Information processing device, information processing method, program, and system

Abstract

To appropriately control the reward granting process in response to changes in the user's payment information. [Solution] An information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires payment information relating to the payment of the service by the user via an electronic payment service from a service server that provides a service used by the user; a determination unit that determines whether the acquired payment information satisfies the conditions for granting benefits that the service provides on the electronic payment service; an output unit that, if it is determined that the acquired payment information satisfies the conditions for granting benefits, outputs notification information to the service server indicating that the conditions for granting benefits have been met; an adjustment unit that adjusts the payment information after a predetermined period of time since the payment of the service; and a benefit processing unit that, if it is determined that the adjusted payment information satisfies the conditions for granting benefits, grants the benefit to the user's account on the electronic payment service.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for granting a privilege corresponding to electronic payment to a user's account of an electronic payment service has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a user places an order for a product through an e-commerce transaction, a first stamp indicating that the order procedure for the user has been completed is granted, and thereafter, when the user makes a payment, a second stamp indicating that the payment has been completed is granted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technique described in Patent Document 1 is premised on the fact that the payment information regarding the payment made by the user is invariant. However, in actual online shopping, there are cases where the inventory status or quality status of the product changes, or the payment amount fluctuates due to the current market price, between the order of the product and its shipment. As a result, in the conventional technique, there are cases where the privilege granting process cannot be appropriately controlled in response to changes in the user's payment information.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a system that can appropriately control the privilege granting process in response to changes in the user's payment information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires payment information relating to the payment of the service by a user via an electronic payment service from a service server that provides a service used by a user; a determination unit that determines whether the acquired payment information satisfies the conditions for granting a benefit provided by the service on the electronic payment service; an output unit that, if it is determined that the acquired payment information satisfies the conditions for granting the benefit, outputs notification information to the service server indicating that the conditions for granting the benefit have been met; an adjustment unit that adjusts the payment information after a predetermined period following the payment of the service; and a benefit processing unit that, if it is determined that the adjusted payment information satisfies the conditions for granting the benefit, grants the benefit to the user's account on the electronic payment service. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the process of granting benefits can be appropriately controlled in response to changes in the user's payment information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an example of a configuration for implementing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 4] This is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the contents of merchant / store information 176. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the top screen of a payment app 20. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the contents of stamp card information 178. [Figure 9]This figure shows an example of a stamp awarding screen where stamps are awarded for electronic payments at physical stores. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a stamp completion screen where stamps on a stamp card are completed through electronic payment at a physical store. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates an example of a scenario where a user makes a payment via an electronic payment service on an external service. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a stamp awarding screen where stamps are awarded for electronic payments made during online shopping. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of a stamp completion screen where stamps on a stamp card are completed through electronic payment during online shopping. [Figure 14] This diagram illustrates the settlement information adjustment process performed by the adjustment unit 148. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of the screen transitions displayed by the output unit 146 when the settlement amount is adjusted by the adjustment unit 148. [Figure 16] This diagram shows the flow of the first payment pattern for completing the stamp collection. [Figure 17] This diagram shows the flow of the second payment pattern for completing the stamp collection. [Figure 18] This diagram shows the flow of the third payment pattern for Stamp Complete. [Figure 19] This sequence diagram shows an example of the processing flow executed through the cooperation of the user terminal device 10, the payment server 100, and the service server 200. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various apparatuses such as "servers", "management apparatuses", and "information providing apparatuses" that provide services to users or perform internal analysis may be realized by a decentralized group of apparatuses, and the operators of each apparatus may be different. Further, the holder of the hardware of the apparatus (the provider of the cloud server) and the operator who actually operates it may also be different. An application program and a settlement server cooperate to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports the settlement related to the purchase of goods and services in a store. A store is, for example, a physical store (actual store) existing in the real space, but may include a virtual store for e-commerce. The virtual store may include those provided by a subject different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a purchase settlement in the virtual store, it is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, a store is, for example, treated as belonging to a franchise (brand), and processing such as settlement when a purchase action is performed in the store is mainly performed between the user and the franchise. Instead of this, processing such as settlement may be performed between the user and the store.

[0010] [Electronic Payment Service] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized centering around a settlement server 100. The settlement server 100 communicates with, for example, each of one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and one or more service servers 200 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like.

[0011] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a 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 reception function, and a program execution function. In the following description, the configurations for realizing these functions are respectively referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, the settlement application 20 is executed by a processor such as a CPU, and it operates to provide an electronic payment service to the user in cooperation with the payment server 100. The settlement application 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, etc.

[0012] The first store terminal device 50 is installed in a store, for example. 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. Note that the store code image 60 may be displayed by a display placed in the store (which may be a display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0013] 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, personal computer, etc. The affiliated store interface 72 operates on the second store terminal device 70. The affiliated store interface 72 may be an affiliated store application or a browser. The affiliated store interface 72 accepts coupon settings etc. from the affiliated store operator 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 by running the affiliated store application, or reading a code image displayed by the user terminal device 10.

[0014] The payment server 100 implements 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 a merchant server, in which case payment information is transmitted from the POS device to the payment server 100 via the merchant server. In the following description, this distinction will not be made, and it will be assumed that payment information is transmitted from the first store terminal device 50.

[0015] The service server 200 provides services operated by an entity different from the electronic payment service. In this embodiment, the service server 200 provides an online book shopping service on an online shopping site. As described later, users of the electronic payment service enter their user information (e.g., account ID and password) on the online shopping site, and the service server 200 queries the payment server 100 for the entered user information. The payment server 100 authenticates the user information and sends information to the service server 200 indicating that the queried user information is valid. As a result, users can use the electronic payment service to make payments when making payments on the online shopping site.

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

[0017] In the case of Pattern 1 shown in Figure 2 (hereinafter referred to as User Scan), 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 contains information about the store URL (Uniform Resource Locator). This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which information that can identify the store has been added, and is associated with the merchant ID and store ID, etc., at the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 sends the 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 later) from the merchant ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, obtains the merchant name and store name information (S3), and sends it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen where the merchant name and store name are displayed (S5). The user terminal device 10 then generates second payment information, including at least the payment amount, and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification (information for displaying the payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). If the store code image 60 is displayed on a display placed in the store, the store code image 60 may include payment amount information as well as the store URL. In this case, the procedure for the user to enter the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Merchant name and store name information may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0018] In the case of Pattern 2 shown in Figure 3 (hereinafter referred to as Store Scan), when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, when it is time for an automatic update (for example, every minute), and at other times, the payment app 20 sends a request to the payment server 100 to issue a one-time code (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 that was generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50 (presents it), and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). Then, the first store terminal device 50 generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, merchant ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is obtained in advance by barcode scanning or manual input. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs the electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification to the payment app 20 (S18), and the payment app 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0019] Furthermore, electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Also, the "account ID" explained in Figure 2 may be other information that can be used as user identification information (for example, a phone number). In addition, the issuance of a one-time code may be omitted during store scanning, and the payment app 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In that case, the payment server 100 will identify the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0020] [Payment Server] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a payment content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, and a storage unit 170. Components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized, for example, by 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), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by the cooperation 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 equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored in a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed in the storage device when the storage medium is mounted on a drive device. The information management unit 140 further comprises an acquisition unit 142, a determination unit 144, an output unit 146, an adjustment unit 148, and a benefit processing unit 150, the details of which will be described later. The information management unit 140 is an example of an "information processing device" as defined in the claims.

[0021] The storage unit 170 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may also be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via the network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, payment content information 174, merchant / store information 176, and stamp card information 178.

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

[0023] The payment content provision unit 120, for example, has the functionality of a web server and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The payment content provision unit 120 reads the necessary content from the payment 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 the content is being played by the payment application 20 and transmits the aforementioned payment information and other data to the payment server 100.

[0024] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on 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] Figure 5 shows 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, user URL, account ID, phone number, password, as well as information such as email address, user ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit payment settings, credit payment limit, credit payment amount, available credit payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, payment history information, points held, participating stamp cards, and number of stamps. The user URL is used for transfer processing between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, registration of a phone number and password is mandatory. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). Similarly, the email address and name, address, and date of birth are also information that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). The registration date is the date the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date the account was created). Hereafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0026] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money set by the user by sending money to their account in advance. Methods of sending money include sending from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated provider (bank) and sending from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting indicates whether or not the user has completed the settings to enable electronic payments by credit card, and is set to either "Completed" or "Not Completed". The credit payment limit is the monthly limit for credit payments, the credit payment amount is the amount already used for credit payments in the current month, and the available credit payment amount is the amount available for credit payments in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment amount from the credit payment limit. While the diagram shows only one credit payment limit, in reality there are also daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. Further details on credit payments will be described later. The payment method setting indicates whether the user will use electronic payment with the charge balance or payment by credit card at that time. The bank account and credit card numbers refer to the bank account or credit card number information (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a record of when the user has previously sent money to the electronic payment service to increase their charge balance. The payment history information shows the details of each payment made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.). Details regarding points held, participating stamp cards, and the number of stamps will be described later.

[0027] Figure 6 shows an example of the contents of the merchant / store information 176. The merchant / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which the merchant ID and store ID are associated with the store URL, a second table 176B in which the merchant name and sales amount (as described above) are associated with the merchant ID, and a third table 176C in which the store name is associated with the store ID. In addition to this information, the merchant / store information 176 may also include information such as the merchant or store category, the store's location, and payment patterns.

[0028] The Information Management Unit 140 manages user information 172, merchant / store information 176, and stamp card information 178 based on information obtained from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. The Information Management Unit 140 adds, edits, and deletes new records for user information 172, merchant / store information 176, and stamp card information 178.

[0029] [Electronic payment] When the payment processing unit 130 obtains payment information from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, it refers to the user information 172 to obtain the user's "payment method setting". 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, which is managed in association with the user ID, and increasing the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item. For example, the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item is not used as electronic money itself, but rather the amount corresponding to the value of the sales proceeds item is transferred to the bank account in a cycle according to the agreement between the merchant and the electronic payment service.

[0030] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows for users whose "settings information" is set to "credit payment". Credit payment is a payment method in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the electronic payment service operator. The electronic payment service operator acts as the donor and allows electronic payment within the credit limit, without relying on the charge balance. In order to use the credit payment service, users may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the electronic payment service operator. The amount used by credit payment is settled in a lump sum for the month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by withdrawal from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs a provisional settlement by adding the settlement amount to the amount used by credit payment and subtracting the same amount from the available credit payment limit. When the closing date arrives, it processes the payment for the current month to be withdrawn on the payment date of the following month as described above, or requests the credit card company operator to perform the said process. If the settlement amount exceeds the available credit payment limit at the time of provisional settlement, an error notification is sent back to the payment app 20.

[0031] [Top screen] Figure 7 shows an example of the top screen of the payment app 20. The top screen displays a code image CI. The code image CI includes, for example, barcodes and QR codes. Next to the code image CI is a toggle switch SW for switching between electronic payment using the charged balance or electronic payment using credit. Note that "switch" and "button" are GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces) implemented in cooperation with the touch panel. In Figure 7, "Credit" is displayed, which means that the setting is to perform electronic payment using credit. The user can switch between electronic payment using the charged balance or electronic payment using credit by, for example, swiping the toggle switch SW. The top screen also includes an operation area OA, transition buttons TB1 and TB2. The operation area OA is equipped with buttons that instruct major operations in electronic payment, such as a button to instruct scanning (starting user scanning), a button to send the charged balance to other users, a button to display points earned by the user, and a button to display the history of electronic payments performed by the user. When the transition button TB1 is pressed, the user transitions to a payment screen displaying the code image used for electronic payment and the available balance. When the transition button TB2 is pressed, the user transitions to a screen displaying the available balance for either balance payment or credit payment. In Figure 7, since electronic payment using the charged balance is set, when the transition button TB2 is pressed, the available balance for balance payment is displayed.

[0032] At the bottom of the operating area OA, for example, a group of buttons (switches) M1, M2, ... for launching mini-applications are displayed. A mini-application is an application that operates using the payment application 20 as a platform and provides some kind of service. The service provider develops the mini-application by referring to the SDK (Software Development Kit), which consists of application development programs and technical documents provided by the administrator of the payment application 20. A mini-application is an application that operates when the payment application 20 is running. For example, when the payment application 20 is installed, some or all of the mini-application may be installed, or some or all of the mini-application may be installed from the service server corresponding to the mini-application. For example, when a mini-application is launched, it accesses a service server (not shown) that provides the service corresponding to the mini-application, and the mini-application and the service server cooperate to provide the service to the user. In this case, the service server may be the payment server 100 itself, or it may be an external server different from the payment server 100. In Figure 7, as an example, buttons M1 for a mini-app that provides information on coupons offered by participating stores and buttons M2 for a mini-app that provides information on stamp cards are displayed. However, buttons for launching various types of mini-apps may be displayed, such as an investment app for managing the charge balance or a payment app for paying public transport fares.

[0033] For example, when a user clicks button M2 on the top screen in Figure 7, the payment app 20 transitions to a screen for viewing stamp cards offered by each participating merchant. Here, a stamp card refers to a reward where, after a predetermined period (for example, one month later), a user receives value (for example, a predetermined number of points) that can be used in the electronic payment service, in response to having made a predetermined number of electronic payments (for example, 5 times) that meet predetermined conditions set by the participating merchant (for example, payments of 500 yen or more). The stamp card automatically counts the number of electronic payments that meet the predetermined conditions by the payment server 100, and the value is automatically granted to the user in accordance with the predetermined number of executions. On the other hand, with coupons, the user performs an acquisition operation on the payment app 20 in advance (for example, by pressing the coupon acquisition button on the participating merchant's dedicated page), and the value is granted to the user after a predetermined period in response to having made an electronic payment that meets the application conditions.

[0034] When a user makes their first electronic payment that meets the specified conditions, the information management unit 140 stores the stamp card identification information as "Stamp Cards in Progress" in the user information 172 and stores "1" in the corresponding "Number of Stamps". Subsequently, each time the user makes an electronic payment that meets the specified conditions, the payment server 100 adds 1 to the "Number of Stamps". After that, when the user makes an electronic payment that meets the specified conditions a specified number of times as stipulated on the stamp card, the information management unit 140 determines that the stamp card has been completed and grants the user the rewards stipulated on the stamp card. For example, when a user earns points by completing the stamp card, the information management unit 140 stores (adds) the points to "Points Held" in the user information 172 and resets "Stamp Cards in Progress" and "Number of Stamps" in the user information 172 to zero. Note that in Figure 5, for the sake of simplicity, user information 172 contains only one combination of "currently participating stamp card" and "number of stamps," but a user can participate in multiple stamp cards. In that case, user information 172 may contain multiple combinations of "currently participating stamp card" and "number of stamps," and the storage unit 170 may maintain a table for managing the combinations of "currently participating stamp card" and "number of stamps" for each user.

[0035] Subsequently, when the user makes an electronic payment using the electronic payment service, the payment processing unit 130 preferentially deducts the user's points from the payment amount and deducts the remaining amount from the charge balance or the amount available for deferred payment. This allows the user to obtain economic benefits by utilizing the points earned through completing the stamp card. If the stamp card reward is an electronic ticket, the user presents the electronic ticket at the participating store, and the store clerk reads the presented electronic ticket with the first store terminal device 50 to grant the product to the user.

[0036] [Stamp card] Figure 8 shows that the stamp card information 178 associates information such as the merchant ID, reward details, stamp issuance conditions, stamp completion conditions, and expiration date with the stamp card ID. The merchant ID is the identification information of the merchant that issued the stamp card corresponding to the stamp card ID. If a store belonging to a merchant issues a stamp card, the stamp card information 178 may store the identification information of the store that issued the stamp card. The reward details are information that represents the value granted to the user upon completion of the stamp card. As mentioned above, the reward details may be points or tickets for items redeemable at the merchant's store. The stamp issuance conditions are information that indicates the conditions regarding the payment required to receive one stamp. The stamp completion conditions are information that indicates the number of stamps required to complete the stamp collection (the number of payments that satisfy the stamp issuance conditions required to complete the stamp collection). The expiration date is information that indicates the deadline by which the reward is granted upon completion of the stamp card. In other words, the user only receives value by completing the stamp card before the expiration date. The stamp completion condition is an example of a "condition for granting a benefit" in the claims.

[0037] [Issuing stamps for electronic payments at physical stores] Figure 9 shows an example of a stamp awarding screen where stamps are awarded for electronic payments at physical stores. As an example, Figure 9 shows a case where, in response to a user performing an electronic payment at a physical store that meets the stamp awarding conditions, the information management unit 140 awards a stamp to the user, and the payment application 20 notifies the user of the stamp award on the payment completion screen. In this case, the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen that includes an area A1 displaying the payment store, an area A2 displaying the payment amount, and an area A3 displaying information related to stamp awarding. Area A3 includes, for example, information indicating that a stamp has been awarded to the stamp card, information indicating the number of stamps the user has acquired (including this electronic payment) out of the number of stamps required to complete the card, and a stamp card showing the number of stamps the user has acquired. This allows users who have made an electronic payment at a physical store to visually understand that a stamp has been awarded to them as a result of that electronic payment.

[0038] Figure 10 shows an example of a stamp completion screen displayed in the payment app 20 when the stamps on a stamp card are completed. As an example, Figure 10 shows a case where, in response to a user performing an electronic payment at a physical store that meets the stamp granting conditions, the information management unit 140 grants a stamp to the user, thereby fulfilling the stamp completion conditions, and the payment app 20 notifies the user of the stamp completion on the payment completion screen. In this case, the payment app 20 displays a payment completion screen that includes an area A1 displaying the payment store, an area A2 displaying the payment amount, and an area A4 displaying information related to stamp completion. Area A4 includes, for example, information indicating that the stamps on the stamp card have been completed, information indicating the content of the value granted upon completion, and a stamp card showing the number of stamps the user has acquired. This allows users who have made an electronic payment at a physical store to visually understand that the stamps have been completed through that electronic payment.

[0039] [Awarding stamps for electronic payments in online shopping] Figure 11 shows an example of a scenario in which a user makes a payment via an electronic payment service on an external service. As an example, Figure 11 shows a situation in which a user accesses an online book shopping site provided by the service server 200 using the web browser of the user terminal device 10 and transitions to the book purchase screen. The purchase screen includes, for example, area A5 which shows the title and price of the book selected by the user, selection area A6 for selecting the payment method, and purchase button B1. The payment method selection area A6 includes, for example, radio buttons for selecting payment by credit card, payment on delivery, and payment by electronic payment service. If the user selects payment by electronic payment service, as described above, the user enters user information for the electronic payment service (e.g., account ID and password) on the online shopping site in advance and enables the link between the service server 200 and the electronic payment service. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, the service server 200 may obtain the user's charge balance or available deferred payment amount from the electronic payment service and display it on the purchase screen.

[0040] When a user selects a payment method and presses the purchase button B1, the user terminal device 10 transmits information indicating that the purchase button B1 has been pressed, along with the identification information of the purchased items and the specified payment method, to the service server 200. If the specified payment method indicates a credit card or cash on delivery, the service server 200 executes the payment processing for the items according to the specified payment method. On the other hand, if the specified payment method indicates an electronic payment service, the service server 200 transmits information indicating that the payment method is an electronic payment service, along with the payment amount, as payment information to the payment server 100. At this time, the service server 200 also transmits the user's identification information (e.g., account ID) for the electronic payment service to the payment server 100.

[0041] The acquisition unit 142 acquires payment information and user identification information from the service server 200. When the acquisition unit 142 acquires payment information and user identification information from the service server 200, the payment processing unit 130 determines whether the payment information is valid for the user identified by the user identification information (for example, whether the payment amount is less than or equal to the charge balance). If the payment processing unit 130 determines that the payment information is valid, it processes the payment based on the payment information (for example, it subtracts the payment amount from the charge balance). At the same time, the determination unit 144 determines whether the payment information satisfies the stamp awarding conditions for the stamp card provided by the operator of the service server 200 as a merchant on the electronic payment service. If it is determined that the payment information satisfies the stamp awarding conditions for the stamp card, the output unit 146 outputs to the service server 200 the electronic payment processing result and notification information indicating that a stamp has been awarded to the user's stamp card. At this time, the notification information includes, for example, information indicating the number of stamps the user has already earned and identification information indicating whether the stamps have been completed.

[0042] When the service server 200 receives the processing results and notification information for electronic payments, it displays a notification object corresponding to the received notification information on the payment completion screen of the online shopping site. Figure 12 shows an example of a stamp awarding screen where stamps are awarded through electronic payments in online shopping. The notification object OB1 shown in Figure 12 is displayed, for example, when the identification information included in the notification information does not indicate that the stamps have been completed. As shown in Figure 12, the notification object OB1 includes, for example, information indicating that a stamp has been stamped on the stamp card, information indicating the number of stamps the user has acquired (including this electronic payment) out of the number of stamps required for completion, a stamp card showing the number of stamps the user has acquired, and a details button B2 for checking the details of the stamp card. More specifically, when the user presses the details button B2 on the screen shown in Figure 12, the service server 200 launches the payment application 20 on the user terminal device 10 and transitions the screen of the user terminal device 10 to a details screen regarding the details of the stamp card (for example, stamp awarding conditions, reward details, etc.). This allows users who make electronic payments on external services different from the electronic payment service to visually confirm that they have received a stamp as a result of that electronic payment.

[0043] Figure 13 shows an example of a stamp completion screen where stamps on a stamp card are completed through electronic payment during online shopping. The notification object OB2 shown in Figure 13 is displayed, for example, when the identification information included in the notification information indicates that the stamps have been completed. As shown in Figure 13, the notification object OB2 includes, for example, information indicating that the stamps on the stamp card have been completed, information indicating the content of the value awarded upon completion, and a stamp card depicting the number of stamps the user has acquired. This allows users who have made electronic payments on an external service different from the electronic payment service to visually understand that the stamps have been completed through that electronic payment.

[0044] Thus, when the payment server 100 receives payment information from the service server 200 using an electronic payment service as the payment method, the determination unit 144 determines whether the payment information satisfies the conditions for issuing stamps on the stamp card. If it is determined that the payment information satisfies the conditions for issuing stamps on the stamp card, it further determines whether the stamps have been completed with the issuance of this stamp. Subsequently, the output unit 146 outputs identification information to the service server 200 indicating whether the stamps have been completed, and the service server 200 outputs different displays to the user terminal device 10 depending on whether the stamps have been completed. This makes it possible to determine whether at least some of the conditions for issuing benefits have been met, even if the user makes an electronic payment without using a payment app.

[0045] Furthermore, if the payment server 100 and the service server 200 cooperate as described above regarding stamp issuance, users can receive and verify stamps both when making electronic payments using the payment app 20 and when making electronic payments on external services provided by the service server 200. In addition, even if the service provider of the service provided by the service server 200 does not have a physical store, the service provider can issue stamp cards usable with the electronic payment service, and users can receive and verify stamps. This can improve the incentive for users to use electronic payment services.

[0046] [Adjusting payment information] Thus, according to this embodiment, whether a user makes an electronic payment at a physical store using the payment app 20 or at an online shopping site using a web browser, if the electronic payment meets the conditions for stamp awarding, the user can earn stamps. However, unlike electronic payments at physical stores where purchased goods are handed over immediately, at online shopping sites, for example, the inventory status and quality of the goods may change between the time of ordering and shipping, or the payment amount may fluctuate due to market value. Therefore, if a reward for completing the stamp collection is awarded to the user immediately after an electronic payment at an online shopping site, there is a risk that the reward will be consumed before it can be canceled, even though it may be necessary to cancel the awarded reward due to order cancellation or a change in the payment amount.

[0047] Against the backdrop of the above circumstances, the adjustment unit 148 receives change information regarding the payment information of an electronic payment from the service server 200 or the administrator terminal device of the service server 200 (e.g., the second store terminal device 70) within a predetermined period T1 (e.g., several days) from the electronic payment on the online shopping site, and after the predetermined period T1 has elapsed, adjusts the payment information based on the received change information. Here, adjustment of payment information includes, for example, an increase or decrease in the payment amount, a change (decrease) in the quantity of ordered goods or services, and cancellation. In the following explanation, as an example, the adjustment of payment information will be assumed to be an adjustment of the payment amount.

[0048] If the settlement amount is adjusted by the adjustment unit 148, the settlement processing unit 130 increases or decreases the user's charge balance or available credit payment amount based on the adjusted settlement amount and executes the electronic settlement. At this time, as will be described later, if the adjusted settlement amount exceeds the original settlement amount, the settlement processing unit 130 may cause the user terminal device 10 to display inquiry information indicating whether or not to approve the adjustment of the settlement amount, and execute settlement processing based on the adjusted settlement amount in response to the user's approval.

[0049] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating the adjustment process of payment information performed by the adjustment unit 148. Figure 14 shows the adjustment process performed when a user makes an electronic payment (hereinafter simply referred to as online payment) on an online shopping site as shown in Figure 11. When a user makes an online payment, first the payment processing unit 130 provisionally subtracts the payment amount from the user's charge balance or available credit payment amount (Preauth; hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as time point P). At the same time, the determination unit 144 determines whether the payment information satisfies the stamp granting conditions (or stamp completion conditions) of the stamp card. If it is determined that the payment information satisfies the stamp granting conditions (or stamp completion conditions) of the stamp card, the output unit 146 displays a notification object OB1 (or notification object OB2) indicating that a stamp has been granted (or the stamp card has been completed) to the user terminal device 10 via the service server 200, as shown in Figure 12 or Figure 13.

[0050] Subsequently, over a predetermined period T1, the adjustment unit 148 receives changes to payment information from the service server 200 or the administrator terminal device of the service server 200. For example, during the predetermined period T1, the merchant's representative inputs change information regarding changes to payment information into, for example, the second store terminal device 70, and transmits it to the payment server 100, in accordance with fluctuations in the inventory status and market price of the goods or services for which online payment has been made. After the predetermined period T1 has elapsed, the adjustment unit 148 adjusts and finalizes the payment amount based on the last change information received from the merchant, and the payment processing unit 130 executes the payment processing with the adjusted payment amount (Capture; hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as time point C).

[0051] Simultaneously, the determination unit 144 re-determines whether the adjusted payment amount meets the stamp granting conditions (or stamp completion conditions). If it is determined that the adjusted payment amount meets the stamp granting conditions (or stamp completion conditions), the reward processing unit 150 confirms the granting of stamps (or rewards) to the user. Subsequently, after a predetermined period T2, the reward processing unit 150 grants the rewards to the user's account. On the other hand, if it is determined that the adjusted payment amount does not meet the stamp granting conditions (or stamp completion conditions), the reward processing unit 150 cancels the granting of stamps (or rewards) to the user. Through this process, even in online shopping where the inventory status and quality status of products may change, or the payment amount may fluctuate due to market prices, the process of granting rewards associated with completing the stamp card can be appropriately controlled in accordance with changes in the user's payment information.

[0052] [Approval of changes to payment information] As described above, the adjustment unit 148 receives changes to the payment information of an electronic payment from a merchant within a predetermined period T1 from the time of the electronic payment on the online shopping site. However, if the payment amount is adjusted to increase, for example, performing the electronic payment with the adjusted amount without obtaining approval from the user may cause discomfort to the user or lead to trouble. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the payment amount is adjusted to increase by the adjustment unit 148, the output unit 146 displays a notification screen on the user terminal device 10 requesting approval for the increase in the payment amount, and the payment processing unit 130, upon receiving approval from the user for the increase in the payment amount, performs the electronic payment with the adjusted payment amount.

[0053] Figure 15 shows an example of the screen transitions output by the output unit 146 when the settlement amount is adjusted by the adjustment unit 148. The screen in Figure 15 is displayed, for example, when a user clicks "Transaction History" on the top screen shown in Figure 7. For the sake of brevity of explanation, Figure 15 shows the screen for a single transaction, but in reality, the screens shown in Figure 15 may be displayed for multiple transactions in chronological order in which the electronic settlements were executed.

[0054] First, as shown on the left side of Figure 15, when a user makes an online payment, the output unit 146 outputs display information (for example, "Payment Accepted" in Figure 15) to the user terminal device 10 indicating that the user's online payment has been accepted. The screen shown on the left side of Figure 15 represents the screen at the stage when the electronic payment service has accepted the user's online payment but the predetermined period T1 has not yet elapsed. Subsequently, during the predetermined period T1, the adjustment unit 148 receives changes to the payment information of the electronic payment from the merchant. Here, as an example, let's assume that the merchant sends change information to the payment server 100 indicating that they want to change the payment amount from 1500 yen to 2000 yen.

[0055] Next, as shown in the center of Figure 15, once a predetermined period T1 has elapsed since the online payment, the adjustment unit 148 confirms the change information received from the merchant. For example, in Figure 15, the adjustment unit 148 confirms the change information indicating that the payment amount will be changed from 1,500 yen to 2,000 yen. Next, the output unit 146 outputs display information (for example, "Payment Re-accepted" in Figure 15) indicating that the payment amount has been changed, and requests the user to approve the change in the payment amount. At this time, the output unit 146 may also send a push notification to the user terminal device 10 to ensure that the user is notified that a change in the payment amount has occurred. The user approves the change in the payment amount by, for example, pressing the approval button B3 to approve the change in the payment amount, and the user terminal device 10 sends display information to the payment server 100 indicating that the user has approved the change in the payment amount.

[0056] As a result, as shown on the right side of Figure 15, the adjustment unit 148 confirms the adjusted settlement amount as 2,000 yen, and the settlement processing unit 130 executes the electronic payment using the adjusted settlement amount. In this case, the reward processing unit 150 confirms the issuance of stamps (or rewards) to the user. Accordingly, the output unit 146 outputs display information (for example, "Payment Complete" in Figure 15) to the user terminal device 10 indicating that the electronic payment using the adjusted settlement amount has been completed. At this time, in addition to the display information indicating the completion of the electronic payment, the output unit 146 may also output display information indicating the confirmation of stamp issuance (or reward issuance) to the user terminal device 10. Through the above process, the user can check the progress of the electronic payment after executing the online payment.

[0057] In the screen shown in the center of Figure 15, if the user does not press the approval button B3 within a predetermined period, the payment processing unit 130 cancels the payment. That is, the payment processing unit 130 restores the user's temporarily deducted charge balance or available credit payment amount. At the same time, the rewards processing unit 150 cancels the awarding of stamps (or rewards) to the user.

[0058] [Payment patterns for completing the stamp rally] The following describes payment patterns that allow a user to complete a stamp rally requiring N transactions, referring to Figures 16 to 18. In the following explanation of Figures 16 to 18, it is assumed that the user has already acquired N-2 stamps through N-2 transactions.

[0059] Figure 16 shows the flow of the first payment pattern for stamp completion. In the payment pattern shown in Figure 16, first, at time P(N-1), the user performs the N-1th electronic payment that satisfies the stamp granting conditions. At this time, the output unit 146 outputs and displays stamp imprint information to the user terminal device 10, indicating that a stamp has been granted to the stamp card, similar to the screen shown in Figure 12. Subsequently, after a predetermined period T1 has elapsed since the N-1th electronic payment, if there has been no adjustment to the payment amount, or if the N-1st electronic payment still satisfies the stamp granting conditions even after adjustment to the payment amount, at time C(N-1), the reward processing unit 150 confirms the granting of the stamp to the user.

[0060] Subsequently, at time P(N), the user performs the Nth electronic payment that satisfies the stamp granting conditions. At this time, the output unit 146 outputs and displays stamp completion information to the user terminal device 10, indicating that the stamps on the stamp card have been completed, similar to the screen shown in Figure 13. Subsequently, after a predetermined period T1 has elapsed since the Nth electronic payment, if there has been no adjustment to the payment amount, or if the Nth electronic payment still satisfies the stamp completion conditions even after adjustment to the payment amount, at time C(N), the reward processing unit 150 confirms the user's stamp completion. Subsequently, after a predetermined period T2 has elapsed since the confirmation of stamp completion, the reward processing unit 150 grants the reward to the user.

[0061] Figure 17 shows the flow of the second payment pattern for stamp completion. In the payment pattern shown in Figure 17, first, at time P(N-1), the user performs the N-1th electronic payment that satisfies the stamp granting conditions. At this time, the output unit 146 outputs and displays stamp imprint information to the user terminal device 10, indicating that a stamp has been added to the stamp card, similar to the screen shown in Figure 12. Subsequently, at time P(N), the user performs the Nth electronic payment that satisfies the stamp granting conditions. At this time, the output unit 146 outputs and displays stamp completion information to the user terminal device 10, indicating that the stamps on the stamp card have been completed, similar to the screen shown in Figure 13. In other words, the output unit 146 notifies the user of stamp completion even if the Nth electronic payment that satisfies the stamp granting conditions is performed before a predetermined period T1 has elapsed since the N-1th electronic payment. This prevents the user from feeling confused when stamp completion information is not displayed despite performing the Nth electronic payment that satisfies the stamp granting conditions.

[0062] Subsequently, if a predetermined period T1 has elapsed since the N-1th electronic payment and there has been no adjustment to the payment amount, or if the N-1st electronic payment still meets the stamp awarding conditions even after adjustment to the payment amount, the reward processing unit 150 confirms the awarding of stamps to the user at time C(N-1). Subsequently, if a predetermined period T1 has elapsed since the Nth electronic payment and there has been no adjustment to the payment amount, or if the Nth electronic payment still meets the stamp completion conditions even after adjustment to the payment amount, the reward processing unit 150 confirms the user's stamp completion at time C(N). Subsequently, if a predetermined period T2 has elapsed since the confirmation of stamp completion, the reward processing unit 150 awards the reward to the user.

[0063] Figure 18 shows the flow of the third payment pattern for stamp completion. In the payment pattern shown in Figure 18, first, at time P(N-1), the user performs the N-1th electronic payment that satisfies the stamp granting conditions. At this time, the output unit 146 outputs and displays stamp imprint information to the user terminal device 10, indicating that a stamp has been added to the stamp card, similar to the screen shown in Figure 12. Subsequently, at time P(N), the user performs the Nth electronic payment that satisfies the stamp granting conditions. At this time, the output unit 146 outputs and displays stamp completion information to the user terminal device 10, indicating that the stamps on the stamp card have been completed, similar to the screen shown in Figure 13. Subsequently, if a predetermined period T1 has elapsed since the Nth electronic payment and there has been no adjustment of the payment amount, or if the Nth electronic payment satisfies the stamp completion conditions even after adjustment of the payment amount, at time C(N), the reward processing unit 150 confirms the user's stamp completion.

[0064] Here, at the stage of confirming stamp completion at time C(N), the N-1th electronic payment has not yet been stamped. This is because, in the third payment pattern for stamp completion, the predetermined period T1 from Preauth to Capture for the N-1st electronic payment is longer than the predetermined period T1 from Preauth to Capture for the Nth electronic payment. This difference in the length of the predetermined period is due to a delay in the occurrence of Capture for the N-1st electronic payment for some reason. In this case, at time C(N-1), the reward processing unit 150 determines whether there is no adjustment to the payment amount, or whether the N-1st electronic payment still meets the stamp completion conditions after adjustment to the payment amount. If there is no adjustment to the payment amount, or if the N-1st electronic payment still meets the stamp granting conditions after adjustment to the payment amount, the reward processing unit 150 confirms the granting of stamps to the user at time C(N-1). After that, a predetermined period T2 has elapsed since the confirmation of stamp completion, and the reward processing unit 150 grants the reward to the user. On the other hand, if the issuance of stamps is not confirmed for the N-1th electronic payment (for example, if the user does not approve a change in the payment amount, if the payment amount decreases as a result of the change and the conditions for stamp issuance are no longer met, or if the merchant cancels the order), the reward processing unit 150 cancels the stamp completion for the Nth electronic payment and cancels the issuance of rewards. In this case, the output unit 146 outputs and displays notification information to the user terminal device 10 indicating that the issuance of rewards has been canceled.

[0065] In Figure 18, the reward processing unit 150 confirms stamp completion before time point C(N-1). However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Even if a predetermined period T1 has elapsed since the Nth electronic payment, if stamp issuance for the N-1th electronic payment has not been confirmed, the reward processing unit 150 may wait until stamp issuance for the N-1th electronic payment is confirmed. In that case, the reward processing unit 150 may confirm stamp completion for the Nth electronic payment at the time stamp issuance for the N-1th electronic payment is confirmed.

[0066] [Process flow] Next, the processing flow according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 19. Figure 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow executed by the cooperation of the user terminal device 10, the payment server 100, and the service server 200. The processing shown in Figure 19 represents the process when a merchant changes the payment information after an online payment by a user, but the payment information satisfies the stamp awarding conditions, and therefore a stamp is ultimately awarded to the user (or the stamp collection is completed).

[0067] First, the user accesses the service server 200 using the user terminal device 10 (S10). In response, the service server 200 provides the user terminal device 10 with a service (for example, an online shopping service) (S12). Next, the user uses the electronic payment service on the service (for example, by selecting the electronic payment service as the payment method) (S14).

[0068] Next, the user terminal device 10 sends notification information to the service server 200, which includes at least the payment amount and user identification information, indicating that the user will use the electronic payment service (S16). Upon receiving the notification information, the service server 200 sends notification information to the payment server 100, which includes at least the payment amount and user identification information, indicating that the user will use the electronic payment service (S18).

[0069] When the payment server 100 receives notification information, the payment processing unit 130 provisionally executes an electronic payment for the user of the electronic payment service identified by the user identification information, and the determination unit 144 executes a stamp determination process to determine whether the payment information satisfies the stamp granting conditions of the stamp card provided by the operator of the service server 200 on the electronic payment service (S20). Next, the output unit 146 outputs the electronic payment processing result and (if it is determined that the stamp granting conditions are met) notification information indicating that a stamp has been granted to the user's stamp card (S22).

[0070] Next, when the service server 200 obtains the processing result and notification information of the electronic payment, it generates an object corresponding to the notification information (S24). More specifically, as described above, the service server 200 generates different objects depending on whether or not the stamps have been completed. Next, the service server 200 outputs and displays a payment completion screen, including the generated objects, to the user terminal device 10 (S26).

[0071] Next, the service server 200 sends a notification of change in payment information to the payment server 100, for example, in response to an operation by the merchant operator (S28). Next, the output unit 146 outputs the notification of change in payment information to the user terminal device 10 (S30). Next, the user terminal device 10 sends an approval of the change in payment information to the payment server 100 in response to an approval operation by the user (S32). Next, the payment processing unit 130 executes the electronic payment using the changed payment information, and the reward processing unit 150 confirms the stamp issuance (S34). This completes the processing shown in this sequence diagram.

[0072] In the above embodiment, as an example, the case in which the benefit to be notified by the service server 200 is a stamp card was described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the benefit to be notified by the service server 200 may be, for example, a coupon. As described above, a coupon is a coupon whose value is granted to the user in accordance with the fact that the user has performed an acquisition operation on the payment app 20 in advance (for example, by pressing the coupon acquisition button on the merchant's dedicated page) and has made an electronic payment that satisfies the application conditions. Therefore, the determination unit 144 determines whether the user's payment on the external service satisfies the application conditions of a coupon that the user has already acquired, and if it is determined that the coupon application conditions are met, the service server 200 may display a payment completion screen on the user terminal device 10 that includes an object indicating that the coupon has been applied.

[0073] According to the embodiment described above, payment information regarding the user's payment for the service via an electronic payment service is obtained from a service server that provides services used by the user. It is determined whether the obtained payment information satisfies the conditions for granting benefits provided by the service on the electronic payment service. If it is determined that the obtained payment information satisfies the conditions for granting benefits, notification information indicating that the conditions for granting benefits have been met is output to the service server. After a predetermined period following the payment of the service, the payment information is adjusted. If it is determined that the adjusted payment information satisfies the conditions for granting benefits, the benefits are granted to the user's electronic payment service account. This makes it possible to appropriately control the benefit granting process in response to changes in the user's payment information.

[0074] Although embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 10. User terminal device 20 Payment Apps 100 Payment Servers 110 Communications Department 120 Payment Content Provision Department 130 Payment Processing Unit 140 Information Management Department 142 Acquisition Department 144 Judgment section 146 Output section 148 Adjustment section 150 Special Offer Processing 170 Storage section

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires payment information related to the payment of the service by the user via an electronic payment service from a service server that provides the service used by the user, A determination unit that determines whether the acquired payment information satisfies the conditions for granting benefits provided by the service on the electronic payment service, If the acquired payment information is determined to satisfy the conditions for granting the benefit, the output unit outputs notification information to the service server indicating that the conditions for granting the benefit have been met. After a predetermined period for settlement of the service, an adjustment unit adjusts the settlement information, The system includes a reward processing unit that, when it is determined that the adjusted payment information meets the conditions for granting the reward, grants the reward to the user's electronic payment service account. Information processing device.

2. The conditions for granting the aforementioned benefit are that a predetermined number of payments meeting the predetermined conditions are executed within a predetermined period. The aforementioned benefit is that value usable in the aforementioned electronic payment service is added to the user's account. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The adjustment unit receives change information regarding the payment information from the service server or the administrator terminal device of the service server within the predetermined period after the payment of the service, and adjusts the payment information based on the change information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned change information includes information relating to changes in the settlement amount of the settlement, The adjustment unit adjusts the settlement amount of the settlement information, The output unit, when the settlement amount increases due to the adjustment, outputs inquiry information to the user's user terminal device asking whether or not to approve the change in the settlement amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. If the reward processing unit determines that the change in the payment amount has been approved and that the adjusted payment amount meets the conditions for granting the reward, it grants the reward to the user's electronic payment service account. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The conditions for granting the aforementioned benefit are that a predetermined number of payments meeting the predetermined conditions are executed within a predetermined period. If the reward processing unit determines that the change in the payment amount for the predetermined number of payments has been approved and that the adjusted payment amount satisfies the conditions for granting the reward, it grants the reward to the user's electronic payment service account, even if the adjustment of the payment amount for the previous payment for the predetermined number of payments has not yet been finalized. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

7. Computers From the service server providing services used by users, payment information regarding the payment of said services by said users via an electronic payment service is obtained. The acquired payment information is used to determine whether it satisfies the conditions for granting benefits provided by the service on the electronic payment service. If the acquired payment information is determined to satisfy the conditions for granting the benefit, notification information indicating that the conditions for granting the benefit have been met is output to the service server. After a predetermined period has elapsed since the settlement of the aforementioned service, the settlement information is adjusted. If the adjusted payment information is determined to meet the conditions for granting the benefit, the benefit will be granted to the user's electronic payment service account. Information processing methods.

8. On the computer, The service server providing the service used by the user obtains payment information related to the user's payment for the service via an electronic payment service. The acquired payment information is used to determine whether the conditions for granting benefits provided by the service on the electronic payment service are met. If the acquired payment information is determined to satisfy the conditions for granting the benefit, the service server will output notification information indicating that the conditions for granting the benefit have been met. After a predetermined period has elapsed since the settlement of the aforementioned service, the settlement information is adjusted. If the adjusted payment information is determined to meet the conditions for granting the benefit, the benefit will be granted to the user's electronic payment service account. program.

9. A system including a service server that provides services and a payment server that provides electronic payment services, The service server transmits payment information relating to the payment of the service by the user via the electronic payment service to the payment server. The payment server determines whether the acquired payment information satisfies the conditions for granting the benefits provided by the service on the electronic payment service, and if it determines that the acquired payment information satisfies the conditions for granting the benefits, it outputs notification information to the service server indicating that the conditions for granting the benefits have been met, adjusts the payment information after a predetermined period of time since the payment of the service, and if it determines that the adjusted payment information satisfies the conditions for granting the benefits, it grants the benefits to the user's account on the electronic payment service. The service server outputs a display including an object corresponding to the outputted notification information to the user's user terminal device. system.

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