Settlement device, settlement method and program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of further effectively utilizing points as settlement means alternative to currency.SOLUTION: There is provided a settlement device for managing settlement using points as settlement means alternative to currency. The settlement device includes: an issuance processing unit that issues the points to a user free of charge; and a settlement processing unit that, as settlement processing when a first user purchases a product from a second user, executes a settlement normal transaction of transferring the points equivalent to a price of the product from a point account of the first user to a point account of the second user, or a settlement proxy transaction of allowing the first user to purchase points sold by a third user and transferring the points equivalent to the price of the product to the point account of the second user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement device, a settlement method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a settlement means in place of currency (circulating currency), electronic money obtained by prepaying or postpaying currency, points given according to the amount when purchasing goods using currency, and the like are known. Note that prepayment and postpayment of currency include payments via financial institutions such as the use of credit cards and bank account transfers in addition to the exchange of cash.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes "a depreciation-type electronic money system that depreciates the monetary value according to the holding period of electronic money, comprising means for storing information on the depreciation time and depreciation rate, means for reading the electronic money amount and the expiration date of the electronic money from a predetermined recording device that stores the electronic money, means for depreciating the electronic money amount based on the information on the depreciation time and depreciation rate when the time of reading the recording medium is outside the expiration date of the read electronic money, and means for updating the expiration date in accordance with the depreciation time, and means for reflecting the depreciated electronic money amount and the updated expiration date in the recording device."

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the value of the electronic currency (electronic money) held by a consumer can be depreciated according to the passage of its holding period, the use of the electronic money by the consumer can be promoted, and it is expected that the activation of the economy can be brought about by the circulation of the electronic currency.

[0006] Therefore, if the points held by the consumer can also be depreciated according to, for example, the holding period, or can be traded at an exchange ratio in line with market principles, the use of the points will be promoted, the economy will be more activated, and activities that are meaningful for both consumers who purchase goods and enterprises that sell goods can be expected to be further promoted.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a technology for more effectively utilizing points as a settlement means in place of currency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] This application includes a plurality of means for solving at least a part of the above problems. If examples are given, they are as follows.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a settlement device according to an aspect of the present invention is a settlement device that manages settlement using points as a settlement means in place of currency, and includes an issuance processing unit that issues the points to a user for free, and as a settlement process when a first user purchases a product from a second user, a normal settlement transaction that transfers the points corresponding to the price of the product from the point account of the first user to the point account of the second user, or a proxy settlement transaction that causes the first user to purchase points sold by a third user and transfers the points corresponding to the price of the product to the point account of the second user, and a settlement processing unit that executes the transaction.

[0010] In the said agency settlement transaction, the settlement processing unit can execute any one of the following three patterns: a first pattern in which the points purchased by the first user from the third user are transferred from the point account of the third user to the point account of the second user via the point account of the issuing processing unit; a second pattern in which the points purchased by the first user from the third user are transferred from the point account of the third user to the point account of the second user via the point account of the first user; or a third pattern in which the points purchased by the first user from the third user are directly transferred from the point account of the third user to the point account of the second user.

[0011] The settlement device can be provided with a point management unit that manages at least one of the expiration date, depreciation, and extinction of the points held by the user.

[0012] The point management unit can periodically shorten the expiration date of the points held by the user, periodically reduce the number of points held by the user, and make the points whose expiration date has passed disappear.

[0013] The issuing processing unit can issue prepaid points that are charged to the user and can be used as the settlement means equivalent to the points at a predetermined discount rate, and the point management unit can manage the expiration date of the prepaid points held by the user.

[0014] The prepaid points can include cryptocurrency.

[0015] In the agency settlement transaction, the settlement processing unit can cause the first user to purchase the points sold by the third user according to the limit order or market order specified by each of the third user and the first user.

[0016] The settlement device can include a market transaction processing unit that executes the trading of the points between users without involving the buying and selling of goods.

[0017] The market transaction processing unit can execute the trading of the points between users according to limit orders or market orders specified by each of the users who trade the points.

[0018] In response to the points corresponding to the price of the goods being delivered from the second user, the settlement processing unit can deposit currency obtained by discounting a predetermined settlement and cashing fee rate into the currency account of the second user.

[0019] The settlement device can include a profit and loss management unit that calculates the profit and loss for the user's use of the points, and a UI control unit that presents the profit and loss to the user.

[0020] A settlement method according to another aspect of the present invention is a settlement method by a settlement device that manages settlement using points as a settlement means in place of currency, including an issuance processing step of issuing the points to the user for free, and a settlement processing step of, as a settlement process when the first user purchases goods from the second user, moving the points corresponding to the price of the goods from the point account of the first user to the point account of the second user in a normal settlement transaction, or executing a proxy settlement transaction in which the first user purchases points sold by a third user and moves the points corresponding to the price of the goods to the point account of the second user.

[0021] A program according to still another aspect of the present invention causes a computer that manages settlement using points as a settlement means instead of currency to function as an issuance processing unit that issues the points to a user for free, and as a settlement processing unit that, as settlement processing when a first user purchases a product from a second user, executes a normal settlement transaction in which points corresponding to the price of the product are transferred from the point account of the first user to the point account of the second user, or a proxy settlement transaction in which the first user is made to purchase points sold by a third user and the points corresponding to the price of the product are transferred to the point account of the second user.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for more effectively utilizing points as a settlement means instead of currency.

[0023] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiment, the same members are generally denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof are omitted. Further, in the following embodiments, the constituent elements (including element steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless otherwise explicitly stated or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Further, when it is said that "consisting of A", "comprising A", "having A", or "including A", other elements are not excluded unless it is explicitly stated that only that element is meant. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of constituent elements, etc., unless otherwise explicitly stated or considered to be clearly not so in principle, those substantially approximating or similar to the shape, etc. are included.

[0026] <Settlement system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention> FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a settlement system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The settlement system 10 assumes consumers who purchase goods and enterprises that sell goods as users, and uses points or prepaid points (both will be described in detail later) issued by an issuer as a settlement means in the sale and purchase of goods between users.

[0027] Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between points and prepaid points, they are collectively referred to as points, etc. Also, a user who is a consumer is referred to as a consumer user, and a user who is an enterprise is referred to as an enterprise user. When there is no need to distinguish between consumer users and enterprise users, they are referred to as users.

[0028] Each user is provided with a point account for managing the points, etc. held by the user, and a currency account for managing the currency prepared by the user for purchasing points, etc. or the currency exchanged with points, etc. In this embodiment, the currency unit [yen] is used, but other currency units such as [dollar], [euro], etc. may be used.

[0029] The issuer of points and the like is, for example, the administrator of the settlement device 20 (described later). However, a person other than the administrator of the settlement device 20 may be the issuer. Hereinafter, the operations centered around the issuer substantially mean the operations by the settlement device 20. Also, the operations on the issuer substantially mean the operations on the settlement device 20.

[0030] The settlement system 10 includes a settlement device 20, a terminal device 30 used by a consumer user, and a terminal device 40 used by a corporate user, which are connected via a network N. The network N is a two-way communication network typified by the Internet, a mobile phone communication network, etc.

[0031] The settlement device 20 issues points and the like used in commercial transactions such as commodity purchases to users, manages the points and the like held by each user, and controls the settlement process using the points and the like.

[0032] The settlement device 20 has functional blocks of a processing unit 21, a DB (database) unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The settlement device 20 consists of a general computer such as a server computer including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), a storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, an output device such as a display, and a communication module such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) (none of which are shown).

[0033] The processing unit 21 is implemented by a computer's processor. The processing unit 21 includes functional blocks such as an issuance processing unit 211, a point management unit 212, a settlement processing unit 213, a market transaction processing unit 214, a fund transfer processing unit 215, a profit and loss management unit 216, a remittance processing unit 217, and a UI (User Interface) control unit 218. These functional blocks are realized by the computer's processor executing a predetermined program loaded into the memory. However, some or all of these functional blocks may be realized as hardware by an integrated circuit or the like. Furthermore, these functional blocks may be realized by a plurality of server computers distributed and arranged in the network N.

[0034] <Regarding the issuance processing unit 211> The issuance processing unit 211 executes a point issuance process for issuing points to a user and a prepaid point issuance process for issuing prepaid points to a user. Note that the prepaid points include cryptographic assets (virtual currencies). Since the handling of cryptographic assets in this embodiment is the same as the handling of prepaid points, "prepaid points" in this specification may be read as "cryptographic assets".

[0035] <Regarding the point issuance process> The point issuance process issues a predetermined unit number of points with an expiration date to the user for free on a regular basis (for example, on the 1st of each month). Note that a blockchain may be used for the issuance of points. Hereinafter, n units of points are referred to as n[P].

[0036] <Regarding the prepaid point issuance process> The prepaid point issuance process issues prepaid points to the user for a fee (prepayment of currency). Hereinafter, m units of prepaid points are referred to as m[PP].

[0037] When issuing prepaid points to a user through prepaid point issuance processing, that is, when selling prepaid points to a user, a predetermined discount rate r (0 ≦ r < 1) can be set. The discount rate r may be changeable according to each user or the issuance time. The user can purchase prepaid points at 100(1 - r) yen per 100 [PP]. For example, when the discount rate r = 0.1, the user can purchase 10,000 [PP] for 9,000 (= 10,000(1 - 0.1)) yen. Therefore, if the user purchases prepaid points with the discount rate r set and uses them for payment when purchasing goods, the user can purchase goods more cheaply than using currency.

[0038] Points, etc. are electronically managed and generally do not have a physical form like currency bills or coins. The user can use points, etc. for purchasing goods at a fixed rate of 1 [P] = 1 [PP] = 1 yen.

[0039] <Currency backing for the issuance of points, etc.> Assume that the issuer holds n(1 - p) yen as currency backing for issuing n [P] (0 ≦ p < 1). Also, when the issuer issues m [PP], the issuer receives m(1 - r) yen from the user (0 ≦ r < 1).

[0040] The issuer collects a settlement fee from the corporate user when the consumer user purchases goods using points or the like for settlement. Also, when the issuer exchanges points or the like for currency in response to a request from the corporate user, it collects an exchange fee. The settlement fee and the exchange fee together are referred to as the settlement and exchange fee. When the settlement and exchange fee rate is q (0 ≦ q < 1), if p ≦ q, even if the issuer issues n[P], it can cover the exchange between points and currency with only the currency n(1 - p)[yen] it holds. Also, if r ≦ q, even if the issuer issues m[PP], it can cover the exchange between prepaid points and currency with only the currency m(1 - r)[yen] it has received. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an economic collapse due to a shortage of currency or the like in the settlement system 10. Of course, if the issuer secures currency through various methods such as borrowing from financial institutions, etc., the settlement using points or the like in the settlement system 10 can be made more economically stable.

[0041] <Regarding the Point Management Department 212> The Point Management Department 212 manages the expiration date of points and the like held by users, and executes the depreciation and extinction of points as the expiration date decreases.

[0042] <Regarding the Expiration Date, Depreciation, and Extinction of Points and the Like> Points are set with an expiration date (basically within 6 months. For example, until the last day of the 5th month from the issue date, etc.) at the time of issue, and the user is notified of the expiration date at the time of issue. Points are gradually depreciated (decreased) at a predetermined depreciation rate periodically (for example, on the 1st of each month), and are completely extinguished when the expiration date passes.

[0043] For example, an n[P] with a six - month expiration date issued within month t is depreciated to n(1 - d6)[P] at a depreciation rate d6 (0 ≤ d6 < 1) on the 1st day of the (t + 1)-th month of the first month. Similarly, thereafter, on the 1st day of the (t + 2)-th month of the second month, it is depreciated to n(1 - d6)(1 - d5)[P] at a depreciation rate d5 (0 ≤ d5 < 1), on the 1st day of the (t + 3)-th month of the third month, it is depreciated to n(1 - d6)(1 - d5)(1 - d4)[P] at a depreciation rate d4 (0 ≤ d4 < 1), on the 1st day of the (t + 4)-th month of the fourth month, it is depreciated to n(1 - d6)(1 - d5)(1 - d4)(1 - d3)[P] at a depreciation rate d3 (0 ≤ d3 < 1), and on the 1st day of the (t + 5)-th month of the fifth month, it is depreciated to n(1 - d6)(1 - d5)(1 - d4)(1 - d3)(1 - d2)[P] at a depreciation rate d2 (0 ≤ d2 < 1). Then, on the 1st day of the (t + 6)-th month of the sixth month when the expiration date has passed, it is depreciated to n(1 - d6)···(1 - d1)[P] at a depreciation rate d1 (0 ≤ d1 < 1) in calculation and then completely disappears.

[0044] Note that the expiration date of points, the depreciation period, depreciation rates d6 to d1, etc. are not limited to the above - mentioned example and may be changed for each user. Also, the depreciation rates d6 to d1 may be the same or different from each other. Further, even within the expiration date, if the remaining balance of points becomes less than or equal to a predetermined threshold Bm due to depreciation, those points may be made to disappear.

[0045] Prepaid points are provided with an expiration date (principally within one month, such as until the end of the month of issue, etc.) at the time of issue, and the user is notified of the expiration date at the time of issue. The expiration date of prepaid points is not limited to the above - mentioned example and may be changed for each user. There are two methods for the depreciation of prepaid points. In the first method, prepaid points that have passed the expiration date disappear, and instead, points depreciated at a predetermined depreciation rate d p (0 ≤ d p <1) are issued with an expiration date (for example, within five months). In other words, when the expiration date passes, m[PP] becomes m(1 - d p) It is converted into [P]. And the points converted from the prepaid points, like the points issued for free, are periodically depreciated and disappear when the expiration date passes. In the second method, similar to the points, it is gradually depreciated (decreased) at a predetermined depreciation rate periodically (for example, on the 1st of each month), and completely disappears when the expiration date passes. Hereinafter, it will be described assuming that the first depreciation method is adopted.

[0046] Note that the expiration date, depreciation period, and depreciation rate set for points, etc. are maintained even if the holder is changed.

[0047] <Regarding the settlement processing unit 213> The settlement processing unit 213 executes settlement processing for transferring points, etc. between users along with the buying and selling of goods. There are two types of settlement processing: normal settlement transactions and agency settlement transactions. When purchasing goods, if the points, etc. held by the user are equal to or more than the price of the goods, the settlement processing unit 213 executes a normal settlement transaction. If the points, etc. held by the user are less than the price of the goods, the settlement processing unit 213 executes an agency settlement transaction. However, even if the user holds points, etc. equal to or more than the price of the goods, the user may be able to select so that the settlement processing unit 213 executes an agency settlement transaction.

[0048] Figure 2 shows the flow of points, currency, and goods in normal settlement transactions and agency settlement transactions. The thick solid arrows represent normal settlement transactions, and the thick dashed arrows represent agency settlement transactions. Also, the thin solid arrows represent point issuance performed prior to normal settlement transactions, etc., and the thin dashed arrows represent the exchange from points, etc. to currency performed after normal settlement transactions or agency settlement transactions.

[0049] <Regarding normal settlement transactions> In a normal settlement transaction, when consumer user A purchases goods from business user X, points or the like held by consumer user A are paid to business user X. The points or the like held by consumer user A can be points issued free of charge by the issuer, prepaid points purchased by consumer user A from the issuer, or points or the like purchased by consumer user A from other users via the market prior to the purchase of goods (arrow a0).

[0050] In the case of a normal settlement transaction, points or the like corresponding to the price of the goods are transferred from the point account of consumer user A to the point account of business user X via the issuer. Accordingly, business user X delivers the goods to consumer user A (arrow a1). At this time, the issuer can collect a settlement fee from business user X.

[0051] Note that, in principle, points or the like with a short expiration date are used for payment, but users can specify points or the like that do not have the shortest expiration date and use them for payment.

[0052] Business user X can receive currency from the issuer in exchange for the received points or the like (in other words, exchange points or the like for currency) (arrow a2). At this time, the issuer can collect an exchange fee from business user X.

[0053] For example, if a consumer user purchases goods worth n [yen] from a business user using n [P] (or n [PP]) issued during month t, the business user will receive n [P]. The business user can use the n [P] for goods purchases or inter-business user settlements, or deliver it to the issuer to receive the corresponding currency. For example, if the business user delivers all the points or the like from the consumer user to the issuer during the current month t, since the initial n [P] has not depreciated, at the end of the following (t + 1) month, the business user can receive n(1 - q) [yen] after deducting the settlement / exchange fee rate q from the issuer.

[0054] For example, if a corporate user transfers all points, etc. from a consumer user to the issuer within the next (t+1) month, since the initial n[P] has already been depreciated to n(1-d6)[P], the corporate user can receive currency n(1-d6)(1-q)[yen] from the issuer, minus the settlement / exchange commission rate q, at the end of the next (t+2) month.

[0055] Note that the timing from when the corporate user transfers points, etc. to the issuer until it can receive currency is not limited to the end of the next month and can be other timings.

[0056] Points, etc. can also be used for settlement between corporate users X and Y. In this case of settlement, the issuer can collect a settlement fee from at least one of the corporate user who pays points, etc. and the corporate user Y who receives points, etc.

[0057] <Regarding agency settlement transactions> In an agency settlement transaction, when a user (for example, consumer user C) purchases goods from corporate user Y, the shortfall of points, etc. held by consumer user C with respect to the product price is covered by consumer user C purchasing points, etc. sold by another user (for example, consumer user B) by paying currency, and payment of points, etc. is made to corporate user Y. Note that the points, etc. held by consumer user B are points issued free of charge by the issuer, prepaid points purchased by consumer user B from the issuer, or points, etc. purchased by consumer user B from other users (arrow a10).

[0058] Note that the user purchasing the goods is not limited to a consumer user and can also be a corporate user. Also, the user selling points, etc. is not limited to a consumer user and can also be a corporate user. In an agency settlement transaction, the user selling points, etc. is not limited to one person and can also be one or more persons.

[0059] In the currency flow of an agency settlement transaction, for example, the currency for purchasing insufficient points or the like is transferred from the currency account of consumer user C to the currency account of the issuer (arrow a11), and then transferred from the currency account of the issuer to the currency account of consumer user B (arrow a12).

[0060] And the following three patterns are assumed for the flow of points or the like. In Pattern 1, points or the like are transferred from the point account of consumer user B to the point account of the issuer (arrow a13), and then from the point account of the issuer to the point account of corporate user Y (arrow a14).

[0061] In Pattern 2, points or the like are transferred from the point account of consumer user B to the point account of consumer user C, and then from the point account of consumer user C to the point account of corporate user Y (not shown).

[0062] In Pattern 3, points or the like are directly transferred from the point account of consumer user B to the point account of corporate user Y (not shown).

[0063] Corporate user Y, having confirmed that points or the like as the price of the goods have been transferred to its point account, delivers the goods to consumer user C (arrow a15). Note that the order of transfer of points or the like and currency is not limited to the above example. Corporate user Y can receive currency from the issuer in exchange for the received points or the like (arrow a16). At this time, the issuer can collect an exchange fee from corporate user Y.

[0064] Therefore, from the perspective of consumer user B who sells points or the like, the agency settlement transaction can be regarded as a function of substantially exchanging points or the like for currency (a function of selling points or the like and buying currency). Similar to a limit order in securities trading, consumer user B who sells points or the like can set different desired exchange ratios (ratios when exchanging points or the like for currency) for each expiration date of the points or the like held. Also, similar to a market order in securities trading, consumer user B who sells points or the like can sell the points or the like at the market price of the points or the like. Furthermore, consumer user B who sells points or the like can set the number of sales (the number that can be sold) for each expiration date of the points or the like held.

[0065] Note that the exchange of points or the like for currency (that is, the sale of points or the like) will, in principle, be exchanged in order from those with shorter expiration dates. However, the consumer user who sells points or the like can preferentially sell the points or the like with an arbitrary expiration date specified.

[0066] For example, regarding the settings for the sale of points or the like by a consumer user who sells points or the like, the exchange ratio per 100 [P] of points with an expiration date of 1 month is 80 [yen], the number of sales is 100 [P], the exchange ratio per 100 [P] of points with an expiration date of 2 months is 86 [yen], the number of sales is 400 [P], the exchange ratio per 100 [P] of points with an expiration date of 3 months is 89 [yen], and the number of sales is 300 [P]. When a total of 600 [P] is sold in order from the points with shorter expiration dates, the average unit price per 100 [P] of points is as follows according to the following formula, 85.5 [yen].

[0067] Average unit price = (80×100 / 100 + 86×400 / 100 + 89×100 / 100) / (600 / 100) = 85.5 [yen]

[0068] On the other hand, from the perspective of the consumer user C who buys goods, the agency settlement transaction can be regarded as a function of exchanging currency for points or the like (a function of buying points or the like by paying currency) substantially accompanying the purchase of goods. In this case, the consumer user C who buys points or the like can set the number of points or the like to be purchased in advance and the desired exchange ratio between currency and points or the like, similar to a limit order in securities trading. Also, the consumer user C who buys points or the like can purchase points or the like at the current trading price in the market, similar to a market order in securities trading.

[0069] Regarding which one or more consumer users to buy points or the like from, in the case of a limit order, the settlement processing unit 213, based on the desired exchange ratio and the sales volume set by each consumer user who sells points or the like for each expiration date, and the desired exchange ratio and the purchase volume of the consumer user C who buys points or the like, in principle, performs matching and makes a decision so that the consumer user C who buys points or the like can purchase points or the like at the lowest price.

[0070] For example, assume that when the consumer user C purchases goods, the points or the like held are 10,000 [P] short, and the desired exchange ratio when purchasing the shortage of 10,000 [P] from other users is set to 85 [yen]. Also, assume that in the exchange market for points or the like and currency, the consumer user B sells 3,ooo [P] of points or the like with an expiration date of 1 month at a desired exchange ratio of 85 [yen], the consumer user D sells 2,ooo [P] of points or the like with an expiration date of 1 month at a desired exchange ratio of 85 [yen] and 2,ooo [P] of points or the like with an expiration date of 2 months at a desired exchange ratio of 87 [yen], and the consumer user E sells 5,ooo [P] of points or the like with an expiration date of 3 months at a desired exchange ratio of 85 [yen].

[0071] In this case, in principle, in order for consumer user C to purchase points or the like at the lowest price, 3,000 [P] of points or the like with a one-month expiration date are exchanged from consumer user B at an exchange ratio of 85 [yen], 2,000 [P] of points or the like with a one-month expiration date are exchanged from consumer user D at an exchange ratio of 85 [yen], and 5,000 [P] of points or the like with a three-month expiration date are exchanged from consumer user E at an exchange ratio of 85 [yen], for a total of 10,000 [P], to establish the exchange between currency and points or the like.

[0072] In addition, if points or the like are not being sold at or below the desired exchange ratio of consumer user C, consumer user C may be notified to that effect, and may be urged to raise the desired exchange ratio or change to a market order.

[0073] In the case of a market order, the settlement processing unit 213 shall perform matching and determination so that consumer user C who buys points or the like can purchase the desired number of points or the like in order from the consumer user who sells points or the like at the lower (cheaper) desired exchange ratio.

[0074] <Regarding the settlement fee in the agency settlement transaction> In an agency settlement transaction, the issuer can levy an agency settlement fee by adding a spread to the desired exchange ratio of points or the like set by the consumer user who sells points or the like and presenting it to consumer user C who purchases points or the like, and selling it, similar to the spread (profit margin) in foreign exchange transactions. For example, if the desired exchange ratio of points or the like set by consumer user B is 85 [yen] per 100 [P] and the issuer's spread is 10 [yen] per 100 [P], consumer user C may be presented with 95 [yen] as the desired exchange ratio per 100 [P] and sold. If points or the like are bought and sold at a desired exchange ratio of 95 [yen] per 100 [P], 10 [yen] per 100 [P] will be the issuer's profit as the settlement fee. In the case of a market order, a spread may be added to the current transaction price in the market.

[0075] <Promotion of the use of agency settlement transactions> The issuer reduces points or the like according to a reduction rate corresponding to the usage amount for both a user who sells points or the like using an agency settlement transaction and a user who purchases goods with currency. Thereby, the use of agency settlement can be promoted for users.

[0076] The reduction rate can be set as follows, for example. In the case where a consumer user sells points or the like in an agency settlement transaction, when the number of sales is less than j[P] (or less than j[PP]; the same applies hereinafter), the reduction rate is a[%], and when it is j[P] or more, the reduction rate is b[%]. In the case where a corporate user sells points or the like in an agency settlement transaction, when the number of sales is less than k[P], the reduction rate is c[%], and when it is k[P] or more, the reduction rate is d[%]. In the case where a consumer user buys goods with currency in an agency settlement transaction, when the payment amount is less than m[yen], the reduction rate is e[%], and when it is m[P] or more, the reduction rate is f[%]. In the case where a corporate user buys goods with currency in an agency settlement transaction, when the payment amount is less than n[yen], the reduction rate is g[%], and when it is n[P] or more, the reduction rate is h[%.

[0077] For the reduction rates a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, by setting a < b, c < d, e < f, g < h, the usage amount of the agency settlement transaction can be further increased. Also, since it is considered that corporate users will hold more points or the like by selling goods, if a < c and b < d are set, the sale of points or the like can be promoted for corporate users.

[0078] Furthermore, in the case of the above-mentioned normal settlement transaction, when a corporate user exchanges points or the like from a consumer user who has purchased goods, it takes more than one month to receive currency. However, in the case where a corporate user sells out points or the like held through an agency settlement transaction, if the period until currency can be received is made shorter, the company's cash flow can be improved, so the use of agency settlement can be promoted.

[0079] <The essence of agency settlement transactions> In the above-described example of the agency settlement transaction, the consumer user B pays points or the like to the issuer, who is the intermediary, to substitute for the settlement associated with the purchase of goods by the consumer user C, thereby obtaining a claim against the consumer user C. The issuer is entrusted with the authority to receive the consideration for the target claim from the consumer user B, collects currency from the consumer user C, and pays it to the consumer user B. Therefore, as described above, although the agency settlement transaction can be regarded as a function of exchanging points or the like for currency, ultimately, the essence of the agency settlement transaction is the agency of settlement at the time of purchasing goods. Also, if it is considered that the consumer user B who sells points or the like provides points or the like and substitutes for the payment to the corporate user Y that sells goods as a kind of service, the issuer mediates between the seller and the buyer of points or the like to ensure the security of the transaction.

[0080] <Regarding the Market Transaction Processing Unit 214> The Market Transaction Processing Unit 214 executes market transaction processing and exchange reservation processing.

[0081] <Regarding Market Transaction Processing> Market transaction processing involves buying and selling points or the like between users without the accompaniment of goods purchase. In market transaction processing, users can buy and sell points or the like by limit orders or market orders, similar to the above-described agency settlement transaction.

[0082] <Regarding Exchange Reservation Processing> Exchange reservation processing, for example, reserves the sale of remaining points or the like at a timing such as immediately before the point depreciation date. In exchange reservation processing, users can set the sale timing, the desired exchange ratio in a limit order or a market order, and the number of sales for each expiration date of points or the like.

[0083] By means of the exchange reservation process, for a user who sells points or the like, it is possible to avoid the situation where the depreciation date or expiration date of the points or the like approaches and the user forgets and allows the points or the like to depreciate or expire. Also, for a user who wants to use the points or the like for payment such as purchasing goods immediately after purchasing the points or the like, it is expected that the sales volume of the points or the like will increase immediately before the depreciation date or expiration date, and the exchange ratio between the points or the like and the currency will become advantageous for the buyer of the points or the like, so the points or the like can be purchased at a low price. For a company, an increase in sales is expected because the points or the like become cheaper.

[0084] <Regarding the deposit / withdrawal processing unit 215> The deposit / withdrawal processing unit 215 executes deposit / withdrawal processing for depositing or withdrawing currency from the user's currency account.

[0085] <Regarding the profit and loss management unit 216> The profit and loss management unit 216 calculates the profit and loss for each user in a predetermined period for purchasing goods using points or the like or buying and selling points or the like in the settlement system 10.

[0086] <Profit and loss calculation formula> For the profit and loss calculation by the profit and loss management unit 216, for example, the following formula is used. Profit and loss = Amount of goods purchased with points or the like [yen] + Amount of currency purchased by exchange with points or the like [yen] + Currency conversion amount of the points or the like held [yen] - Currency payment amount for prepaid points [yen] - Currency sales amount [yen]

[0087] The first term on the right side of the profit and loss calculation formula, "Purchase amount of goods by points etc. [yen]", is the sum of the cumulative amount of point sales and goods purchases in normal settlement transactions and the cumulative amount of point sales and goods purchases in agency settlement transactions. Specifically, it is the sum of the cumulative amount of the merchandise amount of each transaction record including the point account ID (FK) of the point seller and goods purchaser of the user in the point sales and goods purchase transaction table 2210 (Figure 12) representing information on normal settlement transactions and the cumulative amount of the merchandise amount of each transaction record including the point account ID (FK) of the currency seller and goods purchaser of the user in the agency settlement transaction table 2212 (Figure 14) representing information on agency settlement transactions.

[0088] The second term on the right side of the profit and loss calculation formula, "Currency purchase amount by exchange with points etc. [yen]", is the cumulative amount of point sales and currency purchases in agency settlement transactions. Specifically, it is the cumulative amount of "Number of prepaid point sales with a 6-month expiration date" × its currency conversion price + "Number of point sales with expiration dates from 6 to 1 month each" × currency conversion price for each expiration date from 6 to 1 month for each point sales record including the point account ID (FK) of the user in the agency settlement transaction - point sales table 2213 (Figure 15). That is, in agency settlement transactions, the currency obtained by selling prepaid points and points is totaled.

[0089] The third term on the right side of the profit and loss calculation formula, "Currency conversion amount of points etc. held [yen]", is the total amount of points and prepaid points currently held (1 [P] = 1 [PP] = 1 [yen] conversion). Specifically, it is "Prepaid points with a 6-month expiration date" + "Number of points with expiration dates from 6 to 1 month" in the user's point account table 222 (Figure 4).

[0090] The fourth term on the right side of the profit and loss calculation formula, "Currency payment amount for prepaid points [yen]", is the cumulative amount of yen sales and prepaid point purchases. Specifically, it is the sum of the currency amounts of each issuance record including the point account ID (FK) of the issuer of the user in the prepaid point issuance table 226 (Figure 8).

[0091] The fifth item on the right side of the profit and loss calculation formula, "Currency sales amount [JPY]", is the cumulative amount of currency sales and point purchases in the agency settlement transactions. Specifically, it is the sum of the currency sales amounts of each transaction record containing the currency sales and product purchase consumer's point account ID (FK) of the user in the agency settlement transaction table 2212 (Figure 14).

[0092] However, the profit and loss calculation formula is not limited to the above example, and other formulas may be used to calculate the profit and loss.

[0093] <Regarding the remittance processing unit 217> The remittance processing unit 217 executes a remittance process for sending points or the like without involving the sale and purchase of products between users.

[0094] <Regarding the remittance process> For example, when consumer user A sends points or the like to consumer user B, consumer user A designates consumer user B as the remittance destination. Various methods can be adopted for the designation method, such as creating a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) link that can receive points or the like and notifying only consumer user B. Next, consumer user A designates the quantity n of points or the like to be remitted. Accordingly, the remittance processing unit 217 presents to consumer user A the price [JPY] of n [P] when applying the current market exchange ratio in the case of selling currency to purchase points, or the price of n(1 - r)[JPY] obtained by applying the discount rate r when selling prepaid points, with a predetermined fee added to the lower price. Then, when consumer user A pays the currency of the presented price to the issuer, the issuer issues n [P] or n [PP] to consumer user B.

[0095] Note that, different from the above-described remittance process, it may be possible to remit points or the like from the point account of the remitter to the point account of the remittee among consumer users within a predetermined number of pre-registered users (for example, family members, friends, etc.). In this case, the issuer may or may not collect a predetermined fee.

[0096] <Regarding the UI control unit 218> The UI control unit 218 generates a UI screen and causes it to be displayed on the terminal devices 30 and 40, and receives information input by the user using the UI screen.

[0097] <Regarding the DB unit 22> The DB unit 22 is realized by a computer's processor, memory, and storage. The DB unit 22 generates and holds a user table, a point account table, a currency account table, a currency deposit / withdrawal table, a point issuance table, a prepaid point issuance table, a point expiration date change table, a point depreciation table, a point extinction table, a point selling commodity buying transaction table, a corporate point selling currency buying transaction table, a settlement agency transaction table, a settlement agency transaction_point selling table, and a point issuance_point account table. Note that the DB unit 22 may hold information and data other than the above-described tables. Details of each table will be described later.

[0098] The communication unit 23 is realized by a computer's communication module. The communication unit 23 connects to the terminal devices 30 and 40 via the network N and communicates various data and information.

[0099] The terminal devices 30 and 40 used by the user are composed of computers such as personal computers, smartphones, tablet terminals, and wearable terminals. As an example, the user uses the settlement system 10 using the terminal devices 30 and 40. When making a settlement using the terminal devices 30 and 40, in the case of a transaction on a website or application provided by an EC site or the like, the settlement can be made by inputting a settlement instruction. In the case of a settlement at a physical store, various settlement methods such as QR code (trademark) settlement, barcode settlement, and contactless settlement using an installed IC chip can be used. As another example, the user can use the settlement system 10 using a pre-created IC card.

[0100] <Regarding the data structures of various tables> Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure of the user table 221. The user table 221 is for managing information about users. For each user, a user record is generated based on the information input by the user at the time of use registration and associated with the user.

[0101] In the user table 221, with the user ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying a user, as the PK (primary key), columns are provided for recording the user name, password, consumer or enterprise flag, issuer flag indicating whether it is an issuer of points, etc., date of birth (date of establishment), address, telephone number, email address, my number or corporate number, and registration date and time. By recording the my number or corporate number, it becomes possible to use the settlement system 10 for tax and social security-related transactions as well.

[0102] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of the point account table 222. The point account table 222 is for managing information about points and the like held by users. A point account record is generated in association with the user table of each user. Also, the point account table 222 is recorded and updated according to the issuance process of points and the like by the issuance processing unit 211, the expiration date management of points and the like by the point management unit 212, the depreciation, the settlement process by the settlement processing unit 213, the process of extinction, and the desired exchange ratio and the like when buying and selling points and the like input by the user.

[0103] Note that each table after Figure 4 corresponds to an example where the expiration date of points is within 6 months, the expiration date of prepaid points is 1 month, and after 1 month has passed, they are extinguished and points with an expiration date of 5 months are issued instead.

[0104] In the point account table 222, columns are provided for recording the prepaid point number with a validity period of 6 months, and the point numbers for validity periods from 6 to 0 months, with the point account ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the point account, as the PK and the user ID as the FK (Foreign key). Note that the prepaid point number with a validity period of 6 months is the number of prepaid points whose validity period is within 1 month and which will be extinguished after the expiration of the validity period, and instead, points with a validity period within 5 months will be issued. The same applies to other tables described later.

[0105] For example, when a user purchases m [PP] of prepaid points from the issuer within month t, m [PP] is recorded in the column of the prepaid point number with a validity period of 6 months in the point account record of the user. Then, on the first day of month (t + 1), m [PP] is extinguished from the column of the prepaid point number with a validity period of 6 months, and at the same time, in the column of the point number with a validity period of 5 months, m(1 - d p is depreciated by d p ) [P] is recorded.

[0106] Also, for example, when n [P] is issued to the user for free within month t, n [P] is recorded in the column of the point number with a validity period of 6 months in the point account record of the user. Then, on the first day of month (t + 1), n [P] is extinguished from the column of the point number with a validity period of 6 months, and in the column of the point number with a validity period of 5 months, n(1 - d6) [P] depreciated by the depreciation rate d6 is recorded. Similarly thereafter, regular depreciation of points is carried out until the first day of month (t + 5), and on the first day of month (t + 6), n(1 - d6) ··· (1 - d2) [P] is extinguished from the column of the point number with a validity period of 1 month, and at the same time, n(1 - d6) ··· (1 - d1) [P] that has expired is recorded in the column of the point number with a validity period of 0 months. The column of the point number with a validity period of 0 months is provided for convenience due to the extinction of points, and the point number recorded in this column cannot be used for settlement, etc.

[0107] Furthermore, the point account table 222 has columns for recording a flag indicating whether to place a limit order or a market order when purchasing points or the like, a flag indicating whether to automatically change to prepaid point purchase when the market price is higher than the prepaid point price when a market order is selected when purchasing points or the like, the desired exchange ratio at the time of placing a limit order when purchasing points or the like, a sales setting flag indicating whether to sell the points held, a flag indicating whether to place a limit order or a market order when selling points or the like, the sales quantity and limit exchange ratio of points for each expiration date from 6 to 0 months, and columns for recording the reservation for selling points or the like (for example, selling 3 days before the expiration date). Note that the information regarding the purchase and sale of these points or the like is recorded based on the settings by the user and can be changed by the user as appropriate.

[0108] Figure 5 shows an example of the data structure of the currency account table 223. The currency account table 223 is for managing information regarding the currency held by the user, and a currency account record is generated in association with the user record of each user.

[0109] The currency account table 223 is provided with columns for recording the currency balance in the currency account, with the currency account ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the currency account, as the PK and the user ID as the FK.

[0110] Figure 6 shows an example of the data structure of the currency deposit / withdrawal table 224. The currency deposit / withdrawal table 224 is for managing information regarding the deposit and withdrawal of currency between the user's currency account and the user's bank account or the like. For each transaction (currency deposit / withdrawal) by the deposit / withdrawal processing unit 215, a currency deposit / withdrawal record is generated in association with the currency account record of the user.

[0111] Note that the deposit of currency into the user's currency account is not limited to the bank account, and for example, a credit card or a dedicated terminal such as an ATM (automated teller machine) may be used.

[0112] The currency deposit / withdrawal table 224 is provided with columns for recording the date and time of currency deposit / withdrawal, the bank account name, the bank account number, and the currency deposit / withdrawal amount, with the currency deposit / withdrawal ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the currency deposit / withdrawal to the user's currency account, as the PK and the currency account ID as the FK.

[0113] FIG. 7 shows an example of the data structure of the point issuance table 225. The point issuance table 225 is for managing information regarding points issued by the issuer to the user. Each time the issuance processing unit 211 issues points to the user, a point issuance record is generated in association with the point account record of the user.

[0114] The point issuance table 225 is provided with columns for recording the date and time of point issuance, the point account ID (FK) of the recipient, and the number of points issued for each of the expiration dates from 6 to 1 month, with the point issuance ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the point issuance by the issuer to the user, as the PK.

[0115] FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure of the prepaid point issuance table 226. The prepaid point issuance table 226 is for managing information regarding prepaid points issued by the issuer to the user. Each time the issuance processing unit 211 issues prepaid points to the user, a prepaid point issuance record is generated in association with the point account record of the user.

[0116] The prepaid point issuance table 226 is provided with columns for recording the date and time of prepaid point issuance, the number of prepaid points issued with an expiration date of 1 month, and the currency amount paid by the user as the consideration for the prepaid point issuance, with the prepaid point issuance ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the prepaid point issuance by the issuer to the user, as the PK and the point account ID of the recipient as the FK.

[0117] FIG. 9 shows an example of the data structure of the point expiration change table 227. The point expiration change table 227 is for managing information related to changes in the expiration date of points. Each time the point management unit 212 changes the expiration date of a point, a point expiration change record is generated in association with the point account record of the user.

[0118] In the point expiration change table 227, columns are provided for recording the date and time when the expiration date was changed, and the number of months for which the expiration date was changed (usually one month), with the point expiration change ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the process of changing the expiration date of points, the destination point account ID, and the destination point issue ID as the PK. Note that the destination point account ID and the destination point issue ID also serve as FKs.

[0119] FIG. 10 shows an example of the data structure of the point depreciation table 228. The point depreciation table 228 is for managing information related to the depreciation of points. Each time the point management unit 212 depreciates points, a point depreciation record is generated in association with the point account record of the user.

[0120] In the point depreciation table 228, columns are provided for recording the date and time when the points were depreciated, and the point depreciation rate, with the point depreciation ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the process of depreciating points, the destination point account ID, and the destination point issue ID as the PK. Note that the destination point account ID and the destination point issue ID also serve as FKs.

[0121] FIG. 11 shows an example of the data structure of the point extinction table 229. The point extinction table 229 is for managing information related to the extinction of points and the like. Each time the point management unit 212 extinguishes points, a point extinction record is generated in association with the point account record of the user.

[0122] The point extinction table 229 is provided with columns for recording the date and time when points were extinguished, with the point extinction ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the process of extinguishing points and the like, the point account ID of the destination of extinction, and the point issue ID of the destination of extinction as the PK. Note that the point account ID of the destination of extinction and the point issue ID of the destination of extinction also serve as FKs.

[0123] Figure 12 shows an example of the data structure of the point sale / product purchase transaction table 2210. The point sale / product purchase transaction table 2210 is for managing information related to normal settlement transactions (point sales / product purchase transactions). Each time the settlement processing unit 213 executes the settlement processing for a user's product purchase by a normal settlement transaction, a point sale / product purchase transaction record is generated in association with the point account record of the point sale / product purchase consumer user.

[0124] The point sale / product purchase transaction table 2210 is provided with columns for recording the date and time of the transaction, the point account ID (FK) of the point sale / product purchase consumer user, the point account ID (FK) of the enterprise user selling the product, the number of prepaid point sales with a 6 - month expiration date that the consumer user paid (sold) for product purchase, the number of point sales for each of the expiration dates from 6 to 1 month, the product name, and the product amount, with the point sale / product purchase transaction ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the point sale / product purchase transaction, as the PK.

[0125] Figure 13 shows an example of the data structure of the enterprise point sale / currency purchase transaction table 2211. The enterprise point sale / currency purchase transaction table 2211 is for managing information related to the point sale / currency purchase transaction (a conversion transaction in which an enterprise user sells the points and other holdings and buys currency) by the enterprise user. Each time the market transaction processing unit 214 conducts a conversion transaction with an enterprise, an enterprise point sale / currency purchase transaction record is generated in association with the point account record of the enterprise user.

[0126] In the enterprise point selling - currency buying transaction table 2211, with the point selling - currency buying transaction ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying point selling - currency buying transactions, as the PK, columns are provided for recording the transaction date and time, the point account ID (FK) of the enterprise user selling points etc., the user ID (FK) of the issuer buying points etc., the number of prepaid point sales with a 6 - month expiration date sold (i.e., cashed in) by the enterprise user, the number of point sales for each of the expiration dates from 6 to 1 month, and the currency buying amount.

[0127] Figure 14 shows an example of the data structure of the settlement agency transaction table 2212. The settlement agency transaction table 2212 is for managing information related to settlement agency transactions. Each time a user's commodity purchase settlement process is executed by a settlement agency transaction by the settlement processing unit 213, a settlement agency transaction record is generated in association with the point account record of the currency selling - commodity buying consumer user.

[0128] In the settlement agency transaction table 2212, with the settlement agency transaction ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying settlement agency transactions, as the PK, columns are provided for recording the transaction date and time, the point account ID (FK) of the currency selling - commodity buying consumer, the number of prepaid point sales with a 6 - month expiration date of the currency selling - commodity buying consumer, the number of point sales for each of the expiration dates from 6 to 1 month of the currency selling - commodity buying consumer, the total number of point sales of the point selling - currency buying consumer, the currency account ID (FK) of the currency selling - commodity buying consumer, the currency selling amount of the currency selling - commodity buying consumer, the point account ID (FK) of the commodity - selling enterprise, the commodity name, and the commodity amount.

[0129] Figure 15 shows an example of the data structure of the settlement agency transaction - point selling table 2213. The settlement agency transaction - point selling table 2213 is for managing information related to point selling by the point selling - currency buying consumer in a settlement agency transaction. For each settlement agency transaction, a settlement agency transaction - point selling record for each of one or more point selling - currency buying consumers is generated in association with the settlement agency transaction record of that settlement agency transaction.

[0130] For the Agency Settlement Transaction - Point Sale Table 2213, with the Agency Settlement Transaction - Point Sale ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the agency settlement transaction - point sale, as the PK, columns are provided for recording the transaction date and time, the agency settlement transaction ID (FK), the point sale - currency purchase consumer's point account ID (FK), the currency account ID (FK), the prepaid point sale quantity with a 6 - month expiration date, the point sale quantities for expiration dates from 6 to 1 month respectively, the currency - converted price of the sold prepaid points (per unit), and the currency - converted prices of the sold points for expiration dates from 6 to 1 month respectively (per unit).

[0131] Figure 16 shows an example of the data structure of the Point Issuance - Point Account Table 2214. The Point Issuance - Point Account Table 2214 enables tracing of multiple past point issuance IDs and prepaid point issuance IDs included in points, etc. for each expiration date when points, etc. are issued to the same user multiple times in the same month. Each time the issuance processing unit 211 issues points, etc. to a user, a point issuance - point account record is generated in association with the point account record of that user.

[0132] For the Point Issuance - Point Account Table 2214, with the Point Issuance - Point Account ID, which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the point issuance - point account record, as the PK, columns are provided for recording the date and time when points, etc. were issued, the point issuance ID (FK), the prepaid point issuance ID (FK), the destination point account ID (FK), the latest prepaid point issuance ID (FK) with a 6 - month expiration date, and the latest point issuance IDs (FK) for expiration dates from 6 to 1 month respectively.

[0133] <Regarding the processing of expiration date change, depreciation, and extinction of points, etc.> Figure 17 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing of expiration date change, depreciation, and extinction of points, etc. by the Point Management Unit 212.

[0134] This process is executed periodically (e.g., on the 1st of each month) for the point account records of each user in the point account table 222.

[0135] First, the point management unit 212 initializes the parameter y to 1 (step S1). Next, the point management unit 212 refers to the column of the point amount with an expiration date of y months in the point account record, obtains the balance n[P], and deletes the record in that column (step S2). Next, the point management unit 212 depreciates the balance n[P] obtained in step S2 at the depreciation rate d y (step S3). Next, the point management unit 212 stores n(1 - d y )[P] in the column of the point amount with an expiration date of (y - 1) months in the point account record (step S2).

[0136] In the current case, since the parameter y = 1, the point amount n[P] with an expiration date of 1 month in the point account record is obtained. After being depreciated to n(1 - d1)[P], it is stored in the column of the point amount with an expiration date of 0 months in the point account record.

[0137] Next, the point management unit 212 determines whether the expiration date parameter y is 6 (step S5). If it is determined that the expiration date parameter y is not 6 (NO in step S5), the parameter y is incremented by 1 (step S6), and the process returns to step 2.

[0138] Thereafter, until it is determined in step S5 that the parameter y is 6, steps S2 to S6 are repeated, whereby the point amount n with an expiration date of 2 to 6 months in the point account record is depreciated and moved to the column of the point amount with an expiration date of 1 to 5 months.

[0139] And when it is determined that the parameter y is 6 (YES in step S5), the point management unit 212 deletes (rewrites to 0) the point amount stored in the column of the point amount with an expiration date of 0 months in the point account record (step S7).

[0140] Next, the point management unit 212 refers to the column of the prepaid point number with a validity period of 6 months in the point account record, obtains the remaining balance m[PP], and deletes the record in the column (step S8). Next, the point management unit 212 depreciates m[P] by the depreciation rate d p (step S9). Next, the point management unit 212 adds m(1 - d p )[P] depreciated in step S9 to the column of the point number with a validity period of 5 months in the point account record (step S10). ]>

[0141] With the above, the processing of changing the validity period, depreciating, and disappearing of points and the like by the point management unit 212 is completed.

[0142] <Regarding the settlement agency transaction> ]>FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a settlement agency transaction by the settlement processing unit 213.

[0143] First, for example, when the consumer user A accesses an EC site that uses the settlement system 10 using the terminal device 30 (hereinafter referred to as the terminal device 30A) (step S11), a product introduction screen (not shown) for introducing and purchasing products is displayed on the terminal device 30A (step S21).

[0144] The EC site may be any of those independently opened by a corporate user selling products, a marketplace type that aggregates products offered by multiple corporate users, and a mall type in which multiple corporate users manage their respective sales floors.

[0145] Next, on the product introduction screen displayed on the terminal device 30A, when the consumer user A selects a product to purchase and gives a purchase instruction (step S12), a settlement process is requested from the EC site to the settlement processing unit 213 of the settlement device 20 (step S22). It is assumed that the request for the settlement process includes the transmission of settlement process information necessary for the settlement process, such as the user ID of the consumer user A who purchases the product, the user ID of the corporate user X that sells the product, the product name (which may be identification information such as a product ID), and the product price.

[0146] In the example of the figure, it is described that the settlement process information is transmitted collectively, but some information may be transmitted at different timings. Also, the settlement process information is not limited to the EC site and may be transmitted from, for example, other devices that cooperate with the EC site or the terminal device 30A of the consumer user A.

[0147] Here, it is assumed that the consumer user A selects a product (book) sold by the corporate user X for 10,000 yen and gives a purchase instruction and does not have any points or the like.

[0148] Next, the settlement processing unit 213 refers to the point account record associated with the user record of the consumer user A based on the user ID of the consumer user A who purchases the product, checks whether the consumer user A has points or the like equal to or more than the product price, and calculates the number of points insufficient for the product price (step S31).

[0149] Then, the UI control unit 218 causes the terminal device 30A to display a settlement screen 1000 (FIG. 19 etc.) on which the consumer user A can select a limit order or a market order, with the insufficient number of points (in this case, 10,000 P) (step S32).

[0150] FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show display examples of the settlement screen 1000. FIG. 19 shows a display example when the consumer user A selects a limit order as an initial setting at the time of purchasing points or the like, and FIG. 20 shows a display example when the consumer user A selects a market order as an initial setting at the time of purchasing points or the like. In addition, when confirming the initial setting at the time of purchasing points or the like, the point account table 222 corresponding to the consumer user A is referred to.

[0151] On the settlement screen 1000, there are provided a display column 1001 for displaying the shortage points with respect to the number of points required for purchasing a product, radio buttons 1002 for the user to select a limit order, a market order, or a prepaid point purchase, a display column 1003 for displaying the purchase price of points or the like, and a "Charge & Pay" button 1004 for the user to instruct the purchase of points or the like.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 19, when a limit order is selected by the radio button 1002, the user can change the desired exchange ratio (90 [yen] (including spread) in the figure) on the settlement screen 1000.

[0153] Return to FIG. 18. When the consumer user A selects a limit order or a market order with the radio button 1002 on the settlement screen 1000 and operates the "Charge & Pay" button 1004 to instruct settlement (step S13), the settlement processing unit 213 performs matching for the buying and selling of points or the like and determines a user who sells points or the like to the consumer user A (step S33).

[0154] Here, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that matching is performed so that the consumer user A purchases 10,000 [P] points with a one-month expiration date from the consumer user B at an exchange ratio of 90 [yen] (including spread) by a limit order.

[0155] Next, the settlement processing unit 213 executes the trading of points and the like. Specifically, 9,000 yen, which is the purchase price of points and the like, is transferred from the currency account of consumer user A to the currency account of the issuer. Also, 10,000 P is transferred from the point account of consumer user B to the point account of consumer user A to update the point account records of consumer users A and B. Further, from the currency account of the issuer, the selling price of points and the like, which is obtained by subtracting the spread from the 9,000 yen paid by consumer user A as the purchase price of points and the like, is transferred to the currency account of consumer user B (step S34). However, the timing of the transfer of the selling price of points and the like to the currency account of consumer user B may be on a later date.

[0156] Next, the settlement processing unit 213 transfers 10,000 P corresponding to the product price from the point account of consumer user A to the point account of corporate user X (step S35). Next, the settlement processing unit 213 records the information regarding steps S34 and S35 in the settlement agency transaction table 2212 and the settlement agency transaction_point selling table 2213 (step S36).

[0157] Specifically, a settlement agency transaction record is generated, and the issued settlement agency transaction ID, date and time, the point account ID of consumer user A, the number of points sold by consumer user A with a validity period of 1 month (10,000 P), the total number of points sold by consumer user B (10,000 P), the currency account ID of consumer user A, the currency selling amount of consumer user A (9,000 yen), the point account ID of corporate user X, the product name (book), and the product amount (10,000 yen) are recorded. Also, a settlement agency transaction_point selling record is generated, and the issued settlement agency transaction_point selling ID, date and time, settlement agency transaction ID, the point account ID of consumer user B, the currency account ID of consumer user B, the number of points sold by consumer user B with a validity period of 1 month (10,000 P), and the point currency conversion price with a validity period of 1 month (0.9 yen per unit) are recorded.

[0158] Note that the execution order of steps S33 to S35 is not limited to the above-described example and can be in any order. For example, after executing step S35 by advancing the points that the issuer pays to corporate user X, steps S33 and S34 may be executed.

[0159] After the trading of points and the like and the payment of points and the like to corporate user X are completed as described above, next, the UI control unit 218 causes the terminal device 30A to display the settlement completion screen 1100 (FIG. 21) (step S37).

[0160] FIG. 21 shows an example of the display of the settlement completion screen 1100. On the settlement completion screen 1100, the number of points and the like purchased by the settlement agency transaction, the number of points and the like paid as the purchase price of the product, and the balance of the points and the like held are displayed.

[0161] Return to FIG. 18. Next, when the settlement processing unit 213 notifies the EC site of the completion of the settlement processing for the settlement agency transaction (step S38), the EC site causes the terminal device 30A to display a purchase procedure completion screen (not shown) (step S23).

[0162] This concludes the description of the settlement agency transaction by the settlement processing unit 213. When using the settlement agency transaction, depending on the setting of the desired exchange ratio when the user selects a limit order or the market price when the user selects a market order, the user may be able to purchase points and the like at a lower price compared to purchasing prepaid points. However, if there are no other users selling points and the like at the desired exchange ratio of the limit order set by the user, or if the market price of points and the like in the market order is higher than the selling price of prepaid points, such a situation may occur. In such a case, the user may simply select prepaid point purchase using the radio button 1002 on the settlement screen 1000. Also, in such a case, the user can set in advance to be automatically changed from a limit order or a market order to prepaid point purchase.

[0163] As a modification example, the process of displaying the settlement screen 1000 on the terminal device 30A and allowing the consumer user A to select a limit order or a market order (steps S32 and S13) may be omitted, and the matching of buying and selling of points or the like may be performed according to the desired exchange ratio in the limit order set by the consumer user A in advance or according to the market order.

[0164] Note that in FIG. 18, the settlement at the time of purchasing a product on the EC site has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the settlement device 20 can also be applied to settlements by other methods. As an example, in the case of code settlement, when the store terminal (terminal device 40) of the physical store scans the code displayed on the terminal device 30 of the consumer user, the store terminal may transmit the settlement request information to the settlement device 20. In that case, the settlement screen 1000 and the settlement completion screen 1100 may be displayed on the store terminal or the user's terminal device 30. As another example, in the case of code settlement, when the terminal device 30 of the consumer user scans the code displayed at the physical store, the user's terminal device 30 may transmit the settlement request information to the settlement device 20. In that case, the settlement screen 1000 and the settlement completion screen 1100 may be displayed on the user's terminal device 30. As yet another example, in the case of settlement using the mounted IC chip of the terminal device 30 of the consumer user or the IC card of the consumer user, the store terminal (terminal device 40) that has scanned the IC chip or the IC card may transmit the settlement request information to the settlement device 20. The settlement screen 1000 and the settlement completion screen 1100 may be displayed on the store terminal or the user's terminal device 30.

[0165] <Example of display of profit and loss notification screen> FIG. 22 shows an example of the display of the profit and loss notification screen 1200 displayed on the terminal device 30 to notify the user of the profit and loss calculated by the profit and loss management unit 216.

[0166] The profit and loss notification screen 1200 is displayed on the terminal device 30 in response to a predetermined operation by the user. On the profit and loss notification screen 1200, the profit and loss (in the case of the figure, +8,000 "yen") for purchasing goods using points or the like, or buying and selling points or the like, by the user during a predetermined period is displayed. As reference information, the exchange ratio when selling currency and purchasing points or the like (in the case of the figure, 100 [yen] = 102 [P]) and the exchange ratio when buying currency and selling points or the like (in the case of the figure, 100 [yen] = 110 [P]) may be displayed.

[0167] According to the profit and loss notification screen 1200, since the profit obtained by the user using the settlement system 10 can be clearly shown numerically, the use of the settlement system 10 can be promoted for the user.

[0168] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modification examples, and various further modifications are possible. For example, the above-described embodiments and modification examples have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Also, it is possible to replace a part of one modification example with another modification example or combine modification examples.

[0169] In addition, each of the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in hardware, for example, by designing part or all of them with an integrated circuit. Also, each of the above-described configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program for realizing each function. Information such as a program, table, file, etc. for realizing each function can be placed in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk, SSD, or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, DVD. Also, control lines and information lines show those considered necessary for explanation, and not necessarily all control lines and information lines are shown on the product. In practice, it may be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0170] 10... Settlement system, 20... Settlement device, 21... Processing unit, 211... Issuance processing unit, 212... Point management unit, 213... Settlement processing unit, 214... Market transaction processing unit, 215... Deposit and withdrawal processing unit, 216... Profit and loss management unit, 217... Remittance processing unit, 218... UI control unit, 22... DB unit, 221... User table, 222... Point account table, 223... Currency account table, 224... Currency deposit and withdrawal table, 225... Point issuance table, 226... Prepaid point issuance table, 227... Point expiration date change table, 228... Point depreciation table, 229... Point extinction table, 2210... Point sale / product purchase transaction table, 2211... Corporate point sale / currency purchase transaction table, 2212... Settlement agency transaction table, 2213... Settlement agency transaction_point sale table, 2214... Point issuance_point account table, 23... Communication unit, 30... Terminal device, 40... Terminal device, 1000... Settlement screen, 1100... Settlement completion screen, 1200... Profit and loss notification screen

Claims

1. A settlement device that manages settlements using points as a settlement means in place of currency, an issuance processing unit that issues the points to the user for free, as a settlement process when a first user purchases a product from a second user, a normal settlement transaction that transfers the points corresponding to the price of the product from the point account of the first user to the point account of the second user, or a settlement processing unit that executes a proxy settlement transaction in which a third user sells points to the first user and transfers the points corresponding to the price of the product to the point account of the second user, A settlement device comprising:

2. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein, in the proxy settlement transaction, the settlement processing unit a first pattern in which the points purchased by the first user from the third user are transferred from the point account of the third user to the point account of the second user via the point account of the issuance processing unit, a second pattern in which the points purchased by the first user from the third user are transferred from the point account of the third user to the point account of the second user via the point account of the first user, or a third pattern in which the points purchased by the first user from the third user are directly transferred from the point account of the third user to the point account of the second user, executes any one of them Settlement device.

3. The settlement device according to claim 1, comprising a point management unit that manages at least one of the expiration date, depreciation, and extinction of the points held by the user Settlement device.

4. The settlement device according to claim 3, wherein the point management unit periodically shortens the expiration date of the points held by the user, periodically reduces the number of points held by the user, and extinguishes the points whose expiration date has passed Settlement device.

5. The settlement device according to claim 3, wherein the issuance processing unit issues prepaid points that are chargeable to the user and can be used as the settlement means equivalent to the points at a predetermined discount rate, and the point management unit manages the expiration date of the prepaid points held by the user Settlement device.

6. The settlement device according to claim 5, wherein the prepaid points include crypto assets Settlement device.

7. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein, in the agency settlement transaction, the settlement processing unit causes the first user to purchase points being sold by the third user according to the limit order or market order respectively designated by the third user and the first user. Settlement device.

8. The settlement device according to claim 1, comprising a market transaction processing unit that executes the trading of the points between users without involving the buying and selling of goods. Settlement device.

9. The settlement device according to claim 8, wherein the market transaction processing unit executes the trading of the points between the users according to the limit order or market order respectively designated by each of the users trading the points. Settlement device.

10. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein, in response to the points corresponding to the price of the goods being delivered from the second user, the settlement processing unit deposits currency with a predetermined settlement and cashing commission rate discounted into the currency account of the second user. Settlement device.

11. The settlement device according to claim 1, comprising a profit and loss management unit that calculates the profit and loss for the use of the points by the user, and a UI control unit that presents the profit and loss to the user. Settlement device.

12. A settlement method by a settlement device that manages settlement using points as a settlement means in place of currency, including an issuing processing step of issuing the points to the user for free, and as a settlement process when the first user purchases goods from the second user, a normal settlement transaction of moving the points corresponding to the price of the goods from the point account of the first user to the point account of the second user, or a settlement processing step of executing an agency settlement transaction of causing the first user to purchase points being sold by the third user and moving the points corresponding to the price of the goods to the point account of the second user. Settlement method including the above.

13. A computer that manages settlement using points as a settlement means in place of currency, including an issuing processing unit that issues the points to the user for free, and as a settlement process when the first user purchases goods from the second user, a normal settlement transaction of moving the points corresponding to the price of the goods from the point account of the first user to the point account of the second user, Or, a settlement processing unit that executes a settlement agency transaction in which the first user purchases the points sold by the third user, and moves the points corresponding to the price of the product to the point account of the second user, A program that causes it to function.

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