Information processing system, information processing method, and program

The system addresses the inconvenience of manual payment method selection by determining the location relationship between user and store terminals, enabling automatic selection of a suitable payment method based on predefined settings, thereby improving user convenience.

JP2025151977APending Publication Date: 2025-10-09JCB CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024053641
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-28
Publication Date
2025-10-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional payment systems require users to manually select a payment method from multiple options, which is inconvenient.

Method used

An information processing system that determines the location relationship between a user's terminal device and a store's terminal device, and based on predefined settings, automatically selects a payment method using store and user-specific payment information.

Benefits of technology

Improves user convenience by allowing automatic selection of a suitable payment method based on location and user preferences, enhancing the payment process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide an information processing system for improving convenience of a user.SOLUTION: An information processing system 10 comprises a position determination part, a selection part, and a settlement part. The position determination part determines whether position of the user terminal 20 and position of the store terminal 30 satisfy a predetermined positional relationship. The selection part selects a payment method to be used at the store according to the store's payment setting information and the user's payment setting information, when the positional relationship between the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30 satisfies the predetermined positional relationship. The settlement part executes a settlement process using the payment method selected by the selection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional payment system is described in Patent Document 1 below. This payment system performs payment using a payment method selected by a user from among a plurality of payment methods. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-150874 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the information processing system described in Patent Document 1, when paying for a product, the user must select one payment method from all available payment methods, so there is room for improvement in terms of convenience.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing system that solves the above problem includes a location determination unit, a selection unit, and a payment unit. The location determination unit determines whether the respective locations of the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfy a predetermined location relationship. If the respective location relationship of the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfies the predetermined location relationship, the selection unit selects a payment method to be used at the store based on the store's payment setting information and the user's payment setting information. The payment unit performs payment processing using the payment method selected by the selection unit.

[0007] In an information processing method that solves the above problem, a computer determines whether the respective positions of the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfy a predetermined positional relationship, and if the respective positional relationship of the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfies the predetermined positional relationship, selects a payment method to be used at the store based on the store's payment setting information and the user's payment setting information, and performs payment processing using the payment method selected by the selection unit.

[0008] A program that solves the above problem causes a computer to determine whether the respective positions of the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfy a predetermined positional relationship, and if the respective positional relationship between the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfies the predetermined positional relationship, causes the computer to select a payment method to be used at the store based on the store's payment setting information and the user's payment setting information, and executes the settlement process using the payment method selected by the selection unit.

[0009] According to these, the payment method to be used in the store is determined based on the selection result of the selection unit, thereby improving convenience for the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the information processing system, information processing method, and program of the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience for users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a table illustrating an example of store-side response information according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a table showing an example of benefit information according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a table illustrating an example of user-side correspondence information according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a table illustrating an example of priority information according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a store terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a user terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a table showing an example of corresponding payment information according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a table showing an example of priority order information according to a third modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a table showing an example of benefit information according to a third modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program will be described with reference to the drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0013] <Embodiment> First, an overview of the information processing system of this embodiment will be described.

[0014] (Outline of information processing system) The information processing system 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a system for providing payment services to stores and customers of the stores. Hereinafter, customers of the stores will be referred to as "users." As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 includes a user terminal 20, a store terminal 30, and an information processing device 50. In this embodiment, the user terminal 20 is an example of a user terminal device, and the store terminal 30 is an example of a store terminal device.

[0015] The user terminal 20, the store terminal 30, the business operator terminal 40, and the information processing device 50 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network N10. The communication network N10 is a mobile phone network, a wireless local area network (LAN), a long term evolution (LTE), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) (registered trademark), an ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, and a connection via the cloud by displaying and reading a QR code (registered trademark).

[0016] The store terminal 30 is installed, for example, in a store of a specific business. The store terminal 30 is, for example, a device for making payments when a user purchases a product at a store. The store terminal 30 is, for example, a POS register terminal, a tablet terminal, or a handheld terminal. The store terminal 30 may have a POS register function, such as accepting input of products or services and calculating the total price (payment amount) for the accepted products or services. Note that, hereinafter, products or services are referred to as "products, etc." In this embodiment, the POS register function is realized in the store terminal 30 by installing a store-side application dedicated to a payment system for stores in the store terminal 30. A store clerk or business operator can register store-side setting information, which includes various store-side information related to in-store processing, by operating the store-side application on the store terminal 30. The store-side setting information includes, for example, store-side support information and benefit information.

[0017] Store support information is information about payment methods supported by the store. Store support information includes, for example, information about payment methods available at the store, information about points available at the store, coupon information, and information about how to use other applications. Payment methods include mobile payments using NFC, card payments such as credit card payments, electronic money payments, and QR code payments. Hereinafter, various methods that can be used when paying for product purchases, such as payment methods, points, coupons, etc., will also be referred to as "payment methods."

[0018] The benefit information is preferential information temporarily provided to users, and includes, for example, information about limited-time coupons and preferential point information for some customers.

[0019] The store-side setting information set by the store clerk or the business operator is transmitted from the store terminal 30 to the information processing device 50 via the communication network N10 and is stored in the information processing device 50.

[0020] The user terminal 20 is a device used by a user. The user terminal 20 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like that is capable of communicating with the store terminal 30 and the information processing device 50. By operating the user terminal 20, the user can register user-side setting information that includes various user-side information related to in-store processing. The user-side setting information includes user-side response information, priority information, and the like.

[0021] The user-side support information is information about payment methods supported by the user. The user-side support information includes, for example, information about payment methods available to the user, information about points available to the user, whether coupons can be used, and information about how other applications are used. The priority information is information indicating the priority regarding the use of payment methods, points, coupons, etc. The user-side setting information set by the user is transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the information processing device 50 and stored in the information processing device 50.

[0022] The business operator terminal 40 is a device used by a business operator who uses the information processing system 10 of this embodiment. The business operator terminal 40 is a personal computer, a tablet terminal, etc. The business operator is, for example, a store manager.

[0023] In the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, when a user carrying a user terminal 20 approaches a store terminal 30 to purchase a product from a store, bidirectional communication occurs between the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30 via a communication network N10. At this time, the store terminal 30 transmits store-side setting information to the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 selects a number of more appropriate candidate payment methods based on the store-side setting information transmitted from the store terminal 30 and the user-side setting information transmitted by the user, and transmits the selected candidate payment methods to the store terminal 30. When the user purchases a product, the store terminal 30 presents the user with the number of candidate payment methods transmitted from the user terminal 20. When the user selects a specific payment method from the number of candidate payment methods, the store terminal 30 performs payment processing using the specific payment method selected by the user.

[0024] (Configuration of information processing device) Next, the configuration of the information processing device 50 will be specifically described.

[0025] The information processing device 50 is a device for managing information about users and information about stores. The information processing system 10 also has functions for managing information about businesses that use the system 10 and for coordinating between businesses. As shown in FIG. 2 , the information processing device 50 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a control unit 53.

[0026] The communication unit 51 transmits and receives various information to and from the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30 via the communication network N10.

[0027] The storage unit 52 stores various types of information held by the information processing device 50. For example, the storage unit 52 stores various programs for operating the information processing device 50. The storage unit 52 also stores store-side setting information 54, user-side setting information 55, business-side setting information 56, and the like.

[0028] The store-side setting information 54 includes store-side basic information 540, store-side correspondence information 541, and benefit information 542. These pieces of information 540 to 542 are stored in the storage unit 52 in association with, for example, the store identification number.

[0029] The store-side basic information 540 includes the store's identification number, a connection method for communication between the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30, and the like.

[0030] Store support information 541 is data that lists payment methods that can be used at a store, as shown in Fig. 3. If store support information 541 includes, for example, credit cards A10, A11, electronic money B10, B11, QR codes C10, C11, points D10, D11, and coupons E10, E11 as shown in Fig. 3, the store can use any one of these methods or a combination of them to make payments.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, benefit information 542 is data that lists points and discount information that are awarded to users when using various payment methods. As shown in FIG. 4, benefit information 542 includes, for example, the point rate that is awarded to users when using a credit card A10 or electronic money B10, as well as information on the expiration date of the points. Benefit information 542 also includes coupons E10 and E11 that can be used to receive discounts when purchasing specific products F10 and F11 at a store, as well as information on the expiration dates of the coupons. Users can use each benefit registered in benefit information 542 individually or in combination.

[0032] In this embodiment, the store side correspondence information 541 and the benefit information 542 are examples of store payment setting information.

[0033] 2, the user-side setting information 55 includes user-side basic information 550, user-side correspondence information 551, and priority information 552. These pieces of information 550 to 552 are stored in the storage unit 52 in association with, for example, the user's identification number.

[0034] The user-side basic information 550 includes a user identification number, user attribute information, and authentication means, etc. The user attribute information includes the user's name, address, date of birth, etc. The authentication means is an authentication method used when using a user-side application.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, user-side correspondence information 551 is data listing payment methods available to the user. As shown in FIG. 5, if user-side correspondence information 551 includes, for example, credit cards A10 and A12, electronic money B10 and B12, QR codes C10 and C12, points D10 and D12, and coupon E, the user can make a payment using any one of these or a combination of these. Note that "coupon E" registered in user-side correspondence information 551 indicates any coupon available to the user. In other words, if "coupon E" is included in the payment methods available to the user and coupons E10 and E11 shown in FIG. 4 are available at the store, coupon E can be used as the user's payment method if the product being purchased by the user includes either product F10 or F11.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 6, the priority information 552 is data that lists the priorities set by the user regarding the use of payment methods, points, coupons, etc. In the priority information 552 shown in Fig. 6, the smaller the priority number, the higher the priority. That is, the priority information 552 shown in Fig. 6 indicates that the highest priority is "Coupon E" and the lowest priority is "Electronic Money B12."

[0037] In this embodiment, the user-side correspondence information 551 and the priority information 552 are examples of user payment setting information.

[0038] The business establishment information 56 includes the business type, business name, etc. of the business that uses the system 10 .

[0039] 2 controls the information processing device 50. The control unit 53 has, as functional components realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 52, a first setting information acquisition unit 530, a second setting information acquisition unit 531, a first setting information transmission unit 532, a second setting information transmission unit 533, a position information acquisition unit 534, and a position determination unit 535.

[0040] The first setting information acquisition unit 530 acquires store registration information from the store terminal 30 or the business operator terminal 40, and creates store-side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 based on the acquired store registration information. When a store clerk or business operator operates the store terminal 30 or the business operator terminal 40 to input the store registration information, the store registration information is transmitted from the store terminal 30 or the business operator terminal 40 to the information processing device 50. The store registration information includes benefit setting information and payment setting information available at the store. The benefit setting information includes, for example, information on coupons offered for a limited time and information on point bonuses. The first setting information acquisition unit 530 creates the store-side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 based on the store registration information transmitted from the store terminal 30 or the business operator terminal 40, and stores them in the storage unit 52. The store-side basic information 540 is previously created by a store clerk, a business operator, or the like, and stored in the storage unit 52.

[0041] The second setting information acquisition unit 531 acquires user registration information from the user terminal 20 and creates user-side correspondence information 551 and priority information 552 based on the acquired user registration information. When the user operates the user terminal 20 to input the user registration information, the user registration information is transmitted from the user terminal 20 to the information processing device 50. The user registration information includes payment setting information available to the user and information on the priority of payment methods. The second setting information acquisition unit 531 creates user-side correspondence information 551 and priority information 552 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 based on the user registration information transmitted from the user terminal 20 and stores them in the storage unit 52. The user-side basic information 550 is generated in advance by the user and stored in the storage unit 52.

[0042] The first setting information transmission unit 532 transmits the store side response information 541 and the benefit information 542 to the store terminal 30 based on a request from the store terminal 30.

[0043] The second setting information transmission unit 533 transmits the user side correspondence information 551 and the priority order information 552 to the user terminal 20 based on a request from the user terminal 20.

[0044] The location information acquisition unit 534 acquires location information from the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30, respectively.

[0045] The position determination unit 535 determines whether the user terminal 20 is approaching the store terminal 30 based on the respective position information of the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 534. The position determination unit 535 determines that the user terminal 20 is approaching the store terminal 30 when, for example, the user terminal 20 is located within an area of ​​a predetermined radius centered on the store terminal 30. In this embodiment, an example of a predetermined positional relationship is when the user terminal 20 is located within an area of ​​a predetermined radius centered on the store terminal 30. When the position determination unit 535 determines that the user terminal 20 is approaching the store terminal 30, it notifies the store terminal 30 of this fact. Based on this notification, the store terminal 30 establishes communication with the user terminal 20.

[0046] (Store terminal configuration) Next, the configuration of the store terminal 30 will be specifically described.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the store terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, an input unit 32, a display unit 33, a storage unit , and a control unit .

[0048] The communication unit 31 transmits and receives various information to and from the user terminal 20 and the information processing device 50 via the communication network N10. The input unit 32 has a function of accepting various operations performed by the store operator, and is a mouse, keyboard, operation buttons, etc. The display unit 33 has a function of displaying various screens, and is a liquid crystal display, etc. The input unit 32 and the display unit 33 may be configured as a touch panel in which their functions are integrated.

[0049] The storage unit 34 stores various types of information held by the store terminal 30. For example, the storage unit 34 stores various programs for operating the store terminal 30. The storage unit 34 also stores store-side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, respectively. Note that the store-side correspondence information 541 and the benefit information 542 may be stored in the storage unit 34 as data whose authenticity is guaranteed using technology such as an electronic signature or VC (Verifiable Credential).

[0050] The control unit 35 controls the store terminal 30. The control unit 35 has a registration unit 350, a setting information acquisition unit 351, a location information acquisition unit 352, a communication establishment unit 353, a transmission unit 354, a selection information acquisition unit 355, and a payment unit 356 as functional components realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 34. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where the program for realizing these functions is a store-side application. The predetermined program may be a program developed using an SDK (Software Development Kit), etc.

[0051] When store registration information is input by a store clerk or business operator through operation of the input unit 32, the registration unit 350 transmits the store registration information to the information processing device 50. As described above, the store registration information includes setting information for payments available at the store and setting information for benefits. Input of the store registration information is used to set the initial values ​​of the setting information for payments available at the store and setting information for benefits, or to change such information.

[0052] The setting information acquisition unit 351 acquires the store side correspondence information 541 and the benefit information 542 from the information processing device 50, and stores the acquired store side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 in the storage unit .

[0053] The location information acquisition unit 352 acquires location information of the shop terminal 30 using a global positioning system (GPS) or the like, and transmits the acquired location information of the shop terminal 30 to the information processing device 50.

[0054] When the communication establishment unit 353 receives a notification from the information processing device 50 that the user terminal 20 is approaching the store terminal 30, it establishes communication with the user terminal 20, enabling two-way communication between the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30.

[0055] When communication between the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30 becomes possible, the transmission unit 354 transmits the store correspondence information 541 and the benefit information 542 stored in the storage unit 52 to the user terminal 20. As a result, the user terminal 20 transmits information on a plurality of candidate payment methods corresponding to the store correspondence information 541 and the benefit information 542 to the store terminal 30.

[0056] When the selection information acquisition unit 355 receives information on a plurality of candidate payment methods transmitted from the user terminal 20, it displays the plurality of candidate payment methods on the display unit 33. After that, when the user operates the input unit 32 to select a predetermined payment method from the plurality of candidate payment methods, it acquires information on the selected payment method.

[0057] The user can select multiple payment methods from among the multiple candidate payment methods. For example, if the multiple candidate payment methods include coupons, points, and credit cards, the user can select coupons, points, and credit cards, since it is possible to pay the price by combining these methods.

[0058] Furthermore, if the payment method selected by the user includes a coupon, the settlement unit 356 determines whether or not there are any products, etc. to which the coupon can be applied among the products, etc. that the user is attempting to purchase. If there are any products, etc. to which the coupon can be applied among the products, etc. that the user is attempting to purchase, the settlement unit 356 displays the coupon corresponding to that product as a candidate payment method on the display unit 33. On the other hand, if there are no products, etc. to which the coupon can be applied among the products, etc. that the user is attempting to purchase, the settlement unit 356 does not display the coupon as a candidate payment method on the display unit 33, even if the coupon is included in multiple candidate payment methods transmitted from the user terminal 20.

[0059] The settlement unit 356 executes the settlement process based on the payment method acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 355.

[0060] (User terminal configuration) Next, the configuration of the user terminal 20 will be specifically described.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the user terminal 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0062] The communication unit 21 transmits and receives various information to and from the store terminal 30 and the information processing device 50 via the communication network N10. The input unit 22 has a function of accepting various operations performed by the user, and is a mouse, keyboard, operation buttons, etc. The display unit 23 has a function of displaying various screens, and is a liquid crystal display, etc. The input unit 22 and the display unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel in which their functions are integrated.

[0063] The storage unit 24 stores various types of information held by the user terminal 20. For example, the storage unit 24 stores various programs for operating the user terminal 20. The storage unit 24 also stores user-side correspondence information 551 and priority order information 552 as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, respectively. Note that the user-side correspondence information 551 and the priority order information 552 may be stored in the storage unit 24 as data whose authenticity is guaranteed using technology such as an electronic signature or VC (Verifiable Credential).

[0064] The control unit 25 controls the user terminal 20. The control unit 25 has a registration unit 250, a setting information acquisition unit 251, a location information acquisition unit 252, a selection unit 253, and a transmission unit 254 as functions realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 24. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where the program for realizing these functions is a user-side application. The predetermined program may be a program developed using an SDK, etc.

[0065] When the user inputs registration information based on the user's operation of the input unit 22, the registration unit 250 transmits the user's registration information to the information processing device 50. As described above, the user's registration information includes setting information for payment methods available to the user, information on the priority of payment methods, etc. The input of the user's registration information is used to set the initial values ​​of the setting information for payment methods available to the user and information on the priority of payment methods, or to change such information.

[0066] The setting information acquisition unit 251 acquires the user-side correspondence information 551 and the priority order information 552 from the information processing device 50, and stores the acquired user-side correspondence information 551 and priority order information 552 in the storage unit .

[0067] The location information acquisition unit 252 acquires location information of the user terminal 20 using GPS or the like, and transmits the acquired location information of the user terminal 20 to the information processing device 50.

[0068] After communication is established between the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30, the selection unit 253 receives the store side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 sent from the user terminal 20, and selects multiple candidate payment methods by comparing the store side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 with the user side correspondence information 551 and priority information 552 stored in the memory unit 24.

[0069] For example, the selection unit 253 first selects a payment method supported by the store from among the payment methods supported by the user by comparing the store supported information 541 and the user supported information 551. For example, if the store supported information 541 and the user supported information 551 each have the content shown in Fig. 9, the selection unit 253 selects a payment method included in both the user supported information 551 and the store supported information 541 as a supported payment method. As a result, the selection unit 253 creates supported payment information 26 as shown in Fig. 9.

[0070] Next, the selection unit 253 selects multiple candidate payment methods from the supported payment information 26 based on the priority order information 552 and the benefit information 542. For example, if the benefit information 542 has the content shown in FIG. 4 and the priority order information 552 has the content shown in FIG. 6, the payment method with priority order "1" is "Coupon E," and the benefit information 542 includes coupons E10 and E11, so the selection unit 253 selects Coupon E as a candidate payment method. Furthermore, the payment method with priority order "2" is "Points D12," but "Points D12" is not included in the supported payment information 26, so the selection unit 253 does not select "Points D12" as a candidate payment method. Furthermore, the payment method with priority order "3" is "Points D10," and "Points D10" is included in the supported payment information 26, so the selection unit 253 selects "Points D10" as a candidate payment method. In this way, the selection unit 253 selects, for example, "Coupon E," "Points D10," and "Credit Card A10" as first candidate payment methods based on the priority information 552.

[0071] Furthermore, the selection unit 253 selects multiple candidate payment methods that provide the user with the highest benefit based on the benefit information 542. For example, if the benefit information 542 has the content shown in FIG. 4, the user will receive the highest benefit when using "coupon E10," so the selection unit 253 selects "coupon E10" as a candidate payment method. Furthermore, the user will receive the next highest benefit when using "coupon E11," so the selection unit 253 selects "coupon E11" as a candidate payment method. Furthermore, the user will receive the next highest benefit when using "electronic money B10," so the selection unit 253 selects "electronic money B10" as a candidate payment method because "electronic money B10" is included in the supported payment information 26. In this way, the selection unit 253 further selects, for example, "coupon E10," "coupon E11," and "electronic money B10" as second candidate payment methods based on the benefit information 542.

[0072] When the selection unit 253 has selected multiple first candidate payment methods and multiple second candidate payment methods based on the priority order information 552 and benefit information 542 as described above, the transmission unit 254 transmits the multiple first candidate payment methods and multiple second candidate payment methods to the store terminal 30. As a result, the multiple first candidate payment methods and multiple second candidate payment methods are displayed on the store terminal 30.

[0073] (Example of information processing system operation) Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0074] 10, in the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, first, when the user terminal 20 approaches the store terminal 30, the information processing device 50 notifies the store terminal 30 of this fact (step S10). As a result, when the communication establishment unit 353 of the store terminal 30 establishes communication with the user terminal 20 (step S20), two-way communication becomes possible between the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30.

[0075] Next, the transmission unit 354 of the store terminal 30 transmits the store correspondence information 541 and the benefit information 542 to the user terminal 20 (step S21), and the information is received by the user terminal 20 (step S30). Then, in the user terminal 20, the selection unit 253 compares the store correspondence information 541 and the benefit information 542 with the user correspondence information 551 and the priority information 552 (step S31), thereby selecting a plurality of first candidate payment methods and a plurality of second candidate payment methods (step S32). Then, the transmission unit 254 of the store terminal 30 transmits the plurality of first candidate payment methods and a plurality of second candidate payment methods selected by the selection unit 253 to the store terminal 30 (step S33). As a result, the plurality of first candidate payment methods and a plurality of second candidate payment methods transmitted from the user terminal 20 are received by the store terminal 30 (step S22).

[0076] Thereafter, when the user purchases a product or the like, the payment unit 356 of the store terminal 30 displays a plurality of first candidate payment methods and a plurality of second candidate payment methods on the display unit 33 of the store terminal 30 (step S23). Then, when the user selects one or more payment methods from the plurality of first candidate payment methods and the plurality of second candidate payment methods (step S24), the payment unit 356 executes payment processing based on the selected one or more payment methods (step S25).

[0077] (Hardware configuration of information processing systems) Next, a description will be given of an example of a hardware configuration in which each device included in the information processing system 10 is realized by a computer. Note that the functions of each device can also be realized by dividing them into multiple devices.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 11, the computer 70 includes a processor 700 , a storage device 702 , an input I / F 704 , a data I / F 706 , a communication I / F 708 , and a display device 710 .

[0079] The processor 700 controls various processes in the computer 70 by executing programs stored in the storage device 702. For example, the respective functional units and the like of the control units 25, 35, and 53 of the user terminal 20, the store terminal 30, and the information processing device 50 can be realized by the processor 700 executing the programs stored in the storage device 702.

[0080] The storage device 702 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The RAM temporarily stores the program code of the program executed by the processor 700 and data required when the program is executed.

[0081] The storage device 702 may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage device 702 stores an operating system and various programs for implementing the above-mentioned configurations. The storage medium storing the various programs may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In addition, the storage device 702 may also store a table for registering various pieces of information and a DB for managing the table. Such programs and data are loaded into the storage device 702 as needed and referenced by the processor 700.

[0082] The input I / F 704 is a device for receiving input from a user. Specific examples of the input I / F 704 include a camera, a button, a microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, various sensors, and a wearable device. The input I / F 704 may be connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0083] The data I / F 706 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 70. A specific example of the data I / F 706 is a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. The data I / F 706 may be provided outside the computer 70. In this case, the data I / F 706 is connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as a USB.

[0084] The communication I / F 708 is a device for performing data communication via a communication network N10, either wired or wirelessly, with devices external to the computer 70. The communication I / F 708 may be provided external to the computer 70. In this case, the communication I / F 708 is connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as a USB.

[0085] The display device 710 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 710 include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and a display of a wearable device. The display device 710 may be provided outside the computer 70. In this case, the display device 710 is connected to the computer 70 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, when a touch panel is adopted as the input I / F 704, the display device 710 can be configured as an integral part of the input I / F 704.

[0086] Furthermore, the components of the devices included in the information processing system 10 of the above embodiment may be configured such that a program stored in the storage device 702 is executed by the processor 700, thereby realizing a predetermined process in cooperation with other hardware. In other words, these components may be considered as software or firmware, and also as corresponding hardware. Furthermore, these components may be described as "functions," "means," "parts," "processing circuits," "units," or "modules," etc., in both of these concepts, and may be interpreted as such.

[0087] (Actions and Effects of the Information Processing System of the Embodiment) As described above, the information processing system 10 of this embodiment includes a location determination unit 535, a selection unit 253, and a payment unit 356. The location determination unit 535 determines whether the respective locations of the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30 satisfy a predetermined location relationship. The predetermined location relationship is, for example, a relationship in which the user terminal 20 is located within an area of ​​a predetermined radius centered on the store terminal 30. If the respective locations of the user terminal 20 and the store terminal 30 satisfy the predetermined location relationship, the selection unit 253 selects a payment method to be used at the store based on the store-side support information 541 and benefit information 542 (store payment setting information) and the user-side support information 551 and priority information 552 (user payment setting information). The payment unit 356 performs payment processing using the payment method selected by the selection unit 253.

[0088] According to this configuration, the payment method to be used at the store is determined based on the selection result of the selection unit 253, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0089] The store's payment setting information includes store support information 541, which is information on multiple store payment methods available at the store, and benefit information 542 (profit information) that the user can obtain when payment is made using each of the multiple store payment methods. The user's payment setting information includes user support information 551, which is information on multiple user payment methods available to the user, and priority information 552, which is information on the priority of each of the multiple user payment methods. The selection unit 253 selects multiple supported payment methods that correspond to the multiple store payment methods from the multiple user payment methods based on the store support information 541 and the user support information 551. The selection unit 253 also selects a payment method to be used at the store from the multiple supported payment methods based on the benefit information 542 and the priority information 552.

[0090] This configuration makes it possible to select a more appropriate payment method that is suited to each user and store.

[0091] The selection unit 253 selects multiple first candidate payment methods from among the multiple supported payment methods by selecting the payment method with the highest priority based on the priority information 552. The selection unit 253 also selects a second candidate payment method from among the multiple supported payment methods by selecting the payment method with the highest benefit that the user can obtain based on the benefit information 542. The selection information acquisition unit 355 displays the multiple first candidate payment methods and multiple second candidate payment methods on the store terminal 30 and acquires information on the candidate payment method selected by the user from among them. The settlement unit 356 determines the candidate payment method acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 355 as the payment method to be used at the store.

[0092] According to this configuration, when making a payment, the user can select a payment method that suits their preference from among the multiple first candidate payment methods and multiple second candidate payment methods selected by the selection unit 253, thereby improving convenience.

[0093] The information processing system 10 further includes a first setting information acquisition unit 530 and a second setting information acquisition unit 531. The first setting information acquisition unit 530 creates store side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 based on information transmitted from the store terminal 30, and stores the created store side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 in the storage unit 52 of the information processing device 50. The second setting information acquisition unit 531 creates user side correspondence information 551 and priority order information 552 based on information transmitted from the user terminal 20, and stores the created store side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542 in the storage unit 52 of the information processing device 50.

[0094] With this configuration, it is possible to easily create store-side correspondence information 541 and benefit information 542, which are payment setting information for the store, and user-side correspondence information 551 and priority information 552, which are payment setting information for the user.

[0095] (First Modification) Next, a first modification of the information processing system 10 of the above embodiment will be described.

[0096] In the information processing system 10 of the above embodiment, the selection information acquisition unit 355 is provided in the store terminal 30, but the selection information acquisition unit 355 may be provided in the user terminal 20. In this case, the selection information acquisition unit 355 displays information on a plurality of candidate payment methods on the display unit 33 of the user terminal 20, and acquires information on the candidate payment method selected by the user from the plurality of candidate payment methods.

[0097] (Second Modification) Next, a second modification of the information processing system 10 of the above embodiment will be described.

[0098] In the information processing system 10 of this modified example, the payment method to be used for settlement is automatically determined from the plurality of first candidate payment methods and the plurality of second candidate payment methods selected by the selection unit 253.

[0099] For example, in the information processing system 10 of this modified example, the user can select in advance whether to use priority or benefit by operating the user terminal 20. Note that this selection information is included in the user-side setting information 55 of the information processing device 50 and is stored in the storage unit 52 of the information processing device 50.

[0100] If the user has selected to use priority, the selection unit 253 of the user terminal 20 selects multiple first candidate payment methods based on the priority information 552, and then selects the payment method with the highest priority among the selected multiple first candidate payment methods as the payment method to be used for the settlement. For example, if the benefit information 542 is information such as that shown in FIG. 4 and the priority information 552 is content such as that shown in FIG. 6, the selection unit 253 selects, for example, "Coupon E," "Points D10," and "Credit Card A10" as first candidate payment methods based on the priority information 552. Then, the transmission unit 254 of the user terminal 20 transmits the multiple first candidate payment methods selected by the selection unit 253 to the store terminal 30.

[0101] When the payment unit 356 of the store terminal 30 receives the plurality of first candidate payment methods transmitted from the user terminal 20, it performs payment processing based on the plurality of first candidate payment methods. For example, if "Coupon E," "Points D10," and "Credit card A10" are selected as the first candidate payment methods, the payment unit 356 will automatically perform payment processing using these payment methods in that order.

[0102] In addition, even if the user selects to use benefits, multiple second candidate payment methods are similarly selected by the selection unit 253 of the user terminal 20, and payment processing is automatically performed based on the selected multiple second candidate payment methods.

[0103] With this configuration, the user does not need to select the current payment method from among multiple candidate payment methods when making a payment, thereby further improving convenience.

[0104] (Third Modification) Next, a third modification of the information processing system 10 of the above embodiment will be described.

[0105] The selection unit 253 may select multiple candidate payment methods based only on the priority information 552, without using the benefit information 542. For example, if the priority information 552 has the content shown in FIG. 12, the selection unit 253 selects "credit card A10" and "electronic money B10" as candidate payment methods based on the accepted payment information 26 shown in FIG. 9. In this case, these payment methods may be displayed on the display unit 33 of the store terminal 30, allowing the user to select which payment method to use. Alternatively, the selection unit 253 may automatically select "credit card A10," which has the highest priority among "credit card A10" and "electronic money B10," as the payment method to be used at the store.

[0106] Furthermore, the selection unit 253 may select multiple candidate payment methods based only on the benefit information 542, without using the priority order information 552. For example, if the benefit information 542 has content as shown in FIG. 13, the selection unit 253 selects "credit card A10" and "electronic money B10" as candidate payment methods based on the accepted payment information 26 shown in FIG. 9. In this case, too, these payment methods may be displayed on the display unit 33 of the store terminal 30, allowing the user to select which payment method to use. Alternatively, the selection unit 253 may automatically select "electronic money B10," which has the highest benefit out of "credit card A10" and "electronic money B10," as the payment method to be used at the store.

[0107] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure is not limited to the above specific examples.

[0108] For example, the benefit information 542 may include information related to user attribute information, such as a coupon that is available to a limited number of users. A coupon that is available to a limited number of users is, for example, a coupon that applies a predetermined discount to the price of a purchased product on the condition that the user is a first-time user of the system 10, or a coupon that is distributed only to specific users.

[0109] The user may be able to set application conditions for each of the multiple payment methods included in the user-side configuration information 551 by operating the user terminal 20. The application conditions may include, for example, conditions for the target store, type of business, etc., conditions for use such as location, time period, day of the week, and conditions for use such as the availability and relative merits of points, coupons, etc. Such application conditions may be stored in the storage unit 52 of the information processing device 50 as part of the user-side configuration information 55.

[0110] The user terminal 20 may have a dashboard function that allows the user to check the history of payment methods actually used by the user at the store.

[0111] The store-side setting information 54 may be managed not only in the information processing device 50 but also in the store terminal 30 or the business operator terminal 40. The user-side setting information 55 may be managed not only in the information processing device 50 but also in the user terminal 20.

[0112] The store-side correspondence information 541 and the user-side correspondence information 551 do not need to be configured with mutually collated information as shown in FIG. 9 , but may be configured with mutually comparable information. For example, if the user-side correspondence information 551 includes the content shown in FIG. 9 , the store-side correspondence information 541 may include content such as “all types of QR code payments are accepted” or content such as “coupon use is prohibited in all cases.” In this case, the selection unit 253 creates the supported payment information 26 by performing a process of comparing the store-side correspondence information 541 and the user-side correspondence information 551, instead of a process of matching the store-side correspondence information 541 and the user-side correspondence information 551. For example, if the store-side correspondence information 541 includes the content “all types of QR code payments are accepted” and the content “coupon use is prohibited in all cases,” and the user-side correspondence information 551 has the content shown in FIG. 9 , the selection unit 253 creates the supported payment information 26 that includes the QR codes C10 and C12 but does not include the coupon E.

[0113] The functional configurations possessed by the user terminal 20, the store terminal 30, and the information processing device 50 may be provided only in the user terminal 20, only in the store terminal 30, only in the information processing device 50, or in each of the user terminal 20, the store terminal 30, and the information processing device 50.

[0114] Design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to the above specific examples as appropriate are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they comprise the features of the present disclosure. The elements of each of the above specific examples, as well as their arrangement, conditions, shape, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of each of the above specific examples can be combined as appropriate as long as no technical contradictions arise.

[0115] <Additional Notes> Next, the features of the present invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0116] (Appendix 1) the store terminal device includes a first transmission unit that transmits payment setting information of the store to the user terminal device, and the settlement unit; The user's terminal device includes the selection unit and a second transmission unit that transmits the payment method determined by the selection unit to the store's terminal device. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1.

[0117] (Appendix 2) the store terminal device includes a first transmission unit that transmits payment setting information of the store to the user terminal device, and the settlement unit; The user's terminal device includes the selection unit and a second transmission unit that transmits the payment method determined by the selection unit to the store's terminal device. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10: Information processing system, 20: User terminal (user's terminal device), 30: Store terminal (store's terminal device), 50: Information processing device, 52: Memory unit, 70: Computer, 253: Selection unit, 355: Selection information acquisition unit, 356: Payment unit, 530: First setting information acquisition unit, 531: Second setting information acquisition unit, 535: Position determination unit.

Claims

1. a position determination unit that determines whether the respective positions of the store terminal device and the user terminal device satisfy a predetermined positional relationship; a selection unit that selects a payment method to be used at the store based on payment setting information of the store and payment setting information of the user when the respective positional relationship between the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfies the predetermined positional relationship; a payment unit that performs payment processing using the payment method selected by the selection unit. Information processing system.

2. the store's payment setting information includes information on a plurality of store-side payment methods available at the store and information on benefits that the user can obtain when payment is made using each of the plurality of store-side payment methods; The user's payment setting information includes information on a plurality of user-side payment methods available to the user and information on the priority of each of the plurality of user-side payment methods; The selection unit selecting, from the plurality of user payment methods, a plurality of corresponding payment methods that correspond to the plurality of store-side payment methods, based on the plurality of store-side payment methods and the plurality of user-side payment methods; A payment method to be used at the store is selected from the plurality of supported payment methods based on the priority order and the profit information. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the selection unit selects a plurality of candidate payment methods from the plurality of supported payment methods based on the priority order and the profit information; The settlement unit uses the candidate payment method selected by the user from the plurality of candidate payment methods as the payment method to be used in the store. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. The store's payment setting information includes information on a plurality of store-side payment methods available at the store, The user's payment setting information includes information on a plurality of user-side payment methods available to the user and information on the priority of each of the plurality of user-side payment methods; The selection unit selecting, from the plurality of user payment methods, a plurality of corresponding payment methods that correspond to the plurality of store-side payment methods, based on the plurality of store-side payment methods and the plurality of user-side payment methods; A payment method to be used at the store is selected from the plurality of supported payment methods based on the priority order. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The selection unit selects the supported payment method with the highest priority from the plurality of supported payment methods as the payment method to be used at the store. The information processing system according to claim 4 .

6. the selection unit selects a plurality of candidate payment methods by selecting a payment method with a higher priority from the plurality of supported payment methods; The settlement unit uses the candidate payment method selected by the user from the plurality of candidate payment methods as the payment method to be used in the settlement process. The information processing system according to claim 4 .

7. the store's payment setting information includes information on a plurality of store-side payment methods available at the store and information on benefits that the user can obtain when payment is made using each of the plurality of store-side payment methods; The user's payment setting information includes information on a plurality of user-side payment methods available to the user; The selection unit selecting, from the plurality of user payment methods, a plurality of corresponding payment methods that correspond to the plurality of store-side payment methods, based on the plurality of store-side payment methods and the plurality of user-side payment methods; A payment method to be used at the store is selected from the plurality of supported payment methods based on the profit information. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

8. The selection unit selects, from the plurality of supported payment methods based on the benefit information, the supported payment method that provides the highest benefit to the user as the payment method to be used at the store. The information processing system according to claim 7 .

9. the selection unit selects a plurality of candidate payment methods by selecting a payment method that provides a higher benefit to the user from the plurality of supported payment methods based on the benefit information; The settlement unit uses the candidate payment method selected by the user from the plurality of candidate payment methods as the payment method to be used in the store. The information processing system according to claim 7 .

10. The benefit information includes at least one of information on points that the user can obtain in connection with the payment process, information on points that are awarded to the user when the user's attributes satisfy predetermined conditions, and information on coupons that can be used for a limited time.

8. The information processing system according to claim 2 or 7.

11. The method further includes a selection information acquisition unit that displays the plurality of candidate payment methods on at least one of a terminal device of the store and a terminal device of the user, and acquires information on a candidate payment method selected by the user from the plurality of candidate payment methods.

10. The information processing system according to claim 3, 6, or 9.

12. a first setting information acquisition unit that creates payment setting information for the store based on information transmitted from the terminal device of the store and stores the created payment setting information for the store in a storage unit of the information processing device; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

13. a second setting information acquisition unit that creates payment setting information for the user based on information transmitted from the terminal device of the user and stores the created payment setting information for the user in a storage unit of the information processing device; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

14. The computer determining whether the respective positions of the store terminal device and the user terminal device satisfy a predetermined positional relationship; If the location relationship between the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfies the predetermined location relationship, selecting a payment method to be used at the store based on payment setting information of the store and payment setting information of the user; Process your payment using your selected payment method Information processing methods.

15. On the computer, determining whether or not the respective positions of the store terminal device and the user terminal device satisfy a predetermined positional relationship; If the positional relationship between the store's terminal device and the user's terminal device satisfies the predetermined positional relationship, a payment method to be used at the store is selected based on payment setting information of the store and payment setting information of the user; Execute the payment process using the selected payment method program.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Settlement of account method of electronic commerce and settlement of account system thereof

    JP2003150874A