Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve convenience of a user.SOLUTION: An acquisition unit configured to acquire credit settlement information regarding a settlement transmitted in response to a user using a credit card at a member store of a credit card, and identify second user identification information managed in a service that provides a first benefit corresponding to first user identification information for identifying the user included in the credit settlement information; A processing unit configured to specify second member store identification information managed in the service corresponding to first member store identification information for identifying the member store included in the credit payment information, and apply the first privilege to the payment of the credit payment information when the first privilege applied to the payment of the credit card at the member store of the second member store identification information is associated with the second user identification information in the service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a management device has been disclosed that is characterized by having a reception unit that receives attribute information indicating the attributes of users who are eligible to acquire coupons that are automatically applied in conjunction with payment processing using a specified payment method, and a provision unit that provides coupons that can only be acquired by users with the attributes indicated by the attribute information received by the reception unit (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-057772 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional technology has not always been able to provide sufficient services to users when making payments using credit cards, which has resulted in poor convenience for users.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user convenience. For example, a user can receive or use benefits by using a credit card. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that includes an acquisition unit that acquires credit card payment information regarding a payment that is sent in response to a user using a credit card at a credit card affiliated store, and a processing unit that identifies second user identification information managed in a service that grants a first benefit corresponding to first user identification information for identifying the user included in the credit card payment information, identifies second affiliated store identification information managed in the service that corresponds to first affiliated store identification information for identifying the affiliated store included in the credit card payment information, and if the second user identification information in the service is associated with the first benefit that is applied to credit card payments at the affiliated store of the second affiliated store identification information, applies the first benefit to the payment of the credit card payment information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 4] 1 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of benefit information 173. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of credit card payment information 178. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence information 180. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the type of store and the application of benefits. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM1. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM2 that is displayed when a benefit that is applied to credit card payment (credit card payment using code information) is acquired. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM3 that is displayed when a special benefit is acquired when paying by credit card. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processing executed by the electronic payment system. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a process executed by a payment server. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IM4 provided on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described. Various devices, such as the "server" mentioned below, that provide services to users or perform internal analysis may be realized by a group of distributed devices, and each device may be operated by a different business. Furthermore, the owner of the device hardware (the cloud server provider) and the business that actually operates the device may also be different. An application program and a payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment app. An electronic payment service is a service that supports payments for the purchase of goods and services at a store. A store is, for example, a physical store (real-world store) that exists in real space, but may also include a virtual store for e-commerce. A virtual store may also include a store provided by an entity different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In such a case, when making a payment for a purchase at a virtual store, the user may be controlled to transition to an interface screen of the electronic payment service. In an electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, a member store (brand), and when a purchase is made at a store, processing such as payment is primarily conducted between the user and the member store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be conducted between the user and the store.

[0010] [Electronic payment service] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic payment system that provides an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized primarily by a payment server 100. The electronic payment system that provides the electronic payment service includes, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, the payment server 100, a card store terminal device 200, an acquirer server 300, and a card server 400. These devices communicate with each other via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wireless base station, a provider device, and a payment system network such as a credit card. Some or all of the functional components included in the electronic payment system may be distributed across multiple devices in any form, or may be integrated into any device. The acquirer server 300 may be omitted.

[0011] The electronic payment system or payment server 100 is an example of an "information processing device." A portion of the functional configuration of payment server 100 may be included in card server 400. In this case, the combined functional configuration of payment server 100 and card server 400 is an example of an "information processing device." The entire functional configuration of payment server 100 may be included in card server 400. In this case, card server 400 is an example of an "information processing device."

[0012] [User terminal device] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input acceptance function, and a program execution function. In the following description, components for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment app 20, which operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to users. The payment app 20 is installed on the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0013] [First store terminal device] The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. The store code image 60 may be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0014] [Second store terminal device] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc. An interface for affiliated stores 72 runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface for affiliated stores 72 may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface for affiliated stores 72 accepts coupon settings and the like from the operator of the affiliated store and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image and reading the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

[0015] [Store terminal for card use] The store terminal 200 is a terminal used at credit card member stores. The store terminal 200 acquires information about the credit card presented by the user and transmits the acquired information and its own information to the acquirer server 300.

[0016] [Acquirer Server] The acquirer server 300 is, for example, a server device managed by an affiliated store contracting company. The acquirer server 300 provides the information provided by the card store terminal device 200 to the card server 400.

[0017] [Card Server] Card server 400 is, for example, a server device of a credit card issuing company (issuer). The credit card issuing company may be a company related to an electronic payment service. Card server 400 performs predetermined processing on information acquired from acquirer server 300 and transmits the information acquired from acquirer server 300 to payment server 100.

[0018] The card server 400 acquires authorization information regarding approval of a transaction using a credit card, which is sent when a user uses a credit card at a credit card affiliated store. The card server 400 acquires sales information indicating that sales for the use of the credit card have been confirmed. The card server 400 provides this information or information obtained by processing this information to the payment server 100.

[0019] [Payment server] The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case payment information is sent from the POS device via the affiliated store server to the payment server 100. In the following explanation, this distinction will not be made and it is assumed that payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

[0020] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns for electronic payment: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.

[0021] In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is the domain of the electronic payment service to which store identification information has been added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described below). The payment application 20 sends first payment information including the store URL and account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described below) using the affiliated store ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and store name information (S3), and sends this to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen displaying the affiliated store name and store name (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 makes the electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment app 20 (S8), and the payment app 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that when the store code image 60 is displayed on a display installed in the store, the store code image 60 may include information on the payment amount in addition to the store URL. In this case, the step of the user inputting the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and store name may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0022] In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, the payment app 20 sends a request to issue a one-time code to the payment server 100 when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, at the automatic update timing (e.g., every minute), and at other timings (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image, such as a QR code or barcode, generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first in-store terminal device 50, and the first in-store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). The first in-store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode, manually entering it, etc. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs electronic payment (S17). Then, the payment server 100 sends a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0023] Note that electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Furthermore, the "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information. Furthermore, issuing a one-time code may be omitted in store scanning, and the payment application 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In this case, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0024] [Payment server functional configuration] 4 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, an information processing unit 150, and a storage unit 170. The components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an SOC (System On Chip), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device with a non-transitory storage medium), or may be stored in a removable storage medium (a non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device.

[0025] The storage unit 170 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172 including benefit information 173, content information 174, affiliated store / shop information 176, credit card payment information 178, and correspondence information 180. Some of this information may be stored in the storage unit of the user terminal device 10. Details of each piece of information will be described later.

[0026] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW, and is, for example, a network interface card.

[0027] The content providing unit 120 has, for example, a web server function, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The content providing unit 120 reads out necessary content from the content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100. The above content may be generated by the payment application 20. In this case, the content providing unit 120 provides the payment application 20 with information necessary for generating the content.

[0028] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. User information 172 is an example of user registration information. User information 172 includes, for example, a user URL, account ID, telephone number, and password, as well as associated information such as email address, user ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit card payment settings, credit card limit, credit card payment amount, available credit card payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, and payment history information. The user URL is used for remittance processing between users. Registration of a telephone number and password is required when registering for an electronic payment service. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID can be set by the user (or does not have to be set). Similarly, the email address, name, address, and date of birth can be set by the user (or do not have to be set). The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created). Hereinafter, the user's instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0030] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money set by the user by transferring funds to the account in advance. Transfer methods include transfer from a designated service provider (bank) ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) or transfer from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting is information indicating whether the settings for enabling electronic credit payments using the payment app 20 have been completed and is set to either "completed" or "not completed." The credit payment limit is the monthly credit payment limit, the credit payment usage amount is the amount of credit payments already used in the current month, and the available credit payment amount is the amount of credit payments available in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment usage amount from the credit payment limit. While the figure shows only one credit payment limit, in reality, there may also be daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. Further details of credit payments will be described later. The payment method setting is setting information indicating whether the user will make electronic payments using the charge balance or by credit payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information on the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user's previous transfers to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information that shows the breakdown of payments made by the user for each payment (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.).

[0031] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. The affiliated store / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which an affiliated store ID and a store ID are associated with a store URL, a second table 176B in which an affiliated store ID is associated with an affiliated store name and sales amount (described above), and a third table 176C in which a store ID is associated with a store name. In addition to this information, the affiliated store / store information 176 may also include information such as the category of the affiliated store or store, the store's location, and payment patterns.

[0032] The information management unit 140 acquires information provided by other server devices, terminal devices, and the card server 400. The information management unit 140 manages user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. The information management unit 140 adds, edits, deletes, and so on, new records for the user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176. The information management unit 140 manages information acquired from the card server 400. The information acquired from the card server 400 is managed, for example, as credit card payment information 178.

[0033] [Electronic Payment] When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 130 references the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For users whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance," the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows: For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the affiliated store's sales proceeds. The item value of the affiliated store's sales proceeds is not itself used as electronic money, for example, but rather the amount corresponding to the item value of the sales proceeds is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

[0034] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payments for users whose "setting information" is set to "Credit card payment (Credit card payment using code information)" as follows. Credit card payment is a payment method in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service. The operator of the electronic payment service acts as the creditor, and allows electronic payments within the credit card payment limit, independent of the remaining balance. To receive the credit card payment service, a user may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The amount used for credit card payment is settled in full for one month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by debit from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 makes a provisional payment by adding the payment amount to the credit card payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the available credit card balance. On the closing date, the payment processing unit 130 performs the process described above to debit the current month's payment on the payment date of the following month, or requests the operator of the credit card company to perform this process. If the payment amount exceeds the available credit card balance at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment application 20.

[0035] The information processing unit 150 performs various information processing. For example, the information processing unit 150 identifies the user and store involved in the payment based on information included in information (authorization information, sales information) acquired from the card server 400. Details of the processing by the information processing unit 150 will be described later. The authorization information and sales information are examples of "credit card payment information."

[0036] [overview] When a user makes a payment using a credit card at a store, if the user has a benefit that can be applied to the use of a credit card, the payment server 100 applies the benefit to the payment. Below, the information held by the payment server 100 and the details of this process are explained.

[0037] [Bonus information 173] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of benefit information 173. Benefit information 173 is information about benefits held by a user. Benefits are benefits given to users, such as discounts and points. A benefit is applied, for example, when payment is made at a pre-set store (a credit card affiliated store or an electronic payment service affiliated store) using a pre-set payment method. Depending on the benefit, the store and / or payment method may not be set, and the benefit may be applied at any store or any payment method. In the example of FIG. 7, for example, benefit A is applied at store A regardless of the payment method. Benefit B is applied at store B when paying by balance. Benefit C is applied at store C when paying by credit card (credit card payment using code information). Benefit D is applied at store D when paying by credit card (credit card payment). Multiple stores may be set.

[0038] [Credit card payment information] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of credit card payment information 178. Credit card payment information 178 may be information corresponding to authorization information transmitted when a credit card is used, or may be sales information that confirms payment of the authorization information. Alternatively, it may be information different from these. In this embodiment, as an example, credit card payment information 178 will be described as information obtained from authorization information.

[0039] The credit card payment information 178 includes, for example, the terminal identification information of the card store terminal device 200 of the store that acquired the credit card information, the affiliated store name, the store identification information, the affiliated store code, the business code, and the credit card number (or information for identifying the user or the credit card number). The payment server 100 can identify the user of the electronic payment service from the credit card number by referring to the user information 172. The credit card payment information 178 only needs to include information for identifying the store where the credit card was used (first store identification information) and information for identifying the user who used the credit card (first user information). The terminal identification information, the affiliated store name, the store identification information, or the affiliated store code are examples of "first store identification information." The credit card number is an example of "first user identification information." Sales information also includes "first store identification information" and "first user identification information."

[0040] [Support information] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence information 180. Correspondence information 180 is information in which terminal identification information, affiliated store name, affiliated store ID, store ID, affiliated store name, and store name are associated with one another. Terminal identification information and affiliated store name are information included in credit card payment information 178. Terminal identification information and affiliated store name are information used in credit card services. Information used in credit card services may include store identification information, affiliated store code, industry code, and other information. Other information is information about stores (affiliated stores) managed or used by the electronic payment service.

[0041] By referring to the correspondence information 180, the payment server 100 can identify the store (or affiliated store) of the electronic payment service that corresponds to the store where the credit card was used, from the information included in the credit card payment information 178. The correspondence information 180 may be associated with other information related to the affiliated store, such as an icon of the affiliated store.

[0042] The correspondence information 180 is information generated by the payment server 100 (information processing unit 150) or another device. For example, the payment server 100 acquires first member store identification information included in the credit payment information. The payment server 100 generates the correspondence information 180 by associating the first member store identification information with second member store identification information issued or managed by the electronic payment service. This generates information that can identify the member store from the credit payment information 178, as will be described later.

[0043] For example, in the case of a member store of an electronic payment service, without registering a new member store, the member store can generate the correspondence information 180 by associating the information required to generate the correspondence information 180 (terminal identification information, member store name, etc.) with the information used in the electronic payment service, and apply a benefit to payments made using a credit card. For example, in the case of a non-member store of an electronic payment service, the member store can register a new member store by associating the information required to generate the correspondence information 180 (terminal identification information, member store name, etc.) with the information used in the electronic payment service, and apply a benefit to payments made using a credit card. For example, the payment server 100 registers a non-member store as a member store of the electronic payment service by issuing a member store ID, a store ID, etc. in response to an application. In this way, the payment server 100 can apply a benefit to payments made using a credit card to member stores and non-member stores of the electronic payment service based on the correspondence information 180.

[0044] [Example of benefit application] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the type of store and the application of benefits. (1) If a user has a benefit that applies to balance payments of an electronic payment service and makes a payment by balance payment at a member store of the electronic payment service where the benefit is available, the benefit will be applied. (2) If a user has a benefit that applies to credit card payments using an electronic payment service (credit card payments using code information) and makes a payment by credit card at a member store of the electronic payment service where the benefit is available, the benefit will be applied. (3) If a user has a benefit that applies to payments made using a credit card (credit card payment), and makes a payment by credit card at a merchant (credit card merchant) that is a member of an electronic payment service where such benefit is available, the benefit will be applied. (4) If a user has a benefit that applies to credit card payments and makes a payment by credit card at a store where the benefit can be used (a store that is not a member of the electronic payment service but is a member of the credit card), the benefit will be applied.

[0045] In the above example, the credit card merchant may be (A) a merchant of the electronic payment service, or (B) not a merchant of the electronic payment service. In the case of the merchant (A) above, payments via the electronic payment service and payments using a credit card are possible, and corresponding benefits are applicable to each. In the case of (B) above, benefits corresponding to payments using a credit card are applicable. Note that the timing at which the application of benefits is confirmed may be when sales information is acquired, rather than when authorization information is acquired.

[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, when a credit card is used at a store, benefits may be applied whether the store is a member of the electronic payment service or not.

[0047] [Interface for obtaining rewards] The payment app 20 and the payment server 100 work together to display an interface screen IM1 on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, which allows the user to acquire benefits. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the interface screen IM1. The interface screen IM1 is a screen that is displayed when the user operates the payment app. The interface screen IM1 includes, for example, a list of benefits that the user can acquire. For example, the information processing unit 150 issues a benefit (first benefit) that applies to payments using a credit card at a credit card affiliated store and a benefit (second benefit) that applies to payments using an electronic payment service at a member store of the electronic payment service, and these benefits are displayed in a list. Benefits that apply to payments using the electronic payment service include, for example, benefits that can be used for credit card payments (credit card payments using code information), benefits that can be used to charge a balance, and other benefits that can be used regardless of the above.

[0048] A user can acquire a benefit by selecting the benefit they wish to acquire. By performing the above operation, the payment server 100 associates the benefit with the user's identification information in the user information 172, so that the user can acquire the benefit and use it in electronic payments.

[0049] The benefits may be subject to restrictions on their use. For example, the stores where they can be used may be limited, or the payment methods that can be used may not be limited. The benefits may not be subject to the above restrictions. As described above, there are benefits that are applied to payment methods such as credit card payments using the payment app 20 (credit card payments using code information) and credit cards.

[0050] [Interface screen displayed when you receive a reward] When a user acquires a benefit, the payment server 100 changes the content to be displayed on the display unit according to the type of the acquired benefit. The content providing unit 120 causes the display unit to display an interface screen including one or both of a benefit that can be used for payment using a credit card and a benefit that can be used for payment using an electronic payment service. In response to a user's operation, the content providing unit 120 causes the display unit to display first content when a benefit that can be used for payment using a credit card is acquired, and causes the display unit to display second content different from the first content when a benefit that can be used for payment using an electronic payment service is acquired. The first content includes information indicating that the first benefit is applied by making a payment using a credit card (see FIG. 13). The second content includes a payment screen or a button for transitioning to a payment screen using an electronic payment service (see FIG. 12). Note that the first content may be displayed when a benefit that cannot be used for payment using code information but can be used for payment using a credit card is acquired. The second content may be displayed when a benefit that can be used for payment using code information and payment using a credit card is acquired.

[0051] FIG. 12 shows an interface screen IM2 that is displayed when a special benefit is acquired through credit card payment (credit card payment using code information). The interface screen IM2 includes a button B1 for using credit card payment and information indicating that a special benefit can be used with credit card payment. When button B1 is operated, the payment app 20 displays a payment screen including the code information on the display unit. The payment method set at this time may be a payment method that allows the use of the special benefit (credit card payment) or a payment method set by the user.

[0052] 13 shows an interface screen IM3 that is displayed when a special offer is acquired for credit card payments. The interface screen IM3 includes information indicating that the special offer can be used for credit card payments and information indicating that the special offer cannot be used for code payments (payment of charge balance and credit card payments).

[0053] As described above, when a user acquires a benefit, the payment server 100 allows the user to recognize a payment method that can be used for the benefit, or guides the user to a payment method that can be used for the benefit. This helps the user to use the benefit appropriately. Note that the benefit corresponding to the payment may be automatically granted to the user even if no operation to acquire the benefit is performed as described above.

[0054] [Sequence diagram] 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the electronic payment system. First, the overall flow will be explained, and then the details of each process will be described later. In the sequence diagram, acquirer server 300 may be omitted.

[0055] First, when a user presents (or inserts) a credit card to the card store terminal device 200, the card store terminal device 200 acquires information about the credit card and sends the acquired information together with a request for approval (authorization) to the acquirer server 300 (S100). Upon acquiring the information sent in S100, the acquirer server 300 determines whether the credit card in question is a usable credit card based on the acquired information, and if it determines that the credit card is usable, it sends approval information indicating approval to the card store terminal device 200 (S102), and further sends authorization information to the card server 400 (S104).

[0056] Next, the card server 400 acquires authorization information (S106). Next, the card server 400 transmits the authorization information identified in S106 to the payment server 100 (S108). Next, the payment server 100 acquires the authorization information (S110). Next, the payment server 100 applies a benefit based on the authorization information, executes payment, and further generates content (S112). Next, the payment server 100 provides the generated content to the payment application 20 (S114). Next, the payment application 20 displays the provided content on the display unit (S116).

[0057] The content is provided in real time and includes the merchant name, merchant icon, amount used, and applied benefits identified based on the authorization information and correspondence information 180. The merchant name and merchant icon are information managed or used by the electronic payment service. The payment server 100 references correspondence information 180 to identify the merchant name where the credit card was used from the authorization information (the merchant name used in the electronic payment service), and includes the identified merchant name in the content. The merchant name managed or used in the electronic payment service is more detailed information than the merchant name in the authorization information.

[0058] After the above process is performed, the acquirer server 300 acquires sales information sent from a predetermined terminal device (e.g., a server of an affiliated store) (S200) and sends the sales information to the card server 400 (S202). Next, the card server 400 compares the sales information with the authorization information (S204) to determine whether they match, and sends information according to the result of the determination to the payment server 100 (S206).

[0059] The payment server 100 generates content according to the result of the determination (S208) and provides the generated content to the payment application 20 (S210). Next, the payment application 20 displays the provided content on the display unit (S212). The content includes information indicating that the sales have been finalized, the amount of the sales, information about the target store, etc.

[0060] This allows the user to easily recognize that the sales corresponding to the above-mentioned authorization information have been confirmed.

[0061] [Processing when a credit card is used] The payment server 100 acquires credit card payment information 178 related to payment transmitted in response to a user's use of a credit card at a credit card affiliated store. The payment server 100 identifies second user identification information managed in a service that grants a first benefit corresponding to first user identification information for identifying the user included in the credit card payment information 178. The payment server 100 identifies second member store identification information managed in the service corresponding to first member store identification information for identifying the member store included in the credit card payment information 178. If the second user identification information in the service is associated with a first benefit that is applied to credit card payments at a member store identified by the second member store identification information, the payment server 100 applies the first benefit to the payment of the credit card payment information 178. Note that the first member store identification information and the second member store identification information may be the same or different. Some or all of the above processing may be performed by the card server 400.

[0062] The above service is a service (for example, an electronic payment service) that provides a service (for example, an electronic payment) different from electronic payment by credit card.

[0063] The payment server 100 refers to first correspondence information (user information 172) in which the first user identification information and the second user identification information are associated with each other, to identify the second user identification information that corresponds to the first user identification information. The payment server 100 refers to second correspondence information (correspondence information 180) in which the first member store identification information and the second member store identification information are associated with each other, to identify the second member store identification information that corresponds to the first member store identification information.

[0064] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server. First, the payment server 100 determines whether authorization information has been acquired (S300). If authorization information has been acquired, the payment server 100 refers to the correspondence information 180 and identifies the merchant identification information of the electronic payment service from the merchant identification information of the credit card (S302). For example, the payment server 100 identifies a store (the store whose information is used in the electronic payment service) that matches a store that can be identified from the information acquired from the card server 400 (terminal identification information, merchant name, store identification information, merchant code, and industry code) in the correspondence information 180. Next, the payment server 100 refers to the user information 172 and identifies the benefits held by the user from the credit card number (S304).

[0065] Next, the payment server 100 determines whether the user has a benefit applicable to the credit card payment (S306). If the user does not have a benefit applicable to the credit card payment, the process proceeds to S310. If the user has a benefit applicable to the credit card payment, the payment server 100 applies the benefit to the payment (S308). Next, the payment server 100 generates content according to the payment (S310). The content according to the payment is provided to the payment application 20 and displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. This completes the processing of one routine of this flowchart.

[0066] [Interface screen (1) when electronic payment is made using a credit card] When the first benefit is applied to the payment of the credit payment information 178, the service cooperates with an application program (e.g., payment application 20) installed on the user terminal device 10 that cooperates with the service to display information regarding the payment of the credit payment information 178 and information indicating that the benefit has been applied on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0067] When a payment is made using a credit card, the payment server 100 causes an interface screen based on the authorization information to be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 via the payment application 20. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the interface screen IM4 provided on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. The interface screen IM4 includes, for example, information IF1 to information IF6. Information IF1 is the name of the affiliated store with which the electronic payment was made using the credit card and information indicating that payment to the affiliated store has been accepted.

[0068] The name of the affiliated store may not be the name included in the authorization information, but may be the name of a store or affiliated store managed by an electronic payment service identified from the authorization information by referring to correspondence information 180 (the affiliated store name or store name registered in correspondence information 180). Also, the name of a store or affiliated store managed by an electronic payment service may be the affiliated store name or store name obtained from affiliated store / store information 176 using the affiliated store ID or store ID identified from the authorization information and correspondence information 180.

[0069] Information IF2 is the date and time when the electronic payment was made. Information IF3 is the amount of the electronic payment. Information IF4 is status information for the electronic payment. Information IF5 is information indicating whether a benefit has been applied and the details of the benefit that has been applied. Information IF6 is detailed status information for the electronic payment.

[0070] The status information indicates whether authorization information has been sent (payment has been accepted) or whether sales information corresponding to the authorization information has been sent (payment has been completed). Details of the status information include, for example, the date and time of the payment and the amount.

[0071] As described above, the payment server 100 can provide useful information to the user when electronic payment is made using a credit card.

[0072] When a payment is made using a credit card, the payment server 100 may display an interface screen based on sales information on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 via the payment application 20. In this case, "payment accepted" in information IF1 is changed to "payment," and "payment accepted" in information IF6 is changed to "payment completed."

[0073] As described above, the payment server 100 can provide the user with content according to the sales information corresponding to the authorization information, thereby enabling the user to recognize the status of credit card usage.

[0074] As described above, a user can use payment application 20 to view information related to credit card usage in real time without delay in relation to the usage of the credit card.

[0075] In the above example, a process was described in which a benefit is applied based on credit card payment information obtained in response to a payment using a credit card. In addition, as explained in Figure 10, a benefit is applied based on electronic payment information obtained in response to a payment using code information used in an electronic payment service. Payments using code information are payments using the user's charge balance or credit card payment for the electronic payment service.

[0076] The payment server 100 acquires electronic payment information including the identification information of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service (second affiliated store identification information) and the identification information of the user (second user identification information) from the first store terminal device 50 or the user terminal device 10 of the electronic payment service, and if the user identification information is associated with a benefit (second benefit) that is applied to payments using the electronic payment service at the affiliated store of the affiliated store identification information, the payment server 100 applies the benefit (second benefit) that is applied to payments using the electronic payment service to the payment using the electronic payment information. In this way, a benefit is given to the user whether they use a credit card or an electronic payment service.

[0077] The above-described processing is not limited to credit cards, and may be performed with virtual credit cards. The processing in this embodiment may be performed when a credit card is used for online shopping.

[0078] In this embodiment, a credit card different from the credit card used for credit card payment using code settlement may be used for the credit card payment. In this case, the user information 172 includes identification information of the different credit card.

[0079] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which an electronic payment service applies a benefit related to credit card use. However, instead of (or in addition to) this, a service other than the electronic payment service may perform the process of applying a benefit related to credit card use of the present embodiment. For example, a server device of a service that provides a benefit, without providing an electronic payment service, may execute the process of this embodiment. The above service is a service that provides a first benefit different from the credit card service. In this case, an application program linked to the above service may be used instead of payment app 20. Specifically, the process of this embodiment may be executed by a server device of a business that grants a benefit such as points to a user. In this case, the server device identifies second user identification information managed in a service provided by the business that grants a first benefit corresponding to first user identification information for identifying a user included in the credit card payment information, and identifies second member store identification information (a member store of the above service) managed in the above service corresponding to first member store identification information for identifying a member store included in the credit card payment information. When the second user identification information in the above service is associated with a first benefit that is applied to credit card payments at a member store identified by the second member store identification information, the server device applies the first benefit to the payment of the credit card payment information. As described above, the processing of this embodiment may be applied to services other than electronic payment services.

[0080] For example, the above-mentioned benefit may be a benefit that can be used at the above-mentioned business or at a target related to the business. Furthermore, the above-mentioned benefit may not be usable for payments with a credit card (payments at credit card affiliated stores) but may be usable at the above-mentioned business or affiliated stores of the business. For example, a credit card company can outsource the granting of benefits to another company, such as the above-mentioned business, and users can consolidate the benefits from electronic payments with multiple credit cards into one, which can then be widely used at affiliated stores of the business that grants the benefits, thereby improving user convenience.

[0081] Furthermore, the processing of this embodiment may be applied to benefits that are applied when using a debit card instead of a credit card.

[0082] As described above, a system is implemented in which, in credit card payments, rewards can be awarded through a service other than the credit card service (for example, an electronic payment service or a reward service). When a reward is awarded based on a payment in a payment service such as a credit card, the credit card service may award the reward. For example, in a service that awards common rewards, the reward issuing service may obtain payment information from various affiliated stores and award the reward. However, when using a reward linked to a store, etc., a membership card related to the reward must be presented and scanned by the store. Also, if the reward issuing service also provides a payment method, if the payment is made using that payment method, the user can be identified based on the payment information and the reward can be awarded without the need to provide a point card, etc.; however, in this case, payments are limited to the payment methods provided by the reward issuing service.

[0083] In this embodiment, when a store is a member of a payment service provided by a different business from the service that issues the benefit, the service that issues the benefit (payment service) can issue the benefit, and the user can receive the benefit by simply paying at the store using the credit card for which the benefit is issued, without presenting a membership card. This improves user convenience.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a member store of a service provided by the service (e.g., a payment service) offers a special benefit for using a credit card, there is no need to newly register the member store, etc. For example, the payment server 100 generates correspondence information 180 by linking the terminal identification information and member store name registered in the credit card service with the member store information of the payment service on the service side, and it becomes possible to easily issue the special benefit.

[0085] In this embodiment, when a non-affiliated store of a service provided by a service (e.g., a payment service) applies a benefit for credit card use on the service side (payment service), the payment server 100 acquires information for identifying the store, such as terminal identification information used in the credit card service or the affiliated store name, and associates this information with information managed by the electronic payment service to generate correspondence information 180, thereby making it possible to provide the benefit. In this way, various stores can easily provide a service that allows them to provide a benefit for credit card use.

[0086] According to the embodiment described above, when a payment is made using a credit card, if the credit card user has a special benefit that applies to the use of the credit card in another service, the payment server 100 can apply the special benefit, thereby improving the convenience of the user.

[0087] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 User terminal device 20. Payment App 100 Payment Server 120 Contents Provider 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information Management Department 150 Information Processing Department 400 Card Server

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires credit card payment information relating to payment transmitted in response to a user's use of a credit card at a credit card affiliated store; Identifying second user identification information managed in a service that provides a first benefit corresponding to first user identification information for identifying the user included in the credit payment information; Identifying second member store identification information managed in the service that corresponds to first member store identification information for identifying the member store included in the credit card payment information; a processing unit that applies the first benefit to the payment of the credit card payment information when the second user identification information is associated with the first benefit that is applied to the payment of the credit card at the affiliated store identified by the second affiliated store identification information in the service; and An information processing device comprising:

2. The processing unit Identifying the second user identification information corresponding to the first user identification information by referring to first correspondence information in which the first user identification information and the second user identification information are associated with each other; identifying the second member store identification information corresponding to the first member store identification information by referring to second correspondence information in which the first member store identification information and the second member store identification information are associated with each other; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the service is a service that provides the first benefit that is different from the credit card service, The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The service is an electronic payment service that provides electronic payments different from the electronic payment of the credit card. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The acquisition unit acquire electronic payment information including second member store identification information of the member store of the electronic payment service and the second user identification information from a terminal device of the member store of the electronic payment service or a terminal device of the user; The processing unit When the second user identification information is associated in the storage unit with a second benefit that is applied to payment of the electronic payment service at the affiliated store of the second affiliated store identification information, the second benefit that is applied to payment of the electronic payment service is applied to the payment of the electronic payment information. The information processing device according to claim 4 .

6. The processing unit issuing the first benefit to be applied to a payment using the credit card at a merchant affiliated with the credit card, and the second benefit to be applied to a payment using the electronic payment service at a merchant affiliated with the electronic payment service; The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. the processing unit causes a display unit to display an interface screen including one or both of the first benefit and the second benefit; displaying a first content on a display unit when the first benefit is acquired, and displaying a second content different from the first content on a display unit when the second benefit is acquired, in response to an operation by the user; The information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. the first content includes information indicating that the first benefit will be applied by making a payment using a credit card; the second content includes a button for transitioning to a payment screen using the electronic payment service or the payment screen; The information processing device according to claim 7 .

9. The credit card payment information is information acquired in response to payment using a credit card, The electronic payment information is information acquired in response to a payment using code information used in an electronic payment service, The payment using the code information is a payment using the charge balance or credit card payment of the user of the electronic payment service. The information processing device according to claim 5 .

10. the acquisition unit acquires the first member store identification information included in the credit card payment information, the processing unit generates the second correspondence information by associating the first member store identification information with the second member store identification information issued or managed by the service. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

11. When the first benefit is applied to the payment of the credit card payment information, an application program installed on the user's terminal device that is linked to the service displays information about the payment of the credit card payment information and information indicating that the first benefit has been applied on a display unit of the terminal device. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

12. The computer Acquire credit card payment information regarding payment transmitted in response to a user's use of a credit card at a credit card affiliated store, Identifying second user identification information managed in a service that provides a first benefit corresponding to first user identification information for identifying the user included in the credit payment information; Identifying second member store identification information managed in the service that corresponds to first member store identification information for identifying the member store included in the credit card payment information; When the second user identification information in the service is associated with the first benefit that is applied to the credit card payment at the affiliated store of the second affiliated store identification information, the first benefit is applied to the payment of the credit card payment information. Information processing methods.

13. On the computer, Acquire credit card payment information relating to payment transmitted in response to a user's use of a credit card at a credit card affiliated store, Identifying second user identification information managed in a service that provides a first benefit corresponding to first user identification information for identifying the user included in the credit payment information; Identifying second member store identification information managed in the service that corresponds to first member store identification information for identifying the member store included in the credit payment information; When the second user identification information in the service is associated with the first benefit that is applied to the credit card payment at the affiliated store of the second affiliated store identification information, the first benefit is applied to the payment of the credit card payment information. program.

Images