Advance payment device and program

Abstract

To provide a payment advance device and program capable of reducing the labor required for payment procedures when paying by bill. [Solution] The advance payment device includes a payment method selection operation receiving unit that receives an operation from a payer who is requested to make a payment based on an invoice issued by a biller to select a payment method for the advance payment party who will advance the payment; a reading method selection operation receiving unit that receives an operation to select a method for reading the invoice; and an application operation receiving unit that receives an operation to apply for advance payment using the selected payment method for the invoice read using the selected reading method.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a payment advance device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) system that can be used in business-to-consumer and business-to-business transactions has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2007-524887 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such invoice transactions, the format of the invoice may differ depending on the issuer of the invoice. In such cases, since it is necessary to respond according to the invoice format, it can be time-consuming when performing payment procedures. It is desirable to be able to reduce the time and effort required for payment procedures when paying by invoice.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an advance payment device and a program that can reduce the hassle of payment procedures when paying by bill. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an advance payment device that includes a payment method selection operation receiving unit that receives an operation from a payer who is requested to make payment based on an invoice issued by a claimant to select a payment method for an advance payer who will advance the payment; a reading method selection operation receiving unit that receives an operation to select a method for reading the invoice; and an application operation receiving unit that receives an operation to apply for advance payment using the selected payment method for an invoice read using the selected reading method.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to perform the following operations: accepting an operation from a payer who is requested to make a payment based on an invoice issued by a biller to select a payment method to be used by an advance payer who will advance the payment; accepting an operation to select a method for reading the invoice; and accepting an operation to apply for advance payment using the selected payment method for the invoice read using the selected reading method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the hassle of payment procedures for bill payments can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview and an operational flow of the on-behalf payment system of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the on-behalf payment system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an advance payment application operation screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an invoice image reading screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an invoice file selection screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application content confirmation screen according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The reimbursement payment system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for components having the same functions, and repeated explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, in this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX," and includes cases where it is based on other elements in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is used directly, but also includes cases where it is based on XX that has been calculated or processed. "XX" is any element (for example, any information).

[0011] [Outline of the advance payment system] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a diagram showing an overview and operation flow of an advance payment system 1 of this embodiment. The advance payment system 1 is a system that realizes an advance payment among three parties: a claimant, a payer, and an advance payer.

[0012] The biller issues invoice IV to the payer. Invoice IV contains the payment amount, payment due date, account information for the payee's financial institution, etc. Invoice IV may be in a format displayed on a physical medium such as paper, or in a digital data format. If invoice IV is in a physical medium format, it is sent from the biller to the payer. If invoice IV is in a digital data format, it is transmitted from the biller to the payer via a digital medium such as a telecommunications line.

[0013] The payer is obligated to pay the specified amount to the biller by the specified due date based on Invoice IV received from the biller. The payer will make payment to the biller based on the payment amount, payment due date, and account information of the payee's financial institution stated in Invoice IV.

[0014] In the following explanation, the payment amount, payment due date, and account information of the payment recipient financial institution will also be referred to as the payment terms specified in Invoice IV (or simply, payment terms). In the following explanation, payment to the claimant via a financial institution account, etc. based on the invoice IV received from the claimant will also be referred to as "invoice payment."

[0015] If payment is not made by the due date, it may lead to a decline in the claimant's trust in the payer (for example, a deterioration in transaction terms or termination of transaction). Therefore, the claimant is required to make payment in accordance with the payment terms.

[0016] However, there may be cases where it becomes difficult to make a payment in accordance with the payment terms for some reason, such as being too busy with work to find time for payment procedures. Reimbursement payment system 1 provides an reimbursement function in which the reimburser makes a payment to the claimant in accordance with the payment terms, and a payment function in which the payer pays the reimbursement amount to the reimburser at a later date. In the following description, the advance payment system 1 is also referred to as a bill advance payment service system. The functional configuration and operational flow of the advance payment system 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0017] [Functional configuration of the advance payment system] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the advance payment system 1 of this embodiment. The advance payment system 1 is configured to include a payer terminal device 10 and an advance payment party terminal device 20. The payer terminal device 10 and the advance payment party terminal device 20 are connected via a network N (for example, the Internet). The payer terminal device 10 is also referred to as an advance payment device.

[0018] Payer terminal device 10 is a terminal device operated by the payer, such as a personal computer, tablet, smartphone, etc. Payer terminal device 10 includes a calculation unit 11, an operation unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a display unit 14, and a memory unit 15.

[0019] The calculation unit 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU), and operates based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 15 to provide various functions. The storage unit 15 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive or semiconductor memory (flash memory, RAM, ROM), and stores various information such as programs and data read by the calculation unit 11. Note that the storage unit 15 may be realized by a virtual storage device such as a cloud server located outside the payer terminal device 10.

[0020] The operation unit 12 is an operation device such as a touch panel, keyboard, or mouse, and is operated by an operator (for example, a payer). The imaging unit 13 is, for example, an imaging device such as a camera, and captures an image of an object within the imaging angle of view. For example, if a paper bill IV is within the imaging angle of view of the camera, the imaging unit 13 captures an image of the paper bill IV. The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various images under the control of the calculation unit 11.

[0021] The calculation unit 11 includes a communication unit 110, an operation reception unit 111, an imaging control unit 112, a display control unit 113, and a determination unit 114 as its functional units. The communication unit 110 communicates information with the payer terminal device 20 via the network N.

[0022] The operation reception unit 111 receives operations performed on the operation unit 12. The operation reception unit 111 includes a payment method selection operation reception unit 1111, and reading method selection operation reception units 1112 and 1113.

[0023] The imaging control unit 112 controls the imaging unit 13 to capture an image, and acquires the image captured by the imaging unit 13. The display control unit 113 controls the display unit 14 to display various images. The determination unit 114 performs various determinations on the operation result of the operation unit 12 and the image capture result of the image capture unit 13 .

[0024] The paying party terminal device 20 is a terminal device operated by the paying party, and is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, etc. The paying party terminal device 20 is equipped with a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, a calculation unit 23, a storage unit 24, etc. A detailed explanation of the functional configuration of the paying party terminal device 20 will be omitted.

[0025] Returning to FIG. 1, the flow of operations of the advance payment system 1 will be described. The claimant sends the bill IV to the payer. As described above, the bill IV may be a physical medium such as paper, or may be digital data.

[0026] (Step S10) The payer activates the advance payment function by operating the payer terminal device 10. The operation reception unit 111 of the payer terminal device 10 receives the operation to activate the advance payment function. The display control unit 113 causes the display unit 14 to display an advance payment application operation screen P1.

[0027] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the reimbursement application operation screen P1 of this embodiment. The reimbursement application operation screen P1 includes a mode switching tab P11, a reimbursement available date display field P12, a payment method selection field P13, a reading method selection field P14, and a read button P15.

[0028] The mode switching tab P11 is an operation image for switching the display mode of the advance payment application operation screen P1. The mode switching tab P11 includes an application tab P111, a credit card billing history display tab P112, and an invoice list display tab P113.

[0029] The application tab P111 is an operation image for displaying an advance payment application screen (that is, a screen made up of an advance payment available date display field P12 to a read button P15).

[0030] The credit card billing history display tab P112 is an operation image for displaying a credit card billing history screen (not shown). The credit card billing history screen displays the amount to be paid by the payer to the paying party by credit card in the future and the scheduled deduction date, as well as the amount paid by credit card in the past and the deduction date.

[0031] The invoice list display tab P113 is an operation image for displaying an invoice list display screen (not shown). The invoice list display screen displays a list of invoices issued by invoicers to payers.

[0032] The advance payment available date display field P12 is a field that displays the scheduled date on which the advance payment from the advance payer to the claimant (i.e., the advance payment) will be made (or the nearest scheduled date on which the advance payment can be made) when the payer applies for an advance payment to the advance payer. The payer can determine whether or not a payment that meets the payment conditions is possible by checking the scheduled advance payment execution date displayed in the advance payment available date display field P12.

[0033] The payment method selection field P13 is a field where the payer selects the payment method to be used by the advance payer. Various payment methods can be selected, such as credit card payment, bank transfer, and account transfer. In this embodiment, two payment methods are available: credit card payment and bank transfer to a designated financial institution.

[0034] [Select payment method] (Step S11) Returning to FIG. 1, the payer operates the payment method selection field P13 to select a payment method. More specifically, the payer operates either the button image of the credit card payment selection button P131 or the bank transfer selection button P132 shown in FIG. The payment method selection operation receiving unit 1111 receives an operation to select a payment method for the person paying on behalf of the person.

[0035] As mentioned above, the payer is the person who is required to make payment based on the invoice IV issued by the claimant. An advance payer is a person who advances the payment. That is, the payment method selection operation receiving unit 1111 receives an operation from a payer who is requested to make a payment based on an invoice IV issued by a claimant to select a payment method for the advancing party who will make the payment in advance.

[0036] [Payment by credit card] When the credit card payment selection button P131 is operated, the payment method selection operation reception unit 1111 determines that credit card payment has been selected.

[0037] (Select from multiple cards) A payer may have multiple credit cards in his / her name. For example, multiple credit cards may be used depending on the payment account item or the type of biller. The advance payment system 1 may have a function to select from multiple credit cards the credit card to be used for payment to the advance payer. In this case, the payment method selection operation receiving unit 1111 may have a function to select from multiple credit cards the credit card to be used for payment to the advance payer.

[0038] That is, the payment method includes payment by credit card. The payment method selection operation receiving unit 1111 receives an operation to select a credit card as the payment method and an operation to select a credit card to be used for payment to the person paying on behalf of the person from among multiple credit cards in the name of the payer. In addition, a credit card in the name of the payer broadly includes a credit card in the name of the payer himself or herself, a credit card in the name of the company to which the payer belongs (or is run), etc. According to the on-reimbursement payment system 1 configured in this manner, it is possible to use a plurality of credit cards depending on, for example, the type of payment account item or the type of biller.

[0039] (Automatic selection from multiple cards) There are cases where payment by credit card is not possible for some reason. For example, the payment amount may exceed the credit limit of the credit card that the payer normally uses (also called the main card). In such cases, convenience would be improved if a credit card other than the main card (also called a sub-card) could be automatically selected as the payment method. The on-behalf payment system 1 of this embodiment may have a function of selecting payment by a pre-registered sub-card when payment by the main card is not possible.

[0040] The payment method selection operation reception unit 1111 selects a predetermined main card from among multiple credit cards in the name of the payer as the credit card to be used for payment, and if payment with the main card is not possible, selects a credit card other than the main card as the credit card to be used for payment.

[0041] The advance payment system 1 may have a function to register the credit card to be used for bill payment in the advance payment system 1 if the credit card in the payer's name is not registered.

[0042] [Payment by bank transfer to a financial institution account] When the bank transfer selection button P132 is operated, the payment method selection operation receiving unit 1111 determines that a transfer payment to an account at a financial institution designated by the person paying on behalf of the person (for example, a bank transfer payment) has been selected.

[0043] That is, the payment method includes payment by transfer to a financial institution account designated by the person paying on behalf of the person.

[0044] [Withdrawal from financial institution account] The on-reimbursement payment system 1 may have a payment function by automatic debit from an account at a financial institution designated by the payer (for example, a bank account in the payer's name). In this case, the payment method selection field P13 may display an automatic debit selection button (or an image indicating that automatic debit payment has been selected; neither is shown).

[0045] That is, the payment method includes payment by debit from a financial institution account notified in advance by the payer to the person paying on behalf of the payer.

[0046] [Select reading method] (Step S12) Returning to FIG. 1, the payer operates the reading method selection field P14 to select the reading method for the bill IV. More specifically, the payer operates either the button image of the camera photography selection button P141 or the file selection button P142 shown in FIG. The reading method selection operation receiving unit 1112 receives an operation to select a reading method for the invoice IV.

[0047] That is, the reading method selection operation receiving unit 1112 receives an operation to select a reading method for the invoice IV. The advance payment system 1 of this embodiment allows the payer to select the method for reading the invoice IV, so the procedure can be carried out smoothly even if the format of the invoice IV varies depending on the biller (for example, even if it is sent on paper or on an electronic file medium).

[0048] [Read by camera] When the camera capture selection button P141 is operated, the reading method selection operation receiving section 1112 determines that camera reading has been selected. As described above, the invoice IV may be in the form of paper or digital data. If the invoice IV is in the form of paper, the payer operates the camera capture selection button P141.

[0049] The read button P15 is an operation button for starting the reading operation of the bill IV. The bill IV is placed within the angle of view of the imaging unit 13 of the payer terminal device 10, and the read button P15 is operated. When the read button P15 is operated, the imaging control unit 112 activates the camera of the imaging unit 13 and starts capturing images. The display control unit 113 causes the display unit 14 of the payer terminal device 10 to display the bill image reading screen P2.

[0050] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the invoice image reading screen P2 of this embodiment. The invoice image reading screen P2 includes an image display field P21, an alignment mark P22, and a captured image P23. The image display field P21 is an area where an image captured by the imaging unit 13 is displayed. Alignment marks P22 (alignment marks P22-1 to P22-4) are displayed at the four corners of the image display field P21. The captured image P23 is an image of the invoice IV captured by the imaging unit 13.

[0051] The determination unit 114 determines whether the four corners of the captured image P23 (i.e., the four corners of the invoice IV) match the alignment marks P22. If the four corners of the captured image P23 (i.e., the four corners of the invoice IV) match the alignment marks P22, the determination unit 114 captures the captured image P23 (image of the invoice IV) as the image to be read. When the determination unit 114 determines that the four corners of the invoice IV match the alignment marks P22, the imaging control unit 112 captures an image of the invoice IV regardless of whether an imaging operation is performed (that is, automatically).

[0052] In addition, when the four corners of the captured image P23 (i.e., the four corners of the invoice IV) match the alignment mark P22, the display control unit 113 may change the color of the alignment mark P22 or display an indication that they match. Furthermore, when the amount of light required for imaging is insufficient, the determination unit 114 may display a message informing the user that the amount of light is insufficient.

[0053] Read from file If the invoice IV is digital data, the digital data of the invoice IV (for example, a file in a predetermined format) can also be read.

[0054] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the invoice file selection screen P3 of this embodiment. The invoice file selection screen P3 includes a file display field P31. In the file display field P31, file images P32 of invoices IV stored in the memory unit 15 of the payer terminal device 10 (or an external memory device) are displayed in a list format. The payer selects the file of the invoice IV to be read from one or more file images P32.

[0055] [Display reading results] (Step S13) Returning to FIG. 1, the payer terminal device 10 reads the information for each item written on the invoice IV (or converted into digital data). Based on the read results, the display control unit 113 displays the application content confirmation screen P4 on the display unit 14.

[0056] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the application content confirmation screen P4 of this embodiment. The application content confirmation screen P4 includes an advance payment amount display field P41, a payment due date field P42, a payee details field P43, a credit card information field P44, and an application button P45.

[0057] The advance payment amount display field P41 is a field that displays the advance payment amount, the advance payment fee amount, and the payment method. The payment due date field P42 is a field that displays the payment due date to the biller (e.g., business partner). The payee details field P43 is a field that displays information about the payee. The advance payment amount display field P41, payment due date field P42, and payee details field P43 are fields in which information read by the payer terminal device 10 from the invoice IV is displayed.

[0058] More specifically, in the case of reading by a camera, the determination unit 114 acquires an image captured by the imaging unit 13 from the imaging control unit 112. In the case of reading from a file, the determination unit 114 acquires a file in a predetermined format.

[0059] The determination unit 114 determines the location of specified items on the invoice IV from the acquired image based on known image recognition technology. The specified items include the payment amount, payment due date, and account information of the payee financial institution. As described above, the payment amount, payment due date, and account information of the payee financial institution are payment terms specified in the invoice IV. In other words, the determination unit 114 determines the location of items corresponding to payment terms from the image or file of the invoice IV.

[0060] The determination unit 114 acquires the payment terms information written at the determined position on the invoice IV.

[0061] Note that if a portion of the invoice IV is soiled or if the image captured by the imaging unit 13 is out of focus, the invoice IV may not be read properly. The determination unit 114 may have a function to calculate the accuracy of reading for each item of payment terms. The accuracy of reading refers to the likelihood that the information written on the invoice IV matches the read information. The accuracy of reading is expressed, for example, as a numerical value between 100% and 0%, with 100% indicating a sufficient match and 0% indicating no match at all. Based on the accuracy of reading for each item, the determination unit 114 may display a low accuracy if the accuracy is relatively low (e.g., if the accuracy is less than 50% or 10% or more) or if the accuracy is very low (e.g., if the accuracy is less than 10%).

[0062] If a specific item necessary for payment to the biller is missing from the items of invoice IV information obtained by reading the invoice IV using the reading method, the display control unit 113 displays that the information for that item is missing. For example, if the branch name of the transfer destination financial institution cannot be read, the display control unit 113 displays an unreadable message page P431.

[0063] In addition, the display control unit 113 displays the low reading accuracy of items among the invoice IV information items obtained by reading the invoice IV using the reading method, in a display mode different from that used for missing items. For example, if the readability of the account name of the transfer destination is relatively low, the display control unit 113 displays a warning display P432. The warning display P432 is an image that indicates the low readability in a manner different from the unreadable display P431.

[0064] When the unreadable message P431 or the caution message P432 is displayed, the payer edits the relevant item to correct the missing information or misreading.

[0065] The determination unit 114 may have a function of determining, based on the result of reading the invoice IV, whether or not the invoice IV has already been paid (or paid on behalf of) the invoice IV in the past. For example, the determination unit 114 determines whether or not an application for on-behalf payment has already been made for the read invoice IV. If the result of the determination is that an application for advance payment has already been made, the display control unit 113 displays a warning.

[0066] In addition, when the payer terminal device 10 is targeting reading of the invoice IV file, it may have the function of adding a string such as "read" to the file name of the invoice IV when the invoice IV is read or when an advance payment application for the invoice IV has been made.

[0067] If the payer determines that all of the payment conditions displayed on the application content confirmation screen P4 are correct, he or she operates the application button P45 to apply for advance payment.

[0068] (Step S14) Returning to FIG. 1, when the application button P45 is operated, the payer terminal device 10 generates advance payment claim information D2 including the payment terms read from the invoice IV. The communication unit 110 of the payer terminal device 10 transmits the generated advance payment claim information D2 to the payer terminal device 20.

[0069] That is, the application operation receiving unit 1113 receives an operation to apply for an advance payment using the selected payment method for the invoice IV read using the selected reading method.

[0070] When the advance payer terminal device 20 receives the advance payment claim information D2, it notifies the advance payer by displaying a screen on the display unit 21 indicating that the advance payment claim information D2 has been received. The advance payer causes the display unit 21 to display the payment terms based on the advance payment claim information D2, and after completing the required checks, transfers the advance payment to the claimant.

[0071] As described above, the on-behalf payment system 1 of this embodiment can reduce the effort required for payment procedures when paying by bill.

[0072] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, a computer program for implementing the functions of each of the above-described devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read and executed by a computer system. Note that the term "computer system" may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0073] In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk, optical magnetic disk, ROM, or flash memory, portable media such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes those that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0074] The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may also be a program for implementing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1... advance payment system, 10... payer terminal device (advance payment device), 20... advance payment terminal device

Claims

1. a payment method selection operation receiving unit that receives an operation from a payer who is requested to make a payment based on an invoice issued by a claimant to select a payment method for an advance payer who will advance the payment; a reading method selection operation receiving unit that receives an operation to select a reading method for an invoice; an application operation receiving unit that receives an operation to apply for advance payment using the selected payment method for the invoice read using the selected reading method; A payment device comprising:

2. The payment method includes payment by credit card; The payment method selection operation receiving unit selecting a credit card as the payment method; an operation of selecting a credit card to be used for payment to the person paying on behalf of the payer from among a plurality of credit cards in the name of the payer; Accept The payment device according to claim 1.

3. The payment method selection operation receiving unit Selecting a predetermined main card from among a plurality of credit cards in the name of the payer as the credit card to be used for payment; If payment by the main card is not possible, select a credit card other than the main card as the credit card to be used for payment. The payment device according to claim 2.

4. The payment method includes payment by bank transfer to a financial institution account designated by the person paying on behalf of ... The payment device according to claim 1.

5. The payment method includes payment by debit from a financial institution account notified in advance by the payer to the advance payer. The payment device according to claim 1.

6. A display control unit is provided that, when a predetermined item necessary for payment to the biller is missing from among the items of bill information obtained by reading the bill using the reading method, displays that information of the item is missing. The payment device according to claim 1.

7. The display control unit Among the items of bill information obtained by reading a bill using the reading method, items with a relatively low reading accuracy are displayed in a different display mode from the missing items to indicate that the reading accuracy is low. The payment device according to claim 6.

8. a determination unit that determines whether or not an application for advance payment has been made for the read invoice; a display control unit that displays a warning when the result of the determination indicates that an advance payment application has been made; The advance payment device according to claim 1 , comprising:

9. On the computer, Accepting an operation from a payer who is requested to make a payment based on an invoice issued by a claimant to select a payment method for an advance payer who will advance the payment; Accepting an operation to select a method for reading the invoice; Accepting an operation to apply for advance payment using the selected payment method for the bill read using the selected reading method; A program to execute.

Images