WO2023048765A1

WO2023048765A1 - Processing electronic payment of charged service

Info

Publication number: WO2023048765A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/019871
Authority: WO
Inventors: Minhyun Kim; Jiyoung Lee; Mihye NAM; Byeongjin LEE; Minhyuk Kim
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2021-09-24
Filing date: 2022-03-11
Publication date: 2023-03-30
Also published as: KR20230043631A

Abstract

An example method of mediating between a plurality of service provider (SP) servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of payment gateway (PG) servers that provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries includes receiving, from a first SP server, first mediation request data corresponding to a first payment request for a first pay-to-use service in a first country and second mediation request data corresponding to a second payment request for the first pay-to-use service in a second country, transmitting first and second payment information regarding the first and second payment requests to a first and a second PG server that provide the electronic payment agency service in the first and the second country, and transmitting, to the first SP server, first and second payment result data corresponding to the first and second payment information received from the first and the second PG servers, respectively.

Description

PROCESSING ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OF CHARGED SERVICE

BACKGROUND

[0001] As the Internet has become widely spread, the use of a system that provides a pay-to-use service and is used to pay for the pay-to-use service through the Internet has increased. A user may use the service by using a client device to connect to a server that provides the service, and pay for the service.

[0002] A service provider may sign an agreement with an electronic payment agency service provider and provide various types of payment methods, such as credit card payment, mobile phone micro-payment, etc. The electronic payment agency service provider may receive a fee from the service provider based on performing payment on behalf of the service provider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a server to mediate, through a network, between a plurality of servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of servers that provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries, according to an example.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a server to mediate, through a network, between a plurality of servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of servers that provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries, according to an example.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a mediation server according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method, performed by a mediation server, of mediating between a plurality of servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of servers that provide electronic payment agency services according to an example.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of storing gateway setting information and route information in a database according to an example. [0008] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process of registering client information according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of registering client information through an external mediation server according to an example.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a process of mediating payment according to an example.

[0011] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process of mediating payment through an external mediation server according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] An electronic payment agency service provider may not be able to provide an electronic payment agency service in all of a plurality of countries due to, for example, respective legislations and regulations of the plurality of countries. Therefore, a service provider operating in the plurality of countries may build a payment system together with the electronic payment agency service provider for each of the plurality of countries.

[0013] According to an example, a mediation server mediates between a plurality of service provider (SP) servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of payment gateway (PG) servers that provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries through a network. Therefore, a service provider may easily build a payment system.

[0014] Hereinafter, examples are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the examples described herein.

[0015] As used herein, terms including an ordinal number such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms may be utilized for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0016] According to an example, a server may include a computing device to transmit and receive data to and from another device through a network, and store and manage data. In addition, the server may include at least one server device that provides a cloud service.

[0017] According to an example, an SP server may provide a pay-to-use service for which a client pays to use in a plurality of countries. For example, the SP server may include a server for an electronic commerce that sells goods through a network, a server that provides a certain application used by a client device, and the like.

[0018] According to an example, identification information of the SP server may include information used by a device connected to the network to access the SP server. For example, the identification information of the SP server may include a uniform resource locator (URL), a network address of the SP server (e.g., an internet protocol (IP) address), and the like to connect to the SP server. [0019] According to an example, a PG server may provide an electronic payment agency service. The PG server may proceed with payment for a pay-to- use service through payment methods such as credit card payment, mobile phone payment, bank account transfer payment, simple payment, and the like.

[0020] According to an example, identification information of a PG server may be used by a device connected to the network to access the PG server. For example, identification information of the PG server may include a URL, a network address of the PG server (e.g., an IP address), and the like to connect to the PG server.

[0021] According to an example, a mediation server may mediate between an SP server and a PG server through a network. The SP server may provide a pay-to-use service in at least one country. The PG server may provide an electronic payment agency service in at least one country. The mediation server may connect to a database in which identification information of the SP server, identification information of the PG server, and identification information of a plurality of countries is mapped. The identification information of the SP server, identification information of a country in which the SP server provides a pay-to- use service, the identification information of the PG server, and identification information of a country in which the PG server provides an electronic payment agency service may be mapped and stored in the database.

[0022] According to an example, an external mediation server may mediate between an SP server and a PG server through the network, like the mediation server. The external mediation server may receive payment information from the mediation server and transmit the same to the PG server. The external mediation server may transmit payment result data received from the PG server to the mediation server. The mediation server may operate as the external mediation server.

[0023] According to an example, identification information of a country may be used for a server (e.g., the SP server, the PG server, the mediation server, and the external mediation server) to identify a country in which a pay-to-use service is provided. For example, the identification information of a country may include a country code.

[0024] According to an example, a client device may include a device through which a client connects to an SP server to use a pay-to-use service. For example, the client device may include a computing device such as a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), etc.) and a general- purpose computer (a PC) capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from another device through a network.

[0025] According to an example, mediation request data may include data through which an SP server requests a mediation server for mediation between the SP server and a PG server to pay for a pay-to-use service. The SP server may generate the mediation request data based on payment request data for a pay-to-use service received from a client device. The mediation request data may include identification information of a country in which the client device uses a pay-to-use service. The mediation request data may include at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country in which the client uses the pay-to-use service, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like.

[0026] According to an example, payment information may be generated by a mediation server for a PG server to pay for a pay-to-use service. The mediation server may generate payment information according to a data format requested by the PG server based on the mediation request data received from the SP server. The payment information may include the identification information of a country in which a client device uses a pay-to-use service. The payment information may include at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of the country in which the client uses the pay-to-use service, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like.

[0027] According to an example, payment result data represents a result of a PG server performing payment for a pay-to-use service. The PG server may proceed with payment for the pay-to-use service by using payment information received from a mediation server. The PG server may generate payment result data indicating that payment has been completed or payment result data indicating that payment has not been completed. The PG server may transmit the generated payment result data to a mediation server.

[0028] According to an example, gateway setting information may include information on a PG server to be registered in a database in order for a mediation server to mediate between an SP server and the PG server. For example, the gateway setting information may include information on a country in which the PG server supports payment and information on a currency and a payment method. [0029] According to an example, route information may be registered in a database in which information on an SP server and information on a PG server is mapped in order for a mediation server to mediate between the SP server and the PG server. For example, the mediation server may register, with a database, route information in which identification information of the SP server, identification information of a country in which each of the SP server provides a pay-to-use service, identification information of the PG server, identification information of a country in which the PG server provides an electronic payment agency service, and the like is mapped.

[0030] According to an example, client information data may include data on a client who uses a pay-to-use service. For example, the client information data may include identification information of the client, an address of the client, information on a country in which the pay-to-use service is provided to the client, and the like.

[0031] According to an example, client registration data may include data to be registered with at least one of a mediation server, an external mediation server, or a PG server in order to proceed with payment for a pay-to-use service. For example, the client registration data may include at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of a client, identification information of a country, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like. The mediation server may generate payment information by using the client registration data and transmit the payment information to the PG server. The mediation server may use the client registration data to generate payment information for a subscription to regularly pay for a pay-to-use service.

[0032] According to an example, a subscription may include an act of paying a fee on a regular basis to use a pay-to-use service. For example, the subscription may include a payment by a client to periodically purchase toner, ink, and the like.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a server to mediate, through a network, between a plurality of servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of servers that provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries, according to an example.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1 , an SP server 20, a PG server 30, a client device 40, and a mediation server 10 may transmit/receive data through a network 1 .

[0035] The client device 40 may connect to the SP server 20 to receive a pay-to-use service. For example, the client device 40 may connect to the SP server 20 that provides an e-commerce service that sells a certain product. As another example, the client device 40 may connect to the SP server 20 that provides a web service. As another example, the client device 40 may connect to the SP server 20 that provides a cloud service. As another example, the client device 40 may connect to the SP server 20 that provides paid contents. As another example, the client device 40 may connect to the SP server 20 that provides a paid application. Of course, the services of the SP server 20 are not limited to the described examples.

[0036] A user of the client device 40 may pay for a pay-to-use service provided by the SP server 20. In an example, the user of the client device 40 may use the pay-to-use service after payment for the pay-to-use service is completed. [0037] The SP server 20 may proceed with payment for a pay-to-use service through the mediation server 10 and the PG server 30. The SP server 20 may obtain, from the client device 40, payment request data for a pay-to-use service. The SP server 20 may generate mediation request data based on the payment request data and transmit the mediation request data to the mediation server 10. The SP server 20 may identify that payment for the pay-to-use service has been completed based on payment result data received from the mediation server 10. The SP server 20 may provide the pay-to-use service to the user of the client device 40 in response to the payment for the pay-to-use service being completed.

[0038] The mediation server 10 may mediate between the SP server 20 and the PG server 30 based on the mediation request data received from the SP server 20. The mediation server 10 may store, in a database, data used to mediate between the SP server 20 and the PG server 30. For example, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, gateway setting information. In an example, the mediation server 10 may receive, from the PG server 30, the gateway setting information including information about a country in which the PG server 30 supports payment and information about a currency and a payment method. The mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the gateway setting information. As another example, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, route information. In an example, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, route information in which identification information of SP servers, identification information of a country in which each of the SP servers provides a pay-to-use service, identification information of PG servers, identification information of a country in which each of the PG servers provides an electronic payment agency service, and the like is mapped. [0039] The mediation server 10 may store, in the database, client information. For example, the mediation server 10 may receive, from the SP server 20, client registration data including at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like. The mediation server 10 may store, in the database, received client registration data. The mediation server 10 may generate payment information by using the client registration data and transmit the payment information to the PG server 30. The mediation server 10 may use the client registration data to generate the payment information for a subscription that regularly pays for a pay-to-use service.

[0040] The mediation server 10 may store, in the database, identification information of a plurality of SP servers, identification information of a plurality of PG servers, and identification information of the plurality of countries. The database may store together, identification information of a first SP server among the plurality of SP servers, identification information of a first country and a second country in which the first SP server provides pay-to-use services, identification information of a first PG server that provides an electronic payment agency service in the first country, and identification information of a second PG server that provides an electronic payment agency service in the second country.

[0041] Based on the mediation request data received from the SP server 20, the mediation server 10 may identify the PG server 30 that provides an electronic payment agency service for a pay-to-use service. The mediation server 10 may identify the identification information of the country included in the mediation request data received from the SP server 20 and obtain, from the database, identification information of the PG server 30, based on the identification information of the country. For example, the mediation server 10 may identify a country code of the first country included in the mediation request data received from the SP server 20. The mediation server 10 may obtain, from the database, the identification information of the first PG server that provides the electronic payment agency service in the first country, based on the country code of the first country.

[0042] The mediation server 10 may identify an external mediation server (e.g., external mediation server 11 , FIG. 2) to mediate between the SP server 20 and the PG server 30, based on the mediation request data received from the SP server 20. The mediation server 10 may identify identification information of the external mediation server included in the mediation request data. Alternatively, the mediation server 10 may identify the identification information of the country included in the mediation request data received from the SP server 20 and obtain, from the database, the identification information of the external mediation server, based on the identification information of the country. For example, the mediation server 10 may identify a country code of the second country included in the mediation request data received from the SP server 20. The mediation server 10 may obtain, from the database, the identification information of the external mediation server that mediates between the second PG server that provide the electronic payment agency service in the second country and the SP server 20, based on the country code of the second country.

[0043] The mediation server 10 may generate the payment information based on the mediation request data received from the SP server 20. The mediation server 10 may generate the payment information according to a data format requested by the PG server 30, based on the mediation request data received from the SP server 20. For example, the mediation server 10 may generate the payment information by filling, according to the data format requested by the PG server 30, at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country in which the client uses the pay-to-use service, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, information on a payment method included in the mediation request data, or the like.

[0044] The mediation server 10 may transmit the payment information to the PG server 30, based on the identification information of the PG server 30. For example, the mediation server 10 may transmit the payment information to a PG server by using a URL to connect to the PG server 30. As another example, the mediation server 10 may transmit the payment information to a PG server by using a network address of the PG server 30 (e.g., an IP address).

[0045] The PG server 30 may generate the payment result data corresponding to the payment information and transmit the payment result data to the mediation server 10. The PG server 30 may proceed with payment for a pay-to-use service by using the payment information received from the mediation server 10. The PG server 30 may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment has been completed. For example, the PG server 30 may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment has been completed in a case where a fee for a pay-to-use service is paid by a payment method designated by a client. Alternatively, the PG server 30 may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment may not be completed. The PG server 30 may transmit the payment result data to the mediation server 10.

[0046] The mediation server 10 may transmit the received payment result data to the SP server 20. For example, the mediation server 10 may transmit, to the SP server 20, the payment result data indicating that the payment received from the PG server 30 has been completed or the payment result data indicating that the payment may not be completed.

[0047] The mediation server 10 may register client information with at least one of the PG server 30, the external mediation server, or the mediation server 10 in order to proceed with the payment for the pay-to-use service. The mediation server 10 may receive, from the SP server 20, client information data, which includes data about the client using the pay-to-use service. For example, the mediation server 10 may receive the client information data including at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a first pay-to-use service in the first country, an address of the client, the identification information of the first country, identification information of the first pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the first pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the first pay-to-use service, or the like.

[0048] The mediation server 10 may generate the client registration data, including data for registering the client information with at least one of the mediation server 10, the external mediation server, or the PG server 30 to proceed with the payment for the pay-to-use service, based on the client information data. For example, the mediation server 10 may generate the client registration data including at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like. The mediation server 10 may generate the client registration data according to the data format requested by the PG server 30. The mediation server 10 may generate the client registration data according to a data format stored in the database. The mediation server may store, in the database, the generated client registration data.

[0049] The mediation server 10 may transmit the client registration data to the PG server 30. For example, the mediation server 10 may transmit, to the PG server 30 based on the identification information of the PG server 30 obtained from the database, the client registration data generated according to the data format requested by the PG server 30.

[0050] The mediation server 10 may transmit the client registration data to the external mediation server. For example, the mediation server 10 may transmit, to the external mediation server, the client registration data generated according to a data format stored in a database of the external mediation server.

[0051] The mediation server 10 may generate the payment information based on the client registration data. For example, the mediation server 10 may generate the payment information by filling, according to the data format requested by the PG server 30, at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service included in the client registration data, or the like.

[0052] The mediation server 10 may generate, based on the client registration data, subscription payment information. The mediation server 10 may generate, based on the mediation request data received from the SP server 20, the subscription payment information to proceed with regular payment for a pay- to-use service including at least one of the identification information of the client, the address of the client, the identification information of the country, the identification information of the pay-to-use service, the identification information of the item of the pay-to-use service, the price information of the item of the pay- to-use service included in the client registration data, or the like.

[0053] The mediation server 10 may transmit the subscription payment information to the PG server 30. For example, the mediation server 10 may transmit the subscription payment information to the PG server by using the URL to connect to the PG server 30. As another example, the mediation server 10 may transmit the subscription payment information to the PG server 30 by using the network address (e.g., the IP address) of the PG server 30.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a server to mediate, through a network, between a plurality of servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of servers that provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries, according to an example.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the mediation server 10 may be connected to a plurality of SP servers 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of the plurality of SP servers 20a, 20b, and 20c may provide a pay-to-use service in at least one country. For example, the SP server 20a may provide e-commerce services in the United States (US) and Australia (AU). As another example, the SP server 20b may provide paid contents in Korea (KR).

[0056] The mediation server 10 may be connected to a plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, 30c through a network. Each of the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, and 30c may provide electronic payment agency services in at least one country. For example, the PG server 30a may provide electronic payment agency services in the US and Canada (CA). As another example, the PG server 30b may provide electronic payment agency services in AU and KR.

[0057] Each of the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, 30c supports at least one payment method. For example, the PG server 30a may support a credit card payment 300a, a bank account transfer payment 300b, a mobile phone payment 300c, and a simple payment 300d. As another example, the PG server 30b may support the credit card payment 300a and the mobile phone payment 300c. As another example, the PG server 30c may support the credit card payment 300a and the simple payment 300d.

[0058] The mediation server 10 may store, in a database, data used to mediate between the plurality of SP servers 20a, 20b, 20c and the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, 30c. For example, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, gateway setting information including information on countries in which the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, and 30c support payment, and information on currencies and payment methods. As another example, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, route information including identification information of the plurality of SP servers 20a, 20b, and 20c, identification information of a country in which each of the plurality of SP servers 20a, 20b, and 20c provides a pay-to-use service, identification information of the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, and 30c, and identification information of a country in which each of the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, and 30c provides an electronic payment agency service.

[0059] The mediation server 10 may mediate between the plurality of SP servers 20a, 20b, and 20c and the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, and 30c. In an example, the mediation server 10 may mediate between the plurality of SP servers 20a, 20b, and 20c and the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, and 30c many-to-many, based on the route information stored in the database. For example, the mediation server 10 may obtain, from the database, based on the router information, identification information of the PG server 30a that provides the electronic payment agency service in a first country in which the SP server 20a provides a pay-to-use service. The mediation server 10 may transmit payment request information received by the SP server 20a to the PG server 30a and payment result data received from the PG server 30a to the SP server 20a to mediate between the SP server 20a and the PG server 30a, based on the identification information of the PG server 30a. In a manner similar to the description given above, the mediation server 10 may obtain, from the database based on the router information, identification information of the PG server 30b that provides the electronic payment agency service in a second country in which the SP server 20b provides a pay-to-use service. The mediation server 10 may mediate between the SP server 20b and the PG server 30b. The mediation server 10 may also mediate between the SP server 20a and the PG server 30b. The mediation server 10 may also mediate between the SP server 20b and the PG server 30a. The mediation server 10 may mediate between the plurality of SP servers 20a, 20b, and 20c and the plurality of PG servers 30a, 30b, and 30c simultaneously or sequentially.

[0060] Instead of directly mediating between the SP server 20c and the PG server 30c, the mediation server 10 may mediate between the SP server 20c and the PG server 30c through the external mediation server 11. The external mediation server 11 is a mediation server to mediate between the SP server 20c and the PG server 30c. Instead of generating the route information about the SP server 20c and the PG server 30c and storing the same in the database, the mediation server 10 may mediate between the SP server 20c and the PG server 30c by transferring mediation request data received from the SP server 20c to the external mediation server 11.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a mediation server according to an example.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the mediation server 10 may include a communication module 15, a database 16, a memory 17, and a processor 13. However, the mediation server 10 may be implemented by more components than the components shown in FIG. 3, and the mediation server 10 may also be implemented by fewer components than the components shown in FIG. 3.

[0063] The communication module 15 may include at least one component that allows the mediation server 10 to transmit and receive data to and from an external device. The external device may include an SP server and a PG server. [0064] The database 16 may store identification information of a plurality of SP servers, identification information of a plurality of PG servers, and identification information of a plurality of countries. For example, identification information of SP servers, identification information of a country in which each of the plurality of SP servers provides a pay-to-use service, identification information of PG servers, and identification information of a country in which each of the PG servers provides an electronic payment agency service may be mapped and stored in the database. The database may store gateway setting information. The database may store route information. The database may store client information. [0065] The memory 17 may store at least one instruction and at least one program to process and control the processor 13, and may store data input to or output from the mediation server 10.

[0066] The memory 17 may include at least one type of storage medium of a memory that temporarily stores data, such as a random access memory (RAM) and a static random access memory (SRAM), and a data storage that non- temporarily stores data, such as a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, and the like), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk.

[0067] The processor 13 may be at least one general-purpose processor.

[0068] The processor 13 may control an operation of the mediation server

10. For example, the processor 13 may control the database 16, the communication module 15, etc., by executing programs stored in the memory 17 of the mediation server 10. The processor 13 may perform, by executing the programs, at least one operation among the example operations of the mediation server 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 , 2, and 4 to 9.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method, performed by a mediation server, of mediating between a plurality of servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of servers that provide electronic payment agency services, according to an example.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 4, the mediation server may receive mediation request data from an SP server in operation 410. For example, the mediation server may receive the mediation request data from a first SP server of a plurality of SP servers. The first SP server may provide a first pay-to-use service in a first country and a second country. The first SP server may receive first payment request data from a first client device of a client who uses the first pay-to-use service in the first country. The first SP server may also receive second payment request data from a second client device of a client who uses the first pay-to-use service in the second country. The first SP server may generate first mediation request data in response to the first payment request data, and second mediation request data in response to the second payment request data. The first SP server may transmit the first mediation request data and the second mediation request data to the mediation server.

[0071] In operation 430, the mediation server may obtain, from a database, identification information of a PG server.

[0072] The mediation server may receive, form the SP server, the mediation request data including identification information of a country in which a pay-to-use service is provided. For example, the mediation server may receive, from the first SP server, the first mediation request data including identification information of the first country, and the second mediation request data including identification information of the second country.

[0073] The mediation server may identify, from the mediation request data, the identification information of the country. For example, the mediation server may identify the identification information of the first country from the first mediation request data, and the identification information of the second country from the second mediation request data.

[0074] The mediation server may obtain, from the database, the identification information of the PG server by using the identification information of the country. The mediation server may obtain the identification information of the PG server corresponding to the identification information of the country from the database in which identification information of the SP server that provides a pay-to-use service, identification information of a country in which the pay-to-use service is provided by the SP server, and the identification information of the PG server that provides an electronic payment agency service is mapped and stored together. For example, the mediation server may obtain, from the database, identification information of a first PG server that provides an electronic payment agency service in the first country by using the identification information of the first country. As another example, the mediation server may obtain, from the database, identification information of a second PG server that provides an electronic payment agency service in the second country by using the identification information of the second country.

[0075] In operation 450, the mediation server may transmit payment information to the PG server.

[0076] The mediation server may generate, based on the mediation request data, the payment information. For example, the mediation server may generate first payment information based on the first mediation request data, and second payment information based on the second mediation request data.

[0077] The mediation server may generate the payment information by filling, according to a data format requested by the PG server, at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country in which the client uses the pay-to-use service, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, information about a payment method included in the mediation request data, or the like.

[0078] The mediation server may transmit, based on the identification information of the PG server obtained in operation 430, the payment information to the PG server. For example, the mediation server may transmit the payment information to the PG server by using a URL to connect to the PG server. As another example, the mediation server may transmit the payment information to the PG server by using a network address of the PG server (e.g., an IP address). [0079] In operation 470, the mediation server may transmit payment result data to the SP server.

[0080] The PG server may proceed with payment for a pay-to-use service by using the payment information received from the mediation server. For example, the first PG server may proceed with payment requested by the first client device of the client who uses the first pay-to-use service in the first country by using the first payment information received from the mediation server. The second PG server may proceed with payment requested by the second client device of the client who uses the first pay-to-use service in the second country by using the second payment information received from the mediation server.

[0081] The PG server may generate the payment result data corresponding to the payment information received from the mediation server. For example, the first PG server may generate first payment result data corresponding to the first payment information received from the mediation server. The second PG server may generate second payment result data corresponding to the second payment information received from the mediation server.

[0082] The PG server may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment has been completed. The PG server may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment has been completed in a case where a fee for the pay-to-use service is paid by a payment method designated by the client. Alternatively, the PG server may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment may not be completed.

[0083] The PG server may transmit the payment result data to the mediation server. For example, the first PG server may transmit the first payment result data to the mediation server. The second PG server may transmit the second payment result data to the mediation server.

[0084] The mediation server may transmit, to the SP server, the payment result data received from the PG server. For example, the mediation server may transmit, to the first SP server, the first payment result data received from the first PG server. The mediation server may transmit, to the first SP server, the second payment result data received from the second PG server.

[0085] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of storing gateway setting information and route information in a database according to an example.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 5, the PG server 30 may transmit the gateway setting information to the mediation server 10 in operation 510.

[0087] The PG server 30 may generate the gateway setting information. The gateway setting information may include information about the PG server used by the mediation server 10 to register the PG server 30 with the database in order to mediate between the SP server 20 and the PG server 30. The gateway setting information may include information about a country in which the PG server 30 supports payment, and information about a currency and a payment method. The PG server 30 may transmit the generated gateway setting information to the mediation server 10.

[0088] In operation 520, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the gateway setting information.

[0089] The mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the gateway setting information according to a format stored in the database. For example, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the gateway setting information in a format shown in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1

Table 2

[0090] In operation 530, the mediation server 10 may transmit the gateway setting information to the SP server 20. The mediation server 10 may transmit, to the SP server 20, the gateway setting information received from the PG server 30. Alternatively, the mediation server 10 may modify the gateway setting information according to a format requested by the SP server 20 and transmit the same to the SP server 20.

[0091] In operation 540, the SP server 20 may store the gateway setting information.

[0092] The SP server 20 may store, in the database, the gateway setting information according to a format registered with the SP server 20. For example, the SP server 20 may store, in the database, the gateway setting information in the format shown in Tables 1 and 2. [0093] In operation 550, the SP server 20 may generate route information and transmit the same to the mediation server 10.

[0094] The SP server 20 may identify, based on the gateway setting information, the PG server 30 to be used for each country in which the SP server 20 provides a pay-to-use service. For example, the SP server 20 may proceed with payment for a pay-to-use service provided in the US by using a first PG server. The SP server 20 may proceed with payment for a pay-to-use service provided in AU by using a second PG server.

[0095] The SP server 20 may generate the route information based on the gateway setting information. The SP server 20 may generate the route information including identification information of a pay-to-use service, identification information of countries that provide pay-to-use services, and identification information of the PG server 30 to be used in each of the countries. For example, the SP server 20 may generate the route information including identification information of a first pay-to-use service, identification information of a first country, and identification information of the first PG server.

[0096] The SP server 20 may transmit the route information to the mediation server 10. The SP server 20 may generate the route information according to a format stored in the database by the mediation server 10 and transmit the same to the mediation server 10.

[0097] In operation 560, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the route information.

[0098] The mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the route information. As an example, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the route information according to the format stored in the database. For example, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the route information in a format shown in Table 3.

Table 3

[0099] The mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the route information received from each of a plurality of SP servers. The mediation server 10 may register, with the database, the route information in which identification information of SP servers, identification information of a country in which each of the SP servers provides a pay-to-use service, identification information of PG servers, and identification information of a country in which each of the PG servers provides an electronic payment agency service is mapped.

[00100] In operation 570, the SP server 20 may change the route information and transmit the changed route information to the mediation server 10.

[00101] The SP server 20 may change the PG server 30 that performs payment for a pay-to-use service. For example, the SP server 20 may change, from the first PG server to the second PG server, a PG server performing a payment agency service for a pay-to-use service in the first country due to a change in agreement conditions or the like. The SP server 20 may generate the route information including the identification information of the first pay-to-use service, the identification information of the first country, and identification information of the second PG server. The SP server 20 may transmit the route information to the mediation server 10.

[00102] In operation 580, the mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the route information.

[00103] The mediation server 10 may change the route information stored in the database, based on the received route information. The mediation server 10 may modify the route information in which the identification information of the first pay-to-use service, the identification information of the first country, and the identification information of the first PG server is mapped into new route information in which the identification information of the first pay-to-use service, the identification information of the first country, and the identification information of the second PG server is mapped in order to store the same in the database.

[00104] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process of registering client information according to an example. [00105] Referring to FIG. 6, the SP server 20 may obtain client information data in operation 610.

[00106] The SP server 20 may obtain the client information data from a client device that uses a pay-to-use service. For example, the SP server 20 may obtain the client information data including identification information of a client, an address of the client, or information on a country in which a pay-to-use service is provided to the client.

[00107] In operation 620, the SP server 20 may obtain route information.

[00108] The SP server 20 may obtain the route information used for payment for a pay-to-use service, based on the information on the country in which the pay-to-use service is provided to the client. For example, the SP server 20 may obtain the route information including identification information of a first PG server by using identification information of a first country included in the client information data. The SP server 20 may transmit the identification information of the first country to the mediation server 10, and receive, from the mediation server 10, the route information including the identification information of the first PG server.

[00109] In operation 630, the SP server 20 may transmit the client information to the PG server 30.

[00110] The SP server 20 may generate client registration data by using the client information data received from the client device. For example, the SP server 20 may generate the client registration data including at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like. The SP server 20 may generate the client registration data according to a format requested by the PG server 30.

[00111] The SP server 20 may transmit, to a PG server 30 based on the route information, the client registration data. For example, the SP server 20 may transmit the client registration data to the PG server 30 by using a URL to connect to the PG server 30. As another example, the SP server 20 may transmit the client registration data to the PG server 30 by using a network address of the PG server 30 (e.g., an IP address). As another example, the SP server 20 may transmit, through the mediation server 10, the client registration data to the PG server 30. In that case, the mediation server 10 may transmit the client registration data received from the SP server 20 to the PG server 30 by using the identification information of the country.

[00112] In operation 640, the PG server 30 may register the client information.

[00113] The PG server 30 may register the client information by using the client registration data. The PG server 30 may register the client information by filling, according to a format registered with the PG server 30, at least one of the identification information of the client who pays for the pay-to-use service, the address of the client, the identification information of the country, the identification information of the pay-to-use service, the identification information of the item of the pay-to-use service, the price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like.

[00114] In operation 650, the PG server 30 may transmit client registration result to the mediation server 10.

[00115] The PG server 30 may transmit the client registration result to the mediation server 10. For example, the PG server 30 may transmit, to the mediation server 10, a client registration result indicating that the client information may not be registered. Alternatively, the PG server 30 may transmit, to the mediation server 10, a client registration result indicating that the registration of the client information has been completed. The PG server 30 may transmit the registered client information to the mediation server 10 in order to check whether the client information has been correctly registered. The mediation server 10 may transmit the received client registration result to the SP server 20. [00116] In operation 660, the mediation server 10 may register the client information with a database.

[00117] The mediation server 10 may register the client information with the database, based on the client registration result received from the PG server 30. The mediation server 10 may register the client information by filling, according to the format registered with the database, at least one of the identification information of the client who pays for the pay-to-use service, the address of the client, the identification information of the country, the identification information of the pay-to-use service, the identification information of the item of the pay-to-use service, the price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like. The mediation server 10 may store, in the database, the client information in a case where the PG server 30 has correctly registered the client information. The mediation server 10 may transmit, to the SP server 20, a result of storing, in the database, the client information.

[00118] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of registering client information through an external mediation server according to an example.

[00119] Referring to FIG. 7, the SP server 20 may obtain the client information in operation 710. Since operation 710 is similar to operation 610, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00120] In operation 720, the SP server 20 may obtain route information. Since operation 720 is similar to operation 620, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00121] In operation 730, the SP server 20 may transmit the client information to the PG server 30.

[00122] The SP server 20 may transmit client registration data to a PG server 30 through the mediation server 10. The mediation server 10 may transmit the client registration data to the PG server 30 through the external mediation server 11. In that case, the external mediation server 11 may transmit the client registration data received from the SP server 20 to the PG server 30 by using identification information of a country.

[00123] Since operation 730 is similar to operation 630, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00124] In operation 740, the PG server 30 may register the client information. Since operation 740 is similar to operation 640, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00125] In operation 750, the PG server 30 may transmit a client registration result to the mediation server 10. Since operation 750 is similar to operation 650, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00126] In operation 760, the mediation server 10 may register the client information with a database. Since operation 760 is similar to operation 660, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00127] In operation 770, the mediation server 10 may transmit the client information to the external mediation server 11.

[00128] The mediation server 10 may transmit the client registration data to the external mediation server 11 based on the route information including identification information of the external mediation server 11. The route information may include information in which identification information of a country in which the SP server 20 provides a pay-to-use service, identification information of the PG server 30, or the identification information of the external mediation server 11 that mediates between the SP server 20 and the PG server 30 is mapped.

[00129] In operation 780, the external mediation server 11 may register the client information.

[00130] The external mediation server 11 may register the client information with the database based on the client registration data received from the mediation server 10. The external mediation server 11 may register the client information by filling, according to a format registered with the database, at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like. The external mediation server 11 may transmit, to the mediation server 10, a result of storing, in the database, the client information.

[00131] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a process of mediating payment according to an example.

[00132] Referring to FIG. 8, the SP server 20 may obtain payment request data in operation 810.

[00133] The SP server 20 may receive the payment request data for a pay- to-use service from a client device of a client using the pay-to-use service provided by the SP server 20. For example, the SP server 20 may receive first payment request data from a first client device of a client who uses a first pay-to- use service in a first country.

[00134] In operation 820, the SP server 20 may transmit mediation request data to the mediation server 10.

[00135] The SP server 20 may generate the mediation request data in response to the payment request data. The SP server 20 may generate the mediation request data including at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country in which the client uses the pay-to-use service, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like. For example, the SP server 20 may generate first mediation request data including identification information of a first pay-to-use service, identification information of the first country, identification information of the first client device, identification information of a client using the first client device, an address of the client, or the like.

[00136] The SP server 20 may generate the mediation request data for a subscription payment that periodically pays for a pay-to-use service.

[00137] The SP server 20 may transmit the mediation request data to the mediation server 10.

[00138] In operation 830, the mediation server 10 may obtain client information.

[00139] The mediation server 10 may obtain the client information based on the mediation request data. For example, the mediation server 10 may obtain the identification information of the client and the address of the client included in the mediation request data. As another example, the mediation server 10 may obtain the client information by searching for the client information from a database by using the identification information of the client included in the mediation request data.

[00140] In operation 840, the mediation server 10 may obtain identification information of the PG server 30. [00141] The mediation server 10 may identify a country code included in the mediation request data received from the SP server 20. The mediation server 10 may obtain the identification information of the PG server 30 from the database by using the identification information of the country. The mediation server 10 may obtain the identification information of the PG server 30 corresponding to the identification information of the country from the database in which identification information of the SP server 20 that provides a pay-to-use service, identification information of a country in which the pay-to-use service is provided by the SP server 20, and identification information of the PG server 30 that provides an electronic payment agency service is mapped and stored together. For example, the mediation server 10 may obtain, from the database, identification information of a first PG server that provides an electronic payment agency service in the first country by using the identification information of the first country. As another example, the mediation server may obtain, from the database, identification information of a second PG server that provides an electronic payment agency service in a second country by using identification information of the second country.

[00142] In operation 850, the mediation server 10 may generate payment information and transmit the same to the PG server 30.

[00143] The mediation server 10 may generate the payment information based on the mediation request data. For example, the mediation server 10 may generate first payment information based on the first mediation request data and second payment information based on second mediation request data.

[00144] The mediation server 10 may generate the payment information by filling, according to a data format requested by a PG server, at least one of identification information of a client who pays for a pay-to-use service, an address of the client, identification information of a country in which the client uses the pay-to-use service, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, information about a payment method included in the mediation request data, or the like.

[00145] The mediation server 10 may generate subscription payment information by using the client information obtained in operation 830. The mediation server 10 may generate the subscription payment information to regularly pay for a pay-to-use service including at least one of identification information of a client, an address of the client, identification information of a country, identification information of the pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the pay-to-use service, price information of the item of the pay-to-use service, or the like.

[00146] The mediation server 10 may transmit the payment information to the PG server 30. For example, the mediation server 10 may transmit the payment information to the PG server 30 by using a URL to connect to the PG server 30. As another example, the mediation server 10 may transmit the payment information to the PG server 30 by using a network address of the PG server 30 (e.g., an IP address). The mediation server 10 may transmit the subscription payment information to the PG server 30.

[00147] In operation 860, the PG server 30 may generate payment result data and transmit the same to the mediation server 10.

[00148] The PG server 30 may proceed with payment for a pay-to-use service by using the payment information received from the mediation server 10. For example, the first PG server may use the first payment information received from the mediation server 10 to proceed with payment requested by the first client device of the client who uses the first pay-to-use service in the first country.

[00149] The PG server 30 may generate the payment result data corresponding to the payment information or the subscription payment information received from the mediation server 10. For example, the first PG server may generate first payment result data corresponding to the first payment information received from the mediation server 10. The PG server 30 may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment has been completed. The PG server 30 may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment has been completed in a case where a fee for the pay-to-use service is paid by a payment method designated by the client. Alternatively, the PG server 30 may generate the payment result data indicating that the payment may not be completed. [00150] The PG server 30 may transmit the payment result data to the mediation server 10. For example, the first PG server may transmit the first payment result data to the mediation server.

[00151] In operation 870, the mediation server 10 may transmit the payment result data to the SP server 20.

[00152] The mediation server 10 may transmit, to the SP server 20, the payment result data received from the PG server 30. For example, the mediation server 10 may transmit, to a first SP server, the first payment result data received from the first PG server.

[00153] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process of mediating payment through an external mediation server according to an example.

[00154] Referring to FIG. 9, the SP server 20 may obtain payment request data in operation 910. Since operation 910 is similar to operation 810, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00155] In operation 920, the SP server 20 may transmit mediation request data to the mediation server 10. Since operation 920 is similar to operation 820, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00156] In operation 930, the mediation server 10 may obtain client information. Since operation 930 is similar to operation 830, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00157] In operation 940, the mediation server 10 may obtain identification information of the PG server 30.

[00158] In that case, the mediation server 10 may obtain identification information of the external mediation server 11. The mediation server 10 may identify the identification information of the external mediation server 11 included in the mediation request data. Alternatively, the mediation server 10 may identify identification information of a country included in the mediation request data received from the SP server 20, and may obtain, from a database, the identification information of the external mediation server 11 based on the identification information of the country. For example, the mediation server 10 may identify a country code of a second country included in the mediation request data received from the SP server 20. Based on the country code of the second country, the mediation server 10 may obtain, from the database, the identification information of the external mediation server 11 that mediates between a second PG server that provides an electronic payment agency service in the second country and the SP server 20.

[00159] Since operation 940 is similar to operation 840, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00160] In operation 950, the mediation server 10 may generate payment information and transmit the same to the external mediation server 11 .

[00161] The mediation server 10 may generate the payment information or subscription payment information, based on the mediation request data. Since operation 950 is similar to operation 850, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00162] The mediation server 10 may transmit the payment information or the subscription payment information to the external mediation server 11 , based on the identification information of the external mediation server 11 identified in operation 940.

[00163] In operation 960, the external mediation server 11 may transmit the payment information to the PG server 30.

[00164] The external mediation server 11 may transmit, to the PG server 30, the payment information or the subscription payment information received from the mediation server 10. For example, the external mediation server 11 may transmit the payment information to the PG server 30 by using a URL to connect to the PG server 30. As another example, the external mediation server 11 may transmit the payment information to the PG server 30 by using a network address of the PG server 30 (e.g., an IP address). The external mediation server 10 may transmit the subscription payment information to the PG server 30.

[00165] In operation 970, the PG server 30 may generate payment result data and transmit the same to the external mediation server 11 .

[00166] The PG server 30 may use the payment information received from the external mediation server 11 to proceed with payment for a pay-to-use service. The PG server 30 may generate the payment result data corresponding to the payment information or the subscription payment information received from the external mediation server 11 . Since descriptions that the PG server 30 generates the payment result data are already given above with reference to operation 810, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00167] The PG server 30 may transmit the generated payment result data to the external mediation server 11 .

[00168] In operation 980, the external mediation server 11 may transmit the payment result data to the mediation server 10. In operation 990, the mediation server 10 may transmit the payment result data to the SP server 20. Since operations 980 and 990 are similar to operation 810, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[00169] According to various examples, the mediation server mediates, through a network, between a plurality of SP servers that provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of PG servers that provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries, and thus, a service provider may smoothly build and operate a payment system.

[00170] Example operation methods of the servers described above (e.g., the mediation server, the SP server, the PG server, and the external mediation server) may be implemented in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions or data executable by a computer or a processor. The example operation methods of the servers described above may be written by a program executable by a computer, and may be implemented by a general-purpose digital computer that operates such a program using a computer-readable storage medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer- readable storage media may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, CD-recordables (Rs), CD+Rs, CD- rewritables (RWs), CD+RWs, and digital versatile disc (DVD)-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, blu-ray disc (BD)-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-recordable low to highs (R LTHs), BD-REs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks (SSDs), and any device capable of storing machine readable instructions, associated data, data files, and data structures, and providing a processor or computer with machine readable instructions, associated data, data files, and data structures such that the processor or computer may execute the instructions.

[00171] As described above, although examples have been described with reference to the drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above descriptions. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from the described method, and/or the described components of the system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. may be combined in a form different from the described method, or other components or components substituted by equivalents may achieve an appropriate result.

[00172] It should be understood that examples described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. While examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

33 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mediation server to mediate, through a network, between a plurality of service provider (SP) servers that are to provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of payment gateway (PG) servers that are to provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries, the mediation server comprising: a communication module to transmit and receive data to and from the plurality of SP servers and the plurality of PG servers; a processor; and a memory to store instructions executable by the processor, wherein, the processor is to, by executing the instructions: control the communication module to receive, from a first SP server, first mediation request data corresponding to a first payment request for a first pay-to-use service in a first country and second mediation request data corresponding to a second payment request for the first pay-to-use service in a second country, control the communication module to transmit first payment information regarding the first payment request to a first PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the first country and second payment information regarding the second payment request to a second PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the second country, and control the communication module to transmit, to the first SP server, first payment result data corresponding to the first payment information received from the first PG server and second payment result data corresponding to the second payment information received from the second PG server.

2. The mediation server of claim 1 , further comprising a database to store identification information of the first SP server of the plurality of SP servers, identification information of the first country and the second country in which the 34 first SP server provides pay-to-use services, identification information of the first PG server that is to provide an electronic payment agency service in the first country, and identification of the second PG server that is to provide an electronic payment agency service in the second country, wherein the processor is further to, by executing the instructions: control the communication module to obtain, from the database, the identification information of the first PG server based on the received first mediation request data, control the communication module to obtain, from the database, the identification information of the second PG server based on the received second mediation request data, control the communication module to transmit the first payment information to the first PG server based on the identification information of the first PG server, and control the communication module to transmit the second payment information to the second PG server based on the identification information of the second PG server.

3. The mediation server of claim 2, wherein the first mediation request data comprises the identification information of the first country, and the second mediation request data comprises the identification information of the second country, and wherein the processor is further to, by executing the instructions: identify the identification information of the first country included in the first mediation request data, and the identification information of the second country included in the second mediation request data, obtain the identification information of the first PG server from identification information of the plurality of PG servers stored in the database based on the identification information of the first country, and obtain the identification information of the second PG server from the identification information of the plurality of PG servers stored in the database based on the identification information of the second country.

4. The mediation server of claim 2, wherein the database is further to store identification information of an external mediation server that is to mediate, through the network, between the first SP server and the second PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the second country, and wherein the processor is further to, by executing the instructions: obtain, from the database, the identification information of the external mediation server based on the second mediation request data, control the communication module to transmit the second payment information to the second PG server through the external mediation server based on the identification information of the external mediation server, and control the communication module to transmit, to the first SP server, the second payment result data corresponding to the second payment information received from the external mediation server.

5. The mediation server of claim 2, wherein the processor is further to, by executing the instructions: control the communication module to receive first client information data including at least one of identification information of a client that is to pay for a first pay-to-use service in the first country, an address of the client, the identification information of the first country, identification information of the first pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the first pay-to-use service, or price information of the item of the first pay-to-use service, generate first client registration data based on the first client information data, store, in the database, the first client registration data, and control the communication module to transmit the first client registration data to the first PG server.

6. The mediation server of claim 5, wherein the processor is further to, by executing the instructions: control the communication module to receive, from the first SP server, third mediation request data corresponding to a payment request for a subscription that is to pay for the first pay-to-use service, obtain the client registration data stored in the database based on the received third mediation request data, control the communication module to transmit, to the first PG server, third payment information regarding the payment request for the subscription based on the client registration data, and control the communication module to transmit, to the first SP server, third payment result data corresponding to the third payment information received from the first PG server.

7. The mediation server of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further to, by executing the instructions: control the communication module to receive, from a second SP server that is to provide a second pay-to-use service, fourth mediation request data corresponding to a third payment request for the second pay-to-use service, control the communication module to transmit, to a third PG server, fourth payment information regarding payment request data of the second pay-to-use service, and control the communication module to transmit, to the second SP server, fourth payment result data corresponding to the fourth payment information received from the third PG server.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor, the instructions being related to a method of mediating, through a network, between a plurality of service provider (SP) servers that are to provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of payment gateway (PG) servers that are to provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising: instructions to receive first mediation request data corresponding to a first 37 payment request for a first pay-to-use service in a first country, and second mediation request data corresponding to a second payment request for the first pay-to-use service in a second country; instructions to transmit first payment information regarding the first payment request to a first PG server that is to provide an electronic payment agency service in the first country; instructions to transmit second payment information regarding the second payment request to a second PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the second country; and instructions to transmit, to a first SP server, first payment result data corresponding to the first payment information received from the first PG server and second payment result data corresponding to the second payment information received from the second PG server.

9. A method of mediating, through a network, between a plurality of service provider (SP) servers that are to provide pay-to-use services and a plurality of payment gateway (PG) servers that are to provide electronic payment agency services in a plurality of countries, the method comprising: receiving, from a first SP server, first mediation request data corresponding to a first payment request for a first pay-to-use service in a first country, and second mediation request data corresponding to a second payment request for the first pay-to-use service in a second country; transmitting first payment information regarding the first payment request to a first PG server that is to provide an electronic payment agency service in the first country; transmitting second payment information regarding the second payment request to a second PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the second country; and transmitting, to the first SP server, first payment result data corresponding to the first payment information received from the first PG server and second payment result data corresponding to the second payment information received from the second PG server. 38

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising obtaining, from a database, identification information of the first PG server based on the received first mediation request data and identification information of the second PG server based on the received second mediation request data, wherein the transmitting of the first payment information to the first PG server comprises transmitting the first payment information to the first PG server based on the identification information of the first PG server, wherein the transmitting of the second payment information to the second PG server comprises transmitting the second payment information to the second PG server based on the identification information of the second PG server, and wherein the database is to store identification information of the first SP server of the plurality of SP servers, identification information of the first country and the second country in which the first SP server provides pay-to-use services, the identification information of the first PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the first country, and the identification information of the second PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the second country.

11 . The method of claim 10, wherein the first mediation request data comprises the identification information of the first country, and the second mediation request data comprises the identification information of the second country, and wherein the obtaining of the identification information of the first PG server and the identification information of the second PG server comprises: identifying the identification information of the first country included in the first mediation request data and the identification information of the second country included in the second mediation request data; and obtaining the identification information of the first PG server from identification information of the plurality of PG servers stored in the database based on the identification information of the first country, and the identification of the second PG server from the identification 39 information of the plurality of PG servers stored in the database based on the identification information of the second country.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the database is further to store identification information of an external mediation server that is to mediate, through the network, between the first SP server and the second PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the second country, wherein the obtaining of the identification information of the second PG server comprises obtaining, from the database, the identification information of the external mediation server based on the received second mediation request data, wherein the transmitting of the second payment information to the second PG server comprises transmitting the second payment information to the second PG server through the external mediation server based on the identification information of the external mediation server, and wherein the transmitting of the second payment result data to the first SP server comprises transmitting, to the first SP server, the second payment result data corresponding to the second payment information received from the external mediation server.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving first client information data including at least one of identification information of a client that is to pay for the first pay-to-use service in the first country, an address of the client, the identification information of the first country, identification information of the first pay-to-use service, identification information of an item of the first pay-to-use service, or price information of the item of the first pay-to-use service; generating client registration data based on the client information data; storing, in the database, the client registration data; and transmitting the client registration data to the first PG server. 40

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving, from the first SP server, third mediation request data corresponding to a payment request for subscription to pay for the first pay-to- use service; obtaining the client registration data stored in the database based on the third mediation request data; transmitting, to the first PG server based on the client registration data, third payment information regarding the payment request for the subscription; and transmitting, to the first SP server, third payment result data corresponding to the third payment information received from the first PG server.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving, from a second SP server that is to provide a second pay-to-use service, fourth mediation request data corresponding to a third payment request for the second pay-to-use service; obtaining, from a database based on the fourth received mediation request data, identification information of a third PG server that is to provide the electronic payment agency service in the first country; transmitting, to the third PG server, fourth payment information regarding payment request data of the second pay-to-use service based on the identification information of the third PG server; and transmitting, to the second SP server, fourth payment result data corresponding to the fourth payment information received from the third PG server.