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

Abstract

To improve usability.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus which provides an electronic settlement service includes: a receiving unit which receives a follow request to follow an affiliated store in the electronic settlement service, from an external device that provides a message distribution service; and a follow unit which follows the affiliated store, for a user who made the follow request, on condition that first identification information is associated with second identification information, the first identification information identifying a user who made the follow request in the message distribution service and who is provided with the message distribution service, the second identification information identifying a user who is provided with the electronic settlement service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Cashless payments, which do not require the use of currency when paying for goods or services, are becoming increasingly common. In particular, electronic payments using payment applications (hereinafter referred to as electronic payment apps) that can be installed on terminal devices such as smartphones are attracting attention due to their high convenience.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for automatically following up on the affiliated store that provided the coupon in an electronic payment service after the coupon is provided. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for automatically applying coupons that can be used at the store where the payment is processed when making an electronic payment using a terminal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-058000 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-004122 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have room for improvement in terms of improving the usability of electronic payment services.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to improve usability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device that provides an electronic payment service, and is characterized by comprising: a receiving unit that receives a follow request to follow an affiliated store in the electronic payment service from an external device that provides a message distribution service; and a follow unit that follows the affiliated store for the user who made the follow request in the message distribution service, on the condition that first identification information that identifies the user who made the follow request in the message distribution service and who receives the message distribution service is linked to second identification information that identifies the user who receives the electronic payment service. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, usability can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a software configuration of a message delivery server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of MS user information stored in an MS user information database. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of OA user information stored in an OA user information database. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of linking of store IDs. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of friend registration information stored in a registration information database. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of an electronic payment server. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of PS user information stored in a PS user information database. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of affiliated store information stored in an affiliated store information database. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of coupon information stored in a coupon information database. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of follow information stored in a follow information database. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of linked information managed by the electronic payment server. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the coupon acquisition status of PS users. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of information processing. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by an electronic payment server. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing when an OA user of a coupon distribution source store is registered as a friend. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, the program, and the information processing system according to the present disclosure are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] [1. An example of a possible case] Applications that can be installed on terminal devices such as smartphones include electronic payment applications, message delivery applications, etc. In the following, applications may be simply referred to as apps.

[0012] An electronic payment app is operated and managed by a service provider that provides electronic payment services. The electronic payment service is an example of a first service. A store or service provider that has a contract with a service provider that provides electronic payment services is called an affiliated store. An example of an affiliated store is an organization that operates multiple physical stores or online shops. Users can make payments using the electronic payment app at affiliated stores. The store manager of the affiliated store (hereinafter referred to as the store manager) can use a dedicated interface to distribute special offers such as coupons that can be used at the store and other information. Users can efficiently receive special offers and information provided by the followed affiliated store by following the affiliated store in the electronic payment app. For example, to obtain a special offer (here, a coupon) from affiliated store A through the electronic payment app, a user accesses a page on the electronic payment app that distributes various coupons for the entire electronic payment service. The user can then search for the desired affiliated store (affiliated store A) that distributes coupons, or select a coupon from affiliated store A from among the recommended affiliated stores presented on the electronic payment app. Here, if a user is following merchant A, coupons for the merchant they are following will be displayed separately on the electronic payment app. Therefore, users who follow merchant A can obtain coupons distributed by the merchant A they are following without having to perform the search operations described above. In this way, following merchants on the electronic payment app contributes to improving usability for users. Generally, to follow a merchant in order to efficiently receive benefits, etc., a user must operate the electronic payment app and actively perform the operation to follow the merchant on the electronic payment app. Details of following will be explained later.

[0013] Message delivery apps are operated and managed by service providers that provide message delivery services (hereinafter referred to as message delivery services) as one of the user communication tools. Message delivery services are an example of the second service. Users can use message apps to send messages to other users. In addition to general users (MS users, described below), users who have acquired official accounts (OA users, described below) can also send messages to general users for marketing purposes. One example is the delivery of messages announcing campaign information at stores. General users can view such messages by operating the message delivery app. Message delivery apps are often used for everyday messaging between general users, so messages sent by OA users tend to be widely viewed by general users.

[0014] Message delivery apps also have a "friend" registration function, which allows users to register other users' accounts as "friends." By using this function, MS users can, for example, efficiently receive information distributed by OA users. Therefore, using this function to register other users as friends improves usability.

[0015] As such, there is a corresponding application for each service provided. Users generally operate the corresponding application to obtain information about each service. The more services are provided, the greater the operational burden on the user. For example, the "follow" function in the above-mentioned electronic payment service and the "friend" function in the message delivery service are essentially similar functions in the sense that they are essentially registering favorites. Here, for example, the store of the above-mentioned electronic payment app and the official account of the message delivery service may be operated by the same entity. In such cases, since the user must operate each service to perform the same type of operation (registering favorites), there is room for improvement in terms of usability. Below, we will explain how to improve usability.

[0016] [2-1. Information processing devices] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing executed by an information processing device according to this embodiment. First, the information processing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Note that the message delivery server 101, terminal device 102, and electronic payment server 103 in Fig. 1 are all types of information processing devices. Below, the information processing executed by the electronic payment server 103 will be described together with the processing executed by the message delivery server 101 and terminal device 102.

[0017] (About Message Delivery Server 101) The message delivery server 101 is an information processing device that provides a message delivery service. The message delivery server 101 is an example of an external device. A user can receive the message delivery service by installing a message delivery application for using the message delivery service on a terminal device 102 (described later). The message delivery service can also be used by accessing a page provided by the message delivery server 101 using a general web browser.

[0018] Using the message delivery app, users can send messages, view messages sent by other users, reply to messages, and register friends. In this specification, a user who receives the message delivery service is referred to as an MS user. An MS user is, for example, a user who has obtained an account within the message delivery app. The obtained account is managed by the message delivery server 101. "Friend registration" refers to a user registering another user's account as a "friend" using the friend registration function described above. Friend registration can be performed by the user operating the message delivery app. By registering a friend, the user can exchange messages with the friend user.

[0019] Furthermore, users can obtain a second account (for example, an official account) that is different from a general account (first account). An official account is an account that allows a company, store, etc. to deliver information directly to general users. A user with a second account (hereinafter referred to as an OA user) is granted different privileges than an MS user with a first account. For example, an OA user can send segmented messages to MS users who have registered the OA user as a friend. Segmented messages are sent to specific MS users using segment information, which will be described later.

[0020] A store manager may acquire an official account of a message distribution service and distribute messages as an OA user. In this case, the message distribution server 101 can distribute a predetermined message from the official account of the store manager's store on the message distribution service.

[0021] A service provider that provides electronic payment services may acquire an official account for a message delivery service and deliver messages as an OA user. In this case, the message delivery server 101 can deliver a predetermined message from the official account of the service provider on the message delivery service.

[0022] (Regarding terminal device 102) The terminal device 102 is an information processing device used by a user who receives the above-mentioned message delivery service and the below-described electronic payment service. In this embodiment, the terminal device 102 is described as a smartphone, but is not limited to this. The terminal device 102 may be, for example, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

[0023] The terminal device 102 can display information distributed by the message distribution server 101, which provides a message distribution service, and other information using a web browser or an application, etc. The terminal device 102 can display information distributed by the electronic payment server 103, which will be described later, and other information using a web browser or an application, etc.

[0024] The terminal device 102 may have a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, a camera function, etc. The terminal device 102 can provide location information acquired by the GPS function to other devices. The terminal device 102 can provide code information (information such as one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes) acquired by the camera function to other devices.

[0025] (About electronic payment server 103) The electronic payment server 103 is an information processing device that provides an electronic payment service, such as processing electronic payments and distributing information related to electronic payments. A user can receive the electronic payment service by installing an electronic payment app on the terminal device 102. The electronic payment service can also be used by accessing a page provided by the electronic payment server 103 using a general web browser.

[0026] Using the electronic payment app, users can pay for goods or services at stores, view and acquire bonus information distributed by stores or affiliated stores, and view recommendation information. In this specification, users who receive electronic payment services are referred to as PS users. A PS user is, for example, a user who has acquired an account within the electronic payment app. The acquired account is managed by the electronic payment server 103.

[0027] Furthermore, by following a member store using the electronic payment app, a PS user can obtain benefits and other offers from the member store. "Following a member store" means that the PS user establishes a connection with the member store on the electronic payment app. Specifically, following a member store means that the PS user registers the member store as an interest on the electronic payment app. When a PS user performs an operation to follow a member store on the electronic payment app, the electronic payment server 103 puts the PS user in a state of following the member store (hereinafter referred to as the "following state"). In the following state, the PS user can obtain benefits such as coupons distributed by the store administrator of the member store within the electronic payment app. In addition to obtaining benefits, in the following state, the PS user can also receive recommendation information, which will be described later. Alternatively, the PS user may be able to obtain benefits such as coupons distributed by the store administrator of the member store within the electronic payment app even if the PS user is not in the following state.

[0028] "Recommendation information" refers to information about a store. Examples of recommendation information include introduction information about affiliated stores, special offer information such as coupons, information about products or services handled by the store, and point redemption information when making a payment at the store.

[0029] A "store" is any place that actually provides goods or services to users, such as a shop, restaurant, department store, movie theater, or gym.

[0030] "Products" include tangible items such as goods that users actually acquire at stores, and intangible items such as image data, video data, music data, and game programs. "Services" are services that users actually receive at stores, etc.

[0031] The electronic settlement server 103 also manages the electronic accounts of affiliated stores and PS users, and realizes various settlements by transferring electronic money between the electronic accounts.

[0032] [2-2. An example of information processing] (About information processing) An overview of information processing according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which an OA user delivers a message to an MS user regarding benefits such as coupons that can be used in an electronic payment service. That is, an example will be described in which information regarding benefits that can be used in a first service is delivered as a message using a message delivery service in a second service.

[0033] The message distribution server 101 distributes a message regarding coupons that can be used at stores on the electronic payment service (S1). This message is distributed from the message distribution server 101 based on a distribution instruction from an OA user. When the message is distributed in S1, the user can view the message regarding the coupon from screen G1 of the message distribution app displayed on the terminal device 102, as shown in FIG. 1. Screen G1 displays the text "Follow us and get a coupon." If the user wishes to obtain a coupon, they perform an operation on the message. Note that the message distributed in S1 may be sent to MS users who have registered the OA user who issued the message distribution instruction as a friend, or may be sent to MS users who have not registered the OA user as a friend.

[0034] When the user operates the message delivered in S1, the terminal device 102 transmits to the message delivery server 101 an instruction to follow the affiliated store in the electronic payment service (hereinafter referred to as a follow instruction) (S2). That is, because the message delivery app of the terminal device 102 is not directly linked to the electronic payment app, the user cannot follow the affiliated store on the electronic payment app directly from the message delivery app. For this reason, the terminal device 102 transmits a follow instruction to the message delivery server 101 to follow the affiliated store in the electronic payment service in response to a user operation using the message delivery app.

[0035] When receiving the follow instruction in S2, the message delivery server 101 determines whether the identification information of the MS user who issued the instruction is linked (linked) with the identification information of the PS user. Specifically, the message delivery server 101 determines whether there is linkage using a linkage flag, which will be described later. If the message delivery server 101 determines that there is no linkage, it transmits a permission screen to the terminal device 102 requesting permission to link (S3). Details of the permission screen will be described later.

[0036] If the user operates the permission screen received in S3 to permit collaboration, the terminal device 102 transmits an instruction to perform collaboration processing (hereinafter referred to as a collaboration instruction) to the message delivery server 101 (S4). If the user operates the permission screen received in S3 to not permit collaboration, the terminal device 102 transmits an instruction not to perform collaboration processing to the message delivery server 101. Alternatively, the terminal device 102 may not transmit a collaboration instruction to the message delivery server 101.

[0037] When the link instruction is received in S4, the message distribution server 101 performs a process to register the official account of the store that distributed the coupon as a friend for the MS user who issued the follow instruction (S5). In this example, as described above, this is because the process is to "register as a friend and follow the affiliated store." Note that the friend registration process in S5 may be performed after S6 or S9, which will be described later.

[0038] Upon receiving the link instruction in S4, the message delivery server 101 transmits link information and a request to follow the affiliated store to the electronic payment server 103 (S6). Hereinafter, a request to follow the affiliated store will be referred to as a follow request. Note that if an intermediate device, described below, is used, the message delivery server 101 transmits link information and the like to the intermediate device. The link information includes a link flag and an MS user ID, described below, and the like. The link flag is a flag that indicates whether a link process, described below, has been performed for an MS user managed by the message delivery server 101. The message delivery server 101 transmits a store ID, described below, in the follow request so that the affiliated store to be followed can be identified. The message delivery server 101 also transmits a coupon ID, described below, in the follow request so that the coupon to be granted can be identified.

[0039] Upon receiving the link information in S6, the electronic payment server 103 determines the value indicated by the link flag included in the link information. Specifically, if the link flag indicates "Yes," the electronic payment server 103 determines that linking processing has already been performed and does not perform the linking processing. If the link flag indicates "No," the electronic payment server 103 determines that linking has not yet been performed and performs the linking processing (S7). Specifically, the electronic payment server 103 performs processing to link the MS user ID included in the link information received in S6 with the PS user ID that it manages.

[0040] (About collaboration processing) Existing linking technology can be used for the linking process. As an example of a method for performing the linking process, information for the linking process can be exchanged between the message delivery server 101 and the electronic payment server 103 via an intermediate device (not shown) that stores an intermediate ID.

[0041] (Regarding intermediate devices) The intermediate device stores an MS user ID and a PS user ID that are linked to an intermediate ID. Linking of intermediate IDs can be performed by a user operation. For example, a PS user operates the terminal device 102 to launch an electronic payment app and register (input) an MS user ID on the app screen. The electronic payment server 103 then transmits the PS user ID it manages and the registered MS user ID to the intermediate device. The intermediate device generates an intermediate ID and stores the generated intermediate ID in association with the received PS user ID and MS user ID.

[0042] The following methods can be used to prompt the user to register an MS user ID in the electronic payment app. For example, in S3, the message delivery server 101 sends a permission screen along with a message prompting the user to register, such as "Before following, please launch the electronic payment app and perform the registration operation." That is, if the message delivery server 101 determines in S2 that linking is not occurring, it sends the permission screen to the terminal device 102, displaying a message prompting the user to perform the registration operation. In this way, the message delivery by the message delivery server 101 triggers the user to register the user identification information required for the intermediate ID linking process, thereby realizing the above-mentioned linking process.

[0043] Note that the message delivery server 101 does not send a follow request or the like to the intermediate device until the intermediate ID linking process described above is completed. In other words, even if the message delivery server 101 receives a follow instruction from the terminal device 102, if it does not receive a notification from the intermediate device indicating that the intermediate ID linking process has been completed, the message delivery server 101 does not send a follow request or the like to the intermediate device. The notification indicating that the intermediate ID linking process has been completed includes an MS user ID for identifying the user with whom the intermediate ID linking has been completed.

[0044] As an alternative to the method of linking the intermediate ID described above, the PS user can input information linked to the MS user ID from the screen of the electronic payment app. Examples of information linked to the MS user ID include the login ID and password for the message delivery app. The electronic payment server 103 then transmits the input information to the message delivery server 101. The message delivery server 101 identifies the MS user ID based on the received information and transmits the identified MS user ID to the electronic payment server 103. After this, the intermediate device associates the intermediate ID with the received PS user ID and MS user ID and stores them, following the flow described above.

[0045] (Regarding processing by intermediate devices) In S6, when the intermediate device receives the link information from the message delivery server 101, it identifies the PS user ID from the MS user ID included in the link information. The intermediate device then includes the identified PS user ID in the link information and transmits it to the electronic payment server 103. The electronic payment server 103 can perform the link processing using the received link information.

[0046] When the linking process is performed or has already been performed, the electronic payment server 103 uses the follow information described below to determine whether the PS user who made the follow request is following the affiliated store. If the electronic payment server 103 determines that the PS user who made the follow request is not following the affiliated store specified in the request, it performs the follow process (S8). Specifically, the electronic payment server 103 identifies the affiliated store to follow from the store ID included in the follow request, and links the affiliated store ID of the identified affiliated store with the PS user ID.

[0047] The electronic payment server 103 may also identify the coupon to be granted from the coupon ID included in the follow request and perform a coupon granting process that links the coupon ID with the PS user ID. In this case, the electronic payment server 103 may perform the follow process after performing the coupon granting process, or may perform the coupon granting process after performing the follow process.

[0048] Note that if the electronic payment server 103 determines that the PS user who made the follow request is already following the affiliated store indicated in the follow request, it does not perform the follow process. In this case, the electronic payment server 103 may perform the coupon granting process without performing the follow process. In other words, if the affiliated store is already being followed, the process of following the affiliated store again is not performed. Alternatively, if the PS user who made the follow request is already following the affiliated store indicated in the request, the electronic payment server 103 may not perform the follow process or the coupon granting process.

[0049] After S8, the electronic payment server 103 sends a follow notification instruction to the message delivery server 101 to cause the message delivery app that made the request to display a notification that the affiliated store has been followed (S9). Furthermore, if the electronic payment server 103 performed the linking process in S7, it sends to the message delivery server 101, in addition to the follow notification instruction, linking process information indicating that the linking process has been performed. The linking process information includes, for example, an MS user ID for identifying the user for whom the linking process was performed.

[0050] When the message delivery server 101 receives the follow notification instruction in S9, it sends a message to the MS user who issued the instruction in response to the follow instruction, informing them that the affiliated store has been followed (S10). Details of the notification that the affiliated store has been followed will be explained later. Furthermore, when the message delivery server 101 receives the link processing information in S9, it rewrites the value of the link flag of the linked MS user to "Yes."

[0051] The user can see a notification on the message delivery app that the member store has been followed. Note that if the follow process was not performed in S8, the notification that the member store has been followed may display a message indicating that the member store is already being followed or a message indicating that a coupon has been obtained, instead of a message indicating that the following has been completed. The terminal device 102 determines whether the notification that the member store has been followed has been operated by the user. If the terminal device 102 determines that the notification has been operated, it launches the electronic payment app and sends a request to the electronic payment server 103 to transition to the page of the followed member store (S11).

[0052] Upon receiving the request in S11, the electronic payment server 103 transmits the requested page to the terminal device 102 (S12). After this, the terminal device 102 displays page G2 shown in Fig. 1 on the electronic payment app. The displayed page G2 indicates that the affiliated store has been followed.

[0053] In this way, electronic payment server 103 follows affiliated stores on the condition that the user identification information managed by message delivery server 101 is linked to the user identification information managed by electronic payment server 103. That is, information about benefits available in the first service is delivered as a message using the message delivery service of the second service. Then, when the user performs an action on that message in the first service, the affiliated store in the second service is followed.

[0054] [3. An example of an information processing system] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 200. The configuration of the information processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The information processing system 200 has a message distribution server 101, a terminal device 102, and an electronic payment server 103. These devices are connected to each other via a network N, either wired or wirelessly, so as to be able to communicate with each other. The network N is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet.

[0055] 2, for the sake of simplicity, one terminal device 102 is shown, but this is merely an example and is not limiting. That is, there may be two or more terminal devices 102 in the information processing system 200. The terminal device 102 can connect to the network N via a wireless communication network such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), a 4G (4th Generation) mobile communication system, and a 5G mobile communication system, and communicate with other devices. The terminal device 102 can connect to the network N via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and wireless LAN, and communicate with other devices.

[0056] Information transmitted and received between the message delivery server 101, the terminal device 102, the electronic payment server 103, and other devices may be written in a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark). The transmitted and received information may be written in a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) or a programming language such as Java (registered trademark). The transmitted and received information may be written in a markup language such as XML (Extensible Markup Language) or HTML (HyperText Markup Language). Alternatively, the information may be converted into a data description language such as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) and then transmitted and received.

[0057] [4. An example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device] The message delivery server 101, terminal device 102, and electronic payment server 103 described above are realized, for example, by an information processing device 300 ("an example of a computer") configured as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 300. The information processing device 300 has a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a storage device 304, an input / output I / F 305, and a network I / F 306. The components are connected to each other via a system bus.

[0058] (About CPU301) The CPU 301 reads a program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303 and executes the read program to realize various controls. The CPU 301 may be an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The CPU 301 may also be an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or the like.

[0059] (About ROM302) The ROM 302 stores control programs such as a startup program for the information processing device 300.

[0060] (About RAM303) The RAM 303 temporarily stores control programs, data, etc. when the CPU 301 executes various controls. The RAM 303 is used as a work memory.

[0061] (Regarding storage device 304) The storage device 304 is a memory for storing applications, software, various data, and the like. Examples of the storage device 304 include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SDD), flash memory, and storage. If the storage device 304 is the message distribution server 101, it stores an MS user information database (hereinafter, database will be referred to as DB), a store information DB, a registration information DB, and linkage flags, which will be described later. If the storage device 304 is the electronic payment server 103, it stores a PS user information DB, affiliated store information DB, coupon information DB, and follow information DB, which will be described later.

[0062] (About input / output I / F305) The input / output I / F 305 is an interface for transmitting output information to an output device such as a display unit 310. Examples of the display unit 310 include a display and a projector. The display unit 310 may be provided outside the information processing device 300 as shown in FIG. 3, or may be provided within the information processing device 300.

[0063] The input / output I / F 305 is an interface for receiving input information from an input device such as the input unit 311. Examples of the input unit 311 include a mouse, a keyboard, a button, and a touch panel. The input unit 311 may be provided outside the information processing device 300 as shown in FIG. 3, or may be provided within the information processing device 300.

[0064] Furthermore, the input / output I / F 305 may be connected wirelessly or by wire to the display unit 310 and the input unit 311. The input / output I / F 305 may be configured as being divided into an input I / F and an output I / F.

[0065] (About Network I / F306) The network I / F 306 is an interface for receiving data etc. from other devices via the network N, and for transmitting data generated or stored in the information processing device 300 etc. to other devices via the network N.

[0066] The information processing device 300 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 3. For example, the terminal device 102 may be provided with a camera unit for realizing a camera function, a positioning unit for realizing a GPS function, and a microphone unit and a speaker unit for realizing a call function.

[0067] Information processing device 300 may also include a media I / F (not shown). The media I / F reads programs and data stored in a storage device (not shown) connected by wire or wirelessly, and provides them to CPU 301 via RAM 303. CPU 301 can read the provided programs from the storage device onto RAM 303 via the media I / F and execute the read programs. The storage device may be, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), or a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk). The storage device may also be a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

[0068] For example, when the information processing device 300 functions as the terminal device 102 , the CPU 301 of the information processing device 300 executes a program read onto the RAM 303 to realize various functions of the information processing device 300 .

[0069] The CPU 301 of the information processing device 300 reads and executes these programs from a storage device, but as another example, these programs may be acquired from another device via a predetermined communication network. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the information processing device 300 is provided with a configuration necessary to realize the information processing in this embodiment.

[0070] [5. An example of software configuration for a message delivery server] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the message delivery server 101. The configuration of the message delivery server 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The message delivery server 101 has a communication unit 400, a control unit 410, and a storage unit 420. The control unit 410 includes a delivery unit 411, a receiving unit 412, a determination unit 413, a registration unit 414, and a request unit 415. The control unit 410 controls the entire message delivery server 101. The storage unit 420 includes an MS user information DB 421, an OA user information DB 422, a registration information DB 423, and a linkage flag 424.

[0071] (Regarding the communication unit 400) The communication unit 400 communicates with the terminal device 102, the electronic payment server 103, and other devices via the network N. The communication unit 400 functions as a transmission unit that transmits requests, information, and the like to the terminal device 102, the electronic payment server 103, and the like via the network N. The communication unit 400 receives instructions, information, and the like from the terminal device 102, the electronic payment server 103, and the like via the network N.

[0072] (About Distribution Section 411) The distribution unit 411 transmits a message to an MS user. For example, when the communication unit 400 receives information such as a character string, an image, and a video transmitted from the terminal device 102 of a first MS user, the distribution unit 411 transmits the information as a message to a second MS user who is the destination. The distribution unit 411 can also distribute a message to an MS user identified based on the distribution conditions set by the OA user and segment information indicating the attributes of the MS user (hereinafter referred to as segment distribution).

[0073] The message delivery unit 411 may deliver the message to MS users who have registered the OA user who is the message delivery source as a friend. For example, if a first MS user has registered the OA user as a friend, the message delivered from the OA user may be sent to the first MS user, and may not be sent to a second MS user who has not registered the OA user as a friend.

[0074] (Regarding the receiving unit 412) The receiving unit 412 receives a follow instruction and the like from the terminal device 102 via the communication unit 400, and also receives a follow notification instruction and linkage processing information and the like from the electronic payment server 103. The follow instruction includes the MS user ID of the MS user who is logged in to the message delivery app on the terminal device 102.

[0075] (Regarding the determination unit 413) The determination unit 413 determines the content of the request, instruction, information, etc. received by the reception unit 412. The distribution unit 411, and the registration unit 414 and request unit 415 (described later) each perform corresponding processing according to the determination result of the determination unit 413.

[0076] (Regarding the registration unit 414) The registration unit 414 performs a friend registration process. For example, the registration unit 414 performs a friend registration process in response to a linking instruction from the terminal device 102. Furthermore, when the registration unit 414 receives linking process information from the electronic payment server 103, it performs a process of rewriting the linking flag to "Yes."

[0077] (Regarding the request unit 415) The request unit 415 makes a request to a device such as the electronic payment server 103. For example, when the receiving unit 412 receives a follow instruction, the request unit 415 sends a follow request to the electronic payment server 103 via the communication unit 400. The request unit 415 sends association information together with the follow request. Note that the association information may be sent together with a coupon acquisition request.

[0078] (About MS User Information DB421) The MS user information DB 421 stores information about MS users. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of MS user information stored in the MS user information DB 421. The message distribution server 101 manages MS users using the MS user information. The MS user information includes an MS user ID 501, user information 1 (502), user information 2 (503), and segment information 504.

[0079] The MS user ID 501 is an identifier for uniquely identifying an MS user. The MS user ID 501 is an example of first identification information. User information 1 (502) and user information 2 (503) are information indicating the contact information of the MS user, such as an email address and a phone number. Segment information 504 is information indicating the attributes of the MS user. The segment information 504 is used to identify target users for segment delivery. The segment information 504 includes the MS user's gender, age, address, hobbies, etc. The symbols "AR10" to "AR12" shown in the address column each indicate the address of the MS user. The address may indicate the MS user's residence, expressed as a prefecture and city / town / village, or may indicate the area where the MS user lives, such as Kanto or Kansai. When an OA user performs segment delivery, the delivery unit 411 delivers a message to MS users whose segment information 504 matches the target user conditions for segment delivery set by the user.

[0080] (About OA User Information DB422) Information about OA users is stored in the OA user information DB 422. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the OA user information stored in the OA user information DB 422. The OA user information includes an OA user ID 601, a user name 602, URL information 603, address information 604, and contact information 605.

[0081] The OA user ID 601 is an identifier for uniquely identifying an OA user. An OA user can be a service provider that operates an electronic payment service, a member store or shop that has a contract with the service provider, or other shops that do not have a contract with the service provider. The user name 602 indicates the name of the OA user, which can be set arbitrarily. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information 603 indicates the URL information of the website established by the OA user. The address information 604 indicates the address or store location of the OA user. The contact information 605 indicates the contact information for the OA user. Examples of contact information include an email address or a telephone number.

[0082] Here, it is assumed that the OA user is a store of an affiliated store that has a contract with a service provider that operates an electronic payment service. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the message delivery server 101 can manage an OA user ID 601 by linking it with a store ID 701 (described later). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the link between the OA user ID 601 and the store ID 701. The link information between the OA user ID 601 and the store ID 701 shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the OA user information DB 422, for example, along with the above-mentioned OA user information. The store ID 701 is an identifier that can be shared by the message delivery server 101 and the electronic payment server 103. In other words, the store ID 701 is used to uniquely identify the store between the message delivery server 101 and the electronic payment server 103. For example, when a service provider that operates an electronic payment service enters into a contract with an affiliated store, the store ID 701 is an identifier shared between the message delivery server 101 and the electronic payment server 103 as information identifying the store of the affiliated store that has the contract.

[0083] (Regarding registration information DB423) The registration information DB 423 stores information linking an MS user with an OA user who has been registered as a friend by the user. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of friend registration information stored in the registration information DB 423. The friend registration information includes an MS user ID 501 and an OA user ID 601. As shown in FIG. 8, one MS user ID 501 may be linked to multiple OA user IDs 601. The message distribution server 101 uses the registration information DB 423 to manage friend registrations of MS users. The registration information DB 423 may also store registration information (not shown) of an MS user and other MS users who have been registered as friends by the user.

[0084] As an example of friend registration, when the receiving unit 412 receives a link instruction, the determining unit 413 uses the friend registration information to determine whether the MS user who issued the follow instruction has registered the OA user of the store that distributed the coupon as a friend. If the determining unit 413 determines that the MS user has not registered the OA user as a friend, the registering unit 414 associates the MS user ID 501 and the OA user ID 601 with the friend registration information and stores the information in the registration information DB 423. As described above, this is because the present embodiment is configured to follow affiliated stores in the electronic payment service in addition to registering a friend in the message distribution service. Furthermore, if a friend has already been registered in the message distribution service, the registering unit 414 does not register the user again.

[0085] (Regarding collaboration flag 424) The linkage flag 424 is a flag that indicates whether linkage processing executed by the electronic payment server 103 is in progress. When linkage processing is in progress, the linkage flag indicates "Yes," indicating that linkage processing has been performed. On the other hand, when linkage processing is not in progress, the linkage flag indicates "No," indicating that linkage processing has not been performed. Note that, although the linkage flag 424 has been described as being stored in the storage unit 420 separately from other databases, this is not a limitation. For example, the linkage flag 424 may be managed in association with the MS user ID 501 of the MS user information DB 421.

[0086] [6. An example of software configuration for an electronic payment server] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the electronic payment server 103. The configuration of the electronic payment server 103 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The electronic payment server 103 has a communication unit 900, a control unit 910, and a storage unit 920. The control unit 910 includes a distribution unit 911, a reception unit 912, a determination unit 913, a linking unit 914, a follow-up unit 915, an granting unit 916, and a payment processing unit 917. The control unit 910 controls the entire electronic payment server 103. The storage unit 920 includes a PS user information DB 921, an affiliated store information DB 922, a coupon information DB 923, and a follow-up information DB 924.

[0087] (About PS User Information DB921) Information about PS users is stored in the PS user information DB 921. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of PS user information stored in the PS user information DB 921. The PS user information includes a PS user ID 1001, an age 1002, a gender 1003, an address 1004, contact information 1005, an account balance 1006, and a point balance 1007.

[0088] The PS user ID 1001 is an identifier for uniquely identifying a PS user. The PS user ID 1001 is an example of second identification information. The age 1002 indicates the user's age. The gender 1003 indicates the user's gender. The symbols "AR10" to "AR12" shown in the address 1004 indicate the PS user's address, respectively. The address may indicate the PS user's residence expressed by prefecture and city / town / village, or may indicate the area where the PS user lives, such as Kanto or Kansai. The address may indicate location information received from the terminal device 102. The age 1002, gender 1003, and address 1004 are information indicating the attributes of the PS user. Other information identifying the PS user may also be included in the PS user information. The contact information 1005 indicates the user's contact information. Examples of contact information include an email address or a phone number.

[0089] The account balance 1006 indicates the balance of digitized currency (hereinafter referred to as electronic money) in the user's electronic account. The electronic money may be, for example, points or currency used independently by various companies, or electronically tradable currencies provided by a country, such as Japanese yen or dollars. The user can pay for goods or services within the balance of the electronic account. The point balance 1007 indicates the balance of applicable points at the time of payment processing. Points are managed separately from electronic money and can be used as a substitute for electronic money. Points may be awarded by a service provider that operates an electronic payment service when certain conditions are met. Points are used in place of electronic money at a predetermined rate (for example, by converting "1 point" to "1 yen").

[0090] (About the affiliated store information DB922) The affiliated store information DB 922 stores information about affiliated stores that have contracts with service providers that operate electronic payment services. Figure 11 shows an example of affiliated store information stored in the affiliated store information DB 922. The affiliated store information includes an affiliated store ID 1101, a store ID 701, a store name 1102, URL information 1103, address information 1104, and contact information 1105.

[0091] The affiliated store ID 1101 is an identifier for uniquely identifying an affiliated store. As shown in FIG. 11, multiple stores can be linked to one affiliated store. The electronic payment server 103 manages affiliated stores using the affiliated store ID 1101. If an affiliated store has one store, the affiliated store and the store may be linked and managed in a one-to-one relationship in the electronic payment server 103. The store name 1102 indicates the name of the store, which can be set arbitrarily. The URL information 1103 indicates the URL of the store's dedicated website. The address information 1104 indicates the location of the store. The contact information 1105 indicates the store's contact information. Examples of contact information include an email address or a telephone number.

[0092] (Coupon information DB923) Coupon information DB 923 stores coupon information distributed in electronic payment services. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the distributed coupon information. The distributed coupon information includes a coupon ID 1201, coupon information 1202, a store ID 701, and an affiliated store ID 1101.

[0093] Coupon ID 1201 is an identifier for uniquely identifying a distributed coupon. As shown in FIG. 12, coupon ID 1201 is linked to the store ID of the store that distributed the coupon and the affiliated store ID of that store. Coupon information 1202 is information indicating the content of the coupon. Coupon information 1202 includes, for example, the expiration date of the coupon, the products or services to which the coupon can be applied, the coupon discount rate, the conditions for recipients of the coupon, and the conditions for applying the coupon.

[0094] The coupon expiration date is the date and time when the coupon can be used. For example, the coupon expiration date is expressed as "year / month / day / day". The goods or services to which the coupon can be applied are expressed as, for example, daily necessities, furniture, and home appliances, or dining at store X, or using △△ at store X. The coupon discount rate is the discount rate relative to the amount paid when the coupon is applied. For example, the coupon discount rate is expressed as 100 yen off, 10% off, or 1000 yen return.

[0095] The conditions for recipients of coupons are, for example, conditions for target users set by a store manager when distributing a coupon. For example, the conditions for recipients of coupons include users aged 20 or over, women only, and users who live in a certain area. The conditions for coupon application are the conditions under which the coupon can be used. For example, the conditions for coupon application include products worth 1,000 yen or more, food and drink worth 2,000 yen or more, or first-time use at a certain store. The conditions for recipients of coupons may also be set by the service provider providing the electronic payment service.

[0096] (Follow information DB924) The following information DB924 stores following information that links the PS user ID of a PS user with the affiliated store ID of the affiliated store followed by that PS user. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of following information. The following information has a PS user ID 1001 and an affiliated store ID 1101. FIG. 13 shows that one PS user follows multiple affiliated stores. For convenience, FIG. 13 shows following information for one PS user, but it goes without saying that following information for multiple PS users is stored in the following information DB924.

[0097] (Regarding the communication unit 900) The communication unit 900 communicates with the message delivery server 101, the terminal device 102, and other devices via the network N. The communication unit 900 has the same functions as the communication unit 400, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] (About the 911 distribution department) The distribution unit 911 distributes coupons and messages such as recommendation information in response to operations by the store manager. The distributed coupons can be acquired by PS users operating the electronic payment app. PS users can use the acquired coupons by fulfilling the coupon application conditions.

[0099] (Regarding the receiving unit 912) The receiving unit 912 receives follow requests and linkage information from the message distribution server 101 via the communication unit 900, and also receives page requests from the terminal device 102. The receiving unit 912 can also receive a request to follow an affiliated store from the terminal device 102.

[0100] (Regarding the determination unit 913) The determination unit 913 determines the content of the request, information, etc. received by the reception unit 912. The distribution unit 911, as well as a linking unit 914, a following unit 915, and an attaching unit 916 (to be described later) each perform corresponding processing according to the determination result of the determination unit 913.

[0101] (About the Collaboration Unit 914) The linking unit 914 performs a process of linking the MS user's identification information with the PS user's identification information based on the determination made by the determination unit 913. For example, if the linking flag included in the linking information indicates "No," the linking unit 914 performs the linking process. If an intermediate device is used, as described above, the linking of the intermediate ID is performed in accordance with the user's registration operation in the electronic payment app, and the linking unit 914 can perform the linking process by receiving the MS user ID and the PS user ID from the intermediate device.

[0102] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of linked information managed by the electronic payment server 103. When the linking process is performed by the linking unit 914, the electronic payment server 103 links the PS user ID 1001 with the MS user ID 501 and manages the linked information as linked information, as shown in FIG. 14. The linked information is stored in the PS user information DB 921, for example, along with the PS user information described above. Note that the linking unit 914 may also link the store ID 701 and affiliated store ID 1101 to the PS user ID 1001 in addition to the MS user ID 501 and manage them as linked information. If the linking flag included in the linking information indicates "Yes," the linking unit 914 does not perform the linking process.

[0103] (About Follow-up Section 915) The following unit 915 performs processing to follow affiliated stores. Examples of methods for following affiliated stores include a first following method in which the affiliated store is followed in response to an operation of the PS user's electronic payment app, and a second following method in which the affiliated store is followed in response to a follow request from the message distribution server 101.

[0104] In the first following method, the following unit 915 follows an affiliated store in response to a PS user's operation on the screen of the electronic payment app. For example, a PS user can follow an affiliated store by selecting the target affiliated store from a follow screen (not shown) of the electronic payment app. In this case, the terminal device 102 sends a request to the electronic payment server 103 to follow the affiliated store, including the PS user ID of the PS user who is logged in to the electronic payment app. Then, the following unit 915 performs a follow process in response to the request.

[0105] In the second granting method, the following unit 915 follows an affiliated store in response to a follow request from the message delivery server 101. As described above, in response to an MS user's operation on a screen displayed by the message delivery app on the terminal device 102, the message delivery server 101 sends a follow request including an MS user ID, store ID, and coupon ID to the electronic payment server 103. If the linking process has been performed or has already been performed by the linking unit 914, the following unit 915 follows the affiliated store in response to the follow request from the message delivery server 101. Specifically, the following unit 915 performs a process of following the affiliated store identified by the affiliated store ID 1101 linked to the store ID 701 for the PS user indicated by the PS user ID 1001 linked to the MS user ID 501.

[0106] Furthermore, when the follow unit 915 performs the follow process as described above, the electronic payment server 103 can perform a process of granting a coupon using the granting unit 916, which will be described later. For example, when the follow process is performed using the first follow method, the electronic payment server 103 can grant a coupon that can be used at the followed affiliated store and that the PS user can obtain. When the follow process is performed using the second follow method, the electronic payment server 103 can identify the coupon from the coupon ID included in the follow request and grant the coupon to the PS user.

[0107] (Regarding the granting unit 916) The granting unit 916 grants coupons to PS users. Examples of coupon granting methods include a first granting method in which a coupon is granted in response to an operation of an electronic payment app by a PS user, and a second granting method in which a coupon is granted in response to a coupon acquisition request from the message distribution server 101.

[0108] In the first granting method, the granting unit 916 grants a coupon in response to a PS user's operation on the electronic payment app screen. For example, a PS user can acquire a desired coupon by selecting the coupon from a coupon acquisition screen (not shown) of the electronic payment app. In this case, the terminal device 102 sends a request to the electronic payment server 103 to acquire the coupon, including the PS user ID of the PS user who is logged in to the electronic payment app. In response to the request, the electronic payment server 103 then grants the coupon to the requesting PS user.

[0109] In the second granting method, the granting unit 916 grants a coupon in response to a follow request from the message delivery server 101. As described above, in response to an MS user's operation on a screen displayed by the message delivery app of the terminal device 102, the message delivery server 101 transmits a follow request including an MS user ID and a coupon ID to the electronic payment server 103. If the linking unit 914 has performed linking processing or has already performed linking processing, the granting unit 916 grants a coupon in response to the follow request from the message delivery server 101. Specifically, the granting unit 916 grants a coupon identified by the coupon ID 1201 to a PS user indicated by the PS user ID 1001 linked to the MS user ID 501 included in the linking information. Note that, if the linking flag indicates that linking has been completed, the granting unit 916 can transmit the MS user ID 501 to an intermediate device (not shown) and acquire the linked PS user ID 1001.

[0110] FIG. 15 shows the status of coupon acquisition by PS users. When the electronic payment server 103 grants a coupon to a PS user, it manages the coupon by linking the PS user ID 1001 with the coupon ID 1201, as shown in FIG. 15. The linking information between the PS user ID 1001 and the coupon ID 1201 shown in FIG. 15 is stored in the coupon information DB 923, for example, along with the distributed coupon information described above. FIG. 15 shows that one PS user has acquired multiple coupons. For convenience, FIG. 15 shows the linking information for one PS user, but it goes without saying that the linking information for all PS users is stored in the coupon information DB 923.

[0111] During electronic payment processing (at the time of payment), the electronic payment server 103 may automatically apply coupons from the coupon IDs 1201 shown in Fig. 15. For example, the electronic payment server 103 may preferentially apply coupons that are close to their expiration date or coupons with high discount rates.

[0112] (Regarding the payment processing unit 917) The payment processing unit 917 performs electronic payment processing when a user makes a payment at a store, etc. There are two types of electronic payment methods: a first electronic payment method in which a store clerk scans a code presented by the user and makes payment based on the scanned information, and a second electronic payment method in which a user reads a code placed in the store and makes payment based on the read information.

[0113] The first electronic payment method will be described. When a user launches an electronic payment app on the terminal device 102, the terminal device 102 sends a payment code generation request to the electronic payment server 103. Upon receiving the generation request, the electronic payment server 103 generates a payment code and sends the generated payment code to the terminal device 102. Here, the payment code is a code used in electronic payment processing and has an expiration date (for example, a few minutes). The payment code is sometimes referred to as a one-time code. The electronic payment server 103 does not perform electronic payment processing using a payment code that has expired. The terminal device 102 discards the expired payment code and sends a new generation request. In this way, the terminal device 102 can automatically update the payment code while the electronic payment app is running.

[0114] When the terminal device 102 receives the payment code, it analyzes the code, converts it into a code that can be read by the store, and displays the converted code. The store's reading device scans the displayed code, decodes it again, and obtains user identification information for the electronic payment app. The store's reading device then transmits the decoded user identification information and POS (Point of Sale) information to the electronic payment server 103. Here, POS is a system for collecting and managing information such as the products or services available at the store and the time the products or services were sold or provided. POS information includes store information and information such as the payment amount. In this type (store scan) in which the store's reading device scans the code for the electronic payment app, the store's reading device associates the user identification information with the POS information (payment information).

[0115] The electronic payment server 103 performs electronic payment processing based on the received code, POS information, etc. Specifically, the electronic payment server 103 transfers electronic money in the amount indicated by the payment amount from the PS user's account indicated by the user identification information to the store's account. The electronic payment server 103 then sends a notification that the payment has been completed to the store's reading device or terminal device 102. The store's reading device or terminal device 102 notifies the user that the payment has been made using electronic money by displaying a screen indicating that the payment has been completed or by outputting a specified audio message.

[0116] Next, a second electronic payment method will be described. When a user purchases or pays for a payment object such as various products or services at a store, the user reads a code displayed at the store using the camera function of terminal device 102. Examples of codes displayed at the store include one-dimensional codes such as barcodes, and two-dimensional codes such as QR (quick response) codes (registered trademark).

[0117] The terminal device 102 transmits the read code as store information to the electronic payment server 103 along with user identification information (PS user ID). The electronic payment server 103 transmits a screen for inputting the payment amount to the terminal device 102, which is the sender. The user uses the terminal device 102 to input the amount required for payment. Alternatively, a store clerk uses the terminal device 102 to input the amount required for payment. The terminal device 102 then transmits information about the input amount to the electronic payment server 103. The process of transmitting the information about the input amount to the electronic payment server 103 may be performed simultaneously with the transmission of the store information and user identification information described above. In this case, the terminal device 102 acquires the store information and then displays a screen for inputting the payment amount. When the terminal device 102 determines that the amount required for payment has been input, it transmits information about the input amount, the store information, and the user identification information to the electronic payment server 103.

[0118] The electronic payment server 103 transfers the received amount of electronic money from the electronic account of the user who sent the message to the electronic account of the store linked to the received store information. The electronic payment server 103 sends a notification that the payment has been completed to the terminal device 102. The terminal device 102 notifies the user that the payment has been made using electronic money by displaying a screen indicating that the payment has been completed or by outputting a specified sound.

[0119] In addition, the service provider that operates the electronic payment service performs a transfer process to transfer the transferred electronic money from its own account to the store's account. The transfer process can be performed periodically (for example, about once a month).

[0120] Payment using the terminal device 102 may involve not only transferring electronic money from an electronic account to which the user has previously charged electronic money to the store's electronic account, but also, for example, payment using a credit card that the user has previously registered. In such a case, for example, the electronic payment server 103 may transfer the payment amount of electronic money to the store's electronic account and bill the user's credit card company for the payment amount.

[0121] Payments using the terminal device 102 may involve not only transferring electronic money from a user's electronic account to a store's electronic account, but also transferring electronic money from the user's electronic account to the electronic account of a provider (business) that provides a specific transaction object. In such cases, the user uses the camera of the terminal device 102 to read a barcode included in a payment slip (e.g., a transfer slip used in convenience store collection agency services) sent to the user by the business. The terminal device 102 then displays on its screen the payee and payment amount indicated by the read barcode. When the terminal device 102 receives an operation from the user approving the remittance to the payee, it transmits payment information indicating the user identification information, the payment amount, and information identifying the payee to the electronic payment server 103. In such cases, the electronic payment server 103 transfers electronic money in the amount indicated by the payment amount from the user's electronic account to the payee's electronic account.

[0122] [7-1. An example of the flow of information processing in the system] Fig. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing among the message delivery server 101, the terminal device 102, and the electronic payment server 103. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 102. The flow of information processing according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 16 and 17.

[0123] In S1601 of FIG. 16, the message distribution server 101 distributes a message to the terminal device 102. For example, consider a case where a service provider operating an electronic payment service acquires an official account for the message distribution service and distributes messages as an OA user. In this case, a message about following affiliated stores is distributed from the official account of the message distribution app owned by the service provider. A service provider operating an electronic payment service may distribute messages about following affiliated stores from the official account of the message distribution app for the purpose of business expansion. By following affiliated stores, PS users can efficiently receive benefits such as coupons for the electronic payment service, as well as useful information such as recommendation information.

[0124] For this reason, message distribution services with a high probability of being viewed may distribute messages related to following affiliated stores so that users can obtain coupons currently available in electronic payment services, such as coupons from major chains. In this case, the distributed messages are basically the same for all MS users, but the coupons distributed may be selected according to segment. When distributing such messages, the message distribution server 101 can obtain information such as the coupon ID 1201 and store ID 701 from the electronic payment server 103. This information can be obtained using an API (Application Programming Interface). In the above example, the service provider operating the electronic payment service uses the terminal device 102 to send an instruction to the message distribution server 101 to distribute a message related to following affiliated stores from its official account. When distributing the message related to following affiliated stores, the message distribution server 101 sends a request to the API provided by the electronic payment server 103. The API, upon receiving the request, accesses the coupon management system of the electronic payment server 103, obtains information such as the coupon ID 1201 and store ID 701, and transmits the information to the message distribution server 101 as a response. The message distribution server 101 distributes the coupon ID 1201 and store ID 701 thus obtained, together with a message regarding follow-up with the affiliated store.

[0125] The above-mentioned message regarding following an affiliated store that is distributed on the message distribution app is shown on display screen 1710 in FIG. Display screen 1710 displays message 1711 regarding following an affiliated store and follow button 1712. Message 1711 displays, for example, the name of the affiliated store or shop along with a message encouraging the user to follow the affiliated store. If the user wishes to follow the affiliated store, they operate follow button 1712.

[0126] In S1602, the terminal device 102 transmits a follow instruction to the message delivery server 101 in response to a user's operation on the follow button 1712. In response to receiving the follow instruction, the message delivery server 101 determines whether the MS user who issued the instruction is linked. Here, it is assumed that the message delivery server 101 determines that the MS user is not linked.

[0127] In S1603, the message delivery server 101 transmits a permission screen 1720 requesting permission for the collaboration to the terminal device 102. Then, the permission screen 1720 is displayed on the terminal device 102, as shown in Fig. 17. The permission screen 1720 displays a message 1721 for confirming permission for the collaboration and a permission button 1722 for permitting the collaboration. If the user permits the collaboration, he or she operates the permission button 1722.

[0128] On the other hand, in S1602, if the message delivery server 101 determines that they are linked, it does not send the permission screen 1720 to the terminal device 102. In other words, once the linking process has been performed, the message delivery server 101 does not send the permission screen 1720 to the terminal device 102, but instead sends a follow request or the like to the electronic payment server 103 in S1606, which will be described later.

[0129] In S1604, the terminal device 102 transmits a link instruction to the message delivery server 101 in response to the user's operation on the permission button 1722.

[0130] In S1605, the message distribution server 101 performs a friend registration process in response to receiving the link instruction. The message distribution server 101 identifies the OA user ID 601 from the acquired store ID 701, and performs a process of automatically registering the OA user linked to the OA user ID 601 as a friend of the MS user who issued the follow instruction. Here, the OA user who becomes friends with the MS user is the affiliated store that distributed the coupon.

[0131] In S1606, the message delivery server 101 sends a follow request and link information to the electronic payment server 103. The follow request includes the acquired coupon ID 1201, store ID 701, and MS user ID 501. Upon receiving the link information, the electronic payment server 103 determines the value indicated by the link flag included in the link information. Here, it is assumed that the electronic payment server 103 determines that the link flag indicates that link processing has not been performed.

[0132] In S1607, the electronic payment server 103 performs the linking process. Specifically, the electronic payment server 103 performs a process of linking the MS user ID 501 included in the received linking information with the PS user ID 1001 that it manages. When an intermediate device is used, the electronic payment server 103 performs the linking process using the received MS user ID 501 and PS user ID 1001.

[0133] In S1608, the electronic payment server 103 performs a follow-up process. Specifically, the electronic payment server 103 associates the PS user ID 1001 associated with the received MS user ID 501 with the affiliated store ID 1101 associated with the received store ID 701, and stores the associated information in the follow-up information DB 924. Also, in S1608, the electronic payment server 103 may perform a coupon granting process using the received coupon ID 1201, as described above.

[0134] In addition, in S1608, if the electronic payment server 103 determines, using the follow information stored in the follow information DB 924, that the PS user who made the follow request is already following the affiliated store indicated in the request, the follow process is not performed.

[0135] In S1609, the electronic payment server 103 transmits a follow notification instruction and link processing information to the message delivery server 101. The link processing information includes the MS user ID 501 received in S1606 and information indicating that link processing has been performed. Note that if link processing is not performed in S1607 in this series of processes, i.e., if linkage has already been achieved, the link processing information does not need to be sent. The follow notification instruction may also include information indicating whether or not the follow processing has been performed.

[0136] In S1610, when the message delivery server 101 receives the link processing information, it rewrites the value of the link flag linked to the user identification information to "Yes." In response to receiving the follow notification instruction, the message delivery server 101 transmits a follow notification to the terminal device 102 of the MS user who issued the follow instruction. In other words, the notification that the affiliated store in the electronic payment service has been followed can be sent through message delivery in the message delivery service. The follow notification can be sent as a message from the official account of the service provider that operates the electronic payment service.

[0137] The terminal device 102 displays a follow notification display screen 1730, as shown in Fig. 17. The display screen 1730 displays a message 1731 indicating that the affiliated store has been followed, and a confirmation button 1732 for confirming that the member store has been followed. If the user wishes to confirm the follow, the user operates the confirmation button 1732.

[0138] If the follow process is not performed in S1608, a message indicating that the affiliated store is already being followed or a message indicating that a coupon has been obtained may be displayed on the terminal device 102 instead of the message 1731. In this case, a button for confirming that a coupon has been obtained may be displayed on the display screen 1730 instead of the confirmation button 1732.

[0139] In S1611, in response to the user's operation on the confirmation button 1732, the terminal device 102 launches the electronic payment application and sends a request to the electronic payment server 103 to transition to a screen for confirming that the affiliated store has been followed.

[0140] In S1612, the electronic payment server 103 sends a confirmation screen to the terminal device 102 to confirm that the affiliated store has been followed, as a response to the request from the terminal device 102. Then, in response to receiving the response, the terminal device 102 displays a confirmation screen 1740 as shown in Fig. 17. The confirmation screen 1740 displays the followed affiliated store 1641 and an indication 1742 indicating that the affiliated store has been followed.

[0141] [7-2. Information processing of other systems] In Figure 16, we have explained a case where a service provider that operates an electronic payment service acquires an official account and distributes messages about following affiliated stores as an OA user. In addition to this case, a case where a store manager acquires an official account and distributes messages about following affiliated stores as an OA user is also assumed. Below, we will use Figure 16 to explain the processing that differs from the case explained above for a case where an affiliated store distributes messages about following affiliated stores as an OA user.

[0142] In S1601, the message delivery server 101 delivers a message to the terminal device 102. In this case, delivery of this message is performed in conjunction with coupon delivery by the electronic payment server 103. In this case, when a coupon delivery event occurs, the electronic payment server 103 sends a coupon delivery notification to the message delivery server 101. Upon receiving the notification, the message delivery server 101 performs processing to deliver a message from the official account of the store that delivered the coupon. Note that messages regarding following affiliated stores can be delivered from the official account at any time. The coupon delivery notification may include the store ID 701 and coupon ID 1201 linked to the delivered coupon.

[0143] In S1605, the message delivery server 101 can perform a process in which the MS user who issued the follow instruction automatically registers the official account of the service provider that operates the electronic payment service as a friend. The above is the difference in the case where a member store delivers a coupon-related message as an OA user.

[0144] As explained in the two assumed cases, a process will be performed to automatically add the official account of the service provider or the official account of the affiliated store as a friend, which is different from the account that sent the message regarding following the affiliated store.

[0145] In the case where a message is delivered on the condition that the OA user who is the message sender is registered as a friend, by registering the friend, the user can efficiently receive information about the registered OA user, thereby improving user satisfaction.

[0146] Furthermore, when obtaining a coupon by following a member store, it only takes one tap to obtain a coupon for an electronic payment service included in a message from an OA user in a message delivery service. In other words, once a member store has been followed in this scheme, the linking process is complete. In this case, the permission screen 1720 shown in FIG. 17 does not need to be displayed. In other words, a user who checks a message from an OA user in a highly readable message delivery service can obtain benefits such as a coupon for an electronic payment service, which is a completely different service, with a simple operation on the message delivery app.

[0147] [8. An example of the information processing flow of an electronic payment server] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the electronic payment server 103. The processing in which the electronic payment server 103 follows an affiliated store in response to a follow request will be described with reference to Figure 18. Note that the processing shown in Figure 18 will be described taking as an example the case in which the electronic payment server 103 performs a coupon granting process when the follow processing has been performed or when the affiliated store is already being followed.

[0148] In S1800, the receiving unit 912 receives the follow request and the link information via the communication unit 900. At this time, the receiving unit 912 acquires the link flag included in the link information.

[0149] In S1801, the determination unit 913 determines whether the acquired cooperation flag indicates “Yes” or “No.” If the determination unit 913 determines that the cooperation flag indicates “Yes” (Yes), the process proceeds to S1803, and if the determination unit 913 determines that the cooperation flag indicates “No” (No), the process proceeds to S1802.

[0150] In S1802, the linking unit 914 performs the linking process described above. In S1803, the determination unit 913 determines whether the PS user who made the follow request is following the affiliated store indicated in the request. If the determination unit 913 determines that the PS user is following the affiliated store indicated in the follow request (Yes), the electronic payment server 103 proceeds to the processing of S1805. If the determination unit 913 determines that the PS user is not following the affiliated store indicated in the follow request (No), the electronic payment server 103 proceeds to the processing of S1804.

[0151] In S1804, the following unit 915 performs processing to follow the affiliated store indicated in the request for the PS user who made the follow request. After that, the electronic payment server 103 proceeds to processing in S1805.

[0152] In S1805, the granting unit 916 performs processing to grant a coupon to the PS user who made the follow request, using the acquired coupon ID 1201. The electronic payment server 103 then proceeds to processing in S1806. Note that, as described above, if the determination unit 913 determines that the affiliated store is already being followed, the following unit 915 does not perform processing to follow the affiliated store, and the granting unit 916 performs processing to grant a coupon.

[0153] In S1806, when the coupon granting process is completed in S1805, the communication unit 900 transmits a follow notification instruction and linkage process information to the message distribution server 101, and the process shown in FIG. 18 ends.

[0154] [9. Effects] When there are multiple services to be provided, i.e., when there are multiple apps to receive the services, the burden on the user to operate the terminal device increases accordingly. According to this embodiment, by linking the user identification information managed by the servers that provide different services, the user can follow affiliated stores in the electronic payment service without operating the electronic payment app. In other words, the operational burden on the user can be reduced, thereby improving usability.

[0155] Furthermore, it is possible to use the functions of one service to provide the other service. Specifically, it is possible to use the functions of a message delivery service, which has a high advertising effect, to follow up with affiliated stores on the electronic payment server.

[0156] [10. Information processing when friend registration has been completed] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing information processing when an OA user who is the store that distributes the coupon has been registered as a friend. The case where the MS user who has requested a follow does not have the OA user registered as a friend has been described with reference to FIG. 1, but information processing when the OA user has been registered as a friend will now be described with reference to FIG. 19. That is, information processing will be described in a state where the friend registration process has already been performed in the message delivery server 101, but the linking process and follow process have not yet been performed in the electronic payment server 103. The basic configurations of the message delivery server 101, terminal device 102, and electronic payment server 103 are the same as those shown in FIG. 1. Since S1, S3, and S6-S12 in FIG. 1 and S1901, S1903, and S1905-S1911 in FIG. 19 are similar processes, their description will be omitted.

[0157] 19, the terminal device 102 transmits a follow instruction to the message delivery server 101. Then, in response to receiving the follow instruction, the message delivery server 101 determines whether the MS user who issued the instruction has registered the OA user, who is the store that distributed the coupon, as a friend. Here, the message delivery server 101 determines that the OA user has been registered as a friend.

[0158] 19, the terminal device 102 transmits a link instruction to the message delivery server 101. Then, in response to receiving the link instruction, the message delivery server 101 transmits a follow request or the like to the electronic payment server 103. In this case, the processing of S5 described in FIG. 1 is not performed.

[0159] In this way, if an MS user has registered an OA user who is a member store of the affiliated store that distributed the coupon as a friend, the message distribution server 101 sends a follow request and link information to the electronic payment server 103 without performing the friend registration process.

[0160] [11.Other] In the above description, an example has been given in which the electronic payment server 103, when performing the linking process, transmits linking process information to the message delivery server 101. If the electronic payment server 103 does not perform the linking process, that is, if it determines that the linking process has already been performed, it does not need to transmit the linking process information to the message delivery server 101. In this case, the electronic payment server 103 may transmit the follow notification instruction together with the MS user ID 501.

[0161] In the above description, the linking process is performed when a follow request is received. However, the linking process may be performed even if a follow request is not received. That is, the linking process may be performed before a follow request is received. In this case, the electronic payment server 103 may perform the linking process in response to a linking instruction from the message delivery server 101 or the terminal device 102, for example.

[0162] The processing of the electronic payment server 103 shown in FIG. 18 has been described as an example in which the follow processing executed by the follow unit 915 and the coupon granting processing executed by the granting unit 916 are automatically performed as a series of processes by the electronic payment server 103. That is, the following processing and the coupon granting processing are automatically performed by the electronic payment server 103 without the PS user having to operate the electronic payment app. However, this is not limiting. For example, these two processes can be performed separately in response to the PS user's operation of the electronic payment app. Specifically, the follow processing may be performed in response to the PS user's operation on the follow screen on the electronic payment app, and the coupon granting processing may be performed in response to the PS user's operation on the coupon acquisition screen on the electronic payment app.

[0163] In addition, when the electronic payment server 103 performs a follow process in response to a PS user's operation on a follow screen on the electronic payment app, the coupon granting process may be performed automatically, regardless of the PS user's operation to obtain the coupon.

[0164] Furthermore, the electronic payment server 103 does not need to perform the coupon granting process when the follow process has been performed or when the affiliated store is already being followed. In other words, the follow process and the coupon granting process do not need to be performed as a series of processes in the electronic payment server 103.

[0165] Furthermore, the configuration of the terminal device 102 described above can be flexibly changed, for example, by calling an external platform or the like using an API or network computing, depending on the function.

[0166] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content. [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 101 Message Delivery Server 102 Terminal Equipment 103 Electronic Payment Server 424 Collaboration Flag 900 Communications Department 911 Broadcasting Department 914 Collaboration Department 915 Follow-up Department 916 Granting Department 917 Payment Processing Unit 921 PS User Information DB 922 Member store information DB 923 Coupon Information DB 924 Follow Information DB

Claims

1. An information processing device that provides an electronic payment service, a receiving unit that receives a follow request to follow a member store in the electronic payment service from an external device that provides a message delivery service; a follow unit that follows the affiliated store for the user who made the follow request on the condition that first identification information that identifies the user who has made the follow request in the message delivery service and who will receive the message delivery service is linked to second identification information that identifies the user who will receive the electronic payment service; and An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic payment service is an electronic payment service using code information.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits to the external device an instruction to cause the external device to send a message indicating that the affiliated store has been followed from the external device to the user's terminal device when the affiliated store is followed by the following unit.

4. The message indicating that the affiliated store has been followed includes an element for confirming that the affiliated store has been followed, The information processing device described in claim 3, characterized in that when the receiving unit receives a request for a confirmation screen from the user's terminal device to confirm that the member store has been followed in response to the user operating the element, the transmitting unit transmits the confirmation screen to the terminal device.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising an awarding unit that, when the receiving unit receives the follow request, awards a benefit that can be used at a store of the affiliated store to the user who made the follow request.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5 , wherein the granting unit grants, as the benefit, a coupon that can be used to pay for goods or services in the electronic payment service to the user who made the follow request.

7. 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the benefit is a coupon that is automatically applied at the time of payment in the electronic payment service.

8. The information processing device described in claim 5, characterized in that the process in the follow unit of following the affiliated store for the user who made the follow request and the process in the granting unit of granting the benefit to the user who made the follow request are executed as a series of processes.

9. The information processing device described in claim 8, characterized in that after the granting unit performs the process of granting the benefit to the user who made the follow request, the following unit follows the affiliated store for the user who made the follow request.

10. If the user who made the follow request is already following the affiliated store, The following unit requests the user who made the follow request to follow the affiliated store without following the affiliated store again. The information processing device according to claim 5 , wherein the granting unit grants the benefit to the user who has made the follow request.

11. The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a distribution unit that distributes recommendation information about the affiliated store to users who follow the affiliated store.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the recommendation information is distributed by the distribution unit at an arbitrary timing.

13. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the external device distributes a message encouraging users to follow affiliated stores of stores that have contracted with a service provider that operates the electronic payment service from the official account of the store on the message distribution service.

14. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the external device distributes a message encouraging users to follow affiliated stores that have contracted with a service provider that operates the electronic payment service from the official account of the service provider on the message distribution service.

15. The message encouraging the user to follow the affiliated store of the store includes an element for following the affiliated store, 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the follow request is made from the external device in response to a user operating the element.

16. the message encouraging the user to follow the affiliated store of the store includes an element for registering the store as a friend in the message distribution service and for following the affiliated store; 16. The information processing device according to claim 15, wherein the external device makes the follow request in response to the element being operated by the user, and the external device performs processing to register the store as a friend.

17. The information processing device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the message encouraging the user to follow the affiliated store of the store is delivered from the official account at any timing.

18. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a linking unit that performs processing to link the first identification information and the second identification information when the first identification information and the second identification information are not linked.

19. 19. The information processing device according to claim 18, wherein the linking unit performs the processing using the first identification information and the second identification information received from an intermediate device that stores the first identification information and the second identification information in association with each other.

20. 19. The information processing device according to claim 18, wherein the process performed by the linking unit is performed even if the receiving unit has not received the follow request.

21. An information processing method of an information processing device that provides an electronic payment service, a receiving step of receiving a follow request to follow a member store of the electronic payment service from an external device that provides a message delivery service; a following step of following the member store for the user who made the follow request in the message delivery service, on the condition that first identification information identifying the user who receives the message delivery service is linked to second identification information identifying the user who receives the electronic payment service; 2. An information processing method for an information processing device, comprising:

22. A program for an information processing device that provides electronic payment services, On the computer, a receiving step of receiving a follow request to follow a member store of the electronic payment service from an external device that provides a message delivery service; a follow step of following the member store for the user who made the follow request in the message delivery service, on the condition that first identification information identifying the user who receives the message delivery service is linked to second identification information identifying the user who receives the electronic payment service; A program for an information processing device, characterized by causing the information processing device to execute the above.

23. An information processing system including an information processing device that provides an electronic payment service and an external device that provides a message delivery service, the information processing device receives, from the external device, a follow request to follow a member store in the electronic payment service; The information processing device follows the affiliated store for the user who made the follow request in the message delivery service, on the condition that first identification information identifying the user who receives the message delivery service is linked to second identification information identifying the user who receives the electronic payment service. An information processing system comprising:

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