Information processing device, information processing system and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, a system and a program capable of managing a payment amount of money to a group settlement account of an individual belonging to a group and an amount of money borne by each individual for settlement of the group settlement account.SOLUTION: An information processing device 100 of an information processing system 1 includes, as functions thereof, a management unit 131 that manages a group settlement account and a user belonging to a group, an allocation information registration unit 132 that registers payment information to the group settlement account as allocation information of the user in the group settlement account, and an update processing unit 133 that allocates settlement information in which the settlement for the group settlement account has been performed to the allocation information of the user belonging to the group, based on a set predetermined ratio, and that updates it by subtracting a settlement amount of money from the amount of money of the allocation information of each user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of electronic money, electronic money is used for various payments. One example of such electronic money is the so-called prepaid type, which can be used by charging an electronic money account with a value equivalent to money from cash or a credit card.

[0003] As a technology for facilitating charging such electronic money, for example, an electronic money server is known that registers a credit-registered parent mobile phone and a child mobile phone linked to the parent mobile phone as a family, and makes it easy to charge the child mobile phone from the parent mobile phone's credit card (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The electronic money server disclosed in Patent Document 1 makes it easy for users who cannot own a credit card, such as children who are dependent on their parents, to charge from their parents' credit card. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-269062 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, various payments are made not only by individuals but also by organizations. While there are no particular issues with cash payments when making group payments, electronic money payments require the issuance of an electronic money account in the name of the organization. Issuing an electronic money account in the name of an organization can be achieved, for example, by using the electronic money functionality attached to a corporate card. However, this cannot be used by groups that are not registered as corporations, such as circles or voluntary organizations to which multiple random individuals belong. Therefore, there has been a demand for electronic money that can be used for group payments, not only by organizations such as corporations, but also by groups such as circles to which multiple random individuals belong.

[0006] Furthermore, such group payments are often made with contributions from each individual member. Therefore, there has been a demand for electronic money that allows group payments, allows deposits from the electronic money accounts of each individual member, and allows management of the amount owed by each individual when a payment is made with this electronic money. However, the electronic money described in Patent Document 1 facilitates charging from a specific individual's credit card to another account, and does not support charging from each individual member of the group described above.

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure describes an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing program that can manage the amount deposited into the group payment account of individuals belonging to a group and the amount each individual owes for payments made to the group payment account. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a management unit that manages a group payment account assigned for payment by a group consisting of multiple users, an allocation information registration unit that registers the amount of deposit information to the group payment account received from one of the multiple users in the group payment account and registers it in the allocation information of the one user in the group payment account, and an update processing unit that updates the payment information to the allocation information relating to each of the multiple users based on a set predetermined ratio during payment processing targeting the group payment account. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to manage the amount deposited into the group payment account of individuals belonging to a group and the amount each individual contributes to payments made to the group payment account. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the information processing device 100 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the information processing terminal 200 of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of allocation information registration processing in the information processing system 1 of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of allocation information registration in step S102 of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of an update process in the information processing system 1 of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of credit information for making a payment in step S201 of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of determining a settlement allocation amount in step S202 of FIG. 6. [Figure 9]7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of determining the settlement allocation amount in step S202 of FIG. 6. [Figure 10] 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of determining the settlement allocation amount in step S202 of FIG. 6. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of determining the settlement allocation amount in step S202 of FIG. 6 in the case of the insufficient balance of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a schematic diagram showing another example of determining the settlement allocation amount in step S202 of FIG. 6 in the case of the insufficient balance of FIG. 10. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user withdrawal process in the information processing system 1 of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a computer 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present disclosure.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. This information processing system 1 is, by way of example and not limitation, a system for managing a group payment account assigned to a group to enable electronic money payments by a group made up of multiple users. A group assigned a group payment account does not need to be registered like a corporation, but may be a group such as a club or voluntary organization, or a group of individuals making payments for a specific purpose (for example, a group to give a gift to a specific individual).

[0013] Here, a group payment account is a payment account similar to account information for making electronic money payments, and allows payments to be made in the name of a group. This group payment account is configured to accept deposits from individual users belonging to the group, be charged, and make group payments within the charged amount. Users register their information as individuals to make electronic money payments using the information processing system 1 and obtain a user payment account. By depositing money into the user payment account and charging it, they can make individual payments within the charged amount. Furthermore, by registering part or all of the amount charged to the group payment account as allocation information, they can make payments using the group payment account of the group they belong to. In addition, deposit information from users is registered as allocation information for each user, and when a payment is made, the amount to be paid by each user is determined based on a predetermined ratio, and the amount is deducted from each user's allocation information and updated.

[0014] Additionally, a unique ID is issued to each user in a group who is assigned a group payment account to identify the user. The payment information from the user is registered as allocation information, linked to this unique ID. This unique ID is, for example, a credit card number issued to each user, and by using this credit card number, payment can be made as a credit card payment, and payment is made as a group.

[0015] In this embodiment, the electronic money used for payments to a group payment account will be described as so-called prepaid electronic money, which can be used by charging a value equivalent to money from cash or a credit card. However, this is not limited to prepaid electronic money, and so-called post-pay electronic money can also be used.

[0016] The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 100, a plurality of information processing terminals 201, 202, ..., a payment server 300, and a network NW. The information processing device 100, the information processing terminals 201, 202, ..., and the payment server 300 are connected to one another via the network NW. The network NW is a communication network for communication, and is configured by communication networks including, but not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a virtual private network (VPN), and the like. Note that the information processing terminals 201, 202, ... each have the same configuration, and will be collectively referred to as the information processing terminal 200 when describing the configuration of the information processing terminals 201, 202, ....

[0017] The information processing device 100 is a device that manages a group payment account, accepts deposit information from users and registers it in the group payment account, and updates the registration information of the group payment account based on the payment information when a payment is made to the group payment account. The information processing device 100 is configured, by way of example and not limitation, with a computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.) that provides various web services, a device including a server device, etc. The server device is not limited to a standalone server device, but may also be a distributed server system or a cloud server that cooperates by communicating via a network NW.

[0018] The information processing terminal 200 is a device with which a user makes electronic money payments for a group payment account, and is configured by, for example and not by way of limitation, a smartphone, a mobile terminal, a computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), etc. In this information processing terminal 200, for example and not by way of limitation, an app for managing electronic money in the information processing system 1 is installed, or a URL for accessing the information processing device 100 is set, and by tapping or double-clicking, etc., to start the app or display it in a browser, a payment service using electronic money is started.

[0019] The payment server 300 is a server device installed in a financial institution, a payment agency, etc. to process payments using electronic money. The payment server 300 is configured by, for example and without limitation, a computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.) that provides various web services, a device including a server device, etc. As with the information processing device 100, the server device is not limited to a standalone server device, but may be a distributed server system or a cloud server that cooperates by communicating via a network NW.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the information processing device 100 of Fig. 1. The information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit .

[0021] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the information processing terminal 200 and the payment server 300 via the network NW in a wired or wireless manner, and any communication protocol may be used as long as communication between them is possible. The communication unit 110 communicates using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), for example, but not limited to, this protocol.

[0022] The memory unit 120 stores programs and input data for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 130, and is composed of, for example, but not limited to, memory including RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and storage including HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc. The memory unit 120 also stores a G (group) payment account DB 121, a user DB 122, and a payment DB 123. The group payment account DB 121, the user DB 122, and the payment DB 123 are databases that can be accessed, referenced, and updated by programs for executing each function in the control unit 130. However, they do not need to be physically independent databases; they may be databases whose stored contents are identified by identification information, etc., and multiple physical files may be logically treated as a single database. The memory unit 120 also temporarily stores data obtained when communication is performed between the information processing terminal 200 and the payment server 300, and data generated in each process described below.

[0023] The group payment account DB 121 stores information about group payment accounts managed by the information processing system 1. Specifically, information such as the name of the group to which the group payment account is assigned and the amount that can be settled as a group (the total amount deposited by each user) is stored in association with identification information that identifies the group. In addition, information such as personal information such as the name of each user belonging to the group, deposit information, and the authority to use each user's group payment account for payments is stored in association with a unique ID that identifies each user.

[0024] User DB 122 stores registration information for users who use information processing system 1. Users register as individuals to make electronic money payments using information processing system 1, and this information is stored. Specifically, personal information such as the user's name, deposit information, and information regarding the payment method are stored. Here, the user's deposit information includes deposit information assigned to the group payment account and deposit information for the user's individual user payment account. Note that the user information stored in user DB 122 is not limited to users who belong to a group related to a group payment account, but also includes users who have only registered as individuals (or corporations).

[0025] Payment information made using a group payment account or a user payment account is stored in the payment DB 123. Specifically, information such as information on the store or e-commerce site where the payment was made, identification information of the user who made the payment (unique ID, credit card number, etc.), the date and time of the payment, and the payment amount is stored.

[0026] Furthermore, the payment DB 123 stores allocation information, that is, information on the amount of payment, of each user belonging to the group when payment is made using a group payment account.

[0027] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 120, and is configured by devices including, but not limited to, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The functions of the control unit 130 include a management unit 131, an allocation information registration unit 132, and an update processing unit 133. The management unit 131, the allocation information registration unit 132, and the update processing unit 133 are activated by a program stored in the storage unit 120 and executed by the information processing device 100.

[0028] The management unit 131 manages the group payment account and the users belonging to the group. Specifically, for example, a user using the information processing system 1 operates the information processing terminal 200 to issue an instruction to apply for a group payment account, and the group payment account is then granted to the group to which the user belongs. At this time, the user is registered as a user belonging to the group. Information about the granted group payment account is stored in the group payment account DB 121.

[0029] Furthermore, the management unit 131 registers other users as users belonging to the group in response to an operation instruction from a user belonging to the group or another user via the information processing terminal 200. At this time, the management unit 131 sets for the other users one or more of the following, by way of example and not limitation: the authority for the other users to use the group payment account for payments, the amount available for payments using the group payment account, and the purpose for which the group payment account can be used for payments. Information such as the information and authority of the other users is stored in the group payment account DB121.

[0030] Furthermore, in response to an instruction from a user belonging to a group via operation of the information processing terminal 200, the management unit 131 registers information for the user to withdraw from the group, and disables the unique ID of the withdrawing user. The process of disabling the unique ID may be performed by actually deleting the unique ID or by registering the unique ID as user information for a user who has withdrawn. At this time, the management unit 131 performs a process of returning the allocation information that the user had deposited into the group payment account. The process of returning the allocation information is performed, for example, by moving the deposit information to the user's personal user payment account. The information that disables the unique ID is stored in the group payment account DB 121. Furthermore, when the deposit information is moved to the user's personal user payment account, this is performed by updating the information stored in the user DB 122.

[0031] When a user belonging to a group operates the information processing terminal 200 to input information on deposits to the group payment account, the allocation information registration unit 132 receives the deposit information via the communication unit 110. The allocation information registration unit 132 also registers the deposit information as allocation information for that user in the group payment account. At this time, a unique ID that identifies that user is issued in association with the registered allocation information. The allocation information for that user and the issued unique ID information are stored in the group payment account DB 121. Changes to the allocation of deposit information are made by updating the information stored in the user DB 122.

[0032] When a user belonging to a group operates the information processing terminal 200, a payment for the group payment account is made and payment information related to the payment is transmitted. The update processing unit 133 receives the payment information via the communication unit 110. The payment information may be transmitted directly from the information processing terminal 200 or from the payment server 300. In this case, the payment for the group payment account is made using a unique ID, and the payment information is transmitted as information linked to the unique ID. Therefore, the group to which the user belongs is identified from the unique ID, and the payment is processed as a payment for the group payment account of this group. The update processing unit 133 also allocates the payment information to the allocation information of users belonging to the group based on a set predetermined ratio, and updates the amount of the allocation information of each user by subtracting the payment amount from the amount of the allocation information of each user. The payment information is stored in the payment DB 123. The allocation information to which the payment information has been allocated is updated by updating the information stored in the group payment account DB 121.

[0033] The allocation of payment information by the update processing unit 133 is, for example and not by way of limitation, to allocate the payment amount approximately equally to the users belonging to the group. Here, approximately equal allocation includes cases where the remainder when the payment amount is divided by the number of users is allocated to the representative, or cases where the amount is rounded down to a predetermined number of digits (for example, in the hundreds of yen unit) and allocated to each user, and the remainder is allocated to the representative.

[0034] Furthermore, the allocation of payment information by update processing unit 133 is, for example and not by way of limitation, allocated to users belonging to a group based on the proportion of the balance in the allocation information of the users. In this case, too, the remaining amount when the payment amount is allocated based on the proportion of the balance in the allocation information may be allocated to the representative, or the amount may be allocated to each user by rounding down to a predetermined number of digits (for example, in the hundreds of yen unit), and the remainder may be allocated to the representative.

[0035] Furthermore, when the update processing unit 133 allocates the payment amount to the user's allocation information and deducts the payment amount from the amount of each user's allocation information, if the allocated amount (amount to be deducted) is greater than the balance of the allocation information for some users, it reallocates and updates the allocation information for other users. Also, when the update processing unit 133 allocates the payment amount to the user's allocation information and deducts the payment amount from the amount of each user's allocation information, if the allocated amount is greater than the balance of the allocation information for some users, it cancels the payment. Such settings are made by the management unit 131 and stored in the group payment account DB 121.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the information processing terminal 200 of Fig. 1. The information processing terminal 200 includes a communication unit 210, a display unit 220, an operation unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

[0037] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the information processing device 100 and the payment server 300 via the network NW in a wired or wireless manner, and any communication protocol may be used as long as communication between them is possible. The communication unit 210 communicates using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, for example, but is not limited to this.

[0038] The display unit 220 is a user interface used to display operation details input by the user and transmission details from the information processing device 100, and is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like. In the display unit 220, the management unit 131 displays management information of the group payment account and users belonging to the group, the allocation information registration unit 132 displays deposit information, or the update processing unit 133 displays payment information.

[0039] The operation unit 230 is a user interface used by the user to input operation instructions, and is composed of a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc. The operation unit 230 is used by the management unit 131 to input management information of the group payment account and users belonging to the group, by the allocation information registration unit 132 to input deposit information, or by the update processing unit 133 to input payment information.

[0040] The storage unit 240 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 250, input data, etc., and is configured by, but not limited to, memories including RAM, ROM, etc., and storages including HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc. The storage unit 240 also temporarily stores data communicated with the information processing device 100.

[0041] The control unit 250 controls the overall operation of the information processing terminal 200 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 240, and is configured by devices including, but not limited to, a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC, and an FPGA. The control unit 250 has an update information transmission unit 251 as a function thereof. This update information transmission unit 251 is activated by a program stored in the storage unit 240 and executed by the information processing terminal 200.

[0042] The update information transmission unit 251 performs payment using the group payment account in response to a user operation, and transmits the payment information to the information processing device 100 and the payment server 300 via the communication unit 210. For example, the update information transmission unit 251 performs payment by causing the display unit 220 to display a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) in which payment information is embedded, and reading the displayed barcode or QR code when making payment at a store.

[0043] <Processing flow> An example of the flow of processing executed by the information processing device 100 of the information processing system 1 will be described below. First, the flow of allocation information registration processing executed by the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the allocation information registration processing in the information processing system 1 of Fig. 1.

[0044] In the process of step S101 , the user operates the operation unit 230 of the information processing terminal 200 to input deposit information to the group payment account, and this is transmitted to the information processing device 100 via the communication unit 210 .

[0045] In step S102, the allocation information registration unit 132 of the information processing device 100 receives information about deposits to the group payment account via the communication unit 110, and registers the deposit information as allocation information for the user in the group payment account. At this time, a unique ID that identifies the user is issued in association with the registered allocation information. The user's allocation information and the issued unique ID information are stored in the group payment account DB 121.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of allocation information registration in step S102 of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, user A, a user of the information processing system 1, registers information as an individual to make electronic money payments and obtains a user payment account UA. A credit card number is issued to the user payment account UA for payment purposes, and by registering it in the information processing terminal 200, payments can be made using the information processing terminal 200. In the example shown in FIG. 5, card M and card N are registered as credit card numbers. When the user payment account UA is charged with cash or the like, the amount is first registered as an unallocated amount, which is not allocated to a credit card. The amount becomes available for payment by allocating it to the credit card number registered in the user payment account UA. In the example shown in FIG. 5, 5,000 yen is registered as the unallocated amount, 5,000 yen is registered as the allocated amount to card M, and 7,000 yen is registered as the allocated amount to card N.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, user A belongs to group X, which has been assigned a group payment account GA. Group X also includes users B and C. User A can allocate 5,000 yen, which is registered as an unallocated amount, by depositing it into the group payment account GA, and make a payment using the group payment account GA. In the example shown in FIG. 5, 10,000 yen is registered as user A's allocation information in the group payment account GA. When the 5,000 yen registered as the unallocated amount is deposited into the group payment account GA, user A's allocation information in the group payment account GA is updated to 15,000 yen. The same is true for users B and C, who belong to group X; users B and C also have user payment accounts, and can deposit all or part of the unallocated amount into the group payment account GA of group X to register it as allocation information.

[0048] In the process of step S103, the allocation information registration unit 132 of the information processing device 100 updates the information of the entire group in the group payment account with the deposit information from the user. As shown in FIG. 5, the total amount of the allocation information of each user in group X is registered as the total amount in the information of the group payment account GA. In other words, this amount is the settlement amount of the group payment account GA. Therefore, when the allocation information of each user is updated, the total amount information is also updated.

[0049] Next, the flow of the update process executed by the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the update process in the information processing system 1 of Fig. 1.

[0050] In the processing of step S201, the update information transmission unit 251 of the information processing terminal 200 performs payment using the group payment account when the user operates the operation unit 230, and therefore transmits payment information to the information processing device 100 and the payment server 300 via the communication unit 210. The update processing unit 133 of the information processing device 100 accepts the transmitted payment information via the communication unit 110.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of credit information for making a payment in step S201 of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, user A, user B, and user C, who belong to group X related to group payment account GA, have registered 10,000 yen, 8,000 yen, and 4,000 yen as allocation information, respectively. In addition, user A, user B, and user C have been issued unique IDs, card numbers CN1, CN2, and CN3. These unique IDs are issued by allocation information registration unit 132. When making a payment in step S201, user A, user B, and user C can make the payment using card numbers CN1, CN2, and CN3.

[0052] 7, for card numbers CN1, CN2, and CN3 issued to user A, user B, and user C, one or more of the following can be set: the authority for the user to use the group payment account for payments, the amount available for payments using the group payment account, and the purpose for which the group payment account can be used for payments. This makes it possible to limit the amount available, the purpose of use, etc., depending on the user.

[0053] In step S202, the update processing unit 133 of the information processing device 100 allocates the amount of the payment information accepted in step S201 to the allocation information of the users belonging to the group based on a set predetermined ratio.

[0054] In step S203, the update processing unit 133 of the information processing device 100 subtracts the payment information amount allocated in step S202 from the amount of allocation information of each user to update the amount. A specific example of the predetermined ratio at which the payment information amount is allocated will be described below.

[0055] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of determining the payment allocation amount in step S202 of Fig. 6. The example shown in Fig. 8 is an example in which the payment amount is allocated approximately equally to each user. Here, the example shown in Fig. 8 shows an example in which user A makes a payment using card number CN1 in step S201, but the same applies when user B uses card number CN2 or when user C uses card number CN3. When user A makes a payment of 6,000 yen using card number CN1, in the example shown in Fig. 8, the payment amount is allocated approximately equally to users A, B, and C who belong to group X, i.e., 2,000 yen is allocated to each user.

[0056] 8, the allocation information for users A, B, and C who belong to group X related to group payment account GA1 before the update in step S203 is registered as 10,000 yen, 8,000 yen, and 4,000 yen, respectively. Since 2,000 yen is allocated to each of this allocation information as the payment amount burden, the allocation information for users A, B, and C related to group payment account GA2 after the update in step S203 becomes 8,000 yen, 6,000 yen, and 2,000 yen, respectively, and the allocation information is updated to these amounts.

[0057] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another example of determining the payment allocation amount in step S202 of Fig. 6. The example shown in Fig. 9 is an example in which the payment amount is allocated to each user based on the proportion of the balance in the user's allocation information. When user A makes a payment of 8,000 yen using card number CN1, in the example shown in Fig. 9, the payment amount is allocated to users A, B, and C who belong to group X based on the proportion of the balance in the allocation information before the user's allocation information was updated.

[0058] In the example shown in Figure 9, the allocation information for user A, user B, and user C belonging to group X related to group payment account GA3 before the update in step S203 is registered as 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 5,000 yen, respectively. Therefore, based on this ratio, the payment amount of 8,000 yen is allocated to user A, user B, and user C as 4,000 yen, 2,000 yen, and 2,000 yen, respectively. In step S203, this amount is deducted, so the allocation information for user A, user B, and user C related to group payment account GA4 after the update in step S203 becomes 6,000 yen, 3,000 yen, and 3,000 yen, respectively, and the allocation information is updated to these amounts.

[0059] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of determining the payment allocation amount in step S202 of Fig. 6. The example shown in Fig. 10 is similar to the example shown in Fig. 8, and is an example in which the payment amount is allocated approximately equally to each user. When user A makes a payment of 6,000 yen using card number CN1, in the example shown in Fig. 10, the payment amount is allocated approximately equally to users A, B, and C who belong to group X, i.e., 2,000 yen is allocated to each user.

[0060] In the example shown in Figure 10, the allocation information for users A, B, and C who belong to group X related to group payment account GA5 before the update in step S203 is registered as 10,000 yen, 4,000 yen, and 1,000 yen, respectively. 2,000 yen is allocated to each of these allocation information as payment contributions, but because the amount in user C's allocation information is insufficient, the 2,000 yen payment contribution cannot be deducted. Therefore, step S203 is processed as shown in the example below.

[0061] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of determining the payment allocation amount in step S202 of Fig. 6 in the case of the insufficient balance in Fig. 10. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the amount in the allocation information for user C is less than 2,000 yen, which is the amount of the payment amount to be borne, and therefore 2,000 yen, which is the amount of the payment amount to be borne, cannot be deducted. Therefore, the update processing unit 133 reallocates the amount within the allocation information related to other users and updates the allocation information related to other users.

[0062] In the example shown in FIG. 11, the allocation information for users A, B, and C belonging to group X related to group payment account GA5 before the update in step S203 is registered as 10,000 yen, 4,000 yen, and 1,000 yen, respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, user C's allocation information amount is only 1,000 yen, and the 2,000 yen payment burden cannot be deducted. Therefore, the remaining 1,000 yen is deducted from user C's balance. For users A and B, the remaining 1,000 yen is reallocated from user C's burden after subtracting the deducted 1,000 yen, and 500 yen is added to each. Therefore, the payment amount of 6,000 yen is allocated to users A, B, and C as 2,500 yen, 2,500 yen, and 1,000 yen, respectively. In step S203, this amount is deducted, so the allocation information for user A, user B, and user C related to group payment account GA7 after the update in step S203 becomes 7,500 yen, 1,500 yen, and 0 yen, respectively, and the allocation information is updated to these amounts.

[0063] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing another example of determining the payment allocation amount in step S202 of Fig. 6 in the case of the insufficient balance in Fig. 10. In the example shown in Fig. 12, as in the example shown in Fig. 11, the amount in the allocation information for user C is less than the 2,000 yen burden of the payment amount, and therefore the 2,000 yen burden of the payment amount cannot be deducted. Therefore, the update processing unit 133 cancels the payment.

[0064] In the example shown in Figure 12, the allocation information for users A, B, and C belonging to group X related to group payment account GA5 before the update in step S203 is registered as 10,000 yen, 4,000 yen, and 1,000 yen, respectively. As shown in Figure 12, the amount in user C's allocation information is only 1,000, and the 2,000 yen payment amount cannot be deducted, so the payment is canceled. In this case, for example, user C deposits the shortfall amount into the allocation information, and the payment is made again.

[0065] Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a user withdrawal process executed by the information processing system 1 will be described.

[0066] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a user withdrawal process in the information processing system 1 of FIG. 1. The example illustrated in FIG. 13 illustrates a case in which user C, among users A, B, and C who belong to group X, withdraws from group X. When the user operates the operation unit 230 of the information processing terminal 200 to withdraw from group X, withdrawal information is transmitted to the information processing device 100 via the communication unit 210. The management unit 131 of the information processing device 100 registers information for user C to withdraw from the group in the group payment account GA9 and makes the unique ID unusable for user C. At this time, the management unit 131 performs a process to refund 4,000 yen of the allocation information that user C deposited into the group payment account. The process of refunding 4,000 yen is performed, for example, by transferring 4,000 yen to user C's personal user payment account.

[0067] <Effects> (1) As described above, the information processing device according to this embodiment includes a management unit that manages a group payment account assigned for payments made by a group of multiple users, an allocation information registration unit that registers the amount of deposit information for the group payment account received from one of the multiple users in the group payment account and registers it in the allocation information for that one user in the group payment account, and an update processing unit that updates the payment information to the allocation information for each of the multiple users based on a set predetermined ratio during payment processing for the group payment account. This makes it possible to manage the amounts deposited into the group payment account of individual users who belong to the group and the amount each user is responsible for paying for payments made to the group payment account.

[0068] (2) In addition to the configuration of (1) above, a group payment account can be used for payments by multiple users. A unique ID that identifies the multiple users is issued, and the allocation information registration unit registers the unique ID in association with the allocation information of the multiple users. This allows a credit card number, an example of a unique ID, to be issued to each user who is a member of the group, allowing each user to make payments as a group.

[0069] (3) In addition to the configuration described in (2) above, when a payment is made using a unique ID, the update processing unit identifies one user from the payment information using the unique ID and updates the allocation information for each user as a payment process for a group payment account. This allows a card number to be issued to each user who is a member of the group, and when a payment is made using that card number, the group is identified from the card number, allowing each user to make a payment as a group.

[0070] (4) In addition to the configuration described in (1) above, the management unit, upon instruction from one of the multiple users, assigns one or more of the following to other users: the authority to use the group payment account for payments, the available amount of the group payment account, and the purpose for which the group payment account can be used. This simplifies the process of assigning payment authority, the available amount, and the purpose for which the group payment account can be used to other users within the group. It also simplifies the management of those with decision-making authority within the group.

[0071] (5) In addition to the configuration described in (1) above, the management unit registers information about a user who has left the group and registers refund information for returning the amount deposited in the allocation information of the user to the user. This simplifies the process of refunding the charge amount to a user who has left the group, making it easy to respond to a decrease in the number of members.

[0072] (6) In addition to the configuration described in (1) above, when updating the payment information for the group payment account to the allocation information, if the updated amount of the allocation information is greater than the balance of the allocation information for some of the users, the update processing unit reallocates and updates the allocation information for other users of the users. This makes it possible to easily process the reallocation when making a payment for the group payment account even if some users have insufficient balances.

[0073] (7) In addition to the configuration described in (1) above, when updating the payment information for the group payment account to the allocation information, if the updated amount of the allocation information is greater than the balance of the allocation information for some of the users, the update processing unit suspends the payment processing for the group payment account. This makes it possible to swiftly suspend payment for the group payment account if some of the users have insufficient balances.

[0074] (8) In addition to the configuration described in (1) above, when updating the payment information for the group payment account to allocation information, the update processing unit allocates the amount related to the payment information approximately equally and updates each of the allocation information. This makes it easy to allocate the amount equally to each user when making a payment for the group payment account.

[0075] (9) In addition to the configuration described in (1) above, when updating the payment information for the group payment account to allocation information, the update processing unit allocates the amount related to the payment information to the multiple allocation information based on the balance ratios of the multiple allocation information and updates each of them. This makes it easy to allocate based on the balance ratios of each user at the time of payment when making a payment for the group payment account.

[0076] (10) An information processing system according to this embodiment includes an information processing device and an information processing terminal that operates the information processing device. The information processing device includes a management unit that manages a group payment account assigned for payments made by a group of multiple users, an allocation information registration unit that registers the amount of deposit information for the group payment account received from one of the multiple users in the group payment account and registers the amount in the allocation information for the one user in the group payment account, and an update processing unit that updates the payment information to the allocation information for each of the multiple users based on a set predetermined ratio when processing a payment for the group payment account. The information processing terminal includes an update information transmission unit that performs various payments using the group payment account and transmits the payment information to the information processing device. This makes it possible to manage the amounts deposited into the group payment account of individual users who belong to the group and the amounts each user contributes to payments using the group payment account. Furthermore, the system can be configured using the information processing terminals used by the users.

[0077] (Embodiment 2 (program)) 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer (electronic calculator) 700. The computer 700 includes a CPU 701, a main storage device 702, an auxiliary storage device 703, and an interface 704.

[0078] Here, a control program (information processing program) for realizing each function constituting the management unit 131, allocation information registration unit 132, and update processing unit 133 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. These functional blocks are implemented in a computer 700. The operation of each of these components is stored in the auxiliary storage device 703 in the form of a program. The CPU 701 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 703, loads it into the main storage device 702, and executes the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program. The CPU 701 also allocates storage areas in the main storage device 702 corresponding to the above-mentioned storage units in accordance with the program.

[0079] Specifically, the program is a control program that, on a computer 700, realizes the following steps: a management step of managing a group payment account assigned for payment by a group consisting of multiple users; an allocation information registration step of registering the amount of deposit information to the group payment account received from one of the multiple users in the group payment account and registering it in the allocation information of the one user in the group payment account; and an update processing step of updating the payment information to the allocation information of each of the multiple users based on a set predetermined ratio when processing a payment for the group payment account.

[0080] The auxiliary storage device 703 is an example of a non-transitory tangible medium. Other examples of non-transitory tangible media include a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a semiconductor memory connected via the interface 704. When the program is distributed to the computer 700 via a network, the computer 700 that receives the program may load the program into the main storage device 702 and execute the above-described processing.

[0081] The program may also be a program for realizing part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that realizes the above-described functions in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 703.

[0082] <Effects> (11) As described above, the information processing program of this embodiment causes a computer to execute the following steps: a management step of managing a group payment account assigned for payments made by a group of multiple users; an allocation information registration step of registering the amount of deposit information for the group payment account received from one of the multiple users in the group payment account and registering it in the allocation information for that one user in the group payment account; and an update processing step of updating the payment information to the allocation information for each of the multiple users based on a set predetermined ratio during payment processing for the group payment account. This makes it possible to manage the amounts deposited into the group payment account of individual users who belong to the group and the amount each user is responsible for paying for payments made to the group payment account.

[0083] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Information processing system, 100 Information processing device, 110 Communication unit, 120 Memory unit, 121 G (group) payment account DB, 122 User DB, 123 Payment DB, 130 Control unit, 131 Management unit, 132 Allocation information registration unit, 133 Update processing unit, 201, 202, (200) Information processing terminal, 210 Communication unit, 220 Display unit, 230 Operation unit, 240 Memory unit, 250 Control unit, 300 Payment server, NW Network

Claims

1. a management unit that manages a group payment account that is assigned for payment by a group consisting of a plurality of users; an allocation information registration unit that registers the amount of deposit information to the group payment account received from one of the plurality of users in the group payment account and registers it in the allocation information of the one user in the group payment account; An information processing device comprising: an update processing unit that updates payment information to the allocation information relating to each of the multiple users based on a set predetermined ratio during payment processing targeting the group payment account.

2. a unique ID that can be used for payments by the plurality of users targeting the group payment account and that identifies the plurality of users is issued; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the allocation information registration unit registers the unique ID in association with the allocation information of the plurality of users.

3. The information processing device described in claim 2, wherein when a payment is made using the unique ID, the update processing unit identifies one user from the payment information using the unique ID and updates the allocation information relating to each of the multiple users as a payment process targeting the group payment account.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit, upon instruction from one of the plurality of users, sets one or more of the following for other users: authority to use the group payment account for payments, the available amount of the group payment account, and the purpose for which the group payment account can be used.

5. 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit registers information on withdrawal of one of the plurality of users from the group, and registers refund information for refunding the amount deposited in the allocation information of the one user to the one user.

6. 6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when updating the payment information targeted at the group payment account to the allocation information, if the updated amount of the allocation information is greater than the balance of the allocation information relating to some of the multiple users, the update processing unit reallocates and updates the allocation information relating to other users of the multiple users.

7. 6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when updating the payment information for the group payment account to the allocation information, the update processing unit cancels the payment processing for the group payment account if the updated amount of the allocation information is greater than the balance of the allocation information for some of the multiple users.

8. 8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when updating the payment information for the group payment account to the allocation information, the update processing unit allocates the amount related to the payment information approximately equally and updates each of the multiple pieces of allocation information.

9. 8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when updating the payment information targeted at the group payment account to the allocation information, the update processing unit allocates the amount related to the payment information to the plurality of allocation information based on the balance ratio of the plurality of allocation information and updates each of the plurality of allocation information.

10. An information processing system including an information processing device and an information processing terminal that operates the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a management unit that manages a group payment account that is assigned for payment by a group consisting of a plurality of users; an allocation information registration unit that registers the amount of deposit information to the group payment account received from one of the plurality of users in the group payment account and registers it in the allocation information of the one user in the group payment account; an update processing unit that updates payment information to the allocation information related to each of the plurality of users based on a set predetermined ratio during payment processing for the group payment account; The information processing terminal An information processing system comprising an update information transmission unit that performs various payments using the group payment account and transmits the payment information to the information processing device.

11. An information processing program, a management step of managing a group payment account assigned for payments made by a group of multiple users; an allocation information registration step of registering the amount of deposit information to the group payment account received from one of the plurality of users in the group payment account and registering it in the allocation information of the one user in the group payment account; and an update processing step for updating the payment information to the allocation information relating to the plurality of users based on a set predetermined ratio during payment processing for the group payment account.

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