Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

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The information processing device enhances usability in regular electronic money transfers by identifying sender-receiver pairs and awarding benefits, addressing the usability challenges in conventional systems.

JP2025121129AActive Publication Date: 2025-08-19PAYPAY CO LTD

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Patent Information

Application Number: JP2024016374
Authority / Receiving Office: JP · JP
Patent Type: Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2024-02-06
Publication Date: 2025-08-19
Estimated Expiration: 2044-02-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional technologies for digital payment of wages and electronic money transfer between individuals lack usability improvements, particularly in regular transactions.

Method used

An information processing device and method that extracts target pairs of senders and receivers based on predetermined conditions and awards benefits, such as points, to enhance usability in periodic electronic money transfers.

Benefits of technology

Improves usability in regular electronic money transfers between individuals by incentivizing users through benefits, encouraging the use of periodic remittance services.

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Abstract

To improve usability required upon periodic transmittance of electronic money between individuals.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus according to the present invention has an extracting unit and a giving unit. The extracting unit extracts, among remittance making and receiving pairs each formed of a remittance person as a service user using an electronic settlement service and enjoying periodical remittance service carried out through the electronic settlement service and a remittance receiver as a service user of receiving side of periodical remittance, a target pair satisfying a predetermined condition. The giving unit gives predetermined privilege capable of being used in the electronic settlement service to at least either of the remitter and the remittance receiver forming the target pair extracted by the extraction unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, technologies related to so-called "digital payment of wages" have been proposed to fund transfer businesses that operate fund transfer businesses, which allow wage payments to be made using digital money such as electronic money or virtual currency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-151873 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have room for improvement in terms of improving usability when transferring electronic money between individuals on a regular basis.

[0005] The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve usability when transferring electronic money periodically between individuals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present application includes an extraction unit and an assignment unit. The extraction unit is a service user who uses an electronic payment service, and extracts target pairs that satisfy predetermined conditions from among pairs of senders and receivers, each of which is a service user on the sending side of a regular remittance executed through the electronic payment service, and the other of which is a service user on the receiving side of the regular remittance. The assignment unit assigns a predetermined benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service to at least one of the senders and receivers constituting the target pairs extracted by the extraction unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to achieve an effect of improving usability when transferring electronic money between individuals on a regular basis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a payment service providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information stored in a user information DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of setting information stored in the regular remittance information DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information related to points stored in the privilege granting information DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of information processing executed by the payment service providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the payment service providing device according to the embodiment or the modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] [Embodiment] [1. Overview] (1-1.Prerequisites) Before describing the information processing according to the embodiment, prerequisites for the embodiment will be described below.

[0011] The information processing according to the embodiment is realized by payment service providing device 100 (see FIG. 1, for example) that executes various processes related to electronic payment services. Payment service providing device 100 is an example of the "information processing device" according to the present application.

[0012] The information processing according to the embodiment is a service implemented through a platform for an electronic payment service, and is processing related to a regular remittance service provided as part of the service by a service provider that operates the electronic payment service to service users of the electronic payment service. By using the regular remittance service, the service user can periodically send electronic money of the amount desired by the service user from the money balance held in the service user's electronic wallet at a time desired by the service user.

[0013] Service users can start using the regular remittance service by completing the procedure to start using the regular remittance service through a payment app pre-installed on their terminal device 10 (see Figure 1, for example) and making various settings related to regular remittances.

[0014] A payment app is a payment application program provided to service users by service providers that provide electronic payment services in order to use various functions in the electronic payment service.

[0015] The periodic remittance service may be provided on the condition that identity verification has been completed in the electronic payment service. Identity verification can be performed online using eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) or other methods when the user initiates the electronic payment service or at any time desired by the user.

[0016] (1-2. Payment using terminal device 10) An example of payment processing for code payment (also called "smartphone payment" when the terminal device 10 is a smartphone), which is an example of electronic payment executed using the terminal device 10, will be described below.

[0017] In the following description, an example will be described in which a user U (see, for example, FIG. 1), who is a service user receiving a transaction object from a predetermined store, makes a payment using a terminal device 10, using a two-dimensional code (QR code (registered trademark)) placed in the predetermined store and indicating store identification information that identifies the predetermined store. Note that the example of code payment described below is also applicable to a case in which any user makes a payment at any store using any terminal device 10. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code indicating store identification information may be not only a QR code, but also a barcode, a predetermined mark, a number, or the like. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code is not limited to an example that is physically formed by a printed matter printed on a medium such as paper, but may also be formed by image information displayed on any terminal.

[0018] For example, when user U makes a payment for the purchase or use of a transaction object such as various goods or services at a predetermined store, user U launches a payment app pre-installed on terminal device 10 to use code payment. User U can use various functions related to code payment through the payment app. User U then photographs a two-dimensional code displayed at the predetermined store via the payment app. In such a case, terminal device 10 displays a screen for inputting the price of the transaction object and accepts input of the payment amount from user U or a store clerk at the predetermined store. Terminal device 10 then transmits transaction information including user identification information that identifies user U, store identification information (or information indicated by the store identification information, i.e., information indicating the predetermined store (e.g., store ID)), and the payment amount to payment service providing device 100 (see, for example, FIG. 1).

[0019] When payment service providing device 100 accepts transaction information from terminal device 10, it transfers electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from user U's account indicated by the user identification information to the account of a specific store indicated by the store identification information. At this time, payment service providing device 100 may deduct a specific fee to be charged to the specific store from the electronic money equivalent to the payment amount before transferring it to the account of the specific store. Payment service providing device 100 then sends a notification that the transaction has been completed to terminal device 10. In such a case, terminal device 10 notifies user U that the electronic money transaction has been completed by displaying a screen or outputting a specific sound indicating that the transaction has been completed. Alternatively, payment service providing device 100 may withdraw electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from user U's account indicated by the user identification information, manage it as sales information of the specific store, and transfer cash equivalent to the sales amount to a bank account held by the specific store at a specific time. In this case, payment service providing device 100 may notify user U that the electronic money transaction has been completed at the time when electronic money equivalent to the payment amount has been withdrawn from user U's account.

[0020] It should be noted that payment using the terminal device 10 is not limited to the above-described process. For example, payment using the terminal device 10 may be made using equipment installed in a specific store (hereinafter referred to as a "store terminal"). Specifically, first, the terminal device 10 displays code information indicating user identification information for identifying the user U on the screen. In such a case, the store terminal reads the user identification information from the code information displayed on the terminal device 10, and transmits transaction information to the payment service providing device 100, including the read user identification information (or information indicated by the user identification information, i.e., information indicating the user U (e.g., a user ID)), the payment amount, and information identifying the specific store.

[0021] When payment service providing device 100 receives transaction information from the store terminal, it transfers electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from user U's account indicated by the user identification information to the account of the specified store. Payment service providing device 100 then sends a notification to the store terminal or terminal device 10 that the transaction has been completed. The store terminal or terminal device 10 notifies user U that the electronic money transaction has been completed by displaying a screen or outputting a specified audio message indicating that the transaction has been completed. Payment service providing device 100 may also withdraw electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from user U's account indicated by the user identification information, manage this as sales information for the specified store, and transfer cash equivalent to the sales amount to a bank account held by the specified store at a specified time. In this case, payment service providing device 100 may notify a store clerk or user U that the electronic money transaction has been completed when it withdraws electronic money equivalent to the payment amount from user U's account.

[0022] Furthermore, the payment using the terminal device 10 may not only be a process of transferring electronic money from an account to which the user U has previously charged electronic money to an account of a predetermined store, but may also be a payment using, for example, a credit card registered in advance by the user U. In such a case, for example, the terminal device 10 may transfer electronic money in an amount indicated by the payment amount to the account of the predetermined store, and may also charge the operating company of the user U's credit card for the amount indicated by the payment amount.

[0023] Furthermore, payments using terminal device 10 may not only involve the transfer of electronic money from user U's account to a specific store's account, but may also involve, for example, the transfer of electronic money from user U's account to another user's account (i.e., a user-to-user remittance). For example, terminal device 10 used by remitter user U reads user identification information identifying the remittee user (e.g., user identification information displayed on terminal device 10 used by the remittee user), accepts input of the remittance amount from user U, and transmits information indicating the read identification information, the remittance amount, and the user identification information identifying user U to payment service providing device 100. In such a case, payment service providing device 100 may transfer electronic money in an amount indicated by the remittance amount from user U's account to the remittee user's account, and notify the user that the remittance has been completed by displaying a screen or outputting a predetermined sound on terminal device 10 or a terminal device used by the remittee user indicating that the remittance has been completed.

[0024] It should be noted that remittance using terminal device 10 is not limited to the above-described process. For example, remittance using terminal device 10 may be performed by inputting the telephone number of the remittee user or information identifying the remittee user (e.g., a user ID) into terminal device 10. To give a specific example, terminal device 10 accepts input of the telephone number or user ID of the remittee user and the remittance amount from user U, and transmits the input telephone number or user ID, the remittance amount, and user identification information identifying user U to payment service providing device 100. Then, payment service providing device 100 transfers electronic money in the amount indicated by the remittance amount from user U's account to the account of the user linked to the transmitted telephone number or user ID.

[0025] Here, the telephone number or user ID of the remittance recipient user may be linked to information about the user and registered in advance in the payment app. In this case, terminal device 10 accepts from user U the designation of a user (remittance recipient) registered in the payment app and an input of the remittance amount to the user, and transmits to payment service providing device 100 the telephone number or user ID linked to the designated user, the remittance amount, and user identification information that identifies user U.

[0026] Furthermore, for example, remittance using terminal device 10 may be performed by providing the remittance recipient user with link information for receiving the remittance amount. To give a specific example, terminal device 10 accepts input of the remittance amount from user U, generates link information for receiving the remittance amount, and provides the link information to the terminal device used by the remittance recipient user by sending an email containing the link information or posting information containing the link information on an SNS (Social Networking Service). Then, when the remittance recipient user selects the link information and performs a receiving operation, payment service providing device 100 transfers electronic money in the amount indicated by the remittance amount from user U's account to the remittance recipient user's account.

[0027] The above-described payment methods and payment services are not limited to those for providing compensation for the purchase of goods or the provision of services (debt settlement). For example, as described above, the payment methods and payment services may have a function related to the transfer of funds between accounts held by multiple users. That is, the above-described payment methods and payment services may be services that control the sending and receiving of electronic money between accounts of any owner linked to the owner of electronic money, such as a user or a store. That is, the payment methods and payment services according to the embodiments may be provided in any form as long as they are transaction methods and transaction services that perform various controls for realizing the exchange of electronic money (not only various inter-account transfer controls via electronic money, but also control related to exchanges between electronic money accounts and bank accounts, various credit processing such as installment payments and bonus payments, and various controls related to the exchange of assets including electronic money). Furthermore, the various controls realized by such transaction methods and transaction services may include both control related to settlement and control related to remittance, or only one of them. That is, the concept of a "transaction" includes not only "payments" related to electronic money but also "remittances" of electronic money and various other processes. That is, payment service providing apparatus 100 may be an information processing apparatus that realizes a transaction means for controlling the exchange of electronic money between any owners.

[0028] (1-3. Overview of Information Processing According to Embodiment) An overview of information processing according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of information processing according to an embodiment. The information processing according to the embodiment is executed by payment service providing device 100, which is an example of information processing of the present application.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, when terminal device 10-1 accepts various settings related to regular remittance from user U1 through the payment app, it transmits setting information J1 indicating the various settings related to regular remittance to payment service providing device 100 (step S1). User U1 is an example of a "service user who uses an electronic payment service."

[0030] For example, user U1 operates the payment app to display a settings screen on terminal device 10-1 for making various settings related to regular remittances. User U1 also inputs information indicating the timing of remittance, information indicating the remittance destination, information indicating the remittance amount, etc., into predetermined areas on the settings screen displayed on terminal device 10-1. Terminal device 10-1 transmits setting information J1 indicating various settings related to regular remittances to payment service providing device 100 in accordance with user U1's operation.

[0031] When payment service providing device 100 receives setting information J1 indicating various settings related to regular remittances from terminal device 10-1, it registers the received setting information J1 (step S2). For example, payment service providing device 100 registers setting information J1 indicating various settings related to regular remittances, in association with a user ID for identifying user U1, as the remitter, based on the user U1 who set setting information J1 indicating various settings related to regular remittances. User U1 who set various settings related to regular remittances is an example of a "remitter, who is a service user on the remittance side of regular remittances."

[0032] In addition, in various settings related to regular remittances, if identity verification of the service user set as the recipient has not been completed, the payment service providing device 100 may register setting information J1 on the condition that identity verification of the recipient has been completed.

[0033] The payment service providing device 100 extracts target pairs that satisfy predetermined conditions from among the remittance / receiver pairs consisting of a remitter who is a service user on the sending side of a regular remittance carried out through an electronic payment service and a receiver who is a service user on the receiving side of the regular remittance (step S3).

[0034] The extraction of target pairs by payment service providing device 100 may be performed at a predetermined timing that is set in advance. For example, if monthly remittances can be performed using a regular remittance service, payment service providing device 100 may extract target pairs twice a month, once in the first half and once in the second half of the month.

[0035] The payment service providing device 100 can identify a sender / receiver pair based on setting information J1, which indicates various settings related to regular remittances. Specifically, payment service providing device 100 identifies a sender / receiver pair in which the service user set as the sender in setting information J1 is the sender, and the service user set as the recipient in setting information J1 is the recipient. For example, according to setting information J1 shown in FIG. 1, payment service providing device 100 can identify user U1, corresponding to user ID: "U#001" set in the "sender" field, as the sender, and user U2, corresponding to user ID: "U#002" set in the "recipient" field, as the recipient.

[0036] Furthermore, payment service providing apparatus 100 may extract, from the identified money sending and receiving pairs, target pairs that satisfy conditions related to demographic attributes as target pairs that satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0037] Payment service providing device 100 may refer to user information J2, which is information about service users, and extract as target pairs, for example, money sending and receiving pairs in which the ages of the sender and receiver satisfy a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition regarding age may be, for example, "age of sender: 18 years or older, age of receiver: 6 years or older but under 18 years old."

[0038] Furthermore, payment service providing apparatus 100 may refer to user information J2 and extract, as target pairs, money transfer pairs in which the sender and receiver have the same surname, for example.

[0039] Furthermore, payment service providing apparatus 100 may refer to user information J2 and extract, as target pairs, money transfer pairs in which the remitter and receiver have the same address, for example.

[0040] Each of the above conditions regarding demographic attributes may be used as a predetermined condition for extracting target pairs, either singly or in combination with multiple conditions selected from each condition.

[0041] After extracting the target pair, if points that can be used in electronic payment services are to be awarded as a specified benefit to at least one of the sender and receiver who make up the target pair, the payment service providing device 100 calculates the amount of points to be awarded (step S4).

[0042] Specifically, payment service providing device 100 can calculate the amount of points to be awarded by multiplying the remittance amount remitted by regular remittance by an interest rate that is set in advance for each timing at which points are awarded.

[0043] For example, the interest rate that is preset for each timing at which points are awarded can be set so that the interest rate for the first time is higher than the interest rate for subsequent times, such as 20% for the first time and 10% for the second time and thereafter. By offering a preferential interest rate for the first time, it is expected that this will have the effect of encouraging people to use the regular remittance service.

[0044] Furthermore, the interest rate preset for calculating the amount of points to be awarded may be set according to the sender's usage of the electronic payment service (for example, the number of payments made, the amount of payments, etc.) and the user rank set according to such usage. Furthermore, the interest rate may be set independently by the service provider operating the electronic payment service for each predetermined campaign that awards points according to the amount of money sent using the regular remittance service.

[0045] Furthermore, the interest rate that is preset for calculating the amount of points to be awarded may be changed arbitrarily depending on the timing of point awarding, etc. That is, the interest rate for awarding points may be changed by lottery among eligible users. For example, after determining eligible users to whom points will be awarded during a predetermined campaign period, payment service providing device 100 may execute a random number lottery to determine a grade associated with the interest rate, and based on the results of the executed random number lottery, the interest rate may be 100% for first prize, 10% for second prize, and 5% for third prize.

[0046] After calculating the point grant amount, payment service providing device 100 grants points corresponding to the calculated grant amount to the service user (e.g., user U1 or user U2 shown in FIG. 1) to whom the points will be granted (step S5). For example, payment service providing device 100 grants points corresponding to the grant amount to the electronic wallet of the service user to whom the points will be granted.

[0047] Furthermore, payment service providing device 100 may award points to both the remitter and the receiver, or to either the remitter or the receiver. Whether points are awarded to the remitter or the receiver may be determined in advance for each predetermined campaign that awards points according to the remittance amount sent using the regular remittance service.

[0048] Furthermore, when awarding points to the remittance sender and the remittance receiver, payment service providing device 100 may award the same amount of points, or the amount of points awarded to the remittance sender and the amount of points awarded to the remittance receiver may be different. Furthermore, when awarding points to the remittance sender and the remittance receiver, payment service providing device 100 may proportionally divide the calculated amount of points awarded into an amount corresponding to the remittance sender and an amount corresponding to the remittance receiver according to the service usage status of each of the remittance sender and the remittance receiver, and award the proportional amount of points to each of the remittance sender and the remittance receiver.

[0049] Furthermore, payment service providing device 100 may award points until the cumulative total of points awarded in a predetermined period reaches an upper limit that is set in advance for each predetermined period.

[0050] For example, when awarding points, the payment service providing device 100 refers to a pre-set upper limit on the total number of points that a service user can earn during a predetermined campaign period in which points are awarded according to the amount of remittance made using the regular remittance service. The upper limit on the number of points that can be earned may be the upper limit for the entire period covered by the campaign (e.g., six months or one year). Alternatively, the upper limit on the number of points that can be earned may be the upper limit for each period (e.g., each month or each quarter) within the campaign period.

[0051] The payment service providing device 100 then awards points to the service user to whom the points are to be awarded, based on the cumulative amount of points earned during the campaign period and the amount of points to be awarded this time, up to a limit not exceeding the above-mentioned upper limit.

[0052] After the points are awarded, payment service providing device 100 provides information about the awarded points as a point acquisition history to the point awardee (e.g., user U2) via the payment app (step S6). If the points are awarded to user U2, user U2 can check the details of the awarded points by operating his / her own terminal device 10-2 to display the point acquisition history provided by payment service providing device 100 on the screen of the payment app.

[0053] As described above, according to the information processing of the embodiment, payment service providing device 100 can provide a predetermined benefit to a service user who uses the periodic remittance service to periodically remit money. As a result, payment service providing device 100 can improve the usability when periodically remitting electronic money between individuals.

[0054] [2. System Configuration] The configuration of the information processing system SYS according to the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the information processing system SYS according to the embodiment.

[0055] As shown in Figure 2, information processing system SYS according to the embodiment is configured to include multiple terminal devices 10 and payment service providing device 100. Note that the configuration of information processing system SYS shown in Figure 2 is an example, and it may include more terminal devices 10 and payment service providing devices 100 than those illustrated in Figure 2, or may include devices other than those illustrated in Figure 1.

[0056] Terminal device 10 and payment service providing device 100 are connected to network N by wire or wirelessly. Terminal device 10 and payment service providing device 100 can communicate with other devices via network N.

[0057] The network N includes, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, and mobile communication networks such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), and 5G (5th Generation: fifth generation mobile communication system).

[0058] Terminal device 10 connects to network N via short-range wireless communication such as a mobile communication network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and can communicate with other devices such as payment service providing device 100 through network N.

[0059] Terminal device 10 is used by a service user (for example, user U1 or user U2 shown in FIG. 1) who uses the electronic payment service provided by payment service providing device 100. Each of the multiple terminal devices 10 is used by a different service user.

[0060] The terminal device 10 may be, for example, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a wearable device. Examples of wearable devices include, but are not limited to, smart glasses and smart watches.

[0061] A service user using terminal device 10 operates terminal device 10 to launch a payment app pre-installed on terminal device 10, and by using various functions included in the payment app, executes various processes related to the electronic payment service in cooperation with payment service providing device 100. For example, terminal device 10 can display web content provided by payment service providing device 100 using the payment app. When terminal device 10 receives control information from payment service providing device 100 that implements information display processing, terminal device 10 implements the display processing in accordance with the control information.

[0062] Furthermore, when terminal device 10 receives control information for realizing predetermined information processing from payment service providing device 100, it realizes the information processing in accordance with the control information. Here, the control information is described in, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark), a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), a programming language such as Java (registered trademark), or a markup language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language). Note that a predetermined application distributed from payment service providing device 100 or the like may itself be considered as control information.

[0063] Payment service providing device 100 executes information processing according to an embodiment. Payment service providing device 100 is operated and managed by a service provider that provides electronic payment services. When payment service providing device 100 is configured as a server device, it may be realized by a single server device, or may be realized by a cloud system in which multiple server devices and multiple storage devices operate in cooperation with each other.

[0064] Payment service providing device 100 can provide service users with an environment for smartphone payments through electronic payment services. For example, payment service providing device 100 manages electronic money accounts (also called "electronic wallets") of providers of transaction objects and users to whom transaction objects are provided, and can realize smartphone payments by transferring electronic money between accounts in response to payment requests from service users. Note that electronic money may be, for example, points or currency used independently by various companies, or electronically tradable currencies provided by countries such as Japanese yen or dollars.

[0065] Furthermore, as information processing according to the embodiment, the payment service providing device 100 executes, for example, processing related to a regular remittance service provided as part of the service to service users of the electronic payment service. The regular remittance service is implemented through a platform for the electronic payment service. By using the regular remittance service, the service user can periodically send the amount of electronic money desired by the service user from their money balance, which is their electronic money balance, at a timing desired by the service user.

[0066] 3. Configuration of payment service providing device 100 An example of the functional configuration of payment service providing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described below using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of payment service providing device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, payment service providing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0067] (Communication unit 110) The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a communication module, a NIC (Network Interface Card), etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from other devices such as the terminal device 10.

[0068] (Storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 stores, for example, programs and data used for control and calculation by the control unit 130. The storage unit 120 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in Fig. 3, the storage unit 120 has a user information database (DB) 121, a regular remittance information DB 122, and a benefit granting information DB 123.

[0069] (User information DB121) The user information DB 121 stores user information about service users who use electronic payment services (for example, user U1 and user U2 shown in FIG. 1). An example of user information stored in the user information DB 121 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of user information stored in the user information DB 121 according to the embodiment.

[0070] 4, the user information stored in the user information DB 121 includes multiple items such as "user ID," "name," "age," "address," "identification," etc. These items of the user information are associated with each other.

[0071] The "User ID" field stores a user ID, which is identification information for identifying a service user. The identification information stored in the "User ID" field is unique to each service user and is assigned to each user individually when they register to use the electronic payment service.

[0072] The "Name" field stores information indicating the name of the service user. The "Age" field stores information indicating the age of the service user. The "Address" field stores information indicating the address of the service user. The "Identity Verification" field stores information indicating whether identity verification has been completed in the electronic payment service.

[0073] The user information stored in the user information DB 121 is used in processing by the providing unit 134, which will be described later.

[0074] (Regular remittance information DB122) The regular remittance information DB122 stores setting information indicating various settings related to regular remittances set by the service user for each service user who uses the regular remittance service (for example, user U1 shown in FIG. 1). An example of setting information stored in the regular remittance information DB122 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of setting information stored in the regular remittance information DB122 according to the embodiment.

[0075] 5, the setting information stored in the regular remittance information DB 122 has multiple items such as "remitter," "remittance timing," "remittance destination," "remittance amount," etc. These items in the setting information are associated with each other.

[0076] The "remitter" field stores the user ID, which is identification information for identifying the service user who is sending the regular remittance, i.e., the service user who is the remitter. The "remitter" field stores the user ID of the service user who has made various settings related to regular remittance in order to use the regular remittance service.

[0077] The "remittance timing" field stores information indicating the timing of periodic remittances. Note that the remittance timing is not limited to a single value, and may be multiple values.

[0078] The "recipient" field stores the user ID, which is identification information for identifying the service user who will receive the regular remittance, that is, the service user who is the recipient.

[0079] The "Remittance Amount" field stores information indicating the amount of remittance to be periodically remitted from the balance of money held in the service user's electronic wallet to the remittance destination service user set in the "Remittance Destination" field using the regular remittance service.

[0080] The setting information stored in the regular remittance information DB 122 is referenced in the processing by the extraction unit 132, which will be described later.

[0081] (Benefits Granting Information DB123) The benefit granting information DB123 stores information about points granted as a predetermined benefit in response to use of the regular remittance service. An example of the information about points stored in the benefit granting information DB123 will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the information about points stored in the benefit granting information DB123 according to the embodiment.

[0082] 6, the information about points stored in the benefit granting information DB 123 includes multiple items such as "target user ID," "point grant date and time," "amount granted," "cumulative amount granted during campaign period," etc. These items included in the information about points are mutually associated.

[0083] The "Target User ID" field stores the user ID of the service user to whom points are awarded in response to use of the regular remittance service.

[0084] The "points awarded date and time" field stores information indicating the date and time when points were awarded in response to the use of the regular remittance service.

[0085] The "amount awarded" field stores information indicating the amount of points awarded in response to use of the regular remittance service.

[0086] The "total amount awarded during campaign period" field stores information indicating the total amount of points awarded during a campaign period in which a predetermined benefit is awarded in response to use of the regular remittance service.

[0087] The information about points stored in the benefit granting information DB 123 is used in processing by the granting unit 133, which will be described later.

[0088] (control unit 130) The control unit 130 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs (an example of an "information processing program" in accordance with the embodiment) stored in a memory device within the payment service providing device 100 using RAM as a working area.

[0089] Furthermore, the control unit 130 can be realized by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a general purpose graphic processing unit (GPGPU).

[0090] As shown in Figure 3, control unit 130 has registration unit 131, extraction unit 132, assignment unit 133, and provision unit 134, and these units realize or execute the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that control unit 130 may have new functional units different from the units shown in Figure 3 introduced in response to expansion of the various processes executed by payment service providing device 100. For example, control unit 130 may have a remittance processing unit that executes remittance processing for a regular remittance service.

[0091] (Registration Section 131) When the registration unit 131 acquires setting information indicating various settings related to regular remittance via the communication unit 110 , it registers the acquired setting information in the regular remittance information DB 122 .

[0092] For example, if the identity verification of the service user set as the receiver in the acquired setting information has not been completed, the registration unit 131 executes registration of the setting information on the condition that the identity verification of the receiver is completed.

[0093] (Extraction part 132) The extraction unit 132 extracts target pairs that satisfy predetermined conditions from among pairs of remittances and receipts, each of which is a service user who uses an electronic payment service and is composed of a remitter who is a service user on the sending side of a regular remittance carried out through the electronic payment service, and a receiver who is a service user on the receiving side of the regular remittance.

[0094] For example, the extraction unit 132 may identify remittance and receipt pairs based on setting information indicating various settings related to regular remittances, and extract target pairs from the identified remittance and receipt pairs.

[0095] Specifically, the extraction unit 132 identifies a remittance / reception pair in which the service user set as the remitter in the setting information is the remitter and the service user set as the recipient in the setting information is the receiver. Next, the extraction unit 132 extracts target pairs that satisfy conditions related to demographic attributes from the identified remittance / reception pairs.

[0096] For example, the extraction unit 132 may refer to the user information stored in the user information DB 121 and extract, as target pairs, money sending and receiving pairs in which the ages of the sender and receiver satisfy a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition regarding age may be, for example, "age of sender: 18 years or older, age of receiver: 6 years or older but younger than 18 years."

[0097] The extraction unit 132 may also refer to the user information stored in the user information DB 121 and extract, as target pairs, remittance and receipt pairs in which the remitter and receiver have the same surname, for example.

[0098] The extraction unit 132 may also refer to the user information stored in the user information DB 121 and extract, as target pairs, money transfer pairs in which the remitter and the recipient have the same address, for example.

[0099] The extraction unit 132 may also extract, as target pairs, remittance and receipt pairs in which the addresses of the remitter and receiver are within a predetermined area, by referring to the user information stored in the user information DB 121. Examples of within the predetermined area include the same city, ward, town, or village, prefectures that include a city, ward, town, or village, and areas with the same postal code.

[0100] The extraction unit 132 may also extract, as target pairs, remittance and receipt pairs in which the remitter and receiver have the same postal code, by referring to the user information stored in the user information DB 121. If the postal code is not stored in the user information, the extraction unit 132 may identify the corresponding postal code from the address and then extract the target pairs.

[0101] The above-described conditions related to demographic attributes may be used alone as a predetermined condition for extracting target pairs, or a combination of multiple conditions selected from the conditions may be used. For example, the extraction unit 132 may extract a target pair even if the addresses are not the same, if the surnames are the same or the addresses are in a predetermined area.

[0102] (Given unit 133) The granting unit 133 grants a predetermined benefit that can be used in electronic payment services to at least one of the remitter and the receiver that make up the target pair extracted by the extraction unit 132.

[0103] For example, when the granting unit 133 grants points that can be used in an electronic payment service as a predetermined benefit, the granting unit 133 calculates the amount of points that can be used in the electronic payment service. Specifically, the granting unit 133 calculates the amount of points to be granted by multiplying the remittance amount remitted by the regular remittance by an interest rate that is set in advance for each timing at which the points are granted.

[0104] For example, the interest rate that is preset for each timing at which points are awarded can be set so that the interest rate for the first time is higher than the interest rate for subsequent times, such as 20% for the first time and 10% for the second time and thereafter. By offering a preferential interest rate for the first time, it is expected that this will have the effect of encouraging people to use the regular remittance service.

[0105] The interest rate used to calculate the amount of points to be awarded may be set according to the sender's usage of the electronic payment service (for example, the number of payments made, the amount of payments, etc.) and the user rank (also referred to as "user stage") set according to such usage. The interest rate used to calculate the amount of points to be awarded may also be set independently by the service provider operating the electronic payment service for each predetermined campaign that awards points according to the amount of remittance made using the regular remittance service.

[0106] Furthermore, the interest rate used to calculate the amount of points to be awarded may be changed arbitrarily depending on the timing of point awarding, etc. That is, the interest rate for awarding points may be changed by lottery among eligible users. For example, after determining eligible users to whom points will be awarded during a predetermined campaign period, payment service providing device 100 may execute a random number lottery to determine a grade associated with the interest rate, and based on the results of the executed random number lottery, may set the interest rate to 100% for first prize, 10% for second prize, and 5% for third prize.

[0107] After calculating the point award amount, the awarding unit 133 awards points corresponding to the calculated award amount to the service user to whom the points are to be awarded. The awarding unit 133 registers information about the awarded points in the benefit awarding information DB 123.

[0108] The awarding unit 133 may award points to both the remitter and the receiver, or to either the remitter or the receiver. Whether points are awarded to the remitter or the receiver may be determined in advance for each campaign that awards points according to the amount of remittance made using the regular remittance service.

[0109] Furthermore, when awarding points to the sender and the receiver, the payment service providing device 100 may award the same amount of points, or the amount of points awarded to the sender and the amount of points awarded to the receiver may be different.

[0110] Furthermore, when the granting unit 133 grants different points to the sender and the receiver, the granting unit 133 may apportion the calculated amount of points to be granted between the sender and the receiver according to the usage status of the service by each of the sender and the receiver, and grant the apportioned amount of points to each of the sender and the receiver.

[0111] Furthermore, the granting unit 133 may grant points until the cumulative total of points granted in a predetermined period reaches an upper limit set in advance for each predetermined period.

[0112] For example, when awarding points, the awarding unit 133 refers to a pre-set upper limit for the total number of points that a service user can earn during a predetermined campaign period in which points are awarded according to the amount of remittance made using the regular remittance service. The upper limit for points may be the upper limit for the entire period covered by the campaign (e.g., six months or one year). The upper limit for points may also be the upper limit for each period within the campaign period (e.g., each month or each quarter). The awarding unit 133 then awards points within the range not exceeding the upper limit, based on the cumulative amount of points earned by the service user to whom the points are to be awarded during the campaign period and the amount of points to be awarded this time.

[0113] (Provider 134) The providing unit 134 provides information regarding the specified benefits granted to at least one of the sender and the receiver to the grantee of the specified benefits through a payment app that provides service users with various functions for using electronic payment services.

[0114] For example, when the providing unit 134 receives a request to view the acquisition history of points granted as a predetermined benefit from the terminal device 10 used by the service user via the communication unit 110, it acquires information about the points corresponding to the service user who made the request from the benefit granting information DB 123. Then, the providing unit 134 provides the acquired information about the points to the service user who made the request by transmitting it to the terminal device 10 used by the service user who made the request. Note that the providing unit 134 may provide information about the points granted to the service user who is the recipient of a regular remittance to the service user who is the sender of the regular remittance.

[0115] [4. Example of processing procedure] The flow of information processing executed by payment service providing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for information processing executed by the payment service providing device according to an embodiment. The processing procedure shown in Figure 7 is executed by control unit 130 of payment service providing device 100. Control unit 130 repeatedly executes the processing procedure shown in Figure 10 while payment service providing device 100 is operating.

[0116] As shown in Figure 7, the extraction unit 132 extracts target pairs that satisfy specified conditions from among remittance / receiver pairs consisting of a sender who is a service user on the sending side of a regular remittance carried out through an electronic payment service and a receiver who is a service user on the receiving side of the regular remittance (step S101).

[0117] The granting unit 133 calculates the amount of points to be granted by multiplying the remittance amount to be remitted by the regular remittance (step S102).

[0118] The granting unit 133 also grants points corresponding to the calculated grant amount to the service user who is the recipient of the points (step S103).

[0119] Furthermore, the awarding unit 133 registers information regarding the awarding of points in the benefit awarding information DB 123 (step S104), and the processing procedure shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0120] [5. Modifications] (5-1. Regarding specified benefits) In the above embodiment, the payment service providing device 100 extracts target pairs that satisfy predetermined conditions from among pairs of senders and receivers, each of which is a service user who uses an electronic payment service and is made up of a sender who is a service user on the sending side of a regular remittance executed through the electronic payment service and a receiver who is a service user on the receiving side of the regular remittance, and awards points that can be used in the electronic payment service to at least one of the sender and receiver constituting the extracted target pair, as a predetermined benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the payment service providing device 100 may award electronic coupons of different values or digitized gift cards as a predetermined benefit depending on the amount of remittance made through the regular remittance service.

[0121] (5-2. Identifying remittance and receipt pairs) In the above embodiment, the extraction unit 132 identifies a remittance / receipt pair in which the service user set as the remitter in the setting information is the remitter and the service user set as the remittance destination in the setting information is the receiver. However, this example is not limited to this. The extraction unit 132 identifies service users who regularly remit to the same service user based on the service user's remittance history. The extraction unit 132 may then identify the identified remitter service user and the remittance destination service user who receives remittances from the remitter service user as a remittance / receipt pair. In this case, the provision unit 134 may provide the remitter service user of the remittance / receipt pair identified by the extraction unit 132 with a suggestion to enter a regular remittance service, information on benefits granted by the regular remittance service, and the like, through the payment app.

[0122] (5-3. System configuration, etc.) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the information processing system SYS according to the embodiment includes the payment service providing device 100 that executes the process of granting a predetermined benefit in accordance with a remittance using a regular remittance service as the information processing according to the embodiment, but this example is not limiting. For example, the information processing system SYS may be configured to include multiple servers in which the processing function for executing information processing related to code payment and the processing function for executing information processing according to the embodiment are functionally or physically distributed.

[0123] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, and conversely, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0124] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0125] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0126] [6. Effects] As described above, the payment service providing device 100 according to the embodiment includes an extraction unit 132 and an award unit 133. The extraction unit 132 is a service user who uses the electronic payment service, and extracts target pairs that satisfy predetermined conditions from among sender / receiver pairs, each of which is a service user on the sending side of a regular remittance carried out through the electronic payment service, and each of which is a service user on the receiving side of the regular remittance. The award unit 133 awards a predetermined benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service to at least one of the sender and receiver constituting the target pair extracted by the extraction unit 132.

[0127] In this way, the payment service providing device 100 according to the embodiment can provide a predetermined benefit to a service user who uses the periodic remittance service to periodically remit money. As a result, the payment service providing device 100 can improve the usability when periodically remitting electronic money between individuals.

[0128] Furthermore, payment service providing device 100 further includes registration unit 131. In the various settings related to regular remittance, if identity verification of the service user set as the recipient has not been completed, registration unit 131 registers setting information indicating various settings related to regular remittance, on the condition that identity verification of the recipient has been completed. This allows payment service providing device 100 to avoid risks that may arise in remittances using the regular remittance service.

[0129] The extraction unit 132 may also identify remittance and receipt pairs based on setting information indicating various settings related to regular remittances, and extract target pairs from the identified remittance and receipt pairs.

[0130] Furthermore, the extraction unit 132 may extract, as target pairs, money transfer pairs that satisfy conditions related to demographic attributes from among the money transfer pairs.

[0131] Furthermore, the extraction unit 132 may extract, as target pairs, from among the remittance and receipt pairs, those in which the ages of the remitter and the recipient satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0132] Furthermore, the extraction unit 132 may extract, as target pairs, from among remittance and receipt pairs, remittance and receipt pairs in which the remitter and the recipient have the same surname.

[0133] Furthermore, the extraction unit 132 may extract, as target pairs, from among remittance and receipt pairs, remittance and receipt pairs in which the remitter and receiver have the same address.

[0134] Furthermore, the extraction unit 132 may extract, as target pairs, from among remittance and receipt pairs, remittance and receipt pairs in which the addresses of the remitter and recipient are within a predetermined area.

[0135] Furthermore, the extraction unit 132 may extract, as target pairs, from among remittance and receipt pairs, remittance and receipt pairs in which the remitter and receiver have the same postal code.

[0136] For this reason, payment service providing device 100 can improve usability for service users with a specific relationship by making service users with a specific relationship eligible to receive points. Furthermore, payment service providing device 100 can be expected to have the effect of promoting use of the regular remittance service by service users with a specific relationship.

[0137] Furthermore, the granting unit 133 may grant points that can be used in electronic payment services as a predetermined benefit.

[0138] The granting unit 133 may also calculate the amount of points to be granted by multiplying the remittance amount remitted by regular remittance by an interest rate that is set in advance for each timing at which points are granted.

[0139] The granting unit 133 may also set the interest rate corresponding to the first timing at which points are granted to be higher than the interest rate corresponding to the second and subsequent timings at which points are granted.

[0140] Furthermore, the granting unit 133 may grant points until the cumulative total of points granted in a predetermined period reaches an upper limit set in advance for each predetermined period.

[0141] As a result, payment service providing device 100 can appropriately provide benefits that can be easily used by the service user through the electronic payment service.

[0142] Payment service providing apparatus 100 further includes a providing unit 134. Providing unit 134 provides information about a predetermined benefit granted to at least one of the remitter and the recipient to the grantee of the predetermined benefit through a payment app that provides service users with various functions for using the electronic payment service. In this way, payment service providing apparatus 100 can improve usability by providing information about the acquisition status of the predetermined benefit.

[0143] The above-described effects can be realized by the processing executed by each of the above-described units, or by any combination of the processing executed by each unit.

[0144] [7. Hardware Configuration] Furthermore, payment service providing apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment or modification is realized, for example, by computer 1000 having the configuration shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of payment service providing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment or modification.

[0145] The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which an arithmetic unit 1030, a primary storage device 1040, a secondary storage device 1050, an output IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0146] The arithmetic device 1030 operates based on programs stored in the primary storage device 1040 and secondary storage device 1050, programs read from the input device 1020, and the like, and executes various processes. The primary storage device 1040 is a memory device, such as a RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations. The secondary storage device 1050 is a storage device in which data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD, flash memory, or the like.

[0147] The output IF 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to an output device 1010 that outputs various types of information, such as a monitor or a printer, and is realized by a connector conforming to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), etc. The input IF 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as a mouse, keyboard, and scanner, and is realized by a USB, for example.

[0148] The input device 1020 may be a device that reads information from an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The input device 1020 may also be an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

[0149] The network IF 1080 receives data from other devices via the network N and sends it to the arithmetic device 1030, and also transmits data generated by the arithmetic device 1030 to other devices via the network N.

[0150] The arithmetic unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the secondary storage device 1050 onto the primary storage device 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0151] For example, when computer 1000 functions as payment service providing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment or the modification, arithmetic device 1030 of computer 1000 executes a program loaded onto primary storage device 1040, thereby realizing the same functions as control unit 130. In other words, arithmetic device 1030 realizes the processing by payment service providing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment or the modification in cooperation with a program (for example, an example of an information processing program) loaded onto primary storage device 1040.

[0152] [8. Other] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have undergone various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0153] Furthermore, the configuration of the above-described payment service providing apparatus 100 can be flexibly changed, for example, by calling an external platform or the like using an API (Application Programming Interface) or network computing, depending on the function.

[0154] Furthermore, the term "unit" in the claims can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, a control unit can be read as control means or a control circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] SYS Information Processing System 10 Terminal Equipment 100 Information processing device 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 User information DB 122 Regular Remittance Information DB 123 Benefit Granting Information DB 130 control section 131 Registration Department 132 Extraction part 133 Granting Department 134 Provision Department

Claims

1. an extraction unit that extracts target pairs that satisfy predetermined conditions from among pairs of remittances and receipts made by a remitter who is a service user using an electronic payment service and is on the remittance sending side of a regular remittance carried out through the electronic payment service and a receiver who is a service user on the receiving side of the regular remittance; a granting unit that grants a predetermined benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service to at least one of the remitter and the receiver that make up the target pair extracted by the extraction unit; An information processing device comprising:

2. a registration unit that, in the case where identity verification of the service user set as the receiver has not been completed in the various settings related to the regular remittance, registers setting information indicating various settings related to the regular remittance, on the condition that identity verification of the receiver has been completed; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The extraction unit Identifying the remittance / receive pairs based on setting information indicating various settings related to the regular remittance, and extracting the target pair from the identified remittance / receive pairs.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

4. The extraction unit Extracting target pairs that satisfy conditions regarding demographic attributes from the remittance / reception pairs.