Information processing method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience in making settlement involving multiple users.SOLUTION: An information processing device provided herein performs processes comprising: managing an account of a first group comprising a first user and a second user; upon receipt of a first request for settlement using the first group account from an information processing terminal of the first user, making settlement using the first group account based on the first request for settlement; and, upon receipt of a second request for settlement using the first group account from an information processing terminal of the second user, making settlement using the first group account based on the second request for settlement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technology that allows multiple users to share the payment of a product by having one user pay the total amount (in one lump sum) at a store's cash register or the like, and then have the other users transfer money (person-to-person transfer) to the first user using a payment service that makes payments online, thereby allowing the multiple users to share the payment (split the bill) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-238998 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, for example, the user may feel inconvenienced when splitting the bill every time a payment is made. The present disclosure aims to provide a technology that can improve the convenience of making payments among multiple users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure manages accounts of a first group including a first user and a second user, and when a first payment request using an account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the first user, performs a process of making a payment from the account of the first group based on the first payment request, and when a second payment request using an account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the second user, performs a process of making a payment from the account of the first group based on the second payment request. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server and a terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server and a terminal according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of a processing sequence for creating a joint account in a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information stored in a user information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of group information stored in a group information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a processing sequence for making a payment using a joint account in a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8C] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a payment history stored in a payment history storage unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] <Legal compliance> The disclosure described herein, when implemented, is implemented in compliance with the laws and regulations of the countries in which the disclosure is implemented. In addition, the disclosure described herein is implemented with all changes, substitutions, variations, modifications, and alterations that a person skilled in the art can make that are necessary to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries.

[0008] An embodiment for implementing a payment system using a joint account of multiple users according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. <System configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, in the communication system 1, a server 110A, a server 110B, a terminal 120A, a terminal 120B, and a terminal 120C are connected via a network 130.

[0009] In the present disclosure, when there is no need to distinguish between server 110A and server 110B, server 110A and server 110B may each be expressed as server 110.

[0010] In the present disclosure, when there is no need to distinguish between terminal 120A, terminal 120B, and terminal 120C, terminal 120A, terminal 120B, and terminal 120C may each be expressed as terminal 120 (an example of an "information processing terminal").

[0011] In the present disclosure, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the server 110 and the terminal 120, the server 110 and the terminal 120 may each be expressed as an information processing device 200. Note that the number of information processing devices 200 connected to the network 130 is not limited to the example in FIG.

[0012] The server 110 provides a predetermined service to the terminal 120 used by the user via the network 130. The predetermined service includes, but is not limited to, a payment service, a financial service, an electronic commerce service, a social networking service (SNS) represented by a messaging service using an instant messenger, and a content providing service such as music, videos, and books. The server 110 may provide one or more predetermined services independently, or may provide one or more predetermined services in combination. When the user uses the predetermined service via the terminal 120, the server 110 can provide the predetermined service to one or more terminals 120.

[0013] The terminal 120 is, for example, a terminal such as a user's smartphone, and performs processing to utilize various services provided by the server 110.

[0014] If necessary, the terminal used by user X is expressed as terminal 120X, and user information in a predetermined service associated with user X or terminal 120X is expressed as user information X. Note that user information is information of a user associated with an account used by the user in a predetermined service. User information includes, but is not limited to, information associated with a user, such as a user's name, a user's icon image, a user's age, a user's sex, a user's address, a user's hobbies and interests, and a user's identifier, which is input by the user or given by a predetermined service, balance information of electronic value (electronic money) associated with the user, and credit card information (such as a credit card number) associated with the user, and may be any one or a combination of these.

[0015] The network 130 serves to connect two or more information processing devices 200. The network 130 refers to a communication network that provides a connection path so that the terminal 120 can connect to the server 110 and then transmit and receive data.

[0016] One or more portions of the network 130 may be a wired network or a wireless network. The network 130 may include, by way of example and without limitation, an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular network, Integrated Service Digital Networks (ISDNs), wireless LANs, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Bluetooth, satellite communications, or the like, or a combination of two or more thereof. The network 130 may include one or more networks 130.

[0017] Information processing device 200 may be any information processing device capable of implementing the functions and methods described in this disclosure.

[0018] The information processing device 200 may include, for example and without limitation, a smartphone, a mobile phone (feature phone), a computer (for example and without limitation, a desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), a server device, a media computer platform (for example and without limitation, a cable or satellite set-top box, digital video recorder, etc.), a handheld computer device (for example and without limitation, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), email client, etc.), a wearable terminal (for example and without limitation, a glasses-type device, a watch-type device, etc.), other types of computers, or communication platforms.

[0019] <Hardware configuration> A hardware configuration of the information processing device 200 included in the communication system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 200 according to the embodiment.

[0020] The information processing device 200 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage 203, an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 204, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 205. The hardware components of the information processing device 200 are connected to each other via a bus B, for example and not for limitation.

[0021] The information processing device 200 realizes the functions and / or methods described in this disclosure through cooperation between a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage 203, an input / output I / F 204, and a communication I / F 205.

[0022] The processor 201 executes functions and methods realized by codes or instructions included in a program stored in the storage 203. The processor 201 includes, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like, and may realize each process disclosed in each embodiment by a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (an integrated circuit (IC) chip, a large scale integration (LSI)), and the like. In addition, these circuits may be realized by one or more integrated circuits, and a plurality of processes shown in each embodiment may be realized by one integrated circuit. In addition, an LSI may be called a VLSI, a super LSI, an ultra LSI, and the like depending on the degree of integration.

[0023] The memory 202 temporarily stores the programs loaded from the storage 203 and provides a working area for the processor 201. The memory 202 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 201 is executing the programs. The memory 202 includes, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like.

[0024] The storage 203 stores programs. The storage 203 includes, but is not limited to, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, and the like.

[0025] The communication I / F 205 transmits and receives various data via the network 130. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as the mutual communication can be performed. The communication I / F 205 has a function of performing communication with other information processing devices via the network 130. The communication I / F 205 transmits various data to other information processing devices according to instructions from the processor 201. The communication I / F 205 also receives various data transmitted from other information processing devices and transmits it to the processor 201.

[0026] The input / output I / F 204 includes an input device for inputting various operations to the information processing device 200, and an output device for outputting processing results processed by the information processing device 200. The input / output I / F 204 may be an integrated input device and an output device, or may be separate input device and output device.

[0027] The input device is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices that can receive input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the processor 201. Examples of the input device include, but are not limited to, a touch panel, a touch display, hardware keys such as a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a camera (operation input via an image), and a microphone (operation input by voice).

[0028] The output device is realized by any one of all types of devices capable of outputting the processing result processed by the processor 201, or a combination thereof. When the processing result is output as a video or a moving image, the output device is realized by any one of all types of devices capable of displaying the display data according to the display data written in the frame buffer, or a combination thereof. Examples of the output device include, but are not limited to, a touch panel, a touch display, a monitor (for example, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display, an OELD (Organic Electroluminescence Display), etc.), a head mounted display (HDM: Head Mounted Display), projection mapping, a hologram, a device capable of displaying images, text information, etc. in the air (which may be a vacuum), a speaker (audio output), a printer, etc. Note that these output devices may be capable of displaying display data in 3D.

[0029] The programs of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can store the programs in a "non-transitory tangible medium." The programs include, but are not limited to, software programs and computer programs.

[0030] The storage medium may, where appropriate, include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (such as, by way of example and not limitation, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific ICs (ASICs), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards or drives, any other suitable storage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these. The storage medium may, where appropriate, be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile.

[0031] Furthermore, the program of the present disclosure may be provided to the information processing device 200 via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or broadcast waves) capable of transmitting the program.

[0032] Furthermore, each embodiment of the present disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which a program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0033] Note that the programs of the present disclosure are implemented using, by way of example and not limitation, scripting languages ​​such as JavaScript (registered trademark) and Python, C language, Go language, Swift, Kotlin, Java (registered trademark), and the like.

[0034] At least a part of the processing in the information processing device 200 may be realized by cloud computing configured by one or more computers.

[0035] At least a part of the processing in the information processing device 200 may be performed by another information processing device. In this case, at least a part of the processing of each functional unit realized by the processor 201 may be performed by the other information processing device.

[0036] <Other> Unless explicitly stated, the judgment configuration in the embodiments of the present disclosure is not required, and a specified process may be performed when the judgment condition is satisfied, or a specified process may be performed when the judgment condition is not satisfied.

[0037] In this disclosure, unless expressly stated or indicated by context, "at least one of A and B" means "A, B, or both." Furthermore, unless expressly stated or indicated by context, "a," "an," or "the" shall mean "one or more." Thus, in this specification, unless expressly stated or indicated by context, "an A" or "the A" means "one or more A."

[0038] The present disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, modifications, or alterations that a person skilled in the art may make to the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure. The appended claims also encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, modifications, or alterations that a person skilled in the art may make to the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure encompasses any combination of one or more features of an embodiment or example in the present disclosure with one or more features of another embodiment or example in the present disclosure that a person skilled in the art may make.

[0039] In addition, references in the appended claims to an apparatus or system, or an apparatus or system component, that is adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or capable of performing a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, component, whether or not the apparatus, system, component, or that particular function thereof is activated, turned on, or unlocked, so long as the apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, enabled, or capable of performing a particular function.

[0040] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, consent may be obtained from a user in advance or immediately before the implementation of any embodiment or example. In addition, the consent obtained may be comprehensive or may be obtained on a case-by-case basis.

[0041] <Embodiment> An embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: This embodiment provides a joint account that can be used by multiple users for payment.

[0042] The embodiment can improve the convenience of making a payment among multiple users, for example. In addition, since the user does not need to set the split amount each time a payment is made, the load on the terminal 120A and the server 110, and the load on the network 130 between the terminal 120A and the server 110 can be reduced.

[0043] <Functional configuration of the embodiment> The functional configuration of the server 110 and the terminal 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 110 and the terminal 120 according to an embodiment. The functional units disclosed in Fig. 3 are realized by cooperation between a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage 203, an input / output I / F 204, and a communication I / F 205 included in the information processing device 200.

[0044] (1) Functional configuration of the server The server 110 includes a reception unit 311, a transmission / reception unit 312, a control unit 313, a display control unit 314, and a storage unit 315. Note that the functions or processes of each functional unit may be realized by machine learning or AI (Artificial Intelligence) to the extent feasible.

[0045] The reception unit 311 receives various setting operations and the like from businesses operating various services provided by the server 110.

[0046] The transmitting / receiving unit 312 transmits and receives data to and from the terminal 120 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 313. When the user of the terminal 120 is authenticated by, for example, a user ID and a password included in a login request from the terminal 120, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 connects a communication session with the terminal 120 using HTTPS or the like. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 stores the communication address and the user ID of the terminal 120 or the like in association with the ID of the connected communication session. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 transmits data to the terminal 120 or the like using the connected communication session.

[0047] The control unit 313 performs processing to provide services such as payment services, financial services, and SMS messaging services to the user of the terminal 120.

[0048] The display control unit 314, in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 313, causes the transmitting / receiving unit 312 to transmit information for controlling the display screen of the terminal 120 or the like.

[0049] The storage unit 315 includes a user information storage unit 3151 for storing user information, a group information storage unit 3152 for storing information on a group that manages a joint account, a payment history storage unit 3153 for storing the history of each payment using the joint account, etc. The information stored in each storage unit will be described later.

[0050] (2) Functional configuration of the terminal The terminal 120 includes a reception unit 321, a transmission / reception unit 322, a control unit 323, a display control unit 324, and a storage unit 325. Note that the functions or processes of each functional unit may be realized by machine learning or AI to the extent possible.

[0051] The reception unit 321 receives various operations from the user of the terminal 120 .

[0052] The transmitting / receiving unit 322 transmits and receives data to and from the server 110, etc., in accordance with instructions from the control unit 323. For example, when logging in to the server 110, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 connects a communication session with the server 110 using HTTPS or the like. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 stores the communication address of the server 110, etc., in association with the ID of the connected communication session. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 transmits data to the server 110 using the connected communication session.

[0053] The control unit 323 performs processing to utilize predetermined services such as a payment service provided by the server 110.

[0054] The display control unit 324 controls the display screen of the terminal 120 according to instructions from the control unit 323 and based on information received from the server 110 and the like.

[0055] The storage unit 325 stores information for using the services provided by the server 110, etc.

[0056] <Processing of the embodiment> The processing of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described below. In the following, the users of the terminal 120A, the terminal 120B, and the terminal 120C will be referred to as user A, user B, and user C, respectively. It is assumed that each terminal 120 is authenticated by the server 110 using the account of the user of each terminal 120 when communicating with the server 110.

[0057] <Processing when creating a joint account> A process for creating a joint account in the communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6B. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a process sequence for creating a joint account in the communication system 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5A is a diagram showing an example of user information stored in the user information storage unit 3151 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5B is a diagram showing an example of group information stored in the group information storage unit 3152 according to the embodiment. Figs. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example of a display screen of the terminal 120 according to the embodiment.

[0058] In the following, an example will be described in which user A first creates a group (group A) including users A and B, and then adds user C to the group. Note that the number of users included in a group is not limited to this example. Also, adding users to a group is not essential.

[0059] In step S1, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A receives an operation to set a group including a plurality of users from the user A. Here, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A may receive an operation to select users to be included in the group from among the users who are set in advance in a predetermined relationship, such as friends, with the user A in the user information storage unit 3151 of the server 110, for example.

[0060] Also, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A may acquire candidates of users to be included in the group from the server 110, and allow the user A to select from the candidates of users. The control unit 313 of the server 110 may select candidates of users to be included in the group based on a social graph or the like. In this case, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may select candidates of users to be included in the group based on the user IDs of users of the terminals 120 located within a predetermined range from the current location of the terminal 120A who have a predetermined relationship set in the user information storage unit 3151. For example, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may select users who have a predetermined relationship set with the user A (friend users) and users who have a predetermined relationship set with the user who has a predetermined relationship set with the user A (friend users of friends). This allows users who are considered to be eating and drinking with the user A among other users near the user A to be extracted as candidates of users to be included in the group.

[0061] The predetermined relationship means that the server 110 or the terminal 120 stores a predetermined relationship between two or more users. As a non-limiting example, the predetermined relationship may include a relationship in which both users have mutually approved the establishment of a relationship, a relationship in which at least one user has proposed to establish a relationship, a relationship established based on user information, a relationship established based on user behavior, and a state in which a relationship has been established due to the satisfaction of a predetermined condition. The relationship established based on user information may include a relationship in which one or more users having the same or similar user information are associated with each other, and the relationship established based on user behavior may include a relationship in which one or more users having the same or similar user behavior are associated with each other. As a non-limiting example, the user in which the predetermined relationship is set with the first user may include not only the second user in which the predetermined relationship is set with the first user, but also the third user (a friend of a friend) in which the predetermined relationship is set with the second user.

[0062] In addition, the users who have a specified relationship with the user (users who have a specified relationship with the user) may be, by way of example and not limitation, all users who have a specified relationship with the user, a predetermined number of users, or users whose intimacy level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level.

[0063] Here, the intimacy level may be determined so that the degree of intimacy increases in the order of the number of messages exchanged between users within a predetermined period (which may be a fixed period such as one month or two months, or may be the period from the establishment of a predetermined relationship to the present).Also, the degree of intimacy may be determined so that the degree of intimacy increases in the order of the number of transactions (including buying and selling of goods, sending and receiving assets, currency exchange, etc.) between users within a predetermined period.

[0064] In addition, the intimacy level may be determined such that the longer the period from when the predetermined relationship was established to the present, the higher the intimacy level. The period from when the predetermined relationship was established to the present may be an absolute value, or a relative value among one or more users who have a predetermined relationship with the user.

[0065] In addition, the intimacy level may be a degree that is determined such that, for multiple other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user, the intimacy level increases as the length of time that the other users are within a predetermined range from the user's location increases. In addition, the intimacy level may be a degree that is determined such that, for multiple users who have a predetermined relationship with the user, the intimacy level increases as the relationship estimated based on the period from when the predetermined relationship was established to the present and the location information of each user (for example, the relationship is estimated to be family).

[0066] Further, the intimacy level may be a degree determined such that the greater the number of users in common with the user (the number of mutual friends), the higher the intimacy level is for a plurality of other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user.

[0067] In addition, the intimacy level may be determined so that the greater the number of users who have a specified relationship with the user who is communicating with the user, the higher the intimacy level.

[0068] In addition, the degree of intimacy may be determined such that the higher the degree of similarity between the user's own attribute and each of the attributes of a plurality of users who have a predetermined relationship with the user, the higher the degree of intimacy. The attribute of the user may be, for example and without limitation, an interest or concern.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 323 of the terminal 120A may obtain information on candidates for users to be included in a group from the other terminals 120 through short-range wireless communication, and may cause the display control unit 324 to display the obtained users of the other terminals 120. In this case, the short-range wireless communication may be any type that can establish wireless communication between the terminals 120 in a relatively short distance. Examples of short-range wireless communication include, but are not limited to, Wi-Fi, RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier), NFC (Near Field Communication), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), and ultrasonic waves.

[0070] This allows other users near user A to be extracted as candidates for users to be included in the group. Furthermore, the control unit 323 of the terminal 120A may select candidates for users to be included in the group based on the social graph. In this case, the control unit 323 of the terminal 120A may select, for example, users (friend users) who have a predetermined relationship with user A from among the users of other terminals 120 detected by short-range wireless communication, and cause the display control unit 324 to display the selected users.

[0071] Furthermore, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120B may receive an operation to designate a group, which has been created in advance as a group for sending and receiving content using a messaging service provided by the server 110, as a group for a joint account.

[0072] (User information storage unit 3151) In the example of FIG. 5A, the user information storage unit 3151 stores, in association with the user ID, the name, icon, balance, and user ID of each user who is set in a predetermined relationship. The user ID is identification information of the user. The name is the name of the user. The icon is an image (still image, illustration, etc.) set for the user that indicates the user. The balance is the balance of the user's account that can be used by the user for payment in the payment service provided by the server 110. The user ID of each user who is set in a predetermined relationship is, for example, the user ID of a user who is set as a friend in an SNS or the like provided by the server 110.

[0073] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 of the terminal 120A transmits a request to set a group to the server 110 (step S2). Here, the request to set a group may include, for example, the user ID of the user A and the user IDs of one or more users to be included in the group specified by the user A. Note that the control unit 313 of the server 110 may acquire the user ID of the user A of the terminal 120A based on the ID of a data communication session received from the terminal 120A that has logged in to the server 110 in advance using the user ID of the user A.

[0074] In the following description, it is assumed that user A first specifies that user B should be included in the group. The control unit 313 of the server 110 sets a group including the specified users in the group information storage unit 3152 (step S3). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 transmits a notification that the user has been invited to the group including user A and user B to terminal 120B and causes it to be displayed. Then, when user B performs an operation to approve the participation in the group, a notification to that effect is transmitted to terminal 120A and caused to be displayed. This allows user A and user B to transmit and receive content between each user included in the group, for example, by using a messaging service provided by the server 110. The content may include messages, images (including still images and videos), illustrations, and the like.

[0075] (Group information storage unit 3152) In the example of Fig. 5B, the group information storage unit 3152 stores the name, each user ID, the history of transmitted and received content, and the balance in association with the group ID. The group ID is identification information of the group. The name is the name of the group designated by the user when setting (generating, creating) the group, for example.

[0076] The user IDs of the multiple users are the user IDs of the users included in the group. The history of transmitted and received content is the history of content transmitted and received in the group. Note that the history of transmitted and received content may store, for example, the user ID of the user who transmitted the content, the date and time when the content was transmitted, data on the content, etc., in association with the ID of the transmitted and received content.

[0077] The balance is the balance of the group's account (joint account) that can be used by each user in the group to make payments using the payment service provided by server 110.

[0078] Next, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A receives an operation by each user included in the group to specify the amount to be deposited into the joint account of the group (step S4). In the example of FIG. 6A, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120A displays the group name 602, a message 603 prompting each user to input the amount to be deposited, an icon 604A and name 604B of user A, an input field 604C for the amount to be deposited, an icon 605A and name 605B of user B, an input field 605C for the amount to be deposited, and a "OK" button 606 on a deposit screen 601 to the joint account. When the reception unit 321 receives an operation in which the amount is entered into the input field 604C and the input field 605C and the "OK" button 606 is pressed, the terminal 120A performs the following process. Note that in the example of the input field 604C and the input field 605C of FIG. 6A, it is specified that each of user A and user B deposits 5,000 yen into the joint account. The deposit amount may be set so that each user can specify the amount to deposit. Also, the amount may be automatically deposited at a predetermined period (for example, once a month).

[0079] Next, the transceiver 322 of the terminal 120A transmits a deposit request including information on each amount to be deposited into the group's joint account designated by user A to the server 110 (step S5). Here, the deposit request may include the group ID, user A's user ID, the amount deposited by user A, user B's user ID, the amount deposited by user B, etc.

[0080] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 transfers (deposits) the amount of money designated by user A in the received deposit request to be deposited by user A into the group's joint account from user A's account to the group's joint account (step S6). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the designated amount from user A's balance in the user information storage unit 3151. Then, the control unit 313 of the server 110 adds the designated amount to the group A's balance in the group information storage unit 3152. Here, the transmission / reception unit 312 of the server 110 may transmit a notification to the terminal 120A that allows user A to make a payment from the balance of group A. Then, upon receiving the notification, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120A may enable user A to operate a button or the like for making a payment from the balance of group A.

[0081] Next, the transmitter / receiver 312 of the server 110 transmits a deposit request to the terminal 120B for the amount designated by user A in the received deposit request that user B deposits into the group's joint account (step S7).

[0082] Next, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120B displays the received deposit request (step S8). Here, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120B may display, for example, a display screen as shown in FIG. 6B. In the example of FIG. 6B, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120B displays a group message screen 611 that displays the contents, etc. transmitted and received in group A in chronological order of transmission by the messaging service provided by the server 110. In the example of FIG. 6B, each content, etc. is displayed in order of the most recent transmission date and time from the bottom of the display area 613 of the transmitted and received contents, etc. Note that the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120 may display each content, etc. in order of the most recent transmission date and time from the top of the display area 613.

[0083] In the example of FIG. 6B, a message 614A sent by user A and a sending date and time 614B of the message 614A are displayed in association with an icon 604A and a name 604B of user A. A message 615A sent by user B and a sending date and time 615B of the message 615A are displayed in association with an icon 605A and a name 605B of user B. A message 616A and a sending date and time 616B, which are delivered by the server 110 to the terminals 120 of the users included in the group, indicating that user A has deposited money into the joint account, are displayed. A deposit request message 617A and a sending date and time 617B sent by the server 110, a "Cancel" button 617C, and an "Accept and deposit" button 617D are displayed.

[0084] Next, the accepting unit 321 of the terminal 120B accepts from the user B an operation of agreeing to deposit the amount specified by the user A (step S9). Here, the accepting unit 321 of the terminal 120B accepts from the user B, for example, an operation of pressing the "Agree and deposit" button 617D in FIG. 6B. Note that the terminal 120B may allow the user B to specify an arbitrary deposit amount and deposit it. In this case, the terminal 120B may allow the user B to specify an amount equal to or greater than the amount specified by the user A. This allows, for example, the user B to deposit an amount greater than the amount specified by the user A.

[0085] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 of the terminal 120B transmits an acceptance response to the received deposit request to the server 110 (step S10). Here, the acceptance response may include the group ID, the user ID of user B, the deposit amount of user B, etc.

[0086] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 transfers the amount designated by the user A or user B to be deposited by the user B into the group's joint account from the account of the user B to the group's joint account (step S11). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the designated amount from the balance of the user B in the user information storage unit 3151. Then, the control unit 313 of the server 110 adds the designated amount to the balance of the group A in the group information storage unit 3152. Here, the transmission / reception unit 312 of the server 110 may determine whether the amount deposited by the user B into the group's joint account is equal to or greater than the amount designated by the user A, and may transmit a notification to the terminal 120B to enable the user B to make a payment from the balance of the group A only if the amount is equal to or greater than the designated amount. Then, upon receiving the notification, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120B may enable the user B to operate a button or the like for making a payment from the balance of the group A. This allows a user who deposits a predetermined amount or more into the joint account to make a payment using the joint account. In addition, users who have not deposited funds into the joint account can be prevented from making payments using the joint account.

[0087] Next, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A receives from the user A an operation to add the user C to the group and specify the amount to be deposited by the user C into the group's joint account (step S12). Next, the transmission / reception unit 322 of the terminal 120A transmits to the server 110 a deposit request including information on each amount to be deposited by the user C into the group's joint account, as specified by the user A (step S13).

[0088] Next, the transmitter / receiver 312 of the server 110 transmits a deposit request to the terminal 120C (step S14). Here, the deposit request may include information on the amount designated by the user A that the user C will deposit into the group joint account.

[0089] Next, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120C displays the received deposit request (step S15). Next, the acceptance unit 321 of the terminal 120C accepts an operation from the user C agreeing to deposit the amount designated by the user A (step S16). Note that the terminal 120C may allow the user C to specify an arbitrary deposit amount and deposit. In this case, the terminal 120C may allow the user C to specify an amount equal to or greater than the amount designated by the user A. This allows, for example, the user C to deposit an amount greater than the amount designated by the user A. Next, the transmission / reception unit 322 of the terminal 120C transmits an acceptance response to the received deposit request to the server 110 (step S17).

[0090] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 of the server 110 transfers the amount designated by the user A or user C to be deposited by the user C into the group's joint account from the account of the user C to the group's joint account (step S18). Here, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 of the server 110 may determine whether the amount deposited by the user C into the group's joint account is equal to or greater than the amount designated by the user A, and may transmit a notification to the terminal 120C to enable the user C to make a payment from the balance of the group A only if the amount is equal to or greater than the amount. Then, upon receiving the notification, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120C may enable the user C to operate a button or the like for making a payment from the balance of the group A. Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may add the user C to the group A of the messaging service, so that the users A, B, and C can send and receive content using the group A. As a result, the user C who is added to the group A can make a payment using the joint account and use the messaging service in the group A by depositing an amount equal to or greater than the amount designated by the user A into the joint account.

[0091] <Processing when making payments using a joint account> A process of making a payment to a joint account of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a process of making a payment to a joint account of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment. Figs. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing an example of a display screen of the terminal 120 according to the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a payment history stored in the payment history storage unit 3153 according to the embodiment.

[0092] In the following, an example will be described in which user C makes a payment using a joint account of group A including users A, B, and C. Note that the number of users included in the group is not limited to this example. Note that the process in which users A and B make a payment using the joint account of group A may be the same as the process in which user C makes a payment using the joint account of group A, which will be described below.

[0093] In step S51, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120C receives from the user C an operation to make a payment from the joint account of the group A using the payment service provided by the server 110. Here, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120C may receive a payment operation by various methods, such as, for example, QR code (registered trademark) payment, contactless payment, credit card payment, online payment, and the like.

[0094] Next, the transceiver 322 of the terminal 120C transmits a payment request to the server 110 (step S52). Here, the payment request may include the group ID of group A, the user ID of user C, and payment information. The payment information may include information such as the payment amount, the ID of the payee's business, and a breakdown of the payment (receipt information).

[0095] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 stores the payment information and the like included in the received payment request in the payment history storage unit 3153 (step S53).

[0096] (Payment history storage unit 3153) In the example of FIG. 9, the payment history memory unit 3153 stores a payment ID, the user ID of the payer, payment information, the amount used (yen), and the approval status in association with the group ID. The payment ID is identification information for the payment in the joint account. The user ID of the payer is the user ID of the user who made the payment. The payment information is information indicating the content of the payment. The amount used is each user who used (consumed) the paid product and the amount used by each user. The approval status is the approval status of the payment in the joint account for each user, and includes "approved," "not approved," and "not approved," etc. The amount used and the approval status may be set, for example, by a user's operation on the terminal 120.

[0097] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 makes a payment (advance payment) from the account of the user C (step S54). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the payment amount from the balance of the user C stored in the user information storage unit 3151, and adds the payment amount to the balance of the account of the payee business. This completes the payment at the store or the like.

[0098] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 of the server 110 transmits the payment information to the terminals 120A, 120B, and 120C of the users included in the group A by the messaging service (steps S55-1 to S55-3). Next, the display control units 324 of the terminals 120A, 120B, and 120C each display the payment information including receipt information and the like on the group message screen for the group A in the messaging service (steps S56-1 to S56-3).

[0099] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 of the server 110 transmits a payment approval request to the terminals 120A and 120B of each user included in the group A other than the user C, by the messaging service (steps S57-1 to S57-2). Next, the display control units 324 of the terminals 120A and 120B each display the approval request on a group message screen for the group A in the messaging service (steps S58-1 to S58-2). In the example of FIG. 8A, the display control units 324 of the terminals 120A and 120B display a group message screen 801 that displays the contents and the like transmitted and received in the group A in the chronological order of transmission, by the messaging service provided by the server 110.

[0100] In the example of Fig. 8A, area 802 displaying payment information and approval requests displays message 802A indicating that user C has requested approval of a payment to a joint account, summary of payment details 802B, "View details" button 801C, and "Set user" button 801D. Area 802 also displays approval status 802E of each user other than the payer included in group A, "Do not approve payment" button 802F, "Approve payment" button 802G, and date and time of sending of the approval request 802H.

[0101] Also displayed are a message 803C sent by user C and a sending date and time 803D of the message 803C, associated with an icon 803A and a name 803B of user C.

[0102] Furthermore, since approval is not required from user C who made the payment using the joint account, the “Do not approve the payment” button 802F and the “Approve the payment” button 802G are not displayed on the group message screen displayed by the display control unit 324 of terminal 120C.

[0103] When the "View Details" button 801C is pressed, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120 displays detailed payment information such as the details of the purchased product. When the "Set User" button 801D is pressed, a display screen is displayed that accepts the setting operation of each user who used (consumed) the paid product and the usage amount of each user.

[0104] When the “Do not approve payment” button 802F is pressed, the transmitter / receiver unit 322 of the terminal 120 sends a non-approval response to the server 110. Then, the control unit 313 of the server 110 updates the approval status for the user of the terminal 120 in the payment history storage unit 3153 from “unapproved” to “not approved.”

[0105] Next, the reception units 321 of the terminals 120A and 120B respectively receive approval operations from the users A and B (steps S59-1 to S59-2). Here, the reception units 321 of the terminals 120A and 120B respectively receive, for example, a pressing operation of the "Approve payment" button 802G in Fig. 9. Next, the transmission / reception units 322 of the terminals 120A and 120B respectively transmit an approval response to the server 110 (steps S60-1 to S60-2).

[0106] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 transfers the payment amount from the joint account of group A to the account of user C (step S61). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the payment amount from the balance of group A in the group information storage unit 3152, and adds the payment amount to the balance of user C stored in the user information storage unit 3151. As a result, the payment amount that had been paid in advance to user C is paid from the joint account. The control unit 313 of the server 110 also updates the approval status for the user of the terminal 120 in the payment history storage unit 3153 from "unapproved" to "approved."

[0107] When a payment to a joint account is approved by user A and user B, and the user and amount of the payment are set to either user, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120 displays a group message screen 811 in Fig. 8B. In the example of Fig. 8B, the user and amount of the payment 812, and the approval status 813 of each user are displayed.

[0108] Furthermore, in response to a user's operation, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120 of each user included in group A displays the payment history of payments made by each user to the joint account of group A. In the example of Fig. 8C, a payment history screen 821 of user B in group A displays payment information 822, 823 associated with user B, the balance 824 of the joint account of group A, a total amount 825 of the amount deposited into the joint account by user B, and an amount 826 of the amount used by user B in the joint account. This allows the user to check the usage status of the joint account by each user included in the group.

[0109] According to the above-described embodiment, there is no need to split the bill every time a payment is made, and payments can be made jointly with simple operations, for example, when a couple has a joint account or when traveling in a group with friends.

[0110] <Example 1> In the above embodiment, an example was described in which payment is made from the joint account when all users other than the payer included in the group perform an approval operation. Alternatively, when setting (generating) a group, the terminal 120 may set the group manager in the server 110 in response to a user's operation, and when the group manager performs an approval operation, payment is made from the joint account. This makes it possible to easily approve a payment. Alternatively, payment may be made from the joint account when a majority of users included in the group perform an approval operation. Alternatively, payment may be made from the joint account when one or more users included in the group perform an approval operation.

[0111] Alternatively, in the case of a group such as a married couple, the approval operation may be made unnecessary by the operation performed when setting up (creating) the group. In this case, in the process of step S54 in FIG. 9, the control unit 313 of the server 110 settles the payment from the joint account and does not send an approval request to the terminal 120.

[0112] <Example 2> In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which payment is made in advance from the account of user C, who is the payer, and if approval is obtained, the money is transferred from the joint account to the account of user C. Alternatively, payment may be made from the joint account, and if the payment is not approved, the money may be transferred from user C's account to the joint account.

[0113] In this case, in the process of step S54 in Fig. 9, the control unit 313 of the server 110 makes the payment from the joint account of group A. Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the payment amount from the balance of group A in the group information storage unit 3152, and adds the payment amount to the balance of the account of the payee business. This completes the payment at the store, etc.

[0114] Then, if the payment is not approved by another user, the control unit 313 of the server 110 compensates for the payment amount from the account of user C. Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the payment amount from the balance of user C stored in the user information storage unit 3151, and adds the payment amount to the balance of group A in the group information storage unit 3152. This allows payment to be made through the joint account even if the balance of the payer is less than the payment amount.

[0115] <Example 3> When a user included in a joint account group leaves the group, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may transfer at least a portion of the balance of the joint account to the balance of the leaving user. In this case, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may, for example, transfer to the balance of the leaving user an amount corresponding to the proportion of the amount deposited into the joint account by each user included in the joint account group and the balance of the joint account. For example, if user A who is leaving has deposited 10,000 yen into the joint account, and each of the other users has deposited a total of 10,000 yen into the joint account, and the balance of the joint account is 10,000 yen, half of that amount, or 5,000 yen, may be transferred to user A.

[0116] Furthermore, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may transfer to the balance of the withdrawing user, for example, an amount according to the proportion of the amount deposited by each user included in the joint account group into the joint account, the amount used by each user in the joint account, and the balance of the joint account. For example, if user A who is withdrawing has deposited 10,000 yen into the joint account and user A's amount used is 5,000 yen, other users have deposited a total of 10,000 yen into the joint account and the amount used by each other user is 0 yen, and the balance of the joint account is 10,000 yen, 1 / 3 of that, or 3,333 yen, may be transferred to user A.

[0117] In this disclosure, transferring money includes subtracting a predetermined amount from one balance and adding a predetermined amount to the other balance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1. Communication Systems 110 Server 120 terminals 130 Network 200 Information processing device 311 Reception 312 Transmitter / receiver 313 Control Unit 314 Display control section 315 Storage section 3151 User information storage unit 3152 Group information storage unit 3153 Payment history storage unit 321 Reception 322 Transmitter / receiver 323 Control Unit 324 Display control section 325 Storage section

Claims

1. An information processing device, Manage an account of a first group including a first user and a second user; When a first payment request from an account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the first user, payment is made from the account of the first group based on the first payment request; An information processing method that, when a second payment request from an account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the second user, executes a process of making a payment from the account of the first group based on the second payment request.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: enabling the second user to make a payment using the account of the first group when a request to transfer money from the account of the second user to the account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the second user.

3. When the second payment request is received from the information processing terminal of the second user, information of the second payment request is transmitted to the information processing terminal of the first user; The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of: if the second payment request is approved by the first user, executing a process of making a payment from an account of the first group based on the second payment request.

4. 4. The information processing method according to claim 3, further comprising: when the second payment request is received from the information processing terminal of the second user, making a payment from the account of the second user based on the second payment request; transmitting information of the second payment request to the information processing terminal of the first user; and when the second payment request is approved by the first user, transferring money from the account of the first group to the account of the second user based on the second payment request.

5. An information processing method as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein, when the second payment request is received from the information processing terminal of the second user, payment is made from the account of the first group based on the second payment request, information of the second payment request is sent to the information processing terminal of the first user, and if the second payment request is not approved by the first user, money is transferred from the account of the second user to the account of the first group based on the second payment request.

6. Providing a messaging service that allows multiple users to send and receive content in groups, An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising transmitting information to the information processing terminal of the first user and the information processing terminal of the second user, the information displaying in chronological order information paid from the account of the first group and content sent and received in the first group via the messaging service.

7. An information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, when the second user is set as the payer of the amount to be paid in the first payment request, a list of information on payments made by the second user from an account in the first group based on the first payment request is displayed including information on payments made from an account in the first group.

8. Manage an account of a first group including a first user and a second user; When a first payment request from an account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the first user, payment is made from the account of the first group based on the first payment request; An information processing device having a control unit that, when a second payment request from an account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the second user, makes a payment from the account of the first group based on the second payment request.

9. In the information processing device, Manage an account of a first group including a first user and a second user; When a first payment request from an account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the first user, payment is made from the account of the first group based on the first payment request; A program that, when a second payment request from an account of the first group is received from the information processing terminal of the second user, executes a process of making a payment from the account of the first group based on the second payment request.

Images