Payment servers, payment systems, payment methods, and programs

Abstract

To improve convenience for users.SOLUTION: A settlement server includes: an offering unit which executes processing for offering a voucher to a second user on the basis of first instruction information to offer the voucher available in an electronic settlement service, to the second user who uses the electronic settlement service, the first instruction information being transmitted by an electronic settlement application of a first user used in the electronic settlement service; and a settlement unit which executes electronic settlement, on the basis of second instruction information to execute the electronic settlement for a settlement target which is a commodity or a service for which the voucher has been used in the electronic settlement service, the second instruction information being transmitted in accordance with operation of the second user on the electronic settlement application used in the electronic settlement service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a payment server, a payment method, a program, and an application program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an information processing device has been disclosed that transmits and receives content between terminals via a messaging service, and includes a memory unit that stores a gift certificate group including a plurality of gift certificates in association with gift certificate group designation information, a receiving unit that receives the gift certificate group designation information and destination information from a first terminal, a determination unit that determines a winning gift certificate from among a plurality of gift certificates included in the gift certificate group corresponding to the gift certificate group designation information received by the receiving unit, and a transmission unit that transmits information regarding the winning gift certificate determined by the determination unit to a second terminal designated by the destination information (see, for example, Reference 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-8271 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional techniques have not always provided sufficient convenience for users.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide a payment server, a payment method, a program, and an application program that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a payment server comprising: an assignment unit that executes a process to grant a voucher to a second user who is using the electronic payment service based on first instruction information sent by an electronic payment app of a first user used in an electronic payment service, the first instruction information instructing a second user using the electronic payment service to grant the voucher usable in the electronic payment service; and a payment unit that executes the electronic payment based on second instruction information sent in response to an operation on the electronic payment app of the second user used in the electronic payment service, the second instruction information instructing the second user to make an electronic payment for a payment object, which is a product or service using the voucher in the electronic payment service. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a payment server, a payment method, a program, and an application program that can improve user convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. [Diagram 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Diagram 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 a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a top screen IF1 of a payment application 20. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF2. [Figure 9]4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processes executed by payment application 20 and payment server 100. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining changes in information in user information 172 in response to the issuance of a voucher. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF3 including contents provided by a securities server 200. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processes executed by securities server 200, payment application 20, and payment server 100. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a voucher. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF5 displayed on the display unit of a user terminal device 10 of a user who purchases securities using a voucher. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF6 that is displayed when a voucher is transmitted. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF17 for limiting uses. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the payment server of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The application program and the payment server cooperate to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payments related to the purchase of goods and services at a store. The store is, for example, a physical store (real store) existing in real space, but may also include a virtual store of electronic commerce. The virtual store may also include a store provided by an entity other than the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a payment for shopping at the virtual store, the screen is controlled to transition to an interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, the store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at the store is mainly performed between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be performed between the user and the store.

[0010] [overview] The payment server of this embodiment executes a process for granting a voucher to a second user based on, for example, first instruction information sent by an electronic payment app of a first user used in an electronic payment service, the first instruction information instructing a second user using the electronic payment service to grant the voucher that can be used in the electronic payment service.

[0011] The "process for granting" refers to associating a voucher corresponding to the first instruction information with the identification information of the second user managed in the electronic payment service, so that the second user can use the granted voucher.

[0012] The payment server executes the electronic payment based on second instruction information transmitted in response to an operation on an electronic payment app of the second user used in the electronic payment service, the second instruction information being for making an electronic payment for a payment target, which is a product or service using the voucher in the electronic payment service, thereby enabling the second user to purchase or obtain the product or service using the voucher.

[0013] The type of the voucher may be a type that specifies the affiliated store or service provider (e.g., a provider offering a securities service) at which the voucher can be used in the electronic payment service, or a type that specifies the product or service at which the voucher can be used in the electronic payment service. Also, the type of the voucher may be a type that specifies the financial product that can be purchased in the securities service provided in the electronic payment service.

[0014] [Electronic payment service] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. The payment server 100 communicates with, 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, and a securities server 200 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like.

[0015] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a 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 reception 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 application 20, thereby operating to provide an electronic payment service to a user in cooperation with a payment server 100. The payment application 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0016] The payment application 20 includes one or more mini apps such as a securities application 30. For example, when the payment application 20 is downloaded to the user terminal device 10, the mini apps included in the payment application 20 are also downloaded to the user terminal device 10. The mini apps are applications developed to be able to be launched within the payment application 20. For example, the mini apps are launched within the payment application 20 and display various screens using a web view function. When the securities application 30 is launched, the securities application 30 cooperates with the securities server 200 (an API; Application Programming Interface provided by the securities server 200) to display content (securities content) provided by the securities server 200 on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. For example, the securities application 30 accesses a uniform resource locator (URL) and displays hyper text markup language (HTML) content provided by the securities server 200 using a web view function.

[0017] In this embodiment, the electronic payment service is described as including the securities server 200 and the securities application 30, but instead of (or in addition to) this, it may include other service servers and mini-applications for other services.

[0018] 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).

[0019] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. An interface 72 for affiliated stores runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface 72 for affiliated stores may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface 72 for affiliated stores accepts coupon settings and the like made by 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 a code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

[0020] 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 the payment information is sent from the POS device via the affiliated store server to the payment server 100. In the following explanation, no distinction is made between these two and it is assumed that the payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

[0021] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns of electronic payment: pattern 1 and pattern 2.

[0022] 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 activated decodes the store code image 60 by the optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which store-identifying information is added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, a store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 transmits the first payment information including the store URL and the account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the affiliated store ID and the store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and the store name information (S3), and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user inputs the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen on which the affiliated store name and the store name are displayed (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount, and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 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 not only the store URL but also information on the payment amount. In this case, the step of the user inputting the payment amount is omitted, and the information on the payment amount is included in the first payment information and transmitted to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and the store name may be included in the payment completion screen and displayed.

[0023] In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, when the payment application 20 is started, when a payment operation is performed in the payment application 20, when an automatic update timing (e.g., every minute) occurs, and at other timings, the payment application 20 transmits a request for issuing a one-time code to the payment server 100 (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S13). The payment application 20 displays a code image such as a QR code or a 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 store terminal device 50, and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image by an optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). The first store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode or manually entering it. The payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code based on the received information and performs electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0024] 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, issuance of a one-time code may be omitted in the store scan, 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.

[0025] [Payment server] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a payment content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, 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), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (storage device having a non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or a CD-ROM, and may be installed in the storage device by mounting the storage medium in a drive device.

[0026] The storage unit 170 is a HDD, a flash memory, a 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, payment content information 174, and affiliated store / shop information 176.

[0027] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW. The communication unit 110 is, for example, a network interface card.

[0028] The payment content providing unit 120 has, for example, a function of a Web server, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The payment content providing unit 120 appropriately reads necessary content from the payment content information 174 and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs by the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100.

[0029] 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.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the user information 172. The user information 172 is an example of the registration information of a user. The user information 172 is, for example, a user URL, an account ID, a telephone number, a password, as well as information associated with an email address, a user ID, a name, an address, a date of birth, a registration date, a charge balance, a post-payment setting, a post-payment limit, a post-payment usage amount, a post-payment available amount, a payment method setting, a bank account, a credit card number, charge history information, payment history information, and voucher information. The user URL is used for remittance processing between users and for granting vouchers, which will be described later. When registering for the electronic payment service, it is necessary to register a telephone number and a password. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). The email address, and the name, address, and date of birth are also information that can be set by the user at will (does 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.

[0031] The charge balance is information that indicates the balance of electronic money that is set by the user by transferring money to the account in advance. Methods of transfer include transfer from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated business (bank) and transfer from a registered bank account.

[0032] The deferred payment limit is the monthly available deferred payment limit, the deferred payment usage amount is the amount of deferred payment already used in the current month, and the available deferred payment amount is the amount of deferred payment available in the current month, calculated by subtracting the deferred payment usage amount from the deferred payment limit. Although only one deferred payment limit is shown in the figure, in reality, there may be additional daily upper limits, and the lower of these may be set as the deferred payment limit. Further details of deferred payment will be described later. The payment method setting is setting information indicating whether the user will make an electronic payment using the charge balance or a deferred payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information (account number, card number) of a bank account or credit card number that can be deposited into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user transferring money to the electronic payment service in advance to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information indicating the details of the payment made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.) for each payment. The voucher information includes information such as the amount of the voucher that can be used in the electronic payment service and the type of the voucher (the affiliated store or service provider at which the voucher can be used, and the product or service that can be used).

[0033] 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 name and sales amount (described above) are associated with an affiliated store ID, and a third table 176C in which a store ID is associated with a store ID. 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 location of the store, and payment patterns.

[0034] 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 new records to, edits, and deletes the user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176.

[0035] The information management unit 140 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 142 and an assignment unit 144. The acquisition unit 142 acquires, for example, an instruction to assign a voucher or an instruction to use a voucher from the user terminal device 10. The assignment unit 144 assigns a voucher to another user based on the instruction of the user. Assigning means associating the amount and type of the voucher with the user's identification information as described above.

[0036] [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 refers to the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For a user 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. The item value of the affiliated store's sales is not used as electronic money itself, for example, and an amount corresponding to the item value of the sales is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

[0037] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment for users whose "setting information" is set to "deferred payment" as follows. Deferred payment is set separately from "credit payment" in cooperation with a credit card company that is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and the operator of the electronic payment service acts as a creditor and allows electronic payment that is not dependent on the charge balance within the deferred payment limit. In order to receive the deferred payment service, a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service may be required. The amount used for deferred payment is settled on the payment date of the following month, for example, by debiting from a bank account, for one month. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs provisional payment by adding the payment amount to the deferred payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the deferred payment available amount, and when the closing date comes, it performs processing to debit the payment for the current month on the payment date of the following month as described above. In addition, if the payment amount exceeds the deferred payment available amount at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment application 20.

[0038] The securities server 200 cooperates with the securities application 30 to display securities content on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, and to buy, sell, and manage securities in response to user operations on the securities application 30. The securities server 200 grants products or services (e.g., financial products) to users based on electronic payment using vouchers, as described below. Granting means associating a product or service with the user's identification information managed in the securities service. For example, when a user is granted 100 shares of stock A, the securities server 200 manages this information by associating the ownership of 100 shares of stock A with the user's identification information.

[0039] [Top page] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the top screen IF1 of the payment application 20. A code image CD is displayed on the top screen IF1. The code image CD includes, for example, a barcode and a QR code. The top screen IF1 also includes a button B1 for displaying an interface screen for granting a voucher to another user. The "button (switch)" is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) realized in cooperation with a touch panel. When the button B1 is operated, the screen transitions to an interface screen for granting a voucher in a chat function in FIG. 8, which will be described later. The top screen IF1 also includes buttons for starting various services and buttons for starting prepared mini-applications. The various services are various services such as services provided by an electronic payment service and services linked to an electronic payment service.

[0040] The payment server 100 executes a process for granting a voucher to a second user based on first instruction information input by a first user operating an electronic payment app in a chat provided in an electronic payment service. The payment server 100 executes a process for granting a voucher to a second user based on first instruction information including the amount of the voucher and the type of the voucher specified by the first user operating the electronic payment app. In this embodiment, the interface screen for granting a voucher is described as a mode in which a voucher is granted to another user using a chat function, but is not limited thereto, and a mode in which a voucher is granted without using a chat function may also be used.

[0041] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the interface screen IF2. The interface screen IF2 is a screen displayed after the user performs a predetermined operation on the interface screen displayed after the button B1 is operated to input that a voucher for purchasing 1000 yen worth of gold in the securities service is to be given to the second user.

[0042] In this embodiment, the voucher is described as a voucher that can be used to purchase gold in a securities service as an example, but instead (or in addition) the voucher may be a voucher that can be used to purchase products or services sold in other services, or a voucher that can be used at affiliated stores of an electronic payment service.

[0043] The user may also determine the amount and type of the voucher to be granted arbitrarily or within the scope of predefined rules. For example, the user may specify a voucher for purchasing gold as described above, or a voucher that can be used at a specified affiliated store. The user may also specify that the voucher can be used for a specified product or service. For example, the user may specify that the voucher can be used for investments and cannot be used for other purposes.

[0044] [Sequence diagram] 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment application 20 and the payment server 100. First, when a first user operates the payment application 20 to perform an operation to grant a voucher to a second user (S100), the payment application 20 transmits operation information corresponding to the operation to the payment server 100 (S102). The operation information includes information required to grant a voucher to the second user, such as identification information of the first user, identification information of the second user, the amount of the voucher, the type of the voucher, and the payment method for purchasing the voucher.

[0045] Next, the payment server 100 executes a process for granting a voucher to the second user based on the operation information (S104). When the voucher is granted to the second user, the payment server 100 notifies the payment application 20 of the first user of a grant completion notification (S106). Then, in response to the grant completion notification, the payment application 20 of the first user causes the display unit to display information indicating that the voucher has been granted to the second user (S108).

[0046] Furthermore, the payment server 100 notifies the payment application 20 of the second user of the completion of the issuance (S110). Then, the payment application 20 of the second user displays information indicating that the voucher has been issued on the display unit in response to the completion of the issuance (S112).

[0047] As described above, the payment application 20 and the payment server 100 cooperate with each other to allow the first user to grant a voucher to the second user, thereby improving user convenience.

[0048] [Information management of user information] 10 is a diagram for explaining a change in information in the user information 172 in response to the issuance of a voucher. Before the voucher is issued, no voucher is issued to the second user (002), but after the voucher is issued, a voucher of 1,000 yen is issued to the second user. For example, when the first user (001) uses the charge balance to receive the second voucher, the charge balance of the first user is minus 1,000 yen from before the issuance of the voucher.

[0049] As described above, the payment server 100 can grant a voucher to a user by managing the user information 172 managed in the electronic payment service. This makes it possible to provide a voucher service to a user without complex processing or management.

[0050] [Use of voucher] When the second user operates the payment app 20 to use the granted voucher, and an operation is performed to purchase a specified product or service in content including information on the product or service for which the voucher can be used, which is displayed on the display unit of the second user's user terminal device 10 by the service server corresponding to the voucher, the payment server 100 executes electronic payment to purchase the product or service using the voucher in accordance with information instructing the second user to make electronic payment for the purchase of the specified product or service using the electronic payment service.

[0051] A user can use a voucher to purchase a financial product selected from the content provided by the securities server 200. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF3 including the content provided by the securities server 200. The interface screen IF3 is, for example, a screen that the payment application 20 displays on the display unit. The interface screen IF3 includes, for example, information on financial products sold in a securities service that can be purchased with a voucher and financial products that cannot be purchased with a voucher but can be purchased through other electronic payments.

[0052] Furthermore, the interface screen IF3 includes, for example, a button 11 and a button 12. The button 11 is a button for inputting an amount after selecting a financial product, and the button 12 is a button for instructing the purchase of the financial product using a voucher. For example, a user can purchase a financial product by selecting a financial product through a predetermined operation or by operating these buttons. For example, when a user purchases a financial product using a voucher, the user can use the voucher to purchase gold worth the amount of the voucher by operating the button 12.

[0053] [Sequence diagram] 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the securities server 200, the payment application 20, and the payment server 100. First, when the payment application 20 requests the securities server 200 to provide content based on a user's operation (S200), the securities server 200 provides the payment application 20 with the content according to the request (S202). The content may be content provided by the securities application 30 of the payment application 20 in cooperation with the securities server 200. For example, the request may be provided by the securities application 30. In addition, the processing executed by the payment application 20 described later may also be executed by the securities application 30.

[0054] Next, when the payment application 20 executes an operation to purchase the financial product of the content using the voucher in response to a user's operation (S204), a purchase request is sent to the payment server 100 (S206). The purchase request includes the amount and identification information of the product to be purchased, information indicating that the purchase will be made by electronic payment using the voucher, etc. The purchase request may be sent by the securities server 200 linked to the payment application 20 instead of the payment application 20.

[0055] Next, the payment server 100 executes electronic payment using the voucher in response to the purchase request (S208). After executing electronic payment using the voucher, the payment server 100 notifies the payment application 20 and the securities server 200 that the purchase has been completed (S210, S212).

[0056] Next, the securities server 200 performs a process of associating the purchased product with the user in response to the notification of completion (S214). For example, the securities server 200 adds the purchased product to information that associates the user's identification information and the products owned by the user that it manages.

[0057] As described above, a user who has been given a voucher can use the voucher to purchase goods or services via the services provided by the electronic payment service, thereby improving user convenience.

[0058] For example, in the past, sending vouchers between users was not considered. As a result, it was sometimes impossible for users to exchange gifts with each other. In contrast, in this embodiment, users can exchange gifts with each other, which improves user convenience and promotes the use of electronic payment services.

[0059] <Variation 1> In the above example, the voucher is used in a securities service provided in an electronic payment service. However, instead of (or in addition to) this, the voucher may be used in a service other than the securities service. For example, the voucher may be used in a shopping service or a food delivery service provided in the electronic payment service. For example, the voucher may be made available when the user agrees to use the target service. The voucher may also be used in a service other than the electronic payment service. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a voucher. As shown in the interface screen IF4 of FIG. 13, a voucher that can be used in a specific shopping service may be provided.

[0060] As described above, a user can provide a voucher that can be used for a desired service to another user, thereby improving convenience for users.

[0061] For example, as described in the above embodiments, when a voucher is provided as a gift for a child or the like, it may be desired that the voucher be used to purchase a product or service that matches the donor's intention. Therefore, a voucher with a limited use that matches the donor's intention can be provided to other users, so that a gift that matches the user's intention can be provided to other users.

[0062] <Variation 2> A user who receives a voucher may sell the financial product purchased with the voucher, or may additionally purchase the same financial product. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF5 displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 of a user who purchases securities using a voucher. The interface screen IF5 is an interface screen IF5 that is displayed on the display unit by the securities server 200 and the securities application 30 in cooperation with each other. The user may sell the financial product purchased with the voucher, or additionally purchase the same financial product, by operating the interface screen IF5 (e.g., the securities application 30). When a voucher is sold, the money obtained from the sale may be, for example, automatically added to the charge balance, or may be deposited into a predetermined bank account.

[0063] As described above, a user who is provided with a voucher can easily use the voucher, thereby improving user convenience.

[0064] <Variation 3> A user who sends a voucher to another user may send a voucher with a specified purpose to the other user. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF6 displayed when a voucher is sent. As in the interface screen IF16, the voucher may be specified for a purpose such as purchasing groceries or investment. In addition, a purpose for which the voucher cannot be used may be specified. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF17 for limiting the purpose. When sending a voucher to another user, a user may limit the category of goods or services, goods, services, stores, etc. for which the voucher can be used, or may specify a category, goods, services, stores, etc. to be excluded from use on the interface screen shown in FIG. 16. This allows the other user to use the voucher for the specified purpose.

[0065] For example, it is preferable that a voucher with a set amount and type is provided from a parent to a child or from an experienced investor to a beginner. For example, if a voucher is provided to a child or beginner from an educational perspective or for the purpose of studying investment, the child or beginner can start investing with peace of mind. This is because children and beginners are provided with vouchers with limited investment amounts and investment targets by a trustworthy person. For example, a voucher that can only be used at a specific affiliated store such as a specific coffee shop or a specific securities company may be provided. A specific securities company is, for example, a securities company where the voucher provider or the voucher recipient has already opened an account, or a securities company that supports the mini-app 30. For example, affiliated stores can acquire users by using the voucher as a marketing tool. For example, the type of product or service that can be used with the voucher may be limited. For example, the voucher may be limited to purchase only food, tobacco, alcohol, etc., or pure gold. This makes it possible to expect the voucher provider to use it as intended.

[0066] As described above, a user can provide a voucher that can be used for a desired service to another user, thereby improving convenience for users.

[0067] In the above example, when making an electronic payment using a voucher with limited use, the payment server 100 determines whether the use of the voucher matches information associated with the payment object, such as the store category or product or service identification information obtained by another service server or its own device, and if there is a match, executes the electronic payment.

[0068] In the above example, the user who receives the voucher performs a predetermined process to use the voucher, but the voucher with the above-mentioned restrictions and rules may be automatically exchanged for a product or service corresponding to the type of the voucher, and the exchanged product or service may be provided to the user who received the voucher. In a case where it is more preferable to limit the use of the voucher than to give the user a choice, for example, when a voucher for purchasing pure gold is provided, the user receives the voucher, and the voucher is automatically used to purchase pure gold. Then, the user can receive the pure gold without performing a process to use the voucher. In this way, when a user provides a voucher to another user, the other user can be provided with a product or service corresponding to the type of the voucher without the need for a process to use the voucher. This improves the convenience of the user who receives the voucher, and further improves the sense of security and satisfaction of the user who provides the voucher, since the user can reliably provide the intended gift to the other user.

[0069] <Modification 4> In the above example, vouchers are given to other users, but instead (or in addition), vouchers can be given to oneself. This allows for more precise budgeting and household management. For example, at the beginning of the month, one can purchase vouchers to purchase daily necessities, and then allocate a certain amount of one's salary for savings or investments. By using the vouchers, one can easily avoid unnecessary spending and manage one's finances.

[0070] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to improve user convenience by providing an granting unit that executes a process to grant a voucher to a second user based on first instruction information sent by an electronic payment app of a first user used in an electronic payment service, the first instruction information instructing a second user using the electronic payment service to grant the voucher usable in the electronic payment service, and a payment unit that executes the electronic payment based on second instruction information sent in response to an operation on the electronic payment app of the second user used in the electronic payment service, the second instruction information instructing the second user to make an electronic payment for a payment object, which is a product or service using the voucher in the electronic payment service.

[0071] 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]

[0072] 10 User terminal device 20. Payment App 100 Payment Server 120 Payment Contents Provider 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information Management Department 142 Acquisition Department 144 Granting Department

Claims

1. An granting unit that performs a process to grant a voucher to a second user based on first instruction information transmitted by a first user's electronic payment application used in an electronic payment service, which instructs the granting of a voucher usable in the electronic payment service but with restricted use in the electronic payment service to a second user using the electronic payment service, A settlement unit that executes the electronic payment based on second instruction information transmitted in response to an operation of the second user on the electronic payment application used in the electronic payment service, which is second instruction information for performing an electronic payment for a product or service that uses the voucher in the electronic payment service, A payment server equipped with the following features.

2. The voucher is a voucher that can be used to purchase the target in a predetermined service provided in the electronic payment service, The aforementioned settlement unit, The system executes an electronic payment using the voucher, transmits completion information indicating the completion of the electronic payment to the second user's terminal device, and further transmits the completion information to the service server providing the predetermined service in order to manage that the second user has purchased the item related to the electronic payment. The payment server according to claim 1.

3. The voucher is a voucher that can be used to purchase the target in a predetermined service provided in the electronic payment service, The aforementioned settlement unit, In an interface screen provided by a service server that provides the predetermined service, when the second user performs an operation to purchase an object which is a product or service corresponding to the intended use via the second user's terminal device, the service server executes an electronic payment using the voucher based on a payment instruction transmitted from the terminal device which includes user identification information, object identification information, and information on the purchase amount of the object, transmits completion information to the terminal device indicating the completion of the electronic payment for the object, and further transmits the completion information to the service server to manage that the second user has purchased the object. The payment server according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned voucher is a voucher that allows you to purchase items in a specific category, purchase items at a specific merchant, cannot purchase items in a specific category, or cannot purchase items at a specific merchant. The payment server according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The granting unit executes a process to grant the voucher to the second user based on the first instruction information entered by the first user by operating the electronic payment application in the chat provided in the electronic payment service. The payment server according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The granting unit executes a process to grant the voucher to the second user based on first instruction information, which includes the amount of the voucher and the type of the voucher specified by the first user when operating the electronic payment application. The payment server according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The voucher is a voucher that can be used to purchase a specified financial product in a specified service provided in the electronic payment service. The payment server according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The aforementioned settlement unit, In an interface screen provided by a service server that provides the predetermined service, in response to the second user performing an operation to purchase the financial product via the second user's terminal device, the service server executes an electronic payment using the voucher based on a payment instruction that includes user identification information, identification information of the financial product to be purchased, and information on the purchase amount of the purchased item, transmitted from the terminal device, completion information indicating the completion of the electronic payment for the financial product is transmitted to the terminal device, and further transmits the completion information to a predetermined server to manage that the user has purchased the purchased item. The settlement server according to claim 7.

9. In response to the aforementioned electronic payment, the financial products related to the electronic payment are provided to the second user via the electronic payment application on the second user's terminal device. The settlement server according to claim 8.

10. An granting unit that performs a process to grant a voucher to a second user based on first instruction information transmitted by a first user's electronic payment application used in an electronic payment service, which instructs the granting of a voucher usable in the electronic payment service but with restricted use in the electronic payment service to a second user using the electronic payment service, A payment server comprising: a payment unit that executes the electronic payment based on second instruction information transmitted in response to an operation of the second user's electronic payment application used in the electronic payment service, which is second instruction information for performing an electronic payment on a payment target that is a product or service using the voucher in the electronic payment service; The system includes a payment application that provides services to users in cooperation with the aforementioned payment server, When the second user performs an operation to purchase an item, which is a product or service, using the voucher, the payment application displays an interface screen on the terminal device's display unit that includes information on items that can be purchased with the voucher and information on items that cannot be purchased with the voucher but can be purchased using other payment methods. In response to the user's operation on the interface screen to purchase an item that can be purchased with the voucher, the application cooperates with the service server selling the item and the payment server to execute the processing for the purchase. Payment system.

11. Computers Based on first instruction information transmitted by a first user's electronic payment application used in an electronic payment service, which instructs the granting of a voucher usable in the electronic payment service to a second user using the electronic payment service, a voucher whose use is restricted in the electronic payment service, a process is executed to grant the voucher to the second user. A second instruction information transmitted in response to an operation of the second user's electronic payment application used in the electronic payment service, wherein the electronic payment is executed based on the second instruction information for performing an electronic payment for an object which is a product or service using the voucher in the electronic payment service. Payment methods.

12. On the computer, Based on first instruction information transmitted by a first user's electronic payment application used in an electronic payment service, which instructs the granting of a voucher usable in the electronic payment service to a second user using the electronic payment service, a process is executed to grant the voucher to the second user. A second instruction information transmitted in response to an operation of the second user on the electronic payment application used in the electronic payment service, which causes the electronic payment to be executed based on the second instruction information for performing an electronic payment for an object that is a product or service using the voucher in the electronic payment service. program.

Images