electronic money control unit 18 may cause the display unit 20 to display or warn the user to upload to the management server. It is also preferable to prompt the user to upload to the management server (issue a warning) by blinking a predetermined LED lamp, sounding a sound (for example, a beep sound) for a certain period of time, or operating a vibration function for a certain period of time. It is. These means may be appropriately combined. For example, the vibration function may be activated and the display unit 20 may be displayed such as “The history storage amount is full. Please upload to the management server as soon as possible”.

Embodiment 3. FIG. Use of IC Card (IC Card IC Built in) In the first embodiment, an example in which payment is executed by the following operation has been described.
An operation example in which payment is executed when the user touches the OK button.
An operation example in which payment is automatically made when the electronic wallets 10 come into contact with each other.
Explained. In the case of adopting an operation example in which payment is automatically made when contact is made, it is conceivable to use conventionally known IC card type electronic money.

For example, as near field communication standards (NFC), various specifications such as Type-A, Type-B, and Type-F are internationally defined, and IC card type electronic money is based on these standards. Is used. In such a conventionally known IC card, a command corresponding to a payment request (step S3-1 in FIG. 3) is made when the contact is made and communication by NFC becomes possible. It is known that a payment process is executed as soon as is received.

Therefore, if this conventionally known IC card (IC card IC incorporated in the IC card) is used, an operation example in which payment is automatically performed when contacted as described in the first embodiment can be simplified. It can be realized. Here, the IC for IC card corresponds to a preferred example of the communication IC in the claims. In this embodiment, an example using an IC card IC will be described. However, this embodiment is a communication IC that can communicate with another communication IC, and has the functions described in the third embodiment. As long as it is an IC for an IC card, any communication IC may be used. In the third embodiment, an IC card IC that can communicate with an IC card IC of the same type is assumed as a general rule.

It is conceivable that the electronic wallet 40 is configured using such an IC card IC as the amount information holding unit 14 in FIG.

In this case, ICs for the same type of IC card in the electronic wallet 40 face each other and communicate with each other to deposit and withdraw electronic money. In this case, the IC card can fulfill the roles / functions of the communication unit 12, the amount information holding unit 14, the user information holding unit 16, the history information holding unit 24, etc. in FIG. It is possible to manufacture the electronic wallet 40 more easily.

A configuration block diagram of such an electronic wallet 40 is shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the electronic wallet 40 includes an IC card IC 42, an electronic money control unit 46, a display unit 48, and an input unit 50. Note that an antenna (not shown) is connected to the IC card IC 42, and mutual communication can be performed while in contact with another IC card IC.

As in the first embodiment, the electronic wallet 40 is preferably composed of a tablet computer and various portable computers. In addition, it is also preferable to implement with a smart phone, a portable communication terminal, or the like. The electronic wallet 40 can be configured by incorporating an IC card IC into these electronic devices. Similar to the

electronic wallets

10 and 30 described so far, the electronic wallet 40 is basically an electronic device configured on the premise that the electronic wallet 40 having the same configuration is communicated by contact to make payment between individuals. It is a wallet.

IC for IC card
The IC card IC 42 is an NFC IC chip built in a conventionally known NFC card. For example, an IC (chip) used to construct an FELICA (registered trademark) standard IC card is suitable. Can be used. The IC card IC 42 can realize the functions of the communication unit 12, the money amount information holding unit 14, the user information holding unit 16, the history information holding unit 24, and the like of the electronic wallet 10 in FIG. 1 on a single chip. The IC card IC 42 is connected to an antenna (not shown) for communication.

Such an IC card (IC for use) 42 is conventionally widely used as a transportation prepaid card or the like, and can pay a rail fare or the like. Also, predetermined electronic money can be deposited (referred to as charging) at a terminal such as a station. These processes are realized by the IC card IC 42 transmitting and receiving commands to and from the outside.
As described above, since the electronic wallet 40 includes the IC card IC 42 substantially corresponding to the IC card, the electronic money can be transferred by communicating with the electronic wallet 40 of the other party in contact. Therefore, settlement between individuals can be easily performed.

Since the conventional IC card operates with power supplied from the outside, the IC cards cannot directly transmit and receive commands, but the electronic wallet 40 according to the second embodiment is an IC card IC. Since the power supply 54 for supplying power is provided, commands can be transmitted and received with the electronic wallets facing each other.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to execute an inter-individual settlement only with the electronic wallets 40 without using a device such as a station terminal or a bank terminal.
Note that the IC card IC 42 according to the third embodiment is basically configured to communicate with the same type IC card IC, and therefore, the electronic wallet 40 is also an individual of the same type of electronic wallet 40. Inter-settlement can be executed.

Electronic money control unit 46, display unit 48, input unit 50
The electronic money control unit 46 is substantially the same means as the electronic money control unit 18 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). The display unit 48 and the input unit 50 are the same means as the display unit 20 and the input unit 22 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). In particular, the display unit 48 and the input unit 50 may be integrated with each other in a display with touch input.

Since the input unit 52 is provided as described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to input the amount of electronic money that the user wants to move. In addition, since the display unit is provided, the user can appropriately know information related to the transfer of electronic money (information such as whether or not the payment between individuals has been normally completed). However, the display operation can be omitted as in the first embodiment.

Power supply 54
The electronic wallet 40 includes a power supply 54 for its operation. The power source 54 is preferably a battery, but may be another power source. In the electronic wallet 40 according to the second embodiment, power can be supplied from the power source 54 to the IC card IC. Therefore, unlike a conventional IC card, a bank terminal or a station terminal is not used. However, the IC for the IC card can operate, and it is possible to execute the settlement between individuals with only the electronic wallet 40.

(2) Operation An electronic wallet 40 according to the second embodiment is obtained by simply configuring the electronic wallet 10 described in the first embodiment using an IC card IC 42. Further, an operation in which payment is automatically performed by “contact” without performing the touch of the OK button or the like in step S3-3 described in FIG. 3 is executed. This utilizes the so-called “automatic payment by touch” by the existing IC card IC 42.

Therefore, the operation is almost the same as that of the electronic wallet 10 of the first embodiment. However, in step S3-2, the OK button is not displayed, step S3-3 is not executed, and the process of step S3-4 is immediately executed.
Therefore, for the sake of convenience, the operation of the electronic wallet 40 will be described with a focus on differences from the electronic wallet 10 of the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment.

First, the operation of step S3-1 is the same as that of the electronic wallet 10 of the first embodiment.

The operation in step S3-2 is substantially the same as that of the electronic wallet 40 of the first embodiment. However, the OK button is not displayed. The user of the electronic wallet 40 on the payment side performs a payment operation only by touching (contacting), and pressing (or touching) of the OK button is not performed in the second embodiment.

If there is any doubt about payment, the user on the payment side can interrupt the transaction by not touching (contacting) the electronic wallet 40 in the first place. Such an operation can also ensure the safety of the transaction.
In the second embodiment, the operation of step S3-3 is not executed, and the process of step S3-4 is executed.

In step S3-4, as in the first embodiment, the user of the payment-side electronic wallet 40 brings the payment-side electronic wallet 40 into contact with the reception-side electronic wallet 40.

The operation in step S3-5 is substantially the same as in the first embodiment. However, it is not confirmed whether or not the OK button is touched on the input unit 22 of the receiving electronic wallet 10. That is, the electronic money control unit 46 of the receiving electronic wallet 10 immediately proceeds to step S3-5 after step S3-2 and instructs the IC card IC 42 to transmit a payment request.
In step S3-5, as in the first embodiment, when the payment-side electronic wallet 40 is in contact, the IC card IC 42 sends a payment request (command) including these amounts and names to the other party (payment). Side) electronic wallet 40.

In step S3-6, as in the first embodiment, the IC card IC 42 of the payment-side (purchaser-side) electronic wallet 40 “in contact with” the reception-side electronic wallet 40 receives the payment request (command). Receive.
As a result, when the IC card IC 42 of the electronic wallet 10 on the payment side receives the above-mentioned payment request (command), the IC card IC 42 receives the electronic money of the face value to the electronic wallet 40 on the receiving side in accordance with this command. Send.

In the electronic wallet 40 according to the second embodiment, since the existing IC card IC is used, the IC card IC 42 of the payment-side electronic wallet 40 that is in contact with the receiving-side electronic wallet 40 is transmitted. The electronic money is transmitted based on the payment request (command).

The IC card IC 42 often includes functions such as the communication unit 12 of the electronic wallet 10, the money amount information holding unit 14, the user information holding unit 16, and the history information holding unit 24 in the first embodiment. The IC card IC 42 alone is responsible for withdrawing money, recording history, managing / transmitting user information, and the like.
The operation in step S3-6 is the same as that in the first embodiment, but is different from that in the first embodiment in that the operating subject is the IC card IC 42.

Next, in step S3-7, the IC card IC 42 of the receiving electronic wallet 10 receives the electronic money (command) transmitted in step S3-6. The IC card IC 42 accumulates (adds) the received electronic money therein.
Further, in step S3-7, the IC card IC 42 records the contents of the personal settlement in a part holding internal history information. Since the normal IC card IC 42 includes means for storing a transaction history, the IC card IC 42 also executes history information recording in the second embodiment. The operation in step S3-7 is the same as that in the first embodiment, but is different from that in the first embodiment in that the operating subject is the IC card IC 42.

Next, in step S3-8, the IC card IC 42 notifies the electronic money control unit 46 that the reception of electronic money has been completed normally. Then, the electronic money control unit 46 of the receiving electronic wallet 40 instructs the display unit 48 to display that the electronic money has been normally received. Upon receiving this instruction, the display unit 48 displays to the user that the electronic money has been successfully received. The operation in step S3-8 is the same as that in the first embodiment, but is different from that in the first embodiment in that the entity that determines that electronic money has been received normally is the IC card IC 42. Note that the display operation in step S3-8 may be omitted as in the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, in step S3-8, the electronic money control unit 18 in the receiving electronic wallet 10 transmits a message to the effect that it has been received to the paying electronic wallet 10. However, since this receipt message is completed by the communication in steps S3-6 and S3-7 in the second embodiment, it is not transmitted in this step S3-8.
The existing IC card IC 24 normally performs error checking as to whether or not it has been received normally at the same time as the communication. In the third embodiment, the IC card IC 24 is premised on such a step. 6, the determination as to whether or not the communication in S3-7 was performed normally has been completed.
Therefore, the electronic wallet 40 on the payment side proceeds to step S3-9 immediately after step S3-6. In step S3-9, the IC card IC sends to the electronic money control unit 46 of the payment-side electronic wallet 40 that the payment has been completed normally.

When the electronic money control unit 46 receives the message that the payment of the electronic money has been normally completed, the electronic money control unit 46 instructs the display unit 20 to display that the payment has been normally completed. Upon receiving this instruction, the display unit 20 displays that the payment has been made normally. The user of the electronic wallet 10 on the payment side can see that the payment has been completed normally by viewing this display. Note that the display operation in step S3-9 may be omitted as in the first embodiment.

Note that the contents of the personal payment are stored in the IC card IC 42 of the electronic wallet 40 on the payment side as a history. Since the existing IC card IC 42 is often provided with means for storing a transaction history, the IC card IC 42 also manages the history in the second embodiment. Such history management may be executed in step S3-6 or step S3-9.

<Effect of Embodiment 3>
As described above, the IC card IC (see FIG. 6) according to the third embodiment is a unit responsible for the functions of the money amount information holding unit 14, the history information holding unit 24, and the user information holding unit 16 according to the first embodiment. . Therefore, according to the third embodiment, it is expected that the electronic wallet 40 can be more easily manufactured by using the function of the conventional (existing) IC card IC.

In the third embodiment, payment of electronic money can be automatically executed by touching (by touching), and payment can be executed in the same manner as a conventional IC card.

Furthermore, unlike the conventional IC card, the display unit 48 is provided, and the user can grasp from the display unit 48 that the payment has been normally executed. Further, since the user can input the billing amount and the like from the input unit 50, personal payment can be executed only by the electronic wallet 40 without using a bank terminal or the like.

Embodiment 4 FIG. Summary and Modification (1) Summary As described above, according to the

electronic wallets

10, 30, and 40 described in the first to third embodiments, it is possible to execute personal settlement even in an environment that is not in a network connection environment or a predetermined communication environment. It is. Further, according to the electronic wallet 30 according to the second embodiment, a transaction history can be transmitted to the management server when a network connection environment is established after the transaction.

Further, these

electronic wallets

10, 30, and 40 can exchange electronic money quickly in the same manner as real money as a "wallet" for storing electronic money. Therefore, Mr. A gives his pocket money to Mr. B, and Mr. B can immediately give it to Mr. C and Mr. D in turn. In addition, Mr. E can immediately give electronic money to his child Mr. D for use. Mr. D can promptly return his balance to Mr. E. In this way, transactions can be made quickly as with real money (yen, dollars, etc.), and transactions without change can be made.

In addition, as described in the first embodiment, in the settlement between individuals, if the confirmation of the amount, the confirmation of payment (pressing the OK button), or the like is adopted, a safer transaction is possible. In addition, if an automatic payment operation by contact is adopted, payment can be made in the same manner as a conventional IC card, and it becomes possible to make an individual settlement with electronic money with a familiar operation.

(2) Restriction of transaction In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that a user attribute can be registered. Similarly, it is possible to register electronic money with attributes. For example, it is possible to limit the use of the electronic money and the payee by setting attributes.
For example, when giving a pocket money to a child, it is possible to exclude a store where the other party cannot use the minor.
Furthermore, if welfare protection is provided with electronic money, it is possible to prevent the game partner from being used, for example, by excluding the game stadium, thereby preventing the welfare costs from being wasted at the game arcade. By such a mechanism, it is possible to effectively use the welfare expenses, and it is possible to effectively provide assistance for welfare guardians.

(3) Exchange with other than real money In the embodiment described above, various methods have been described for depositing money from real money to the electronic wallet 10 and the like, and for converting electronic money such as the electronic wallet 10 to real money. It is also preferable to configure such that it can be exchanged for something other than money. For example, it is also suitable to be configured to be exchangeable with shopping points, and may be configured to be exchanged with virtual currency. Conversely, it is also preferable to deposit electronic money from the virtual currency or the like into the electronic wallet 10 or the like. In this case, the virtual currency is once converted into real money (yen or dollars) and then the electronic money is put into the electronic wallet 10 or the like, and the virtual currency itself is put into the electronic wallet 10 or the like. Either method may be used. When the virtual currency itself is entered, the electronic wallet 10 of the virtual currency can be realized, and the virtual currency can be easily used for personal settlement like real money.

(4) Embodiments 1 to 4 described above are examples as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Is not limited to the aspects of the first to fourth embodiments.

10, 30, 40 Electronic wallet 12 Communication unit 14 Amount information holding unit 16 User

information holding unit

18, 46 Electronic

money control unit

20, 48

Display unit

22, 50

Input unit

26, 52 Bus 32 Wide area communication unit 42 For IC card IC
54 Power supply

Claims

A communication unit that communicates with another electronic wallet, wherein the communication unit can communicate with the other electronic wallet in contact with the other electronic wallet;
An amount information holding unit for holding information on the amount of electronic money;
An electronic money control unit for controlling the operation of the electronic wallet;
An input unit for inputting an operator's instruction;
With
When the input unit inputs a payment request transmission instruction from the operator, the input unit transmits the payment request transmission instruction to the electronic money control unit,
When the electronic money control unit receives the payment request transmission instruction, the electronic money control unit controls the communication unit, and causes the communication unit to transmit a payment request based on the transmission instruction to another electronic wallet,
The communication unit is controlled by the electronic money control unit, and when the other electronic wallet is in contact with the electronic wallet, transmits the payment request instruction to the other electronic wallet,
The electronic wallet, wherein the payment request instruction includes at least an amount of electronic money according to the payment request transmission instruction.
The electronic wallet according to claim 1.
A display unit controlled by the electronic money control unit;
With
When receiving the payment request transmission instruction, the electronic money control unit displays at least the amount of the electronic money included in the payment request transmission instruction on the display unit,
The electronic money control unit controls the communication unit when the input unit inputs payment approval from an operator of the other electronic wallet, and sends the payment request to the other electronic wallet. An electronic wallet characterized in that it is sent to
The electronic wallet according to claim 1 or 2,
A user information holding unit for holding information on the user of the electronic wallet;
With
The electronic wallet, wherein the payment request further includes the user information.
The electronic wallet according to claim 1 or 2,
The user information holding unit holds attribute information of the user,
The electronic wallet, wherein the payment request further includes the attribute information of the user.
A communication unit that communicates with another electronic wallet, wherein the communication unit can communicate with the other electronic wallet in contact with the other electronic wallet;
An amount information holding unit for holding information on the amount of electronic money;
An electronic money control unit for controlling the operation of the electronic wallet;
With
When the communication unit receives a payment request from the other electronic wallet in contact, the communication unit transmits the payment request to the electronic money control unit,
When the electronic money control unit receives the payment request, the electronic money control unit causes the communication means to transmit electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request, and from the amount information holding unit to the payment request. Subtract the amount of electronic money included,
The electronic wallet characterized in that the communication unit transmits electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money based on the payment request to the other electronic wallet.
The electronic wallet according to claim 5.
A user information holding unit for holding non-permission information indicating the other party to whom the user of this electronic wallet is not allowed to conduct transactions;
With
When the electronic money control unit receives the payment request, the electronic money control unit checks the attribute information of the user of another electronic wallet included in the payment request, and the disallowed information and the attribute information held by the user information holding unit The electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is transmitted to the communication means, and the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is calculated from the amount information holding unit. Subtract,
The electronic wallet characterized in that the communication unit transmits electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money based on the payment request to the other electronic wallet.
The electronic wallet according to claim 5.
A user information holding unit for holding permission information indicating a partner with whom the user of this electronic wallet is permitted to conduct transactions;
With
When the electronic money control unit receives the payment request, the electronic money control unit checks the attribute information of the user of another electronic wallet included in the payment request, and the permission information and the attribute information held by the user information holding unit Are matched, the electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is transmitted to the communication means, and the amount of electronic money included in the payment request is subtracted from the amount information holding unit. And
The electronic wallet characterized in that the communication unit transmits electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money based on the payment request to the other electronic wallet.
The electronic wallet according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the communication unit receives electronic money from another electronic wallet, the electronic money is transmitted to the electronic money control unit,
The electronic money control unit, when receiving the electronic money, adds the amount of the electronic money to the amount information holding unit.
An electronic wallet according to claim 8,
The electronic money control unit compares the received amount of the electronic money with the amount of the transmitted payment request, and if they match, adds the amount of the electronic money to the amount information holding unit , Send a message to the communication unit that the electronic money has been received,
The electronic wallet, wherein the communication unit transmits a message indicating that the electronic money has been received to the other electronic wallet.
The electronic wallet according to claim 9,
A history information holding unit that holds a history of receipt of electronic money,
With
The electronic money control unit compares the amount of the received electronic money with the amount of the transmitted payment request, and if they match, the electronic money control unit is a history of receipt of electronic money, An electronic wallet characterized in that a history including information is recorded in the history information holding unit.
The electronic wallet according to claim 9,
A display unit controlled by the electronic money control unit;
With
The electronic money control unit compares the received amount of the electronic money with the amount of the transmitted payment request, and if they match, the display unit displays a message indicating that the electronic money has been normally received. Instruct
The electronic wallet characterized in that the display unit displays that the electronic money has been normally received based on the instruction.
The electronic wallet according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
History information holding unit that holds the history of electronic money payments,
With
The electronic money control unit records an electronic money payment history, which includes information on the amount of electronic money, in the history information holding unit.
An electronic wallet according to claim 12,
When the communication unit receives a message that electronic money has been received,
The electronic money control unit records an electronic money payment history, which includes information on the amount of electronic money, in the history information holding unit.
The electronic wallet according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
A display unit controlled by the electronic money control unit;
With
When the communication unit receives a message that electronic money has been received,
The electronic money control unit instructs the display unit to display that the electronic money has been normally paid,
The electronic wallet, wherein the display unit displays that the electronic money has been normally transmitted based on the instruction.
The electronic wallet according to claim 10,
Wide-area communication unit connected to an external wide-area communication network,
With
The electronic money control unit is an upload flag indicating whether or not the history of receipt of the electronic money has been uploaded to a predetermined management server, together with the upload flag indicating that the history has not been uploaded, Record in the history information holding unit,
The electronic money control unit causes the wide area communication unit to try to connect to the management server at predetermined intervals,
When the wide area communication unit can connect to the management server, the electronic money control unit sends a history indicating that the upload flag in the history information holding unit is not uploaded to the wide area communication unit,
The wide area communication unit uploads the sent history to the predetermined management server,
The electronic money control unit changes the upload flag of the uploaded history to a content indicating that the history is being uploaded.
An electronic wallet according to claim 12,
Wide-area communication unit connected to an external wide-area communication network,
With
The electronic money control unit is an upload flag indicating whether or not the history of payment of the electronic money is uploaded to a predetermined management server, together with the upload flag indicating that the history is not uploaded, Record in the history information holding unit,
The electronic money control unit causes the wide area communication unit to try to connect to the management server at predetermined intervals,
When the wide area communication unit can connect to the management server, the electronic money control unit sends a history indicating that the upload flag in the history information holding unit is not uploaded to the wide area communication unit,
The wide area communication unit uploads the sent history to the predetermined management server,
The electronic money control unit changes the upload flag of the uploaded history to a content indicating that the history is being uploaded.
The electronic wallet according to claim 10,
Wide-area communication unit connected to an external wide-area communication network,
With
The electronic money control unit is an upload flag indicating whether or not the history of receipt of the electronic money has been uploaded to a predetermined management server, together with the upload flag indicating that the history has not been uploaded, Record in the history information holding unit,
The electronic money control unit causes the wide area communication unit to try to connect to the management server at predetermined intervals,
When the wide area communication unit can connect to the management server, the electronic money control unit sends a history indicating that the upload flag in the history information holding unit is not uploaded to the wide area communication unit,
The wide area communication unit uploads the sent history to the predetermined management server,
The electronic wallet, wherein the electronic money control unit deletes the uploaded history from the history information holding unit.
An electronic wallet according to claim 12,
Wide-area communication unit connected to an external wide-area communication network,
With
The electronic money control unit is an upload flag indicating whether or not the history of payment of the electronic money is uploaded to a predetermined management server, together with the upload flag indicating that the history is not uploaded, Record in the history information holding unit,
The electronic money control unit causes the wide area communication unit to try to connect to the management server at predetermined intervals,
When the wide area communication unit can connect to the management server, the electronic money control unit sends a history indicating that the upload flag in the history information holding unit is not uploaded to the wide area communication unit,
The wide area communication unit uploads the sent history to the predetermined management server,
The electronic wallet, wherein the electronic money control unit deletes the uploaded history from the history information holding unit.
The electronic wallet according to claim 17 or 18,
The electronic money control unit, when the history and the upload flag capacity recorded in the history information holding unit exceed a predetermined ratio with respect to the total storage capacity of the history information holding unit, An electronic wallet characterized by issuing a warning to prompt uploading to a management server.
The electronic wallet according to claim 17 or 18,
The electronic money control unit displays the display when the history and the upload flag recorded in the history information holding unit exceed a predetermined ratio with respect to the total storage capacity of the history information holding unit. An electronic wallet that causes a unit to display a message prompting upload to the predetermined management server.
A communication IC that communicates with another communication IC, the communication IC capable of performing communication in contact with the other communication IC;
An electronic money control unit for controlling the operation of the electronic wallet;
An input unit for inputting an operator's instruction;
With
The communication IC can hold information on the amount of electronic money inside,
When the input unit inputs a payment request instruction from the operator, the input unit transmits the payment request instruction to the electronic money control unit,
The electronic money controller receives the payment request instruction, and controls the communication IC, the communication IC, is sent for the payment request instruction to the communication IC other electronic wallet,
The communication IC is controlled by the electronic money control unit, and transmits the payment request instruction to the communication IC of the other electronic wallet.
The electronic wallet characterized in that the payment request instruction includes at least an amount of electronic money according to the payment request instruction.
A communication IC that communicates with another communication IC, the communication IC capable of performing communication in contact with the other communication IC;
An electronic money control unit for controlling the operation of the electronic wallet;
A display unit controlled by the electronic money control unit;
With
When the communication IC receives a payment request instruction from the communication IC of another electronic wallet, the electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request instruction is used for communication of the other electronic wallet. The electronic money is transmitted to the IC, the amount of electronic money included in the payment request instruction is subtracted from the amount of electronic money held by the communication IC, and the electronic money is paid Send it to the money control
The electronic money control unit instructs the sign unit to display that the electronic money has been paid,
A display unit for displaying that the electronic money has been paid based on the instructions;
An electronic wallet characterized by including.
A computer program for operating a computer as the electronic wallet according to claim 1,
In the computer,
A procedure for inputting a payment request transmission instruction from the operator;
A procedure for transmitting a payment request instruction based on the transmission instruction to the other electronic wallet when the other electronic wallet is in contact with the electronic wallet;
, And the payment request instruction includes at least the amount of electronic money according to the payment request transmission instruction.
A computer program for operating a computer having an amount information holding unit for holding information on the amount of electronic money as an electronic wallet according to claim 5,
In the computer,
Receiving the payment request from the other electronic wallet;
Subtracting the amount of electronic money included in the payment request from the amount information holding unit;
Transmitting electronic money corresponding to the amount of electronic money included in the payment request to the other electronic wallet in contact with the electronic wallet;
A computer program for executing