Method and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a method and a storage medium. In the method, a terminal device, which stores an application program, transmits a use application of a post-payment settlement unit. Next, the terminal device registers, in the application, the post-payment-type settlement unit issued in accordance with the use application as one of the first settlement units that can be used in electronic settlement. Then, when the terminal device registers the advance payment type settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application program, the terminal device automatically registers the post payment type settlement unit as one of the second settlement units in the application program. The second settlement unit is a settlement unit for depositing to the advance payment-type settlement unit that has been registered as one of the first settlement units.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal device and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In the past, an application program (hereinafter referred to as a "settlement application") is known that can register multiple settlement units such as credit cards or prepaid cards. When a user performs electronic settlement in a franchise store, he can use any settlement unit pre-registered in the settlement application. For example, in International Publication No. 2014 / 155664, the following technology is disclosed, namely: when a user applies for the use of a credit card, it is set to be possible to use a prepaid card in a credit check; and the payment unit can be switched between a prepaid card and a credit card according to a switching application from the user. Summary of the invention

[0003] There is room for improvement in the technology of settlement applications.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances and aims to improve the technology of settlement application.

[0005] A method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by a terminal device storing an application program, wherein:

[0006] The following processing is included, namely;

[0007] Sending application for use of post-payment settlement unit;

[0008] registering the post-payment settlement unit issued in accordance with the use application in the application as one of the first settlement units that can be used in electronic settlement;

[0009] When the prepaid settlement unit is registered in the application as one of the first settlement units, the postpaid settlement unit is automatically registered in the application as one of the second settlement units, and the second settlement unit is a settlement unit for making deposits to the prepaid settlement unit that has been registered as one of the first settlement units.

[0010] A storage medium according to an embodiment of the present disclosure stores a program, and the program causes a terminal device to execute the following processing, namely:

[0011] Sending application for use of post-payment settlement unit;

[0012] registering the post-payment settlement unit issued in accordance with the use application in the application as one of the first settlement units that can be used in electronic settlement;

[0013] When the prepaid settlement unit is registered in the application as one of the first settlement units, the postpaid settlement unit is automatically registered in the application as one of the second settlement units, and the second settlement unit is a settlement unit for making deposits to the prepaid settlement unit that has been registered as one of the first settlement units.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology of settlement application can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like symbols represent like elements, and in which:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 A block diagram showing the schematic structure of a terminal device.

[0018] Figure 3 A block diagram showing a schematic structure of an information processing device.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0021] Summary of Implementation Methods

[0022] Reference Figure 1 The system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is briefly described. The system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 and an information processing device 20. Each of the terminal devices 10 and the information processing device 20 is connected to a network 30 including the Internet and a mobile communication network, for example, in a communicable manner.

[0023] The terminal device 10 is, for example, a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 10 is installed with an application, such as a settlement application, and is used by a user who uses the application. In addition, the settlement application may be pre-installed or downloaded from a predetermined distribution server and installed.

[0024] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a computer such as a server device. The information processing device 20 can communicate with a plurality of terminal devices 10 via a network 30 .

[0025] First, the outline of the present embodiment is described, and the details will be described later. The terminal device 10 that stores the application sends an application for the use of the post-paid settlement unit. Next, the terminal device 10 registers the post-paid settlement unit issued in accordance with the application as one of the first settlement units that can be used in electronic settlement in the application. Then, when the terminal device 10 registers the prepaid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application, it automatically registers the post-paid settlement unit as one of the second settlement units in the application, wherein the second settlement unit is a settlement unit for making deposits to the prepaid settlement unit that has been registered as one of the first settlement units.

[0026] When a user performs electronic settlement in a franchise store, he or she can use any settlement unit that has been pre-registered in the settlement application of the terminal device. However, in the case where a prepaid settlement unit such as a prepaid card is registered in the settlement application and used for electronic settlement in a franchise store, in the past, since the user needs to separately register another settlement unit (for example, a source of funds) for depositing (recharging) into the prepaid settlement unit, the procedure becomes complicated. In contrast, according to this embodiment, when a prepaid settlement unit (for example, a prepaid card) is registered in the settlement application as one of the first settlement units, the registration procedure of the settlement unit can be simplified because the post-paid settlement unit is automatically registered as the second settlement unit (for example, a source of funds) for depositing into the prepaid settlement unit. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology of the settlement application can be improved in that the procedure for users to register settlement units in the settlement application can be simplified.

[0027] Next, each structure of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0028] Terminal device structure

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11 , an output unit 12 , an input unit 13 , a storage unit 14 , a control unit 15 , and a positioning unit 16 .

[0030] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. Although the communication interface corresponds to a mobile communication standard such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), it is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30.

[0031] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices for outputting information. Although the output device is, for example, a display that outputs information using images, or a speaker that outputs information using sounds, etc., it is not limited to these devices. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may also include an interface for connecting to an external output device.

[0032] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices for detecting input operations performed by the user. Although the input device is, for example, a physical key, an electrostatic capacitance key, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen integrated with the display of the output unit 12, or a microphone, it is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may also include an interface for connecting an external input device.

[0033] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. Although the memory is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, it is not limited to this. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 can also function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the storage unit 14 can also store application programs such as system programs and settlement applications, and embedded software. For example, it can also be set that the information stored in the storage unit 14 can be updated using information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 11.

[0034] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. Although the processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, it is not limited thereto. Although the programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), it is not limited thereto. Although the dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), it is not limited thereto. The control unit 15 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10.

[0035] Structure of information processing device

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21 , a storage unit 22 , and a control unit 23 .

[0037] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. Although the communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, it is not limited to these standards and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 communicates with a plurality of terminal devices 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30.

[0038] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, and databases. It may also be configured that the information stored in the storage unit 22 can be updated using information obtained from the network 30 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0039] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. Although the processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, it is not limited to these processors. Although the programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA, it is not limited to this. Although the dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC, it is not limited to this. The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 20.

[0040] System 1 workflow

[0041] Reference Figure 4 Next, the operation of the terminal device 10 in the system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0042] S100: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 transmits a request for use of the post-payment settlement means.

[0043] Specifically, the user sends an application for use of the post-payment settlement unit using the terminal device 10 in which the application is stored in the storage unit 14 of the terminal device 10. The application for use of the post-payment settlement unit may be, for example, made by the user inputting information required for the application for use using the terminal device 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto and any input method may be adopted. When the input of the application for use of the post-payment settlement unit by the user is completed, the control unit 15 sends the information required for the application for use to the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30.

[0044] The "post-payment settlement unit" includes any settlement method that can be used for electronic settlement after receiving goods or services, such as credit cards, virtual credit cards, post-payment electronic money, bill post-payment services, and operator settlement.

[0045] For example, the post-payment settlement unit may be a settlement unit issued by a specific operator such as "TOYOTA SCUBICCARD", or a settlement unit that can be used for electronic settlement at a franchise store. In addition, for example, the first settlement unit may be a settlement unit having an arbitrary feature that can simplify procedures in a specific industry such as the automobile industry.

[0046] The “information required for use application” includes information required for reviewing the use application, such as agreement on regulations, user's name and ID, but is not limited to this and may include any information related to the use application.

[0047] S101: The control unit 15 registers the post-payment settlement unit issued in response to the use application in the application as one of the first settlement units that can be used in electronic settlement.

[0048] Specifically, the control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 receives the information required for the use application from the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30. Next, the control unit 23 performs a review on whether to allow the use of the post-payment settlement unit based on the information required for the use application. Then, the control unit 23 sends information related to the review result to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30.

[0049] Subsequently, the control unit 15 receives information related to the examination result from the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30. Then, the control unit 15 determines whether the examination has been passed based on the information related to the examination result. If it is determined that the examination has been passed, the control unit 15 registers the post-payment settlement unit as one of the first settlement units that can be used in electronic settlement in the application.

[0050] The "first settlement unit" includes any settlement unit that can be used in electronic settlement in the franchise store via the application. For example, the first settlement unit may be the post-payment settlement unit described above or the pre-payment settlement unit described below, but it is not limited to these settlement units and may be any settlement unit.

[0051] The "information related to the review results" includes not only information that can know the results of the review, but also necessary information related to the post-payment settlement unit, such as the user ID and the unique number used by the user when using the post-payment settlement unit.

[0052] S102: The control unit 15 registers the prepaid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application.

[0053] Specifically, when the user selects the prepaid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units using the application stored in the storage unit 14, the control unit 15 registers the prepaid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application. Although the method for the user to select the prepaid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units can also be selected using the screen of the terminal device 10, it is not limited to this, and any input method can be used. Alternatively, the control unit 15 can also automatically register the prepaid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application without requiring user operation.

[0054] The “prepaid settlement unit” includes securities such as prepaid cards, virtual prepaid cards, gift cards, and electronic money that are issued based on consideration prepaid by the user.

[0055] In addition, in the present embodiment, the post-payment settlement unit and the pre-payment settlement unit are provided by the same business operator, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0056] S103: When S102 is implemented, the control unit 15 automatically registers the post-paid settlement unit as one of the second settlement units in the application, wherein the second settlement unit is a settlement unit for making deposits to the prepaid settlement unit that has been registered as one of the first settlement units.

[0057] Specifically, when S102 is implemented, the control unit 15 automatically registers the prepaid settlement unit in the application by storing the information of the prepaid settlement unit registered as one of the first settlement units stored in the storage unit 14 as one of the second settlement units for depositing money into the prepaid settlement unit in the storage unit 14. The method of storing the prepaid settlement unit as one of the second settlement units in the storage unit 14 may also include a flag of whether to be used as the second settlement unit in one of the information of the prepaid settlement unit and set the flag, or as the settlement unit registered as the second settlement unit, the information of the prepaid settlement unit registered as one of the first settlement units may be stored.

[0058] Although the "second settlement unit" is, for example, a source of funds, it is not limited thereto and may include any settlement unit for making a deposit to a prepaid settlement unit.

[0059] As described above, the terminal device 10 storing the application sends an application for using the post-paid settlement unit. Next, the terminal device 10 registers the post-paid settlement unit issued in accordance with the application as one of the first settlement units that can be used for electronic settlement in the application. Then, when the terminal device 10 registers the prepaid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application, it automatically registers the post-paid settlement unit as one of the second settlement units in the application, wherein the second settlement unit is a settlement unit for making a deposit to the prepaid settlement unit registered as one of the first settlement units.

[0060] According to the above structure, when the prepaid settlement unit provided by the first operator is registered in the settlement application as one of the first settlement units, the postpaid settlement unit is automatically registered as the second settlement unit for depositing money into the prepaid settlement unit, so that the registration procedure of the settlement unit can be simplified. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology of the settlement application can be improved in that the procedure when the user registers the settlement unit in the settlement application can be simplified.

[0061] Although the present disclosure is described based on various drawings and embodiments, it is to be noted that, if one is a practitioner in the art, various modifications and changes can be implemented based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be noted that these modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each structural part or each step can be reconfigured in a logically non-contradictory manner, and multiple structural parts or steps can be combined into one, or they can be divided.

[0062] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the terminal device 10 are distributed to a plurality of computers that can communicate with each other may be adopted. In addition, for example, an embodiment in which a part or all of the components of the terminal device 10 are provided in the information processing device 20 may also be adopted. For example, the information processing device 20 may also include a part or all of the components of the terminal device 10.

[0063] In addition, for example, in the embodiment described above, when the terminal device 10 registers the post-paid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application, it can also display a GUI on the screen for accepting user operations for implementing the application for use of the prepaid settlement unit, and send the application for use of the prepaid settlement unit based on the user operations on the GUI.

[0064] Specifically, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 displays a button for implementing the application for use of the prepaid settlement unit in the registration completion screen displayed after S101. Then, when the user presses the button, the control unit 15 sends the application for use of the prepaid settlement unit to the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30. In addition, the GUI for accepting the user operation for implementing the application for use of the prepaid settlement unit is not limited to a button, and any GUI such as a message box can be used. In addition, the screen displaying the GUI for accepting the user operation for implementing the application for use of the prepaid settlement unit may not be the registration completion screen, but another screen.

[0065] In addition, for example, in the above-described embodiment, when the terminal device 10 registers the prepaid settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in other applications, it can also be set to automatically register the postpaid settlement unit as one of the second settlement units in other applications.

[0066] Specifically, when a prepaid settlement unit is registered as one of the first settlement units in another application different from the application stored in the storage unit 14 of the terminal device 10, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 automatically registers the postpaid settlement unit as one of the second settlement units in the other application. Although the method of automatically registering in the other application may include, for example, the use of an API, sharing of a database of the application stored in the storage unit 14, file sharing, use of a message transmission protocol, or use of an authentication protocol such as OAuth or OpenIDConnect, or a combination of the above methods, it is not limited to these methods and may be performed by any method.

[0067] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the order in which the first settlement unit and the second settlement unit are registered with the application may be changed.

[0068] Specifically, the terminal device 10 transmits an application for use of a post-payment settlement unit. Next, the terminal device 10 registers the pre-payment settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application, and registers the post-payment settlement unit issued in accordance with the application for use as one of the second settlement units in the application, wherein the second settlement unit is a settlement unit for making a deposit to the pre-payment settlement unit registered as one of the first settlement units. Then, when registering the post-payment settlement unit as one of the second settlement units in the application, the terminal device 10 automatically registers the post-payment settlement unit as one of the first settlement units in the application.

[0069] In addition, for example, an embodiment can also be adopted in which a general-purpose computer functions as the terminal device 10 involved in the embodiment described above. Specifically, a program describing the processing content of each function of the terminal device 10 involved in the embodiment described above is stored in the memory (storage medium) of a general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a program executable by a processor, or a non-temporary computer-readable medium storing the program. A non-temporary computer-readable medium is an example of a storage medium.

Claims

1. A method, which is a method executed by a terminal device storing an application, wherein: The following processing is included, namely; Sending application for use of post-payment settlement unit; registering the post-payment settlement unit issued in accordance with the use application in the application as one of the first settlement units that can be used in electronic settlement; When the prepaid settlement unit is registered in the application as one of the first settlement units, the postpaid settlement unit is automatically registered in the application as one of the second settlement units, and the second settlement unit is a settlement unit for making deposits to the prepaid settlement unit that has been registered as one of the first settlement units.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The post-payment settlement unit is a prepaid card.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein: It also includes the following processing, namely: When the prepaid settlement unit is registered as one of the first settlement units in other applications, the postpaid settlement unit is automatically registered as one of the second settlement units in the other applications.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein: It also includes the following processing, namely: When the post-payment settlement unit is registered in the application as one of the first settlement units, a graphical user interface for accepting a user operation for applying for use of the pre-payment settlement unit is displayed on a screen; A request for use of the prepaid settlement unit is sent in response to a user operation on the graphical user interface.

5. A storage medium storing a program, wherein: The program causes a terminal device storing an application program to execute the following processing, namely: Sending application for use of post-payment settlement unit; registering the post-payment settlement unit issued in accordance with the use application in the application as one of the first settlement units that can be used in electronic settlement; When the prepaid settlement unit is registered in the application as one of the first settlement units, the postpaid settlement unit is automatically registered in the application as one of the second settlement units, and the second settlement unit is a settlement unit for making deposits to the prepaid settlement unit that has been registered as one of the first settlement units.

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