Program, information processing apparatus, and method

Abstract

To provide a variety of transactions and timing of the use of available points of a credit card.SOLUTION: In an accounting system, a server is configured to: store the amount of spending limits of a credit card and values of points available for payments for credit-card settlement; acquire settlement data including data on the amount of settlement related to credit-card settlement as a function; refer, based on the acquired settlement data, to the spending limits of the credit card to determine whether to accept credit-card settlement; perform the credit-card settlement when the determination result permits the credit-card settlement; subtract, for using the points for payments for the credit-card settlement, values of the points and the amount to be withdrawn from a financial institution account related to the credit-card settlement, and generate withdrawal data; and transmit the data to a financial institution related to the financial institution account.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Credit cards are increasingly being used as a payment method other than cash when purchasing goods or receiving services in stores or online. As a result, the number of stores (both brick-and-mortar and online) that accept credit card payments is also increasing.

[0003] Credit card issuing companies that issue such credit cards offer point services, for example, to encourage customers to choose their credit cards by providing services to them. Here, the point services offered by credit card issuing companies are awarded according to the amount of credit card payments and have monetary value that can be used for payments.

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses a technology for managing points for point services at such credit card issuers, in which, upon receiving information (authorization) for payment by credit card, final points are awarded based on the final billing amount, and provisional points are awarded based on the undetermined billing amount, and these points are then managed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-157238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, many users who actually use credit cards for payment are not aware of these points and may miss the opportunity to use them. Conversely, there is also a need to be able to decide for themselves when to use these points and on which transactions. Therefore, there is a need to provide various ways for users to use their earned points.

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure describes a technology that provides credit card users with points that can be used at various times and in various transactions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a program for executing on a computer having a processor and a memory, for processing a payment for a credit card used by a user, wherein the memory stores the amount of the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user and the value of points that can be used to pay for a payment using the credit card granted to the user, and the program causes the processor to execute the following steps: acquiring payment data relating to a payment using the credit card by the user, including data on the payment amount; checking the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user based on the acquired payment data and determining whether or not payment using the credit card is possible; if the result of the determination is that payment using the credit card is possible, processing the payment using the credit card; deducting the value of the points granted to the user and the amount to be debited from the financial institution account related to the amount of payment for the payment using the credit card, in order to use the points granted to the user to pay for the payment using the credit card, and generating debit data from the user's financial institution account; and sending the generated debit data to the financial institution related to the financial institution account. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, in order to use points granted to a user to pay for a payment made using a credit card, the value of the points granted to the user is deducted from the financial institution's account for the payment amount made using the credit card, and debit data from the user's financial institution account is generated and sent to the financial institution. This makes it possible for credit card users to use points available for payments. This makes it possible to provide a variety of timing and transactions for users to use points available to credit card users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a transaction system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the terminal device 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a user database 2021 in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a transaction details database 2022 in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of point allocation processing by the accounting system 1. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of point allotment target selection processing performed by the accounting system 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description and drawings are examples for explaining the present invention, and appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made for clarity of explanation. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0012] The functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes programs stored in memory.

[0013] In this specification, a circuitry, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions.

[0014] If the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of the hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0015] <Summary> The accounting system according to the present disclosure is described below. The accounting system according to the present disclosure is a system for providing accounting processing services to users, such as businesses, individual business owners, and sole proprietors. Accounting processing performed by businesses and individual business owners involves managing cash flows, such as purchases, sales, and borrowings. These flows are recorded (booked) in ledgers (journal entries, general ledgers) and managed as accounting data. At the designated accounting period, a trial balance is prepared as a closing process, and financial statements, such as an income statement and a balance sheet, are created. Based on the results of the closing process, tax return processing is also performed, preparing returns for corporate tax, business office tax, consumption tax, etc. The accounting system according to the present disclosure is a computer system that accepts input of cash flows, such as purchases and sales, records them in ledgers, prepares trial balances and financial statements, and supports tax return processing. The accounting system according to the present disclosure is also provided as a web service, for example, via a cloud server, or through software as a service (SaaS).

[0016] The accounting system according to the present disclosure also acquires transaction detail data for credit card payments linked from affiliated stores (physical stores or online stores) that accept credit cards, and generates and transmits debit data to financial institutions. Through this process, the accounting system according to the present disclosure manages the use of credit cards by business users. Note that credit cards managed by the accounting system according to the present disclosure may be corporate cards issued to corporations or cards issued to individuals.

[0017] Furthermore, the accounting system according to the present disclosure manages points in point services offered by credit card companies and processes the use of the points as monetary value for payment after purchasing a product. For example, the accounting system according to the present disclosure allows points earned by a credit card user through a product purchase or the like to be applied to the payment of subsequent product purchases, etc., and deducts the amount of the points applied from the debit data sent to the financial institution and transmits the data to the financial institution. Furthermore, while the accounting system according to the present disclosure performs this application automatically, it may also be configured to allow the user to select the transaction (credit card use) to be applied.

[0018] Therefore, in order to use points awarded to a user to pay for a credit card transaction, the accounting system according to the present disclosure subtracts the value of the points awarded to the user from the amount debited from the financial institution's account for the amount of the credit card transaction, generates debit data from the user's financial institution account, and transmits the data to the financial institution. This allows credit card users to use points available for payments. This allows credit card users to diversify the timing and transactions in which they can use their points.

[0019] Furthermore, the accounting system according to the present disclosure performs a process to automatically allocate points earned by a credit card user through product purchases, etc., at a predetermined timing when the points are to be applied to the payment of subsequent product purchases, etc. This allows the credit card user to use the points available for use without missing the opportunity to do so, even if the user is not aware of the points available.

[0020] Furthermore, in certain aspects, the accounting system according to the present disclosure can also allow a credit card user to select the transaction (credit card use) for which points earned by a credit card user through a purchase, etc. are to be used to pay for a subsequent purchase, etc. This allows a credit card user to determine for themselves the timing and transaction for using available points.

[0021] <First Embodiment> The following describes the accounting system 1. In the following description, for example, when the terminal device 10 accesses the server 20, the server 20 responds with information for generating a screen on the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 generates and displays a screen based on the information received from the server 20.

[0022] <1 Overall configuration of accounting system 1> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a checkout system 1 according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the checkout system 1 includes multiple terminal devices (terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B are shown in FIG. 1; hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as "terminal device 10") and a server 20. Terminal device 10 and server 20 are connected to each other via a network 80 so that they can communicate with each other. Network 80 may be a wired or wireless network. In this embodiment, server 20 is a web server (including a cloud server) and exchanges information with terminal device 10 via web pages. A web page browser for viewing web pages is installed on terminal device 10, but a dedicated application for providing the services of server 20 may also be installed so that web pages can be viewed using the dedicated application.

[0023] The terminal device 10 is a device operated by each user. Here, a user is a person who uses the terminal device 10 to process functions of the accounting system 1, such as purchasing goods using a credit card, and performs accounting for the transaction, such as a person in charge of a business enterprise or a sole proprietor. The terminal device 10 is realized by a desktop personal computer (PC), a laptop PC, or the like. Alternatively, the terminal device 10 may be a mobile terminal such as a tablet compatible with a mobile communication system or a smartphone.

[0024] The terminal device 10 is communicatively connected to the server 20 via a network 80. The terminal device 10 is connected to the network 80 by communicating with communication devices such as a wireless base station 81 conforming to communication standards such as 4G, 5G, and LTE (Long Term Evolution), and a wireless LAN router 82 conforming to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11. As shown as a terminal device 10B in FIG. 1 , the terminal device 10 includes a communication IF (Interface) 12, an input device 13, an output device 14, a memory 15, a storage unit 16, and a processor 19.

[0025] The communication IF 12 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with external devices. The input device 13 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a touch panel, a touch pad, a pointing device such as a mouse, etc.) for receiving input operations from a user. The output device 14 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, etc.) for presenting information to a user. The memory 15 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, etc., and is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The storage unit 16 is a storage device for saving data, such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The processor 19 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

[0026] Server 20 is a device that processes purchases of goods using the credit card of a business user. Server 20 stores the amount of the credit card's available credit limit granted to the user and the value of points granted to the user that can be used to pay for payments made using the credit card. When server 20 acquires payment data related to a payment made using the user's credit card, it checks the credit card's available credit limit to determine whether the payment can be made and then performs payment processing. In addition, in order to use the points granted to the user to pay for the payment made using the credit card, server 20 subtracts the value of the points granted to the user from the amount debited from the financial institution account related to the payment made using the credit card, generates debit data from the user's financial institution account, and transmits the data to the financial institution.

[0027] The server 20 is a computer connected to a network 80. The server 20 includes a communication IF 22, an input / output IF 23, a memory 25, a storage 26, and a processor 29.

[0028] The communication IF 22 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the server 20 can communicate with external devices. The input / output IF 23 functions as an interface with an input device for receiving input operations from a user and an output device for presenting information to the user. The memory 25 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, etc., and is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The storage 26 is a storage device for saving data, such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The processor 29 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

[0029] <1.1 Configuration of the terminal device 10> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 10 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes multiple antennas (antenna 111, antenna 112), wireless communication units (first wireless communication unit 121, second wireless communication unit 122) corresponding to the respective antennas, an operation reception unit 130 (including a keyboard 131 and a mouse 132), an audio processing unit 140, a microphone 141, a speaker 142, a display 150, a storage unit 160, and a control unit 170. The terminal device 10 also has functions and configurations (e.g., a battery for storing power, a power supply circuit for controlling the supply of power from the battery to each circuit, etc.) not specifically shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the blocks included in the terminal device 10 are electrically connected by a bus or the like. The terminal device 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described as a mobile terminal such as a tablet or smartphone compatible with a mobile communication system, but may also be a stationary personal computer (PC) or a laptop PC.

[0030] The antenna 111 emits a signal emitted by the terminal device 10 as a radio wave. The antenna 111 also receives a radio wave from space and provides the received signal to the first radio communication unit 121.

[0031] The antenna 112 emits a signal emitted by the terminal device 10 as a radio wave. The antenna 112 also receives a radio wave from space and provides the received signal to the second radio communication unit 122.

[0032] The first wireless communication unit 121 performs modulation / demodulation processing and the like for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 111 so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with other wireless devices. The second wireless communication unit 122 performs modulation / demodulation processing and the like for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 112 so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with other wireless devices. The first wireless communication unit 121 and the second wireless communication unit 122 are communication modules including a tuner, an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) calculation circuit, a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) calculation circuit, a high-frequency circuit, etc. The first wireless communication unit 121 and the second wireless communication unit 122 perform modulation / demodulation and frequency conversion of wireless signals transmitted and received by the terminal device 10, and provide the received signals to the control unit 170.

[0033] The operation reception unit 130 has a mechanism for receiving input operations from the user. Specifically, the operation reception unit 130 includes a keyboard 131 and a mouse 132. Note that the operation reception unit 130 may be configured as a touch screen that detects the position of the user's contact on the touch panel, for example, by using a capacitive touch panel.

[0034] The keyboard 131 accepts input operations by the user of the terminal device 10. The keyboard 131 is a device for inputting characters, and outputs input character information to the control unit 170 as an input signal.

[0035] The mouse 132 accepts input operations by the user of the terminal device 10. The mouse 132 is a pointing device for selecting an object displayed on the display 150, and outputs position information of the selected object on the screen and information indicating that a button has been pressed as input signals to the control unit 170.

[0036] The audio processing unit 140 modulates and demodulates audio signals. The audio processing unit 140 modulates a signal provided from the microphone 141 and provides the modulated signal to the control unit 170. The audio processing unit 140 also provides the audio signal to the speaker 142. The audio processing unit 140 is realized, for example, by a processor for audio processing. The microphone 141 accepts audio input and provides an audio signal corresponding to the audio input to the audio processing unit 140. The speaker 142 converts the audio signal provided from the audio processing unit 140 into audio and outputs the audio to the outside of the terminal device 10.

[0037] Display 150 displays data such as images, videos, and text under the control of control unit 170. Display 150 is realized by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0038] Storage unit 160 is configured with memory 15, such as a flash memory, and storage unit 16, and stores data and programs used by terminal device 10. In one aspect, storage unit 160 stores user information 161.

[0039] User information 161 is information about users who use terminal devices 10 to perform accounting processes, which are functions of accounting system 1. User information includes information that identifies the user (user ID), the name or title of the business operator or person in charge, and other information.

[0040] The control unit 170 is configured by, for example, the processor 19, and controls the operation of the terminal device 10 by reading a program stored in the storage unit 160 and executing instructions included in the program. The control unit 170 performs the functions of an input operation reception unit 171, a transmission / reception unit 172, a notification control unit 173, and a data processing unit 174 by operating in accordance with a program (not shown) that is an application that is stored in advance in the storage unit 160 of the terminal device 10 and installed, for example.

[0041] The input operation receiving unit 171 performs processing to receive input operations by the user via an input device such as the keyboard 131 .

[0042] The transmitting / receiving unit 172 performs processing for the terminal device 10 to transmit and receive data to and from an external device such as the server 20 in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0043] The notification control unit 173 performs processing to present information to the user. The notification control unit 173 performs processing to display a display image on the display 150, processing to output sound from the speaker 142, and the like.

[0044] The data processing unit 174 performs calculations on data that the terminal device 10 has received as input in accordance with a program, and outputs the calculation results to a memory or the like.

[0045] <1.2 Functional configuration of server 20> Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the server 20 functions as a communication unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a control unit 203.

[0046] The communication unit 201 performs processing for the server 20 to communicate with external devices.

[0047] The storage unit 202 is composed of, for example, a memory 25 and a storage 26, and stores data and programs used by the server 20. The storage unit 202 stores a user database 2021, a transaction details database 2022, and the like.

[0048] The user database 2021 is a database for storing various data related to users who are subject to management by the accounting system 1 and credit cards, including identification data that identifies the credit cards used by the users. Details will be provided below.

[0049] The transaction details database 2022 is a database for storing various data related to transactions in which users have made payments using credit cards, which are subject to management by the accounting system 1. Details will be described later.

[0050] The control unit 203 performs the functions shown in various modules, such as a receiving control module 2031, a sending control module 2032, a payment data acquisition module 2033, a payment feasibility determination module 2034, a payment processing module 2035, a points presentation module 2036, a points application selection acceptance module 2037, and a payment amount deduction processing module 2038, by the processor 29 of the server 20 performing processing according to the program.

[0051] The reception control module 2031 controls the process by which the server 20 receives signals from external devices in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0052] The transmission control module 2032 controls the process in which the server 20 transmits signals to external devices in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0053] The payment data acquisition module 2033 controls the process of acquiring payment data, including payment amount data, related to credit card payments made by users of the accounting system 1. For example, when a user uses a credit card to pay for a product or service at a store (either a brick-and-mortar store or an online store), the payment data acquisition module 2033 acquires the data by scanning the credit card using an affiliated store terminal device installed in the store and accepting information requesting payment (authorization) sent from the affiliated store terminal device. Furthermore, when a user wishes to pay by credit card for online shopping on an e-commerce site, the payment data acquisition module 2033 acquires the data by accepting information requesting payment (authorization) sent from a server managing the e-commerce site.

[0054] The payment data acquired by the payment data acquisition module 2033 includes, for example, information on the date and time the payment was accepted, the credit card number, expiration date, security code, card issuer, information on the card company (brand) of the credit card, payment type (lump sum or installments), payment amount, etc.

[0055] The payment permission determination module 2034 controls the process of checking the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user and determining whether payment using the credit card is possible, based on the payment data acquired by the payment data acquisition module 2033. The payment permission determination module 2034, for example, checks the information on the available credit limit of the user's credit card stored in the user database 2021, and determines whether the payment amount used by the user exceeds the available credit limit (excluding the amount of transaction usage that has already been used and for which the usage fee has not yet been debited).

[0056] The payment availability determination module 2034 may determine that the credit card cannot be used even if the available credit limit of the credit card has not been exceeded due to other reasons, such as failure to withdraw the payment.

[0057] The payment processing module 2035 processes the payment using the credit card when the result of the determination by the payment permission determination module 2034 is that payment using the credit card is possible. The payment processing module 2035 transmits, for example, information on permission (authorization permission) for information requesting payment (authorization) acquired by the payment data acquisition module 2033.

[0058] The payment processing module 2035 stores the payment data relating to the payment using the credit card in, for example, the transaction details database 2022.

[0059] In addition, if the result of the judgment by the payment possibility judgment module 2034 is that payment using the credit card is not possible, the payment processing module 2035 sends information that the information requesting payment (authorization) is not permitted (authorization not permitted) and does not perform any further processing.

[0060] The point presentation module 2036 controls the process of presenting to the user the value of points that can be used to pay for a settlement using a credit card that has been granted to the user, or the amount corresponding to the available points. For example, the point presentation module 2036 presents to the user the value of the available points or the amount corresponding to the available points by transmitting information on the value of the available points or the amount corresponding to the available points to the terminal device 10 and displaying it on the display 150. At this time, when calculating and presenting the amount corresponding to the points, the point presentation module 2036 calculates it at a predetermined allocation rate (for example, 1 point = 1 yen), but may calculate it at a rate higher than the predetermined allocation rate if predetermined conditions are met, such as increasing the allocation rate during a campaign period or increasing the allocation rate for users who have used a predetermined amount or more for settlement.

[0061] The points presentation module 2036 may also extract payment data related to payments using the credit card that can be paid with points, and present a list of the extracted payment data to the user. The points presentation module 2036 may, for example, transmit information about the list of extracted payment data to the terminal device 10 and present it to the user by displaying it on the display 150. The points presentation module 2036 may, for example, extract payment data that has not yet been paid by debit from a financial institution and that meets the conditions for payment with points, and present it to the user. Conditions for payment with points include, for example, only payment data from specific stores being eligible (excluding), excluding annual credit card fees, etc.

[0062] It should be noted that some or all of the functions of the points presentation module 2036 may not be provided if the configuration is such that points are automatically applied to payment data by the payment amount deduction processing module 2038 described below.

[0063] The point appropriation selection acceptance module 2037 controls the process of accepting application data from a user requesting payment for a credit card transaction within a specified period from points that the user has available for use in paying for a credit card transaction. The point appropriation selection acceptance module 2037 accepts application data from a user of the accounting system 1 operating the terminal device 10 to request payment from points that can be used for paying for a credit card transaction, for example.

[0064] At this time, the point appropriation selection receiving module 2037 may accept application data to pay for the selected payment data from points by selecting from the payment data using the credit card that can be paid for with points and that has been presented by the point presentation module 2036. For example, in the case of appropriation (payment) from points, if the user cannot receive a benefit (for example, one unrelated to credit card use) from the store or the like where the product was purchased or the service was provided, the user may not wish to appropriate (pay) from points. Therefore, the point appropriation selection receiving module 2037 may be configured to accept application data to pay for the selected payment data from points by selection from the user.

[0065] The payment amount deduction processing module 2038 controls the process of subtracting the value of the points awarded to the user from the amount to be debited from the financial institution account for the payment amount for the credit card payment, and generating deduction data from the user's financial institution account, in order to use (apply) the points awarded to the user to pay for a payment made using a credit card. For example, if the payment amount (payment amount) of the payment data is 10,000 yen, the value of the points awarded to the user is 1,000 points, and all points are to be applied, the payment amount deduction processing module 2038 subtracts 1,000 yen from the payment amount of 10,000 yen to make it 9,000 yen, subtracts 1,000 points from the point value to make it 0 points, and generates deduction data for 9,000 yen from the financial institution account. The payment amount deduction processing module 2038 also reflects the application of the points in the payment data stored, for example, in the transaction details database 2022.

[0066] The payment amount debit processing module 2038 may, for example, automatically apply points to the payment amount as described above, or may do so in response to a user instruction based on application data accepted by the point application selection acceptance module 2037. The payment amount debit processing module 2038 may also perform processing to pay points for selected payment data based on application data accepted by the point application selection acceptance module 2037.

[0067] The payment amount debit processing module 2038 also controls the process of sending the generated debit data from the financial institution account to the financial institution. The payment amount debit processing module 2038 sends the debit data to the server of the relevant financial institution via the communication unit 201.

[0068] The payment amount debit processing module 2038 stores the payment data in a database (not shown) that stores journal data (accounting data).

[0069] <2 Data Structure> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of user database 2021 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of transaction details database 2022 in Fig. 3.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4, each record in the user database 2021 includes an item "user ID," an item "user name," an item "credit card information," and the like.

[0071] The item "User ID" is information that identifies each user managed by the accounting system 1.

[0072] The item "user name" is information indicating the name or appellation of a user managed by the accounting system 1, and stores, for example, the name of a corporation or the name of a sole proprietor.

[0073] The item "Credit card information" is various data related to credit cards, including identification data that identifies the credit card used by the user, managed by accounting system 1. Specifically, it includes the items "card number," "card holder name," "expiration date," "available credit limit," and "points." This item "credit card information" is, for example, information that the user registered in advance when issuing the credit card.

[0074] The item "Card number" is the card number of the credit card used by the user, which is managed by the accounting system 1, and is identification data assigned by the credit card company to identify the credit card.

[0075] The item "cardholder name" is the name or title of the cardholder of the credit card used by the user, which is managed by the accounting system 1, and is data registered with the credit card company.

[0076] The "Expiration Date" field is the expiration date of the credit card used by the user, which is managed by the accounting system 1, and is data set by the credit card company when the credit card is issued.

[0077] The item "Available credit limit" is information managed by the accounting system 1 that indicates the total amount that the user can use to make payments with the credit card, and Figure 4 shows the total amount including the amount already used. The item "Available credit limit" is the amount determined and set by the credit card company as the amount that the user can use, and is data that is queried when the payment feasibility determination module 2034 determines whether or not payment using the credit card is possible.

[0078] The "points" item is information that indicates the value of points that the user can use for payment with the credit card, managed by the accounting system 1. The "points" item is the value of points that the user has earned by using the credit card to purchase products, etc., and is data that is queried when the payment amount deduction processing module 2038 applies the points.

[0079] When the accounting system 1 accepts a credit card issuance request from a user and approves the issuance, the server 20 adds a record to the user database 2021.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, each record in the transaction statement database 2022 includes an item "user ID," an item "user name," an item "transaction statement information," and the like.

[0081] The item “user ID” is information that identifies each user managed by the accounting system 1 and corresponds to the item “user ID” in the user database 2021 .

[0082] The item “user name” is information indicating the name or title of a user managed by the accounting system 1, and corresponds to the item “user name” in the user database 2021.

[0083] The item "Transaction details information" is payment data managed by accounting system 1 in which a user makes a payment using a credit card, and specifically includes the items "Transaction date," "Store name used," "Item," "Amount," and "Point allocation," etc.

[0084] The item "transaction date" is the transaction date when the user made a payment using a credit card.

[0085] The item "Name of store used" is the name of the store (including online shops) used for the transaction where the user made payment using a credit card.

[0086] The item "item" is the name of the purchased item for a transaction in which the user paid using a credit card.

[0087] The item "amount" is the amount used for a transaction where the user paid using a credit card. The item "amount" is an item that is deducted by the points when the points are applied by the payment amount deduction processing module 2038, but it may also be managed so that the amount is not deducted.

[0088] The item "point allocation" is the value of points allocated for a transaction where the user has paid using a credit card. The item "point allocation" is an item in which points are stored when points are allocated by the payment amount debit processing module 2038, but if the relationship between points and amounts is not, for example, 1 point = 1 yen, the amount corresponding to the points may be stored.

[0089] When processing payment data using a credit card, the payment processing module 2035 of the server 20 adds a record to the item "transaction detail information" in the transaction detail database 2022. In addition, the payment amount deduction processing module 2038 updates the record to the item "transaction detail information" in the transaction detail database 2022 when points are applied.

[0090] <3 operations> The point allocation process and point allocation target selection process performed by the transaction system 1 in embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0091] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the point allocation process performed by the transaction system 1.

[0092] In step S121, the payment data acquisition module 2033 of the server 20 acquires payment data, including payment amount data, relating to a payment made by a user of the accounting system 1 using a credit card. In step S121, if a user pays with a credit card when purchasing a product or receiving a service at a store, etc., information requesting payment (authorization) sent from an affiliated store terminal device installed in the store is accepted. Also, in step S121, if a user pays with a credit card when paying for online shopping on an e-commerce site, etc., information requesting payment (authorization) is accepted from a server managing the e-commerce site, etc. In step S121, the payment data is accepted and acquired via the communication unit 201 of the server 20.

[0093] In step S122, the payment permission determination module 2034 of the server 20 checks the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user based on the payment data acquired in step S121, and determines whether payment can be made using the credit card. In step S122, for example, information on the available credit limit of the user's credit card stored in the user database 2021 is checked to determine whether payment can be made.

[0094] In step S123, if the result of the determination in step S222 is that payment using the credit card is possible, the payment processing module 2035 of the server 20 processes payment using the credit card. In step S123, for example, information on permission (authorization permission) for the information requesting payment (authorization) acquired in step S121 is transmitted.

[0095] In step S124, the payment amount deduction processing module 2038 of the server 20 subtracts the value of points given to the user and the amount to be deducted from the financial institution account for the payment amount using the credit card, and generates deduction data from the user's financial institution account. In step S124, for example, the points are automatically applied to the payment amount as described above.

[0096] In step S125, the payment amount debit processing module 2038 of the server 20 transmits the debit data from the financial institution account generated in step S124 to the financial institution. In step S125, the debit data is transmitted to the server of the relevant financial institution via the communication unit 201.

[0097] As described above, when accounting system 1 acquires payment data related to a credit card payment, it determines whether the payment is possible, and if the payment is possible, it processes the payment using the credit card. The points value assigned to the user and the amount to be debited from the financial institution account for the payment made using the credit card are deducted, and debit data from the user's financial institution account is generated and sent to the server of the relevant financial institution.

[0098] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the point allocating target selection process performed by the transaction system 1.

[0099] In step S221, the point presentation module 2036 of the server 20 presents to the user the value of points that can be used to pay for a payment using the user's credit card, or the amount corresponding to the available points. Also in step S221, the point presentation module 2036 of the server 20 extracts payment data related to payments using the credit card that can be paid using the points, and presents a list of the extracted payment data to the user. In step S221, this information is sent to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 201, and is displayed on the display 150.

[0100] In step S222, the point appropriation selection receiving module 2037 of the server 20 receives application data from the user indicating that, within a predetermined period of time, the selected payment data will be paid for with points by selecting from the payment data using the credit card presented in step S221 and that payment can be made with points. In step S222, for example, the input operation receiving unit 171 of the terminal device 10 receives information on the selection of payment data entered by the user, and the transmitting / receiving unit 172 transmits this information, so that it is received via the communication unit 201 of the server 20. Subsequent processing is the same as in step S125.

[0101] As described above, the accounting system 1 presents the user with points that can be used for payments using a credit card and payment data that can be paid using points, and performs the allocation process from points based on the user's selection.

[0102] <Summary> As described above, according to this embodiment, when payment data related to a payment using a credit card is acquired, whether the payment is possible is determined, and if the payment is possible, the payment using the credit card is processed. The value of points granted to the user is deducted from the financial institution account related to the payment amount for the payment using the credit card, and debit data from the user's financial institution account is generated and sent to the server of the relevant financial institution. This makes it possible for credit card users to use points available for payment. This makes it possible to provide a variety of timing and transactions for users to use points available to credit card users.

[0103] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when a credit card user applies points earned by purchasing goods, etc. to the payment of subsequent purchases, etc., a process is performed in which the points are automatically applied at a predetermined timing. This allows the credit card user to use the points available for use without missing the opportunity to do so, even if the user is not aware of the points available for use.

[0104] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when a credit card user applies points earned by purchasing a product, etc. to the payment of a subsequent product purchase, etc., the user can select the transaction (using the credit card) to which the points will be applied. This allows the credit card user to determine the timing and transaction to which the points available for use will be applied.

[0105] Although the embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, they can be implemented in various other forms and can be implemented with various omissions, substitutions, and modifications. These embodiments and modifications, as well as those with omissions, substitutions, and modifications, are included in the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0106] <Additional Notes> The matters described in the above embodiments will be supplemented below.

[0107] (Supplementary Note 1) A program to be executed by a computer having a processor 29 and a memory 25, wherein the memory 25 stores the amount of the available credit limit of a credit card granted to a user and the value of points that can be used to pay for a payment using the credit card granted to the user, and the program causes the processor 29 to execute the following steps: acquire payment data relating to a payment using the credit card by the user, including data on the payment amount (S121); inquire about the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user based on the acquired payment data, and determine whether the payment using the credit card is possible (S122); and, if the determination result shows that the payment using the credit card is possible, process the payment using the credit card (S123); deduct the value of the points granted to the user and the amount to be debited from the financial institution account related to the amount of the payment using the credit card, in order to use the points granted to the user to pay for the payment using the credit card, and generate debit data from the user's financial institution account (S124); and send the generated debit data to the financial institution related to the financial institution account (S125).

[0108] (Appendix 2) The program described in (Appendix 1) further executes a step (S222) of accepting application data from the user indicating that payment for a credit card transaction will be made from points that the user has available for use in paying for a credit card transaction within a specified period of time.

[0109] (Appendix 3) The program further executes a step (S221) of presenting to the user a list of payment data relating to payments using a credit card that can be paid from points available to the user for payments using a credit card, and in a step of accepting application data, accepts from the user a selection of payment data relating to payments using a credit card from the list of payment data presented. (Appendix 2)

[0110] (Appendix 4) A program described in (Appendix 3), in which, in the step of presenting a list of payment data relating to payments made using a credit card, payment data relating to payments made using a credit card is extracted based on specified conditions and the list is presented.

[0111] (Appendix 5) A program described in any of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 4), further comprising a step (S221) of presenting to the user the value of points available for payment for a transaction using a credit card granted to the user, or the amount corresponding to the available points.

[0112] (Appendix 6) The program described in (Appendix 1) further executes a step of changing the ratio of points and amount when points awarded to a user are used to pay for a transaction using a credit card, based on specified conditions.

[0113] (Appendix 7) A program according to (Appendix 1), further comprising the step of registering the payment data and withdrawal data as journal data in an accounting system and storing them in memory.

[0114] (Supplementary Note 8) An information processing device comprising a control unit 203 and a memory 25 (storage unit 202), wherein the memory 25 stores the amount of the available credit limit of a credit card granted to a user and the value of points that can be used to pay for a payment using the credit card granted to the user, and the control unit 203 executes the following steps: acquiring payment data including data on the payment amount regarding a payment using the credit card by the user (S121); inquiring about the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user based on the acquired payment data and determining whether or not the payment using the credit card is possible (S122); and if the determination result shows that the payment using the credit card is possible, processing the payment using the credit card (S123); and generating debit data from the user's financial institution account by deducting the value of the points granted to the user and the amount to be debited from the financial institution account related to the amount of the payment using the credit card, in order to use the points granted to the user to pay for the payment using the credit card (S124); and transmitting the generated debit data to the financial institution related to the financial institution account (S125).

[0115] (Supplementary Note 9) A method to be executed by a computer having a processor 29 and a memory 25, wherein the memory 25 stores the amount of the available credit limit of a credit card granted to a user and the value of points that can be used to pay for a payment using the credit card granted to the user, and the method includes the steps of: acquiring payment data (S121) relating to a payment using the credit card by the user; checking the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user based on the acquired payment data and determining whether the payment using the credit card is possible (S122); and, if the determination result shows that the payment using the credit card is possible, processing the payment using the credit card (S123); and, in order to use the points granted to the user to pay for the payment using the credit card, generating debit data from the user's financial institution account (S124); and, sending the generated debit data to the financial institution associated with the financial institution account (S125). [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1: Accounting system 10: Terminal device 10A: Terminal equipment 10B: Terminal device 13: Input device 14: Output device 15: Memory 16: Storage section 19: Processor 20: Server 25: Memory 26: Storage 29: Processor 80: Network 81: Wireless base station 82: Wireless LAN router 111: Antenna 112: Antenna 121: First wireless communication unit 122: Second wireless communication unit 130: Operation reception unit 131: Keyboard 132: Mouse 140: Audio processing unit 141:Mike 142: Speaker 150: Display 160: Storage section 161: User information 170: Control unit 171: Input operation reception unit 172: Transmitter / receiver 173: Notification control section 174: Data processing section 201: Communications Department 202: Storage section 203: Control unit 2021: User Database 2022: Transaction details database 2031: Receiving control module 2032: Transmission control module 2033: Payment data acquisition module 2034: Payment approval / disapproval module 2035: Payment processing module 2036: Point presentation module 2037: Point allocation selection reception module 2038: Payment amount withdrawal processing module

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer having a processor and a memory to execute a payment process for a credit card used by a user, The memory stores the amount of the credit limit of the credit card granted to the user and the value of points that can be used for payment for a settlement using the credit card granted to the user, The program causes the processor to: acquiring payment data including data on a payment amount relating to a payment made by the user using the credit card; a step of checking the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user based on the acquired payment data and determining whether or not payment can be made using the credit card; If the result of the determination is that payment using the credit card is possible, performing a payment process using the credit card; a step of subtracting the value of the points granted to the user from the amount to be debited from the financial institution account relating to the amount of payment for the settlement using the credit card, in order to use the points granted to the user for payment for the settlement using the credit card, and generating debit data from the financial institution account of the user; and transmitting the generated withdrawal data to a financial institution associated with the financial institution account.

2. The program further comprises: The program according to claim 1, which executes a step of accepting application data from the user indicating that payment for a payment made using the credit card will be paid from points granted to the user that can be used to pay for a payment made using the credit card within a specified period of time.

3. The program further comprises: a step of presenting to the user a list of payment data relating to payments using the credit card that can be paid from points that are granted to the user and can be used for payments using the credit card; 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein in the step of accepting the application data, a selection of payment data relating to payment using the credit card is accepted from the user from a presented list of payment data.

4. 4. The program according to claim 3, wherein in the step of presenting a list of payment data relating to payments made using the credit card, payment data relating to payments made using the credit card is extracted based on predetermined conditions and the list is presented.

5. The program further comprises: A program as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, which executes a step of presenting to the user the value of points that can be used to pay for a transaction using the credit card granted to the user, or the amount corresponding to the available points.

6. The program further comprises: The program according to claim 1, which executes a step of changing the ratio of points and amount when points granted to the user are used to pay for a transaction using the credit card, based on specified conditions.

7. The program further comprises:

2. The program according to claim 1, which executes a step of registering the settlement data and withdrawal data as journal data in an accounting system and storing the data in the memory.

8. An information processing device that includes a control unit and a memory, and performs a payment process for a credit card used by a user, The memory stores the amount of the credit limit of the credit card granted to the user and the value of points that can be used for payment for a settlement using the credit card granted to the user, The control unit acquiring payment data including data on a payment amount relating to a payment made by the user using the credit card; a step of checking the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user based on the acquired payment data and determining whether or not payment can be made using the credit card; If the result of the determination is that payment using the credit card is possible, performing a payment process using the credit card; a step of subtracting the value of the points granted to the user from the amount to be debited from the financial institution account relating to the amount of payment for the settlement using the credit card, in order to use the points granted to the user for payment for the settlement using the credit card, and generating debit data from the financial institution account of the user; and transmitting the generated withdrawal data to a financial institution associated with the financial institution account.

9. A method for processing a credit card payment used by a user, the method being executed by a computer having a processor and a memory, the method comprising: The memory stores the amount of the credit limit of the credit card granted to the user and the value of points that can be used for payment for a settlement using the credit card granted to the user, The method further comprises the processor: acquiring payment data including data on a payment amount relating to a payment made by the user using the credit card; a step of checking the available credit limit of the credit card granted to the user based on the acquired payment data and determining whether or not payment can be made using the credit card; If the result of the determination is that payment using the credit card is possible, performing a payment process using the credit card; a step of subtracting the value of the points granted to the user from the amount to be debited from the financial institution account relating to the amount of payment for the settlement using the credit card, in order to use the points granted to the user for payment for the settlement using the credit card, and generating debit data from the financial institution account of the user; transmitting the generated debit data to a financial institution associated with the financial institution account.

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