Service providing apparatus, service providing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a service which is highly convenient for a user in providing a gift.SOLUTION: Acquiring, in response to a user's operation on an electronic payment application, information indicating a member store arbitrarily selected by the user from among member stores of an electronic payment service, purchase information indicating that an electronic gift available at the member store is purchased by using the electronic payment service using the electronic payment application, and identification information of another user who gives the electronic gift, associating the electronic gift with the identification information of the other user managed by the electronic payment service, and providing information indicating that the electronic gift has been given to the electronic payment application of the other user. A processing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a service providing device, a service providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An information processing system that allows company employees to easily give digital gifts during work hours has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This information processing system displays a list of multiple digital gifts on a business communication tool used by a user, and when a gift giving request is received from the business communication tool requesting that a digital gift selected by the user on the list be given to another user, the system determines whether or not the user has the right for the selected digital gift based on stored gift right information, and if it determines that the user has the right, it requests the digital gift providing system to issue the digital gift and updates the gift right information in response to the issuance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7075164 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the prior art, there are cases where services that provide electronic gifts are not sufficiently convenient for users.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a service providing device, a service providing method, and a program that can provide a service that is highly convenient for users when it comes to providing electronic gifts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a service providing device that includes a processing unit that, in response to a user's operation on an electronic payment app, acquires information indicating a member store selected by the user from among the member stores of an electronic payment service, purchase information indicating that an electronic gift that can be used at the member store is purchased using an electronic payment service that utilizes the electronic payment app, and identification information of another user who will give the electronic gift, associates the electronic gift with the identification information of the other user managed by the electronic payment service, and provides information indicating that the electronic gift has been given to the electronic payment app of the other user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a service providing device, a service providing method, and a program that can provide a service that is highly convenient for users in terms of gift provision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of gift information 173. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen provided to a user. [Figure 9]10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by payment application 20 and payment server 100. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF3 displayed on the display unit of the recipient's user terminal device 10. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an interface screen IF1#. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of recommendation information 178. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF4 relating to fees. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. [Figure 15] This is an interface screen IF21 for selecting a recipient. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF22. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF23. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF24. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF25. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF26 for selecting a method for sending a gift. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM28. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a service providing device, a service providing method, and a program of the present invention will be described. Various devices, such as the "server" mentioned below, that provide services to users and perform internal analysis may be realized by a group of distributed devices, and each device may be operated by a different business. Furthermore, the hardware owner (the cloud server provider) and the business that actually operates the device may also be different. An application program and a payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment app. An electronic payment service is a service that supports payments for the purchase of goods and services at a store. A store is, for example, a physical store (real store) existing in real space, but may also include a virtual store for e-commerce. Virtual stores may also include stores operated by entities other than the operator of the electronic payment service. In such cases, when making a payment for a purchase at a virtual store, the user is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In an electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, a member store (brand), and when a purchase is made at a store, processing such as payment is primarily conducted between the user and the member store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be conducted between the user and the store.

[0010] [Electronic payment service] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic payment system in which an electronic payment service is realized. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. The electronic payment system that realizes the electronic payment service includes, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and the payment server 100. These devices communicate, for example, via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), wireless base stations, provider devices, and networks of payment systems such as credit cards.

[0011] Some or all of the functional components included in the electronic payment system may be distributed across multiple devices in any form, or may be integrated into any device. For example, some or all of the functional components of the payment server 100 may be included in another device.

[0012] [User terminal device] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input acceptance function, and a program execution function. In the following description, components for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment app 20, which operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to users. The payment app 20 is installed on the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0013] [First store terminal device] The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. The store code image 60 may be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0014] [Second store terminal device] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc. An interface for affiliated stores 72 runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface for affiliated stores 72 may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface for affiliated stores 72 accepts coupon settings and the like from the operator of the affiliated store and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image and reading the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

[0015] [Payment server] The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case payment information is sent from the POS device via the affiliated store server to the payment server 100. In the following explanation, this distinction will not be made and it is assumed that payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

[0016] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns for electronic payment: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.

[0017] In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is the domain of the electronic payment service to which store identification information has been added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described below). The payment application 20 sends first payment information including the store URL and account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described below) using the affiliated store ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and store name information (S3), and sends this to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen displaying the affiliated store name and store name (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 makes the electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment app 20 (S8), and the payment app 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that when the store code image 60 is displayed on a display installed in the store, the store code image 60 may include information on the payment amount in addition to the store URL. In this case, the step of the user inputting the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and store name may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0018] In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, the payment app 20 sends a request to issue a one-time code to the payment server 100 when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, at the automatic update timing (e.g., every minute), and at other timings (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image, such as a QR code or barcode, generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first in-store terminal device 50, and the first in-store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). The first in-store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode, manually entering it, etc. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs electronic payment (S17). Then, the payment server 100 sends a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0019] Note that electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Furthermore, the "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information. Furthermore, issuing a one-time code may be omitted in store scanning, and the payment application 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In this case, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0020] [Payment server functional configuration] 4 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information processing unit (processing unit) 140, and a storage unit 170. The components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an SOC (System On Chip), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device with a non-transitory storage medium), or may be stored in a removable storage medium (a non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device.

[0021] The storage unit 170 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172 including gift information 173, content information 174, affiliated store / shop information 176, etc. Some of this information may be stored in the storage unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0022] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW, and is, for example, a network interface card.

[0023] The content providing unit 120 has, for example, a web server function, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The content providing unit 120 reads out necessary content from the content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100. The above content may be generated by the payment application 20. In this case, the content providing unit 120 provides the payment application 20 with information necessary for generating the content.

[0024] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0025] [User information] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. User information 172 is an example of user registration information. User information 172 includes, for example, a user URL, account ID, telephone number, and password, as well as associated information such as email address, user ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit card payment settings, credit card limit, credit card payment amount, available credit card payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, and payment history information. The user URL is used for remittance processing between users. Registration of a telephone number and password is required when registering for an electronic payment service. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID can be set by the user (or does not have to be set). Similarly, the email address, name, address, and date of birth can be set by the user (or do not have to be set). The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created). Hereinafter, the user's instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0026] The charge balance indicates the balance of electronic money set by the user by transferring funds to the account in advance. Transfer methods include transfers from a designated bank's ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) or from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting indicates whether the settings for electronic credit payment have been completed and is set to either "Completed" or "Not Completed." The credit payment limit is the monthly credit payment limit. The credit payment amount is the amount of credit payment already used in the current month. The available credit payment amount is the amount of credit payment available in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment amount from the credit payment limit. While the figure shows only one credit payment limit, in reality, there may also be daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. Further details on credit payments will be discussed later. The payment method setting indicates whether the user will currently make electronic payments using the charge balance or by credit payment. The bank account and credit card number are information on the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user's previous transfers to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information that shows the breakdown of payments made by the user for each payment (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.).

[0027] User information 172 includes gift information 173. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of gift information 173. Gift information 173 is, for example, information indicating gifts that a user can use and information (not shown) about gifts that the user has used. FIG. 6 shows gift information 173 for a specific user. Gift information 173 is, for example, information that associates a gift ID, the number of gifts, the available amount, the expiration date, and the affiliated stores where the gift can be used. Gifts include gifts issued by local governments or specific providers, and electronic gifts given to users by other users. For example, electronic gifts (gifts) are sent and received between users using the functions of payment app 20 in the electronic payment service.

[0028] [Affiliated store / store information] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. The affiliated store / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which an affiliated store ID and a store ID are associated with a store URL, a second table 176B in which an affiliated store ID is associated with an affiliated store name and sales amount (described above), and a third table 176C in which a store ID is associated with a store name. In addition to this information, the affiliated store / store information 176 may also include information such as the category of the affiliated store or store, the store's location, and payment patterns.

[0029] [Electronic Payment] When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 130 references the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For users whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance," the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows: For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the affiliated store's sales proceeds. The item value of the affiliated store's sales proceeds is not itself used as electronic money, for example, but rather the amount corresponding to the item value of the sales proceeds is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

[0030] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payments for users whose "setting information" is set to "credit card payment" as follows. Credit card payment is a payment method in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service. The operator of the electronic payment service acts as the creditor, allowing electronic payments within the credit card payment limit and independent of the remaining balance. To receive the credit card payment service, a user may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The amount used for credit card payment is settled in full on the following month's payment date, for example, by debit from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 makes a provisional payment by adding the payment amount to the credit card payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the available credit card balance. On the closing date, the payment processing unit 130 performs the process described above to debit the current month's payment on the following month's payment date, or requests the credit card company operator to perform this process. If the payment amount exceeds the available credit card balance at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment app 20.

[0031] The information processing unit 140 acquires information provided by other server devices and terminal devices. The information processing unit 140 manages user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. The information processing unit 140 adds new records to, edits, deletes, etc., the user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176.

[0032] [overview] This embodiment provides a service that allows users to create original gifts tailored to the recipient and occasion, easily send the created gifts to recipients by user-to-user transmission (via P2P), and the recipients can use the received gifts with electronic payment services. In response to a user's operation on the payment application 20, the payment server 100 acquires information indicating a member store arbitrarily selected by the user from among member stores of the electronic payment service, purchase information indicating that the user will purchase an electronic gift that can be used at the member store using the electronic payment service using the payment application 20, and identification information of the other user to whom the electronic gift will be sent.

[0033] The payment server 100 associates the electronic gift with the identification information of the other user managed by the electronic payment service, and provides information indicating that the electronic gift has been given to the payment application 20 of the other user.

[0034] A user can send a gift to another user that can be used at any participating store by selecting any participating store from among all participating stores of the electronic payment service. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to select from participating stores that have given their consent.

[0035] [Interface screen (1)] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an interface screen provided to a user. The payment server 100 displays interface screen IF1 on the display unit. Interface screen IF1 is a screen that is displayed, for example, when a user (sender) performs an operation to send a gift. Interface screen IF1 includes, for example, a screen for selecting affiliated stores, brands, and amounts at which gifts can be used. When a user selects an affiliated store and then creates a message on a specific screen or decides on a design for sending the gift, interface screen IF2 is displayed. The gifts on interface screen IF2 are, for example, gifts that can be used at affiliated store A.

[0036] The payment server 100 accepts the message entered by the user and the design specified by the user, and generates an electronic gift with a design that includes the message. The payment server 100 sends the generated gift to the payment app 20 of another user specified by the user using the functions of the electronic payment service. Specifically, this is implemented as follows: The interface screen IF2 includes a design including a birthday celebration message, etc., and a button for sending between users (P2P). When this button is operated, the payment server 100 sends the gift with the design to the other user. After operating the button, when the user enters the recipient's identification information (phone number, account ID, etc.), the payment server 100 associates the gift information (gift ID) with the recipient's identification information and manages it as gift information 173. The payment server 100 then provides the gift to the payment app 20 of the other user.

[0037] As described above, users can freely select a participating store, brand, and amount, create a gift with a desired design and message, and give it to another user. For example, in this embodiment, all participating stores of the electronic payment service are eligible for gifts, so users can provide other users with gifts that can be used at a nearby store or a lesser-known store that they would like to recommend. In this way, users can freely select a participating store from a huge number of participating stores and create and give gifts.

[0038] The payment server 100 can, for example, generate gifts that can be used at affiliated stores corresponding to one or more brands and categories of affiliated stores selected by a user, and provide the generated gifts to other users. For example, a user can generate gifts that can be used at brand XX and also at stores in category △△. More specifically, a sender can issue gifts for one or more brands, one or more categories, or affiliated stores of a combination thereof. In this way, original gifts can be issued by selecting brands, categories, and combining multiple brands, categories, and affiliated stores. For example, a gift can be issued that can be used in a combination such as "XX Fashion" for the brand, "Streaming Service (Video Streaming Service A, Video Streaming Service B)" for the category, and "XX Cafe" for the affiliated store. Users can create original gifts by selecting the desired concept. For example, a "Relaxing at Home Set" (a gift that can be used at affiliated stores of food delivery services, video streaming services, etc.) can be issued by freely combining affiliated stores of desired brands and categories.

[0039] [Sequence diagram] 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment application 20 and the payment server 100. First, in response to a request from the payment application 20 (gift sender), the payment server 100 displays a screen for selecting a gift (e.g., interface screen IF1) on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 (S100). Next, the payment application 20 accepts the user's selection of an affiliated store and an amount (S102).

[0040] Next, the payment server 100 transmits the selection result to the payment server 100 (S104). Next, the payment server 100 performs payment for the gift purchase and registers the gift (S106). The payment server 100 sells the electronic gift by paying using a payment method associated with the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service. For example, the payment server 100 registers the gift by associating a gift ID with the identification information of another user. Payment for the gift purchase is made using, for example, electronic payment from an electronic payment service. For example, when a user selects a payment method such as balance payment or credit card payment and performs an operation on the payment app 20 to execute the electronic payment, the payment server 100 cooperates with the payment app 20 to execute the electronic payment for the gift purchase.

[0041] Next, the payment server 100 sends the registered gift to the other specified user (S108). The payment app 20 (recipient) of the other user receives the gift sent by the payment server 100 (S108). In response to the payment, the payment server 100 associates the electronic gift with the identification information of the other user managed by the electronic payment service, and provides information indicating that the electronic gift has been sent to the payment app 20 of the other user. For example, the payment server 100 sends information indicating that the gift has been sent to the payment app 20 of the other user, and displays an interface screen including the gift and a message on the display unit in response to a predetermined operation.

[0042] As described above, the payment application 20 and the payment server 100 work together, allowing users to seamlessly and freely select affiliated stores and give gifts to other users.

[0043] [Interface screen (2)] 10 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF3 displayed on the display unit of the recipient's user terminal device 10. The interface screen IF3 includes, for example, information indicating a birthday celebration, information about affiliated stores where gifts can be used, a message from the sender, etc. The design of the interface screen IF3 is created by the sender's user.

[0044] When a button for returning a message included in interface screen IF3 is operated, payment application 20 displays an interface screen for inputting a message on the display unit of the recipient's user terminal device 10. The recipient's user can input a message on the interface screen and send it to payment application 20 of the sender.

[0045] As described above, a recipient can send a gift through the electronic payment service, and can send a message in response to receiving the gift to the sender user through the electronic payment service using payment application 20. In this way, the recipient and sender can seamlessly send gifts and messages.

[0046] [Interface screen (3)] The payment server 100 may allow the sender user to select an affiliated store from various viewpoints or criteria when selecting a gift, without having to select the affiliated store directly. The payment server 100 refers to the recommendation information 178 (reference information) and displays multiple criteria (criteria information) for selecting an affiliated store on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. The payment server 100 displays multiple item information according to the criteria selected by the user on the display unit, and recommends one or more affiliated stores according to the item information selected by the user on the display unit. The multiple criteria include the occasion for giving the gift, the recipient, and the gift category.

[0047] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of interface screen IF1#. Interface screen IF1# is, for example, a screen for selecting a member store for gifts. Interface screen IF1# includes, for example, buttons for selecting a member store based on the following criteria: "Select by occasion," "Select by recipient," "Select by category," "Select by brand," "Select by member store," "Select by store you have visited," "Select from map," etc. Payment server 100 refers to recommendation information 178 and recommends member stores according to the criteria selected by the user.

[0048] The above criteria are merely examples, and the above criteria may be combined. For example, the criteria may be "scene and recipient."

[0049] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of recommendation information 178. Recommendation information 178 is information that associates, for example, criteria (occasion, recipient, category), item information, and one or more affiliated stores that are the target of recommendation. The occasions include birth, birthday, entrance to school, graduation, New Year's gift (seasonal event), etc. The recipients include a relative, father, mother, colleague, etc. The categories include item information such as relaxation, celebration, return gift, thank you, small gift, and pocket money. When a user selects a criterion, the payment server 100 displays item information according to the criterion. The payment server 100 recommends affiliated stores that correspond to the item information selected by the user. For example, when a user selects the category "thank you," the payment server 100 recommends gifts from affiliated stores that offer relaxation, such as massage parlors, beauty salons, and spas.

[0050] As the item information of "select from brand", for example, a chain store brand is associated. When "select from affiliated store" is selected, the user can select the desired affiliated store.

[0051] The above criteria and item information are merely examples, and other criteria or item information may be included. For example, the item information may include apparel. For example, gifts may be available in both physical and online stores.

[0052] For example, the payment server 100 may display a button on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, "Select from used stores," to generate a gift that can be used at affiliated stores where the user has made electronic payments using the electronic payment service, and when the button is operated, may refer to the user's electronic payment history information managed by the electronic payment service and recommend affiliated stores that the user has used for electronic payments as affiliated stores for gifts.

[0053] If "Select from used stores" is selected, the user is provided with information about the affiliated stores where the user has used electronic services through the electronic payment service, as well as a list of affiliated stores. For example, if the user has used electronic payment at affiliated store A, the payment server 100 displays affiliated store A on the display unit. This allows the user to easily send gifts from affiliated stores that the user has used and would like to give to other users.

[0054] When "Select from Map" is selected, an interface screen is provided to the user that displays the affiliated stores on a map. For example, the map may be based on the user's current location or a location specified by the user. This allows the user to easily select an affiliated store related to a gift from the map.

[0055] [Fee burden] In the above example, the gift issuance fee may be borne by the sender or the affiliated store. The fee may also be determined by the affiliated store. For example, an example will be described in which some affiliated stores bear the fee and some do not.

[0056] In this case, the payment server 100 may display information indicating whether the affiliated store pays a handling fee together with the information about the affiliated store on the display unit of the sender's user terminal device 10. For example, the display unit may display information indicating that the affiliated store selected by the user pays a handling fee, or information indicating that the affiliated store selected by the user does not pay a handling fee.

[0057] The payment server 100 may display information on a map indicating whether or not a member store is a member store that pays a fee. The payment server 100 may display on the display unit member stores that pay a gift issuance fee and member stores that do not pay an issuance fee in a manner that allows them to be distinguished from each other. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IF4 related to fees. The interface screen IF4 is a screen that displays member stores of electronic payment services on a map. Information indicating whether or not the member store is a member store that pays a fee is associated with each of the member stores.

[0058] For example, a user can refer to interface screen IF4 and easily select a merchant that pays the fee to create a gift. Merchants that pay the fee may be, for example, merchants of major brands, large-scale stores, merchants with multiple stores, merchants with a certain amount of sales, or merchants with a certain amount of capital, among merchants of electronic payment services. Merchants that pay such fees can attract customers by utilizing the processing of this embodiment.

[0059] [Flowchart (using gifts)] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. This flowchart is an example of processing when a user uses a gift. This processing is a flowchart for S7 in Fig. 2 and S17 in Fig. 3.

[0060] The payment processing unit 130 executes electronic payment based on the balance of the electronic gift when the user (another user) who received the gift makes an electronic payment using the electronic gift at an affiliated store using an electronic payment service that uses the payment application 20. For example, when the gift is used, the payment server 100 may display on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 a button for sending a message to the user who gave the gift on a payment completion screen or a payment history screen that is displayed after the gift is used.

[0061] First, the payment server 100 determines whether the user has a gift that can be used at the affiliated store (S200). The payment server 100 performs the process of S200 by referring to the gift information 173, for example.

[0062] If the user does not have a gift that can be used at the affiliated store, the payment server 100 executes electronic payment using the payment method specified by the user (S202). If the user has a gift that can be used at the affiliated store, the payment server 100 executes electronic payment using the gift (S204). For example, if the payment amount is less than the amount of the gift, electronic payment is executed using the gift, and if the amount of the gift is insufficient, electronic payment is executed by combining the gift with another voucher or another electronic payment.

[0063] After processing S204, the payment server 100 displays a thank you reply button on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 of the user who used the gift (S206). The thank you reply button is displayed on the payment completion screen or the payment history screen. When the user operates the thank you reply button, the payment server 100 displays, for example, an interface screen for inputting a thank you message on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 of the user who used the gift. Then, when the user enters a message and operates the send button, the message is sent to the payment app 20 of the user who gave the gift. This completes the processing of one routine of this flowchart.

[0064] As described above, users can make electronic payments using gifts in the same way as with electronic payments through electronic payment services. In this way, the process of selecting a participating store for a gift, sending the gift, and the recipient's use of the gift can be completed seamlessly using a single electronic payment service, improving convenience for users, both the sender and the recipient.

[0065] Furthermore, because the sending and use of gifts can be completed through a series of electronic payment services as described above, users can easily send a thank-you message to the sender using the electronic payment service even after the gift has been used, thereby improving user convenience.

[0066] Unlike the present embodiment, other gift services do not cover brick-and-mortar stores, such as small individual stores, and the number of target stores is limited. Such other gift services often have a business model in which a fee is collected from affiliated stores, not from users. In contrast, the gift service of the present embodiment allows users to select or combine either or both business models, and can be used at affiliated stores of electronic payment services, regardless of whether the affiliated store is online or offline, individual or large affiliated store. Because of the wide coverage of affiliated stores, coffee lovers, for example, can create a gift that combines gifts from major coffee chains and local coffee shops (individual stores). The overwhelming number of affiliated stores of electronic payment services allows gift givers to select gifts tailored to the recipient and the occasion, broadening the range of use for recipients. Furthermore, gifts can be sent using the P2P service of the payment app 20, and the gift can be used directly via electronic payment (the gift is automatically applied at the time of payment). In this way, the gift service of the present embodiment can improve user convenience.

[0067] [Other interface screens] A gift recipient may be selected before the gift selection process. Fig. 15 shows an interface screen IF21 for selecting a recipient. The payment server 100, in cooperation with the payment application 20, causes the display unit to display the interface screen IF21, which includes a list of other users associated with the user stored in the storage unit 170. The user can determine the user to whom the gift will be sent from the interface screen IF21.

[0068] When a user performs a predetermined operation to create a gift, the payment server 100, in cooperation with the payment application 20, displays an interface screen IF22 on the display unit. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the interface screen IF22. The interface screen IF22 includes, for example, a list of pre-prepared gifts, a list of popular affiliated stores, a list of popular brands, and a list of newly added brands or affiliated stores. Pre-prepared gifts are gifts that bring together affiliated stores from multiple brands or categories. The affiliated stores included in pre-prepared gifts are affiliated stores that are grouped together based on a predetermined concept. The predetermined concept may represent various preferences or interests, such as coffee lovers or sushi lovers. In FIG. 16, the icons of the pre-prepared gifts are icons corresponding to the concepts, but instead of (or in addition to) these, brand logos or the like may be displayed. A user can create an original gift by selecting a gift from a target affiliated store from the interface screen IF22.

[0069] After generating a gift, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the payment server 100, in cooperation with the payment application 20, displays an interface screen IF23 on the display unit for specifying the amount. Figure 17 is a diagram showing the interface screen IF23. The interface screen IF23 includes information on brands and affiliated stores where the gift can be used, an area for entering the amount, etc.

[0070] When a user performs a predetermined operation on the interface screen IF23 or another screen, the payment server 100, in cooperation with the payment app 20, causes the display unit to display an interface screen IF24 containing information about affiliated stores where gifts can be used. For example, the user can check in advance which nearby stores accept gifts and which branches the gifts can be used at. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the interface screen IF24. The interface screen IF24 includes map information and a list of affiliated stores where gifts can be used. The map information may plot location information of affiliated stores where gifts can be used, or the location information of a specified affiliated store. When a user selects a specific affiliated store from the list of affiliated stores, the payment server 100, in cooperation with the payment app 20, causes the display unit to display information indicating details of the selected affiliated store. For example, the information may include the store's address, contact information, products and services offered, and business hours. This allows the user to obtain information about affiliated stores where gifts can be used.

[0071] When the user checks the affiliated store, decides to issue a gift, and performs a payment operation, the payment server 100, in cooperation with the payment application 20, displays an interface screen IF25 on the display unit for selecting a payment method. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the interface screen IF25. The interface screen IF25 includes, for example, selection buttons for selecting one or more payment methods available to the user. When the user selects a payment method and operates the payment button, the payment server 100 completes the payment for the gift purchase using the selected payment method.

[0072] Next, the payment server 100, in cooperation with the payment application 20, displays an interface screen IF26 on the display unit for selecting a method for sending a gift, as shown in Fig. 20. The interface screen IF26 includes one or more gift sending methods. The sending methods include a sending method using the identification information or phone number of a user of a member store of the electronic payment service, a sending method using social media, and a sending method in which a gift is sent by reading code information in which the identification information of the recipient is encoded.

[0073] When a predetermined sending method is selected and the sending process is executed, information indicating that the gift has been received, the amount of the gift, etc., is displayed on the display of the recipient's terminal device, as shown in interface screen IM27. As described above, the user can issue a gift and send it to the recipient.

[0074] In the above-described gift sending method, for example, a method for presenting the gift may be selectable. For example, as shown in interface screen IM28 of FIG. 21, the gift may be presented to the recipient wrapped in an envelope. In this case, the recipient's display may display an envelope, and when the recipient taps the envelope, the gift may be removed from the envelope. Alternatively, the recipient may tap to complete the gift receipt, and the gift may be automatically applied at the time of payment. In this way, various presentations may be used to send and receive gifts, thereby improving service.

[0075] As described above, the payment server 100 identifies other users selected by the user, and then identifies affiliated stores that can use gifts to be given to the other users selected by the user. The payment server 100 then generates gifts that can be used at the identified affiliated stores and provides the generated gifts to the other users. In this way, the payment server 100 can generate gifts that can be used at affiliated stores that match the user's preferences and provide them to the other users seamlessly.

[0076] According to the embodiment described above, the payment server 100 associates the electronic gift with the identification information of another user managed by the electronic payment service in response to the user's operation on the payment app 20, and provides information indicating that the electronic gift has been sent to the payment app 20 of the other user, thereby providing a service that is highly convenient for users regarding the provision of electronic gifts.

[0077] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 User terminal device 20. Payment App 100 Payment Server 120 Contents Provider 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information Processing Department

Claims

1. In response to a user's operation on the electronic payment app, obtain information indicating a member store arbitrarily selected by the user from among member stores of an electronic payment service, purchase information indicating that an electronic gift usable at the member store will be purchased using an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, and identification information of another user who will give the electronic gift; a processing unit that associates the electronic gift with the identification information of the other user managed by the electronic payment service and provides information indicating that the electronic gift has been given to the electronic payment application of the other user; A service providing device comprising:

2. and a payment processing unit that executes electronic payment based on the balance of the electronic gift when the other user makes an electronic payment using the electronic gift at the affiliated store by using an electronic payment service that uses the electronic payment app. The service providing device according to claim 1 .

3. the payment processing unit sells the electronic gift to the user by paying for it using a payment method associated with the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service; In response to the payment, the processing unit associates the electronic gift with the identification information of the other user managed by the electronic payment service, and provides information indicating that the electronic gift has been given to the electronic payment application of the other user. The service providing device according to claim 2 .

4. The user can select any member store from among all member stores of the electronic payment service and give a gift that can be used at the member store to the other user. The service providing device according to claim 1 .

5. The processing unit refers to the reference information and displaying a plurality of criteria information for selecting the affiliated store on a display unit of the terminal device of the user; displaying a plurality of items according to the reference information selected by the user on the display unit; displaying one or more affiliated stores according to the items selected by the user on the display unit and recommending them; The reference information is information in which the plurality of pieces of standard information, item information, and recommended affiliated stores are associated with each other. The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The plurality of criteria information includes a gift-giving occasion, a gift recipient, and a gift category. The service providing device according to claim 5 .

7. The processing unit Accept the message entered by the user and the design designated by the user; generating an electronic gift design including said message; Sending the gift generated in the electronic payment app of the other user designated by the user using a function of the electronic payment service; The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The processing unit displaying a button on a display unit of the user's terminal device for generating a gift that can be used at a member store where the user has used electronic payment of the electronic payment service; When the button is operated, the electronic payment service refers to the user's electronic payment history information managed by the electronic payment service, recommending the affiliated store used by the user for the electronic payment as an affiliated store for gifts; The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. Some of the affiliated stores will bear the gift issuance fee, The processing unit displaying on a display unit in a manner that allows the member store that pays the issuance fee and the member store that does not pay the issuance fee to be distinguished from each other; The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. When the gift is used, the processing unit displays a button on the display unit of the user's terminal device on a payment completion screen or a payment history screen that is displayed after the gift is used, for sending a message to the user who gave the gift. The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. the processing unit generates gifts that can be used at affiliated stores according to the brands of one or more affiliated stores and categories of the affiliated stores selected by the user; providing the generated gift to the other user; The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

12. The processing unit Identifying the other user selected by the user; Identifying a member store where the gift selected by the user can be used to give to the other user; Generate a gift that can be used at the identified affiliated store; providing the generated gift to the other user; The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. The computer In response to a user's operation on the electronic payment app, obtain information indicating a member store arbitrarily selected by the user from among member stores of an electronic payment service, purchase information indicating that an electronic gift usable at the member store will be purchased using an electronic payment service using the electronic payment app, and identification information of another user who will give the electronic gift; associate the electronic gift with the identification information of the other user managed by the electronic payment service, and provide information indicating that the electronic gift has been given to the electronic payment app of the other user; Service delivery methods.

14. On the computer, In response to a user's operation on the electronic payment app, the electronic payment app acquires information indicating a member store arbitrarily selected by the user from among member stores of an electronic payment service, purchase information indicating that an electronic gift that can be used at the member store will be purchased using an electronic payment service that uses the electronic payment app, and identification information of another user who will give the electronic gift; The electronic gift is associated with the identification information of the other user managed by the electronic payment service, and information indicating that the electronic gift has been given is provided to the electronic payment application of the other user. program.

Images