Point usage selection system and screen information transmission method

Abstract

This system provides a point usage selection system that encourages users to take actions that allow them to earn interest on points that can be used for payment. [Solution] The service server transmits usage selection screen information to the terminal device, which displays a usage selection screen that accepts a selection operation for selecting one of several options regarding whether or not to use available points for payment. The usage selection screen includes addable information indicating that it is possible to add available points to the point interest limit. The service server receives selection information from the terminal device indicating the option selected on the usage selection screen, and transmits at least one of the following to the terminal device: addable operation screen information that displays an addable operation screen that accepts an operation to add available points to the point interest limit, and display operation screen information that displays a display operation screen that accepts an operation to display the addable operation screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method that enable a user to use points owned by the user for payment in a point program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, point programs using information and communication technologies have come to be widely used. A point program is a service that gives points to a user in response to, for example, the purchase of a product, the purchase of a service, or the use of a service. The user can use the points acquired in the point program, for example, to pay the transaction amount of a product or service.

[0003] Also, it is known that by holding the acquired points, the user can receive points corresponding to interest. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses storing point information corresponding to the purchase amount of a user, and adding point information corresponding to a predetermined interest rate to the point information on the condition that the point information is not less than a certain predetermined point information for a predetermined period.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when the user uses the acquired points for some payment, no interest is added to the points used. In that case, the user may not be able to receive interest, or the interest received by the user may decrease.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and one example of its objective is to provide a point usage selection system and a screen information transmission method that can prompt users to take action to enable them to receive interest on points that can be used for payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a point usage selection system that allows a user to choose whether or not to use points held in a points program for payment, wherein there are multiple point slots for holding the points held by the user, the multiple point slots include an available points slot and a points interest slot, the points in the available points slot are available for payment, the points in the points interest slot accrue interest, and the usage selection screen is capable of accepting a selection operation to choose one of multiple options regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points slot for payment, and the points in the available points slot are added to the points interest slot. The point usage selection system is characterized by comprising: usage selection screen information transmission means for transmitting usage selection screen information to the user's terminal device, which causes the terminal device to display a usage selection screen that includes additional possible information indicating that it is possible to do so; selection information receiving means for receiving from the terminal device selection information indicating the selected option on the usage selection screen displayed on the terminal device; additional operation screen information for transmitting to the terminal device at least one of the following operation screen information to the terminal device after the selection information has been received from the terminal device: additional operation screen information that allows the terminal device to display an additional operation screen that accepts an operation to add points in the available points frame to the point interest frame; and display operation screen information that allows the terminal device to display a display operation screen that accepts an operation to display the additional operation screen.

[0008] According to this aspect, a usage selection screen is displayed on the terminal device. The usage selection screen accepts a selection operation to choose one of several options regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points limit for payment. The usage selection screen also includes additional information. The additional information indicates that it is possible to add the points in the available points limit to the points interest limit. The additional information allows the user to recognize that it is possible to add the points in the available points limit to the points interest limit when making a selection about whether or not to use the points in the available points limit for payment. Therefore, the user can take this into consideration when selecting an option. Selection information indicating the option selected on the usage selection screen is received from the terminal device. After the selection information is received, operation screen information is sent to the terminal device. The operation screen information is at least one of additional operation screen information and display operation screen information. The additional operation screen information is information that causes the additional operation screen to be displayed on the terminal device. The additional operation screen accepts an operation to add the points in the available points limit to the points interest limit. The display operation screen information is the information that causes the display operation screen to be displayed on the terminal device. The display operation screen can accept operations to display the additional operation screen. After the user selects an option, the additional operation screen or the display operation screen is displayed. Even if the display operation screen is displayed, the additional operation screen will be displayed based on the operations performed on the display operation screen. Therefore, in either case, the user can perform an operation on the additional operation screen to add points to the points interest limit. Since the additional operation screen or the display operation screen is displayed, it is convenient for the user to consider whether or not to use the points in the available points limit for payment. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to take action to make the points available for payment eligible for interest.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system characterized in that the usage selection screen is a screen for a transaction service that enables a transaction target, and in the procedure of the transaction target selected by the user, it is a screen that can accept the selection operation of whether or not to use the points in the available points frame to pay the transaction price of the transaction target, and further comprises a transaction procedure request information receiving means that receives transaction procedure request information indicating a request to enter the transaction procedure from the terminal device, and the usage selection screen information transmitting means transmits the usage selection screen information after the transaction procedure request information has been received from the terminal device.

[0010] According to this aspect, in the transaction service, the usage selection screen, which allows users to choose whether or not to use points within their available points limit to pay for the transaction, includes additional information. Therefore, in situations where it is possible to choose to use points to pay for the transaction, it is possible to prompt the user to take action to enable them to receive interest.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system further comprising a transaction content confirmation request information receiving means for receiving transaction content confirmation request information from the terminal device, which indicates a request to confirm the transaction content including the selections indicated by the received selection information, and the operation screen information transmitting means for transmitting the operation screen information when the transaction content confirmation request information is received from the terminal device.

[0012] According to this aspect, after the user has chosen whether to use points in their available points balance for payment, and once the transaction details are finalized, an additional operation screen or display operation screen will be shown. This prevents the transaction process from being interrupted by an operation to add points to the points interest balance.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system characterized in that the usage selection screen is a screen for a payment service that enables payment by electronic payment, and is a screen that can accept the selection operation regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points frame for payment using the payment service.

[0014] According to this aspect, it is possible to encourage users to take actions that allow them to earn interest on points that can be used for payments made using payment services.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system characterized in that the usage selection screen is at least one of a code screen containing a code displayed for electronic payment and a screen displayed in response to an operation that can be accepted on the code screen.

[0016] According to this aspect, it is possible to encourage users to take action to enable them to receive interest on points that can be used for payments via electronic payment using codes.

[0017] Another aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when a payment process is executed in the payment service.

[0018] According to this aspect, once a payment using electronic payment via a payment service is completed, an additional operation screen or display operation screen will be displayed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent operations to add points to the points interest limit before the payment is made.

[0019] Another aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system characterized in that the usage selection screen is a screen for a service in which the user pays a usage fee for a period of time, and is a screen that can accept the selection operation regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points frame to pay the usage fee.

[0020] According to this aspect, it is possible to prompt the user to perform actions for receiving interest on points that can be used for paying usage fees for a service for which the user pays usage fees for each period.

[0021] Still another aspect of the present application is a point usage selection system characterized in that the operation screen information transmitting means transmits the operation screen information in response to receiving the selection information from the terminal device.

[0022] According to this aspect, an additional operation screen or a display operation screen is displayed in response to an operation performed by the user to select an option on a usage selection screen including additional information that can be added. Therefore, when the user considers whether to use the points in the available point frame for payment, the user can quickly take an action based on the result of the consideration.

[0023] Still another aspect of the present application is a point usage selection system characterized in that the plurality of options include non-use addition indicating adding the points in the available point frame to the point interest frame without using the points for payment, and the operation screen information transmitting means transmits the operation screen information when the option indicated by the received selection information is the non-use addition.

[0024] According to this aspect, when the user selects to add points to the point interest frame without using the points in the available point frame for payment, a display operation screen or an additional operation screen is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to respond to the user's intention.

[0025] Still another aspect of the present application is the number of used points indicating the number of points used for the payment, which is the number of points within the available point frame after subtracting the number of used points corresponding to the option indicated by the received selection information. The system further comprises a post - use point number acquisition means for acquiring the number of post - use points, and when the acquired number of post - use points indicates that there are points in the available point frame, the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information. This is a point usage selection system characterized by this.

[0026] According to this aspect, when points remain in the available point frame after points have been provided for payment use based on the user's selection or after they have not been used, a display operation screen or an additional operation screen is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to effectively utilize the points remaining in the available point frame according to the user's selection and receive interest.

[0027] Still another aspect of the present application is that the additional operation screen is a screen capable of receiving an operation for enabling an additional function of periodically adding the points in the available point frame to the point interest frame. Additional function information indicating whether the additional function is valid is stored in the additional function information storage means for each user. The system further comprises an additional function information acquisition means for acquiring the additional function information stored in the additional function information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device. When the acquired additional function information indicates invalidity, the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information. This is a point usage selection system characterized by this.

[0028] According to this aspect, the user can utilize the additional function. The additional function is a function of periodically adding the points in the available point frame to the point interest frame. When the additional function is invalid, an additional screen capable of receiving an operation for enabling the additional function or a display operation screen capable of receiving an operation for displaying the additional screen is displayed. Therefore, the user can enable the additional function.

[0029] Another aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system further comprising additional means for adding points in the available points frame to the point interest frame based on an operation accepted on the additional operation screen displayed on the terminal device.

[0030] A further aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system characterized in that the user has access to a points program, which includes a plurality of services that award points through the points program and allow the use of points through the points program for payments incurred from the use of the services, the points awarded to the user from any first service among the plurality of services are added to the available points limit, the points added to the available points limit can be used for payments incurred from using any second service among the plurality of services that is different from the first service, and the addition means adds the points that have been awarded from the first service and added to the available points limit, thereby making them available for use in the second service, to the points interest limit.

[0031] According to this aspect, users can utilize point programs when using multiple services. Points awarded to a user from any of these services and added to their available points allowance can be used by the user to pay for services other than the one that was awarded. Points that are awarded to a user and added to their available points allowance can be added to their points interest allowance. Therefore, points awarded to a user from one service but usable by the user from a different service can be added to their points interest allowance.

[0032] A further aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system characterized in that the number of available points, which indicates the number of points in the available points frame, is stored in the available points storage means for each user, and point interest frame information, which indicates the number of points in the point interest frame, is stored in the point interest frame information storage means for each user or in accordance with the addition of points to the point interest frame, and the addition means adds points to the point interest frame by subtracting an additional point number, which indicates the number of points to be added, from the available points stored in the available points storage means, and updating the point interest frame information stored in the point interest frame information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device with the additional point number, or by storing the point interest frame information indicating the additional point number in the point interest frame information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device.

[0033] According to this aspect, the number of available points associated with the user is subtracted from the number of available points. This reduces the number of points in the available points limit by the amount added to the points interest limit. In addition, the points interest limit information associated with the user is updated with the number of added points, or points interest limit information including the number of added points is stored in association with the user. This increases the number of points in the points interest limit by the amount added to the points interest limit. In this way, points in the available points limit can be added to the points interest limit.

[0034] Another aspect of the present invention is a point usage selection system characterized in that the point interest frame includes a periodic investment point interest frame for which interest is paid on the condition that points have been accumulated for an investment period of a predetermined length, and the addition operation screen is a screen that can accept operations for adding points in the available point frame to the periodic investment point interest frame.

[0035] From this perspective, it is possible to encourage users to take action to earn interest by depositing points that can be used for payments for a predetermined investment period.

[0036] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a screen information transmission method executed by a computer for a point usage selection system that allows a user to choose whether or not to use points in a point program for payment, wherein there are multiple point slots for storing points held by the user, and these slots include a usable points slot and a points interest slot, and of the usable points slot and points interest slot, the points in the usable points slot are usable for payment, and of the usable points slot and points interest slot, interest is paid on the points in the points interest slot, and the usage selection screen is capable of accepting a selection operation to choose one of multiple options regarding whether or not to use the points in the usable points slot for payment, wherein the points in the usable points slot are A screen information transmission method characterized by including: a usage selection screen information transmission step of transmitting usage selection screen information to the user's terminal device, which causes the terminal device to display a usage selection screen that includes additional information indicating that it is possible to add points to the point interest limit; a selection information reception step of receiving selection information from the terminal device that indicates the selection of the option selected on the usage selection screen displayed on the terminal device; an operation screen information transmission step of transmitting at least one of the following operation screen information to the terminal device after the selection information has been received from the terminal device: additional operation screen information that causes the terminal device to display an additional operation screen that accepts an operation to add points in the available point limit to the point interest limit; and display operation screen information that causes the terminal device to display a display operation screen that accepts an operation to display the additional operation screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] According to the present invention, it is possible to encourage users to take actions that allow them to receive interest on points that can be used for payment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the general configuration of a communication system S according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows examples of multiple point frames. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the overview configuration of service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the contents stored in the database of service server 1. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows an example of the overview configuration of the member information management server 2 according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of information stored in the database of a member information management server 2 according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This block diagram shows an example of the outline configuration of a point management server 3 according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of information stored in the database of a point management server 3 according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of an order confirmation screen. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a screen for changing point usage. [Figure 12] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of order confirmation screens. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of a functional block of the system control unit 31 of a point management server 3 according to one embodiment. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of the top screen for the non-regular points interest payment option. [Figure 15]This figure shows an example of the screen for adding points to the non-regular point interest limit. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of screen transitions in one embodiment. [Figure 17] This figure shows an example of the processing performed by the communication system S during the order process for a product. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of the processing performed by the communication system S when the order details are confirmed. [Figure 19] This figure shows an example of a UI display determination process for point interest that is executed by the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 20] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing of the communication system S when points are added to the points interest limit. [Figure 21] This figure shows an example of a non-periodic point interest rate point addition process executed by the system control unit 31 of the point management server 3 according to one embodiment. [Figure 22] This figure shows an example of an automatic addition process for non-periodic point interest rates, which is performed by the system control unit 31 of the service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 23] This figure shows an example of a screen for changing point usage. [Figure 24] This figure shows an example of a UI display determination process for point interest that is executed by the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 25] This block diagram shows an example of the overview configuration of service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 26] This figure shows an example of the contents stored in the database of service server 1. [Figure 27] This figure shows an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 28] This figure shows an example of the top screen of an electronic payment system. [Figure 29] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of the point usage details settings window 700. [Figure 30]This figure shows an example of a window for point interest transitions. [Figure 31] This figure shows an example of screen transitions in one embodiment. [Figure 32] This figure shows an example of the processing performed by the communication system S when setting up the use of points. [Figure 33] This figure shows an example of a payment completion screen. [Figure 34] This figure shows an example of the processing performed by the communication system S during payment. [Figure 35] This figure shows an example of the points usage details settings window. [Figure 36] This block diagram shows an example of the overview configuration of service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 37] This figure shows an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 38] This figure shows an example of a usage fee screen. [Figure 39] This figure shows an example of a payment method change screen. [Figure 40] This figure shows an example of a usage fee screen for the user corresponding to the additional operation screen display operation screen. [Figure 41] This figure shows an example of screen transitions in one embodiment. [Figure 42] This figure shows an example of the processing performed by the communication system S when the payment method for usage fees is changed. [Figure 43] This figure shows an example of a payment method change screen. [Figure 44] This diagram shows an example of the difference between non-regular point interest rates and regular point interest rates. [Figure 45] This block diagram shows an example of the outline configuration of a point management server 3 according to one embodiment. [Figure 46] This figure shows an example of information stored in the database of a point management server 3 according to one embodiment. [Figure 47] This figure shows an example of the top screen for the regular points interest payment limit. [Figure 48]This figure shows an example of screen transitions in one embodiment. [Figure 49] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing of the communication system S when points are added to the points interest limit. [Figure 50] This figure shows an example of a periodic point interest rate point addition process executed by the system control unit 31 of the point management server 3 according to one embodiment. [Figure 51] This figure shows an example of the automatic addition of periodic point interest points performed by the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] [1. First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0040] [1-1. Communication System Configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of the communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overview configuration of the communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system S consists of a service server 1, a member information management server 2, a point management server 3, and multiple user terminals 4. These devices are connected to a network NW. The network NW is constructed using, for example, the internet, a dedicated communication line (e.g., a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), and a gateway.

[0042] Service Server 1 may be a server device that performs processing to provide a predetermined service or a server device that performs processing related to that service. This service is referred to as the service provided by Service Server 1. For example, the service provided may be a service provided using information and communication technology. Alternatively, the service provided may be a service provided through a network such as the Internet or other networks. Alternatively, the service provided may be a service provided through the WWW (World Wide Web) or a website. Examples of services provided include trading services, communication services, payment services, and content distribution services. A trading service may be a service that enables transactions of trading objects through a network such as the Internet. This trading service may also be a service that enables electronic commerce. Examples of trading objects include goods and services. Examples of trading services and websites for trading services include online shopping malls, service reservation sites, facility reservation sites, ticket sales sites, online securities firms, and online banks. A communication service may be a service that enables at least one of voice communication and data communication. Examples of communication services include mobile communication services and optical fiber connection services. A payment service may be a service that enables payment by electronic payment. Examples of electronic payment methods include credit card payments, debit card payments, electronic money payments, app payments, and carrier billing. Content distribution services may also be services that distribute digital content. Examples of distributed content include videos, music, and ebooks.

[0043] The services provided by service server 1 may be services included in the comprehensive internet service. The comprehensive internet service may be a collection of multiple services. Examples of services and websites included in the comprehensive internet service include online shopping sites, online shopping malls, service reservation sites, facility reservation sites, online securities brokers, online banks, web search, content distribution, mobile communication services, carrier billing, fiber optic internet connection services, credit card payments, app payments, electronic money payments, social networking services, rich communication services, and email services.

[0044] Service Server 1 may be a server device included in the point usage selection system. The point usage selection system may be a system that allows users to choose whether or not to use points they have in the point program (described later) for payment. Service Server 1 may perform processing to provide a screen to the user terminal 4 that accepts the operation to choose whether or not to use points for payment. For example, Service Server 1 may correspond to the point usage selection system. Alternatively, the combination of Service Server 1 and Point Management Server 3 may correspond to the point usage selection system.

[0045] In this embodiment, the service provided by the service server 1 is assumed to be a transaction service. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example of a transaction service, a service that enables transactions in an online shopping mall will be mainly described. The online shopping mall may be a website where multiple stores can each sell their products.

[0046] The member information management server 2 may be a server device that manages information related to members of the aforementioned comprehensive internet service. When a user becomes a member of the comprehensive internet service, that user is assigned a user ID. The user ID may be identification information that identifies the user within the comprehensive internet service. Users who become members of the comprehensive internet service may be able to use many of the services included in that comprehensive internet service. In order to use some services, users may be required to perform separate member registration or user registration, which is conditional on being a member of the comprehensive internet service.

[0047] The point management server 3 may be a server device that performs processing for managing each user's points in a predetermined point program. This point program may be included in the comprehensive internet service described above. The point program may be a service in which a user can earn points on the condition that the user pays the transaction price. For example, points equivalent to a predetermined percentage of the transaction price may be awarded to the user. The exchange rate between points and money is predetermined. For example, 1 point may be equivalent to 1 yen. The transaction price may be the price that the user pays to trade the item. Examples of transaction prices include purchase price and usage fee. Furthermore, the point program may be a service that allows the user to use the points they have to pay the transaction price. Using points for payment may mean paying all or part of the amount to be paid with points.

[0048] Multiple point program-using services may be defined. A point program-using service may be, for example, a service different from the point program itself, but which allows the user to use the point program. A service that allows the user to use the point program may be, for example, a service that awards points through the point program and allows the user to use points through the point program for payments incurred in using that service. For example, if a certain transaction service is a point program-using service, the user pays the transaction price for the transaction that occurs through that transaction service. The transaction service may allow the user to use points to pay for this transaction price through the point program. Also, for example, if a certain payment service is a point program-using service, the user pays the transaction price using the payment service. The payment service may allow the user to use points to pay for this payment through the point program. Also, for example, there may be a service that is available in predetermined period units, and the user pays a usage fee for that service for each period. If this service is a point program-using service, that service may allow the user to use points to pay for the usage fee of that service through the point program. Each point program-using service may award points to the user through the point program when the user makes a payment to or through that service. The services provided by service server 1 may include services that utilize a points program.

[0049] Suppose a user receives points from one of several point program services. This service is referred to as Service 1. Another service among the multiple point program services, different from Service 1, is referred to as Service 2. The user may use the points received from Service 1 at any of the multiple point program services. In other words, the user may use the points at either Service 1 or Service 2.

[0050] A points program may offer users one type of point or multiple types of points. Points may be classified according to how their expiration dates are determined. Points held by a user expire after their expiration date. Examples of point types include regular points and limited-time points. The expiration date for regular points may be a predetermined period of time after the last time regular points were awarded to the user. In other words, the expiration date of regular points held by a user may be extended each time new regular points are awarded. Generally, regular points may be points awarded to a user in exchange for making a payment. The expiration date for limited-time points may be managed on a per-point basis. The expiration date of each limited-time point cannot be extended. Generally, limited-time points may be points awarded to a user without requiring any payment. For example, if a user purchases an item during a limited-time campaign, regular points may be awarded to the user, along with bonus points which may be awarded to the user as limited-time points.

[0051] Furthermore, the point management server 3 may be a server device for providing a point interest service. The point interest service may be a service included in a point program, for example. The point interest service may be one of the services that enables users to manage their points. Point management may involve, for example, using the points a user holds to increase their points. The point interest service may also be a service that grants points equivalent to interest to a user when the user places their points in a predetermined account. In other words, the point interest service may be a service that enables users to receive interest by placing points granted to them in a point program into the point interest service or the point interest account described later.

[0052] Each user eligible for the points program may have or be able to use multiple point slots. A point slot may be, for example, a virtual slot where the user can store their points. Figure 2 shows an example of multiple point slots. As shown in Figure 2, multiple point slots may be defined, including an available points slot and a points interest slot. The available points slot may be a point slot for points to be used for payments. Points in the available points slot are called available points. The number of available points is called the number of available points. Points awarded to a user are added to the available points slot. The points interest slot may be a point slot for points to be invested. Points in the points interest slot are called invested points or points earning interest. The number of invested points is called the number of invested points. Examples of the characteristics of each point slot include whether the points in that slot can be used for payments, whether interest is paid on the points in that slot, and whether points can be transferred to other point slots. As shown in Figure 2, of the available points slot and the points interest slot, points in the available points slot can be used for payments. Points in the points interest limit cannot be used for payments. Interest is accrued on points in the points interest limit, as opposed to the available points limit. The accrued interest may be added to either the points interest limit or the available points limit. Hereafter, as an example, the accrued interest will be added to the points interest limit. Points in the available points limit do not accrue interest. Points in the available points limit can be moved to the points interest limit at any time. Moving points from the available points limit to the points interest limit is also simply called adding points. Users may or may not use the automatic addition function. The automatic addition function may be a function that periodically and automatically adds points in the available points limit to the points interest limit. Examples of intervals for adding points to the points interest limit include daily, weekly, and monthly.From this point forward, points will be automatically added to the points interest account every day. The automatic addition function may automatically add all points currently in the points interest account to the points interest account. Alternatively, the user may pre-specify the number of points to be automatically added to the points interest account. From this point forward, all points currently in the points interest account will be automatically added to the points interest account. The user can move points from the points interest account to the points interest account. Moving points from the points interest account to the available points account is also simply called withdrawing points. By withdrawing points from the available points account, the user can use those points for payment. However, there may be some points to note regarding point withdrawals. Examples of points to note include the fact that no interest is paid when points are withdrawn, and that points cannot be withdrawn for a certain investment period. The investment period may be the period necessary for the investment of the points. In this embodiment, there is no investment period set for points added to the points interest account. A points interest account for which there is no investment period set is specifically called a non-regular points interest account. Since there is no set investment period, users may withdraw points from their non-regular points interest account at any time. In this case, it may be possible to withdraw points including the interest that has been earned. Interest on points in the non-regular points interest account may be earned at predetermined intervals. Regardless of the length of time the points have been in the non-regular points interest account, interest may be earned on all points in the non-regular points interest account at the time the interest is awarded. Examples of predetermined periods include one month, six months, one year, etc. Thereafter, interest will be earned every month.

[0053] Each user terminal 4 may be a terminal device used by a user who is a member of a service provided by the service server 1 or a member of the comprehensive internet service. Examples of user terminals 4 include personal computers, smartphones, other mobile phones, tablet computers and other portable information terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), set-top boxes, etc. A web browser may be installed on each user terminal 4. Portable user terminals 4 may be capable of installing applications for services provided by the service server 1. Users may be able to use the services provided by the user terminal 4 communicating with the service server 1 through a web browser or its application. In addition, portable user terminals 4 may be capable of installing a points application. The points application may be an application for a points program. Users may be able to use the points program by the user terminal 4 communicating with the points management server 3 through a web browser or the points application.

[0054] [1-2.Device configuration] [1-2-1. Service Server] Next, the configuration of the service server 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the service server 1 comprises a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input / output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

[0055] The system control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c, and the like.

[0056] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11.

[0057] The storage unit 14 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive. This storage unit 14 may store a database relating to electronic commerce as a service provided by the service server 1. For example, the storage unit 14 may store a database relating to transaction history. This database may include, for example, information about points used for payment for transactions. If the service provided is a service that enables transactions in an online shopping mall, the transaction history database may be, for example, a purchase history DB 14a. The purchase history DB 14a may be a database showing the history of purchases or orders of goods in the online shopping mall. "DB" is an abbreviation for database.

[0058] Figure 4 shows an example of the contents stored in the database of service server 1. Purchase history DB 14a may store purchase information each time a product is purchased. For example, as shown in Figure 4, purchase history DB 14a may store purchase information such as order number, order date and time, user ID, store ID, product ID, price, quantity, shipping fee, total amount, point usage information, payment amount, payment method information, delivery address information, and delivery method information, all of which are associated with each other. The order number may be a number that identifies the order for a product. The order date and time may indicate the date and time when the order for the product was placed. The user ID may indicate the user who purchased the product. The store ID may be identification information that identifies the store where the product was purchased among the stores in the online shopping mall. The product ID may be identification information that identifies the product purchased at the store where the product was purchased. The price may indicate the price of the purchased product. The quantity may indicate the number of products purchased. The total amount may indicate the sum of the purchase price of the product and the shipping fee. The point usage information may be information regarding the use of points for payment of the purchase price of that product. For example, point usage information may include the user's choice of whether or not to use points and the number of points used. The number of points used may indicate the number of points used. The payment amount may indicate the total amount minus the amount equivalent to the number of points used for payment. Payment method information may indicate the method of payment for the purchase of goods. Examples of payment methods include credit card payment, debit card payment, electronic money payment, and bank transfer. Delivery address information may indicate the delivery address of the purchased goods. Delivery method information may indicate the delivery method of the purchased goods.

[0059] The storage unit 14 further stores various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and a service server program. The service server program may be a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute various processes related to the services provided. The service server program may be acquired from other devices via a network NW, for example, or it may be recorded on a recording medium such as magnetic tape, optical disk, or memory card and read via a drive device.

[0060] The communication unit 15 is composed of, for example, a network interface card. The communication unit 15 connects to a device different from the service server 1 via the network NW and controls the communication status with the connected device.

[0061] [1-2-2. Member Information Management Server] Next, the configuration of the member information management server 2 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the overview configuration of the member information management server 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the member information management server 2 includes a system control unit 21, a system bus 22, an input / output interface 23, a storage unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The system control unit 21 and the input / output interface 23 are connected via the system bus 22.

[0062] The system control unit 21 is composed of a CPU 21a, ROM 21b, RAM 21c, etc.

[0063] The input / output interface 23 performs interface processing between the storage unit 24 and the communication unit 25 and the system control unit 21.

[0064] The storage unit 24 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive. A database such as the member DB 24a may be stored in this storage unit 24. The member information management server 2 may provide, for example, the service server 1 and each service server 1 with an API (Application Programming Interface) for accessing the database stored in the member information management server 2. Each server device may be able to retrieve information from the database stored in the member information management server 2 and update the database through this API.

[0065] Figure 6 shows an example of information stored in the database of the member information management server 2 according to this embodiment. The member DB 24a may store member information for each member of the comprehensive internet service. For example, the member DB 24a may store member information such as user ID, name, gender, date of birth, telephone number, address, email address, and member rank, all associated with each other. The member rank may indicate the rank assigned to a user of the comprehensive internet service or a points program. The higher the assigned member rank, the more preferential treatment the user may receive in using the services included in the comprehensive internet service.

[0066] The storage unit 24 further stores various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS, and a member information management server program. The member information management server program may be a program that causes the system control unit 21 to execute various processes for managing member information. The member information management server program may be acquired from another device via a network NW, for example, or it may be recorded on a recording medium such as magnetic tape, optical disk, or memory card and read via a drive device.

[0067] The communication unit 25 is composed of, for example, a network interface card. The communication unit 25 connects to a device different from the member information management server 2 via the network NW and controls the communication status with the connected device.

[0068] [1-2-3. Point Management Server] Next, the configuration of the point management server 3 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the point management server 3 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the point management server 3 includes a system control unit 31, a system bus 32, an input / output interface 33, a storage unit 34, and a communication unit 35. The system control unit 31 and the input / output interface 33 are connected via the system bus 32.

[0069] The system control unit 31 is composed of a CPU 31a, ROM 31b, RAM 31c, and the like.

[0070] The input / output interface 33 performs interface processing between the storage unit 34 and the communication unit 35 and the system control unit 31.

[0071] The storage unit 34 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive. This storage unit 34 may store databases such as a normal points DB34a, a limited-time points DB34b, an interest rate DB34c, an irregular point interest limit DB34d, a point interest limit operation history DB34e, and an automatic addition setting DB34f. The storage unit 34 may also be an example of at least one of the available points storage means, additional function information storage means, and point interest limit information storage means. As an example of the available points storage means, the storage unit 34 stores the number of available points for each user. As an example of the additional function information storage means, the storage unit 34 stores additional function information for each user indicating whether the automatic addition function is enabled or not. As an example of the point interest limit information storage means, the storage unit 34 stores point interest limit information indicating the number of points in the point interest limit, for each user or in response to points being added to the point interest limit.

[0072] Figure 8 shows an example of information stored in the database of the point management server 3 according to this embodiment. The normal points DB34a may store information about normal points among the available points held by the user, for each user. For example, the normal points DB34a may store the user ID, the number of normal points, and the expiration date in relation to each other. The user ID may indicate the user who holds those normal points. The number of normal points may indicate the number of normal points. The expiration date may indicate the end date of the period during which those normal points are valid.

[0073] The Limited-Time Points DB34b may store information about limited-time points among the available points held by a user, for each set of limited-time points awarded. For example, the Limited-Time Points DB34b may store limited-time point information such as a limited-time point ID, user ID, number of limited-time points, and expiration date, all associated with each other. The limited-time point ID may be identification information for identifying the limited-time point. The user ID may indicate the user who holds the limited-time points. The number of limited-time points may indicate the number of limited-time points. The expiration date may indicate the end date of the period during which the limited-time points are valid.

[0074] Interest Rate DB34c may store interest rate information. Interest rate information may be information indicating the interest rate presented to the user in the points interest service or the interest rate used to calculate the interest to be granted to the user. Interest rate information may include, for example, at least one of an annual interest rate and a monthly interest rate. The relationship between the annual interest rate and the monthly interest rate may be calculated using simple interest or compound interest. Interest Rate DB34c may also store, for example, non-regular points interest rate information. Non-regular points interest rate information may indicate the interest rate for the non-regular points interest rate. Interest rate information stored in Interest Rate DB34c may be changed. For example, the operator of the points program may change the interest rate information at any time.

[0075] The non-periodic point interest frame DB34d may store non-periodic point interest frame information for each user. The non-periodic point interest frame information may also be information about the points in that user's non-periodic point interest frame. The non-periodic point interest frame DB34d may store non-periodic point interest frame information such as a user ID and the number of points being managed, associated with each other. The user ID may indicate the user who has that non-periodic point interest frame. The number of points being managed may indicate the number of points in that non-periodic point interest frame. The number of points being managed is an example of point interest frame information.

[0076] The Point Interest Frame Operation History DB34e may store a Point Interest Frame Operation Log each time an operation related to the Point Interest Frame is performed. The Point Interest Frame Operation Log may also contain information indicating a record of operations related to the Point Interest Frame. Operations related to the Point Interest Frame may primarily involve operations related to increasing or decreasing points within the Point Interest Frame. Operations related to the Point Interest Frame may include operations in response to user requests and automatic operations by the Point Management Server 3. Examples of operations include adding points to the Point Interest Frame, withdrawing points by a user, automatic point withdrawal, and granting interest. The Point Interest Frame Operation History DB34e may store, in association with each other, the User ID, Point Interest Frame Type, Operation Unit ID, Operation Details, Number of Points Added, and Number of Points Reduced. The User ID may indicate the user of the Point Interest Frame that was the target of the operation. The Point Interest Frame Type may indicate the type of Point Interest Frame that was the target of the operation. In this embodiment, the Point Interest Frame Type may always indicate a non-periodic Point Interest Frame. The operation date may indicate the date the operation was performed. The number of points added may indicate the number of points added to the point interest balance subject to the operation. The number of points reduced may indicate the number of points reduced from the point interest balance subject to the operation. Depending on the operation, only one of the number of points added or the number of points reduced may be valid.

[0077] The automatic addition settings DB34f may store information regarding the settings of the automatic addition function for each user. For example, the automatic addition settings DB34f may store the user ID and the automatic addition function flag in association with each other. The automatic addition function flag may be information indicating whether or not the automatic addition function is enabled for the user indicated by the user ID. The automatic addition function flag may be set to either "enabled" or "disabled". "Enabled" indicates that the automatic addition function is enabled. "Disabled" indicates that the automatic addition function is disabled. The automatic addition function flag is an example of addition function information.

[0078] The storage unit 34 further stores various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS, and a point management server program. The point management server program may be a program that causes the system control unit 31 to execute various processes related to the point program. The point management server program may be acquired from another device via a network NW, for example, or it may be recorded on a recording medium such as magnetic tape, optical disk, or memory card and read via a drive device.

[0079] The communication unit 35 is composed of, for example, a network interface card. The communication unit 35 connects to a device different from the point management server 3 via the network NW and controls the communication status with the connected device.

[0080] [1-3. Overview of System Control Unit Functions] [1-3-1. Service Server] Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 12. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 11 may function as a transaction procedure request receiving unit 1101, a transaction content confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102, a usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103, a selection information receiving unit 1104, a transaction content confirmation request information receiving unit 1105, a transaction content confirmation unit 1106, a usable points acquisition unit 1107, a points existence / absence determination unit 1108, an additional function information acquisition unit 1109, and a display operation screen information transmission unit 1110, a point granting unit 1111, etc., as shown in Figure 9, by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in the service server program.

[0081] The transaction procedure request receiving unit 1101 may receive transaction procedure request information from the user terminal 4. The transaction procedure request information may be information indicating a request to enter into the transaction procedure for the subject of the transaction in the transaction service provided as a service. The transaction procedure may correspond to, for example, a process for the user to decide on the transaction details. If the subject of the transaction is a product, the transaction details may be, for example, the details of the product order. If the subject of the transaction is a service, the transaction details may be, for example, the details of the service reservation. On a screen provided to the user by the service server 1 as a screen related to the transaction service, the user may be able to perform an operation to enter into the transaction procedure. In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 may transmit the transaction procedure request information. In a typical transaction service, the user can enter into the transaction procedure after selecting the subject of the transaction to be purchased. For example, in a transaction service, the user may be able to search for a subject of the transaction that meets the desired conditions. By selecting any of the searched subject of the transaction, the user may have a screen containing information about that subject displayed on the user terminal 4. This screen may be able to accept an operation to enter into the transaction procedure for that subject of the transaction. In response to this operation, user terminal 4 may send transaction procedure request information to service server 1.

[0082] The transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 may transmit transaction details confirmation screen information to the user terminal 4. The transaction details confirmation screen information may be screen information that causes the transaction details confirmation screen to be displayed on the user terminal 4. The screen information may also be information that causes a specific screen to be displayed on the user terminal 4. The screen information may be, for example, an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document. In this case, the screen can be replaced with a web page or page. Alternatively, the screen information may be information about the content or elements displayed on the user terminal 4. Alternatively, the screen information may be information that instructs the user terminal 4 to display a specific screen. The transaction details confirmation screen may be a screen that shows the transaction details. The transaction details shown on this screen may be unconfirmed. Furthermore, the transaction details confirmation screen may be a screen for the user to confirm the transaction details. In addition, the transaction details confirmation screen may be a screen that accepts operations to change the transaction details or to select an operation to change the transaction details. The changeable transaction details may include the payment method and whether or not points are used. The transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 may transmit the transaction details confirmation screen information to the user terminal 4 in response to the transaction procedure request receiving unit 1101 receiving the transaction procedure request information transmitted from the user terminal 4.

[0083] If the transaction is for a product, the transaction confirmation screen may also be an order confirmation screen. The order confirmation screen may also be a screen that shows the product order details. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of an order confirmation screen. As shown in Figure 10, the order confirmation screen 100 may include a monetary information area 110 and a point usage information area 120. The monetary information area 110 may be an area that displays the payment amount and information related to the calculation of the payment amount. Information related to the calculation of the payment amount may include, for example, the purchase price of the product, shipping costs, whether points are used or not, and the number of points used. The monetary information area 110 may also include an order confirmation button 111. The order confirmation button 111 may be a button that confirms the order details as shown on the order confirmation screen 100. The point usage information area 120 may be an area that displays information related to the use of points in that order. For example, the point usage information area 120 may include point usage information 121, available points 122, and a change link 123. Point usage information 121 may indicate whether or not points will be used to pay for the purchase and the number of points to be used. Available points 122 may indicate the number of points available for payment. Change link 123 may be an operable element that displays the usage selection screen described later. For example, change link 123 may be an operable element that changes the point usage details shown by the point usage information area 120. Change link 123 may only be operable if available points 122 indicates 1 point or more. Also, if available points 122 indicates 1 point or more, point availability information 124 may be displayed in the point usage information area 120. Point availability information 124 may be information indicating that there are points available for payment. Also, if available points 122 indicates 1 point or more, the order confirmation screen 100 may further include point availability information 130. Point availability information 130 may also be information indicating that there are points available for payment. Point availability information 130 may include change link 131.The change link 131 may be an interactive element that allows the user to change how points are used. The order confirmation screen 100 may also display information on the payment method, shipping method, shipping date and time, and shipping address. This information may also be changeable by the user.

[0084] The usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit usage selection screen information to the user terminal 4. The usage selection screen information may be screen information that displays the usage selection screen on the user terminal 4. The usage selection screen may be a screen that accepts operations to select one of several options regarding whether or not to use available points for payment. Furthermore, the usage selection screen may be a screen that includes additional information. The additional information may be information indicating that it is possible to add available points to the points interest credit. By including additional information on the usage selection screen, the user can recognize that they can add the points to the points interest credit when making a choice about whether or not to use the points for payment. For example, since points in the points interest credit accrue interest, the additional information is advantageous information for the user. Therefore, it can encourage the user to leave points to add to the points interest credit. For example, the user may choose not to use the available points for payment. Alternatively, the user may choose to use some of the available points and leave some points to add to the points interest credit. The usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may generate usage selection screen information so that the usage selection screen can accept an operation to select, as one of the options, to add the available points to the point interest account instead of using them for payment. Adding the available points to the point interest account instead of using them for payment is also called non-use addition. If the service provided is a transaction service, the usage selection screen may be a screen that can accept an operation to select whether or not to use the available points to pay for the transaction selected by the user within the procedure of the transaction target. The usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may generate usage selection screen information so that it can accept an operation to select to add the available points to the point interest account. Multiple selectable options may include at least using the points and not using the points.When using points, the user may have options such as using all of their available points or using only a portion of their points. Furthermore, when using points, the user may have options such as prioritizing the use of regular points or prioritizing the use of limited-time points. When not using points, the user may have options such as adding those points to their point interest allowance.

[0085] The usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit usage selection screen information to the user terminal 4 after the transaction procedure request receiving unit 1101 has received the transaction procedure request information transmitted from the user terminal 4. For example, the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit usage selection screen information in response to user operations on the transaction details confirmation screen displayed by the user terminal 4 based on screen information transmitted by the transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 in response to the receipt of transaction details confirmation request information. The usage selection screen may also be a point usage change screen. The point usage change screen may be a screen that can accept operations to change the details of point usage shown on the transaction details confirmation screen. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a point usage change screen. As shown in Figure 11, the point usage change screen 200 may include an amount information area 210, a point usage change area 220, and a change button 230. The amount information area 210 may be an area where the payment amount and information related to the calculation of the payment amount are displayed, similar to the amount information area 110. The point usage change area 220 may include elements that allow the user to select whether or not to use available points for payment. For example, the point usage change area 220 may include the number of available points 221, the number of limited-time points 222, a partial use radio button 222, a point usage input field 223, a full use radio button 224, a non-use radio button 226, and a non-use additional radio button 227. The number of available points 221 may represent the sum of the user's regular points and limited-time points. The number of limited-time points 222 may represent the total number of limited-time points for that user. The partial use radio button 222 may be an element that allows the user to select whether or not to use a portion of their available points for payment. The point usage input field 223 may be an area that accepts input for the number of points to use. Input for the number of points to use in the point usage input field 223 may only be possible if the partial use radio button 222 indicates that the user has selected to use a portion of their points. The "Use All" radio button 224 may be an operable element that allows the user to choose to use all available points for payment.The "Do Not Use" radio button 226 may be an operable element for selecting not to use available points for payment. The "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 227 may be an operable element for selecting to add available points to the points interest account without using them for payment. The "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 227 may only be displayed if the current number of points is 1 or more. The difference between the "Do Not Use" radio button 226 and the "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 227 may be whether or not it explicitly states that points will be added to the points interest account. Descriptive information for the "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 228 may be displayed near the "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 227. The descriptive information for the "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 228 may be information that explains the "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 227. That is, the descriptive information for the "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 228 may be information that indicates that available points will be added to the points interest account without being used for payment. For example, the descriptive information for the "Add to Do Not Use" radio button 228 may display "Earn interest without using points". The explanation information 228 for the non-used additional radio button may be an example of additional information. Alternatively, the combination of the non-used additional radio button 227 and the explanation information 228 for the non-used additional radio button may be an example of additional information. The change button 230 may be an operable element for confirming changes to the point usage details in the point usage change area 220. When the change button 230 is operated, the user terminal 4 may display the order confirmation screen 100.

[0086] Furthermore, the transaction details confirmation screen may also serve as the usage selection screen. In this case, the transaction details confirmation screen may accept a selection operation regarding whether or not to use available points to pay for the transaction amount. Also in this case, the transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 may also serve as the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103.

[0087] The selection information receiving unit 1104 may receive selection information from the user terminal 4. The selection information may be information indicating the options selected by the user on the usage selection screen displayed on the user terminal 4 based on the usage selection screen information transmitted by the usage selection screen information transmitting unit 1103. For example, in response to the user operating the change button 230 on the point usage change screen 200, the user terminal 4 may transmit selection information to the service server 1. The selection information may indicate options such as using some points, using all points, not using points, or adding the points to the point interest limit without using them. If the user selects to use some points for payment, the selection information may include the number of points to use entered by the user. The transaction content confirmation screen information transmitting unit 1102 may retransmit the transaction content confirmation screen information transmitting unit 1102 to the user terminal 4 in response to the selection information receiving unit 1104 receiving selection information. In this case, the transaction content confirmation screen information transmitting unit 1102 may transmit transaction content confirmation screen information to display a transaction content confirmation screen that shows the transaction content including the options indicated by the selection information. For example, the point usage information 121 in the point usage information area 120 on the order confirmation screen 100 may reflect the selected information. In addition, the presence or absence of points used and the number of points used in the amount information area 110 may reflect the selected information and the number of points used, and the payment amount may be changed according to the selected information.

[0088] The transaction details confirmation request information receiving unit 1105 may receive transaction details confirmation request information from the user terminal 4. The transaction details confirmation request information may be information indicating a request to confirm the details of the transaction subject to the transaction. For example, the transaction details confirmation request information may be information indicating a request to confirm the details of the transaction as shown on the transaction details confirmation screen. Also, if selection information has been received by the selection information receiving unit 1104, the transaction details confirmation request information may be information indicating a request to confirm the details of the transaction as including the options shown by the selection information. The transaction may be confirmed at the same time as the confirmation of the transaction details, or it may not be confirmed.

[0089] The transaction details confirmation unit 1106 may confirm the transaction details in response to the receipt of transaction details confirmation request information by the transaction details confirmation request information receiving unit 1105. For example, the transaction details confirmation unit 1106 may store information indicating the transaction details in a predetermined database. An example of this database is the purchase history DB 14a. The transaction details confirmation unit 1106 may also send information indicating the transaction details to the provider of the transaction subject. For example, the transaction details confirmation unit 1106 may send the information by email, instant message, or other method. If the transaction subject is a product, the provider is the seller of that product. If the transaction subject is a service, the provider is the provider of that service. The transaction details confirmation unit 1106 may also perform processing for using points for payment. For example, the transaction details confirmation unit 1106 may calculate the payment amount by subtracting the number of points used from the total amount for purchasing the transaction subject. The transaction details confirmation unit 1106 may also perform processing for subtracting the number of points used from the number of points available to the user who purchased the transaction subject. For example, the transaction confirmation unit 1106 may reduce the number of available points by sending point deduction request information to the point management server 3. The point deduction request information may include the user ID of the user purchasing the transaction item and the number of points used. The point management server 3 may subtract the number of points used from the number of available points based on the point deduction request information.

[0090] Furthermore, the transaction confirmation unit 1106 may or may not perform a settlement process for the user to pay the purchase price indicated by the payment amount. In this case, the transaction confirmation unit 1106 may perform a settlement according to the payment method selected by the user. For example, the transaction confirmation unit 1106 may perform a settlement process by communicating with a settlement system (not shown) corresponding to the payment method. For example, if the payment method is credit card payment, the settlement system may be the settlement system of a credit card company or a payment processing company. If the payment method is debit card payment, the settlement system may be the online system of a bank or the settlement system of a payment processing company. If the payment method is bank transfer, the settlement system may be the online system of a bank. If the payment method is electronic money, the settlement system may be a system that manages electronic money. The specific settlement process for each method may be the same as that of known methods. The process for using points for payment and the settlement process may be performed simultaneously. Alternatively, the process for using points for payment may be performed at the time of transaction confirmation, while the settlement process may be performed at a later date. For example, when the transaction subject is a reservable service. The payment processing may be executed on the day the service is used, a specified number of days before the service use date, or a specified number of days after the service use date.

[0091] The available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the number of available points associated with the user on the user terminal 4 to which the usage selection screen information is sent. In particular, the available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the number of points of the type that are designated to be added to the point interest limit from among the available points. If only regular points can be added to the point interest limit from among regular points and limited-time points, the available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire at least the number of regular points from among the number of regular points and limited-time points as the number of available points. The available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the number of regular points stored in the regular points DB 34a from the point management server 3. The available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the number of available points after the transaction details have been confirmed by the transaction details confirmation unit 1106. If the user selects to use points for payment, the transaction details confirmation unit 1106 subtracts the number of points used from the number of available points. Therefore, the available points acquisition unit 1107 will acquire the number of available points after the subtraction. Alternatively, the available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the number of available points before the transaction details are finalized by the transaction details finalization unit 1106. In this case, the available points acquisition unit 1107 will acquire the number of available points before any deductions. In addition to the available points, the available points acquisition unit 1107 may also acquire the number of points used. In this case, the number of points used may be the number of regular points among the regular points and limited-time points used.

[0092] Furthermore, the available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the number of points available after use for the user at the user terminal 4 to which the usage selection screen information is sent. The number of points available after use may indicate the number of points remaining in the available points frame after deducting the points used. The number of points used may also be the number of points corresponding to the selection information indicated by the selection information received by the selection information receiving unit 1104. For example, if it is selected to use some points for payment, the number of points used is entered by the user. If it is selected to use all points for payment, the number of points used is determined based on the total amount and the number of available points. More specifically, the number of points used may be determined based on the total amount, the sum of the regular points and the limited-time points. However, if the points used for payment include limited-time points that cannot be added to the point interest frame, the available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire only the number of regular points used as the number of points used. If it is selected not to use points for payment, or if it is selected to add points to the point interest frame without using them for payment, the number of points used is 0 points. The available points acquisition unit 1107 may, for example, acquire the normal number of points as the number of points available after use, after the transaction details have been finalized. When the transaction details are finalized, the number of points used is deducted from the number of available points. Alternatively, the available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the normal number of points and the number of points used before the transaction details are finalized. The available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the difference between the normal number of points and the number of points used as the number of points available after use. Before the transaction details are finalized, the number of points used has not yet been deducted from the number of available points.

[0093] The point availability determination unit 1108 may determine whether the number of points available after use, obtained by the available points acquisition unit 1107, indicates that there are points in the available points slot. For example, the point availability determination unit 1108 may determine that there are points in the available points slot if the number of points available after use is 1 point or more. The point availability determination unit 1108 may determine that there are no points in the available points slot if the number of points available after use is 0 points.

[0094] The automatic additional function information acquisition unit 1109 may acquire additional function information associated with the user of the user terminal 4 to which the usage selection screen information is sent. The additional function information may also be information indicating whether or not the automatic additional function is enabled. The additional function information may also be, for example, an automatic additional function flag stored in the automatic additional setting DB 34f of the point management server 3. The automatic additional function information acquisition unit 1109 may acquire the automatic additional function flag from the point management server 3.

[0095] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information to the user terminal 4. The display operation screen information may be screen information that displays the additional operation screen on the user terminal 4. The additional operation screen may be a screen that can accept operations to display the additional operation screen. The additional operation screen may be a screen that can accept operations to add available points to the point interest credit limit. As operations that can be accepted on the additional operation screen, the operation to add available points to the point interest credit limit may include at least one of the following: an operation to select to add available points to the point interest credit limit, an operation to select to add available points to the point interest credit limit immediately, an operation to input the number of points to add to the point interest credit limit, and an operation to enable the automatic addition function. As described above, when additional information is displayed on the usage selection screen, the user may decide to leave some points to add to the point interest credit limit when deciding whether to use available points for payment. After that, the additional operation screen display operation screen is displayed. Users who have left some points can display the additional operation screen by performing an operation on the additional operation screen display operation screen. On this screen, users can add available points to their point interest credit limit.

[0096] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information to the user terminal 4 only when the display conditions are met. In other words, the additional operation screen display operation screen may be displayed only when the display conditions are met. For example, suppose that among the multiple options available on the usage selection screen, there is an option to add points to the point interest limit without using the points. The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information only when the option indicated by the selection information received by the selection information receiving unit 1104 is an additional use option. This respects the user's wishes.

[0097] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information not only when non-use addition is selected, but also when other display conditions are met. For example, if the point presence / absence determination unit 1108 determines that there are points in the available points frame, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information, considering that the display conditions are met. If there are points that can be added to the points interest frame, it is not a problem for the addition operation screen to be displayed. If the user selects not to use points for payment on the usage selection screen, there is a possibility that there are points in the available points frame that can be added to the points interest frame. However, if it is stipulated that the usage selection screen should be displayed even when the user has limited-time points but no regular points, there is a possibility that there are no points that can be added to the points interest frame. Also, even if the user selects to use points for payment, there is a possibility that there are points in the available points frame that can be added to the points interest frame after the points have been used.

[0098] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may, if the additional function information acquired by the automatic addition function information acquisition unit 1109 indicates that the automatic addition function is disabled, consider the display conditions to be met and transmit the display operation screen information to the user terminal 4. In this case, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit the display operation screen information even if there are no points in the available points frame that can be added to the points interest frame. The automatic addition function is a function that automatically adds available points to the points interest frame at predetermined intervals. The user may acquire new points before the predetermined period has elapsed. That is, by the time the automatic addition function is executed, there is a possibility that points that can be added to the points interest frame are in the available points frame. Therefore, if the addition operation screen is a screen that can accept operations to enable the automatic addition function, there is a reason to display the addition operation screen display operation screen.

[0099] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information when it receives transaction content confirmation request information from the transaction content confirmation request information receiving unit 1105. Until the transaction content is confirmed, there is no need to perform any operations to add points to the point interest limit, so the user can concentrate on the transaction. The screen displayed by the display operation screen information transmitted by the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may be, for example, a transaction content confirmation screen. The transaction content confirmation screen may be a screen indicating that the transaction content has been confirmed. The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information in response to the receipt of transaction content confirmation request information. If the transaction subject is a product, the transaction content confirmation screen may be an order content confirmation screen. The order content confirmation screen may be a screen indicating that the order content has been confirmed. Figures 12(a) and 12(b) are diagrams showing examples of order content confirmation screens, respectively. Figure 12(a) is a diagram showing an example of an order content confirmation screen that does not correspond to the additional operation screen display operation screen. As shown in Figure 12(a), the order confirmation screen 300-1 may include an order result table area 310. The order result table area 310 may display information indicating that the order details have been sent to the store where the goods were purchased, the order number, etc. The order result table area 310 may also include a link to the top screen of the transaction service. The top screen is the entry screen for the transaction service. Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing an example of the order confirmation screen that corresponds to the additional operation screen display operation screen. In Figure 12(b), the same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as in Figure 12(a). As shown in Figure 12(a), the order confirmation screen 300-2 may include an order result table area 310 and a point interest UI (User Interface) 320. The point interest UI 320 may be an element or a set of elements that allows the user to select whether or not to add available points to the point interest frame. For example, the point interest UI 320 may include an add area 321, a non-add area 322, and a setting button 323. The additional area 321 may be an operable element for selecting to add available points to the points interest rate. The additional area 321 may also be an element for displaying an additional operation screen.The non-addition area 322 may be an operable element for selecting whether to add available points to the points interest rate. The setting button 323 may be an element for confirming the user's selection by operating the addition area 321 or the non-addition area 322. If the user selects to add points to the points interest rate and operates the setting button 323, the user terminal 4 may display the periodic points interest rate point addition screen, which will be described later. The periodic points interest rate point addition screen may be a screen that accepts operations for entering the number of points to add. The periodic points interest rate point addition screen may correspond to an example of an addition operation screen. If the user selects not to add points to the points interest rate and operates the setting button 323, the user terminal 4 may display the top screen of the trading site.

[0100] Furthermore, the UI 320 for point interest may not include the additional area 321, the non-addition area 322, and the setting button 323, but may include elements for displaying the regular point interest point addition screen, such as a link to the non-regular point interest point addition screen.

[0101] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information in response to the selection information receiving unit 1104 receiving selection information from the user terminal 4. That is, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may display an additional operation screen on the user terminal 4 before the transaction details are finalized. For example, the additional operation screen may include a UI 320 for point interest. After the user has performed an operation to add points to the point interest limit, the user terminal 4 may display a transaction details confirmation screen.

[0102] The point awarding unit 1111 may award points to users of the provided services through a point program. For example, the point awarding unit 1111 may award points when a user makes a payment through their use of the provided services. The point awarding unit 1111 may award a number of points equivalent to a predetermined percentage of the transaction amount, for example. The point awarding unit 1111 may award points by, for example, sending a point awarding request to the point management server 3. The point awarding request may include, for example, a user ID, the number of regular points to be awarded, and information on limited-time points to be awarded. The user ID may indicate the user to whom the points will be awarded. The number of regular points to be awarded may indicate the number of regular points to be awarded to the user. The limited-time points to be awarded information may be information on limited-time points to be awarded to the user. The point awarding request may include at least one of the number of regular points to be awarded and the information on limited-time points to be awarded. The limited-time points to be awarded information may include the number of regular points to be awarded and the expiration date. The number of regular points to be awarded may indicate the number of limited-time points to be awarded. Based on the point awarding request, the point management server 3 may increase the number of available points for the user to whom the points will be awarded. For example, the point management server 3 may add the number of regular points to be awarded included in the point award request to the number of regular points stored in the regular points DB 34a associated with the user ID included in the point award request. The point management server 3 may then update the expiration date stored in the regular points DB 34a associated with that user ID to a date a predetermined length after today. For example, the point management server 3 may store limited-time point information, including the user ID included in the point award request and the limited-time point information, in the limited-time point DB 34b. The point management server 3 may also store the information included in the point award request as information on the points the user is expected to earn. The point management server 3 may then increase the number of available points for the user to be awarded based on the stored information, after a predetermined number of days or on a predetermined day after the transaction details are finalized or the transaction price is settled.In the regular points DB34a, regular points are managed collectively. Awarded regular points are not tied to the service that awarded them, and the services to which regular points can be used are not limited to the service that awarded them. Similarly, the services to which limited-time points can be used are not limited to the service that awarded them.

[0103] [1-3-2. Point Management Server] Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 31 of the point management server 3 will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 16. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the system control unit 31 of the point management server 3 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 31 may function as a top screen information transmission unit 3101, an additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102, an addition unit 3103, an interest payment unit 3104, a withdrawal unit 3105, and a subtraction unit 3106, as shown in Figure 13, by the CPU 31a reading and executing various program codes included in the point management server program.

[0104] The top screen information transmission unit 3101 may transmit top screen information to the user terminal 4. The top screen information may be screen information that displays the points interest service top screen on the user terminal 4. The points interest service top screen may be a screen that corresponds to the entry point for the points interest service. The top screen information transmission unit 3101 may transmit top screen information in response to a request from the user terminal 4. The points interest service top screen may be, for example, the non-regular points interest frame top screen. The non-regular points interest frame top screen may be a screen that corresponds to the entry point for operations on the non-regular points interest frame. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the non-regular points interest frame top screen. As shown in Figure 14, the non-regular points interest frame top screen 400 may include the number of points in operation 410, an add button 420, a withdrawal button 430, and an automatic add mode change slider 440. The number of points in operation 410 may indicate the number of points in the non-regular points interest frame. The add button 420 may be an operable element for selecting to add points to the non-regular points interest frame. When a user operates the add button 420, the user terminal 4 may display the non-regular point interest frame point addition screen, which will be described later. The non-regular point interest frame point addition screen may be a screen that accepts, for example, the input of the number of points to add to the non-regular point interest frame and the operation to enable the automatic addition function. The withdrawal button 430 may be an element that can be operated to select to withdraw points from the non-regular point interest frame. When a user operates the withdrawal button 430, the user terminal 4 may display the non-regular point interest frame point withdrawal screen. The non-regular point interest frame point withdrawal screen may be a screen that accepts the input of the number of points to withdraw. The number of points to withdraw may indicate the number of points to be withdrawn from the non-regular point interest frame. The automatic addition mode change slider 440 may be an element that can be operated to switch between enabling and disabling the automatic addition function.

[0105] The additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may transmit additional operation screen information to the user terminal 4. That is, the additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may display an additional operation screen on the user terminal 4. As mentioned above, the additional operation screen may be a screen that accepts operations for adding available points to the point interest account. Operations that can be accepted on the additional operation screen for adding available points to the point interest account may include at least one of the following: an operation to select to add available points to the point interest account, an operation to select to add available points to the point interest account immediately, an operation to input the number of points to add to the point interest account, and an operation to enable the automatic addition function. By enabling the automatic addition function, available points are added to the point interest account periodically.

[0106] The additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may transmit additional operation screen information in response to operations on the additional operation screen displayed on the user terminal 4 based on the display operation screen information transmitted by the service server 1's display operation screen information transmission unit 1110. The additional operation screen may be, for example, a non-regular point interest frame point addition screen. Figure 15 shows an example of a non-regular point interest frame point addition screen. As shown in Figure 15, the non-regular point interest frame point addition screen 500 may include the number of points that can be added 510, the number of points to add input field 520, an automatic addition mode checkbox 530, and a confirmation button 540. The number of points that can be added 510 may indicate the number of points that can be added to the non-regular point interest frame. For example, the number of points that can be added 510 may correspond to the number of available points. If only regular points can be added to the point interest frame among regular points and limited-time points, the number of available points that can be added to the point interest frame may be the number of regular points. The additional points input field 520 may be an area that accepts input for the number of points to be added to non-regular points. The automatic addition mode checkbox 530 may be an operable element for enabling the automatic addition function. The automatic addition mode checkbox 530 may also indicate whether the automatic addition function is currently enabled or not. The confirmation button 540 may be an operable screen for displaying the points addition confirmation screen. The points addition confirmation screen may be a screen for the user to confirm the settings made on the non-regular points interest frame points addition screen 500. Points may be added to the points interest frame by the user performing an operation to confirm the settings on the points addition confirmation screen. The points addition confirmation screen may or may not be included in the addition operation screen. Alternatively, if the user operates the confirmation button 540, points may be added to the points interest frame without the points addition confirmation screen being displayed.

[0107] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 16, when the user selects to proceed with the product order process, the order confirmation screen 100 is displayed. When the user performs an operation to change the use of points on the order confirmation screen 100, the point usage change screen 200 is displayed. When the user changes the details of point usage on the point usage change screen 200, the order confirmation screen 100 is displayed again. When the user performs an operation to confirm the order details on the order confirmation screen 100, the order completion screen 300-1 or the order completion screen 300-2 is displayed. If the display conditions are not met, the order completion screen 300-1 is displayed, and if the display conditions are met, the order completion screen 300-2 is displayed. When the user selects to add points to the point interest frame on the order completion screen 300-2, the non-regular point interest frame point addition screen 500 is displayed. When the user sets the addition of points to the point interest frame on the point interest frame point addition screen 500, the point addition confirmation screen is displayed, and then the non-regular point interest frame top screen is displayed. The order confirmation screen 100, the point usage change screen 200, the order confirmation screen 100, and the order completion screens 300-1 and 300-2 may be screens within the trading service application or pages displayed in a web browser. The non-regular point interest rate point addition screen 500 and the non-regular point interest rate top screen 400 may be screens within the points app or pages displayed in a web browser.

[0108] The combination of the system control unit 11 of service server 1 and the system control unit 31 of point management server 3, or either one of them, may be an example of the means for transmitting operation screen information of the point usage selection system. At least one of service server 1 and point management server 3, as an example of the means for transmitting operation screen information, may transmit at least one of the additional operation screen information and the display operation screen information after service server 1 receives selection information from user terminal 4. For example, at least one of service server 1 and point management server 3, as an example of the means for transmitting operation screen information, may transmit only one of the additional operation screen information and the display operation screen information after receiving selection information. For example, in response to service server 1 receiving transaction content confirmation request information, service server 1 or point management server 3 may transmit additional operation screen information to user terminal 4 instead of display operation screen information. That is, only the additional operation screen may be displayed among the additional operation screen and the additional operation screen display operation screen. Even in this case, the user can add points to the point interest limit. The device that transmits additional operation screen information may be either service server 1 or point management server 3. Alternatively, service server 1 may transmit both the additional operation screen and the additional operation screen display operation screen, or point management server 3 may transmit both the additional operation screen and the additional operation screen display operation screen. Furthermore, if the point usage selection system includes only service server 1 among service server 1 and point management server 3, the operation screen information transmission means of the point usage selection system will include only the system control unit 11 of service server 1 among the system control unit 11 of service server 1 and the system control unit 31 of point management server 3. In this case, even if service server 1 transmits display operation screen information and point management server 3 transmits additional operation screens, the operation screen information transmission means will only transmit the display operation screen information among the display operation screen information and additional operation screens. That is, the additional operation screen display operation screen will be displayed by the point usage selection system, and the additional operation screen will be displayed by a system outside the point usage selection system.Since the display operation screen is a screen that can accept operations to display the additional operation screen, even in this case, the user can add points to the points interest limit.

[0109] The addition unit 3103 may add available points to the point interest frame. The process by the addition unit 3103 for adding points to the point interest frame may include subtracting the number of added points from the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a associated with the target user. Furthermore, the process by the addition unit 3103 for adding points to the point interest frame may include at least one of the following: updating the point interest frame information stored in the storage unit 34 associated with the target user with the number of added points, or storing the point interest frame information including the number of added points in the storage unit 34 associated with the target user. An example of the point interest frame information in this embodiment is the number of points in operation stored in the non-periodic point interest frame DB 34d. The addition unit 3103 may update this number of points in operation by adding the number of added points. In this way, points may be added to the point interest frame. For example, the addition unit 3103 may add points to the point interest frame based on or in accordance with the operations on the addition operation screen displayed on the user terminal 4 based on the addition operation screen information transmitted by the addition operation screen information transmission unit 3102. Examples of such operations include selecting to add points to the point interest frame, setting the number of points to add to the point interest frame, and enabling the automatic addition function.

[0110] For example, the addition unit 3103 may add points to the point interest frame in response to the confirmation button 540 being operated on the point interest frame point addition screen 500, or in response to an operation to confirm the settings on the point addition confirmation screen.

[0111] For example, if a user enables the automatic addition function on the points interest frame point addition screen 500 and confirms the settings, the addition unit 3103 may change the automatic addition function flag in the automatic addition settings DB 34f to "enabled" in association with that user. The addition unit 3103 may, for example, add points to the points interest frame at a predetermined time each day for each user whose automatic addition function flag is set to "enabled".

[0112] Points awarded to a user from any of the multiple point program services are added to the user's available points limit. The user can use the points in their available points limit at any of the multiple point program services. Therefore, points awarded to a user from a certain first service and added to their available points limit can be used for payments incurred by using any second service different from the first service. In other words, points awarded to a user from a first service and added to their available points limit are points that are made available for use in the second service. The additional unit 3103 may add points made available for use in the second service to the points interest limit.

[0113] The interest payment unit 3104 may award interest to the user on points that are in the point interest frame. For points placed in the non-regular point interest frame, the interest payment unit 3104 may award interest to all users on predetermined dates. For example, the interest payment unit 3104 may award interest on a predetermined date in the following month, corresponding to the number of points in the non-regular point interest frame at the end of each month. The interest payment unit 3104 may determine the number of points in operation at the end of the month based on the number of points in operation stored in the non-regular point interest frame DB 34d for each user and the point interest frame operation log stored in the point interest frame operation history DB 34e for that user. In this case, the interest payment unit 3104 may use the monthly interest rate included in the non-regular point interest frame interest rate information stored in the interest rate DB 34c to calculate the interest. The interest accrual unit 3104 may use the monthly interest rate included in the non-periodic point interest rate information to calculate interest, regardless of the length of time the points have been in the non-periodic point interest rate. The interest accrual unit 3104 may also calculate interest by multiplying the number of points in operation at the end of the month by the monthly interest rate. The interest accrual unit 3104 may add the calculated interest to the number of points in operation stored in the non-periodic point interest rate DB 34d. Interest may then be accrued.

[0114] The withdrawal unit 3105 may withdraw points from the point interest limit to the available point limit. The withdrawal unit 3105 may withdraw points in response to an operation by the user or a request from the user terminal 4. For example, the user enters the number of points to withdraw on the non-periodic point interest limit point withdrawal screen described above and confirms the settings for point withdrawal. The withdrawal unit 3105 may withdraw points in response to this operation. The process for withdrawing points by the withdrawal unit 3105 may include subtracting the number of points to be withdrawn from the number of points in operation stored in the non-periodic point interest limit DB 34d associated with that user. The process for withdrawing points may also include adding the number of points to the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a associated with that user.

[0115] The subtraction unit 3106 may subtract the number of points used from the number of available points stored in the storage unit 14 associated with the user if the user chooses to use available points for payment. For example, if the subtraction unit 3106 receives a point subtraction request from the service server 1, it may subtract the number of points used from the number of available points. If there are limited-time points, the subtraction unit 3106 may prioritize subtracting limited-time points over regular points. In this case, the subtraction unit 3106 may retrieve limited-time point information, including the user ID of the user, from the limited-time point DB 34b. The subtraction unit 3106 may subtract the number of points used from the number of limited-time points included in the limited-time point information. If the number of points used is equal to or greater than the number of limited-time points, the subtraction unit 3106 may delete the limited-time point information from the limited-time point DB 34b. In this case, the subtraction unit 3106 may calculate the difference between the number of points used and the number of limited-time points as the new number of points used. If multiple limited-time point information exists, the subtraction unit 3106 may repeat these processes until the number of points used becomes 0. If, even after all limited-time points have been used, the number of points used is 1 or more, the subtraction unit 3106 may subtract the number of points used from the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a associated with the user's user ID.

[0116] [1-4. Operation of the communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 22. The system control unit 11 of the service server 1 may execute the processes shown in Figures 17 to 19 according to the program code included in the service server program. The system control unit 31 of the point management server 3 may execute the processes shown in Figures 17 to 22 according to the program code included in the point management server program. The processes shown in Figures 17 to 22 are illustrative examples, and any processes may be executed as long as the objective is achieved. The order of the processes is not limited to the order shown in those figures. Also, at least one of the steps shown in those figures may be omitted.

[0117] Figure 17 shows an example of the processing of the communication system S during the process of ordering a product. For example, a user selects the product they wish to purchase in an online shopping mall. The user then performs an operation to select to proceed with the product order process. In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 sends an order procedure request, as an example of transaction procedure request information, to the service server 1, as shown in Figure 17 (step S101). The order procedure request may include the user ID of the user who selected to proceed with the order process. The available points acquisition unit 1107 of the service server 1, upon receiving the order procedure request, sends an available points information request to the point management server 3 (step S102). The available points information request may also include the user ID of the user who selected to proceed with the order process. The point management server 3 obtains the regular points associated with the user ID included in the available points information request from the regular points DB 34a. The point management server 3 also obtains limited-time point information, including that user ID, from the limited-time points DB 34b. The point management server 3 sends available point information, including the normal number of points and limited-time point information, to the service server 1 (step S103). The transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 of the service server 1, upon receiving the available point information, generates an HTML document of the order details confirmation screen 100 as an example of transaction details confirmation screen information, and sends this HTML document to the user terminal 4 (step S104). At this time, the transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 may calculate the total number of available points and limited-time points based on the available point information. The transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 may also generate an HTML document so that the change link 123 becomes operable if the number of available points is 1 point or more. The transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 may also generate an HTML document so that the point availability information 124 and point availability information 130 are displayed if the number of available points is 1 point or more. The user terminal 4 displays the order details confirmation screen 100 based on this HTML document (step S105).

[0118] The user selects to change the point usage details by operating the change link 123 included in the order confirmation screen 100 (step S106). In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 sends a point usage change screen request to the service server 1 (step S107). The usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 of the service server 1, upon receiving the point usage change screen request, generates an HTML document of the point usage change screen 200 as an example of usage selection screen information and sends this HTML document to the user terminal 4 (step S108). At this time, the transaction confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 may generate the HTML document so that the non-use add radio button 227 and non-use add radio button explanation information 228 are displayed when the normal point count is 1 point or more. The user terminal 4 displays the point usage change screen 200 based on this HTML document (step S109).

[0119] On the point usage change screen 200, the user makes an operation to select one of the options (step S110). If the user chooses to use some points, the user further enters the number of points to use. When the user operates the change button 230, the user terminal 4 sends point usage information to the service server 1 (step S111). The point usage information may include selection information indicating the option selected by the user and the number of points to use. Upon receiving the point usage information, the transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 of the service server 1 generates an HTML document for the order details confirmation screen 100 and sends this HTML document to the user terminal 4 (step S112). At this time, the transaction details confirmation screen information transmission unit 1102 may generate the HTML document so that the point usage information 121 in the order details confirmation screen 100 reflects the point usage information received from the user terminal 4. The user terminal 4 displays the order details confirmation screen 100 based on this HTML document (step S113).

[0120] Figure 18 shows an example of the processing of the communication system S when an order is confirmed. After step S113, the user confirms the order on the order confirmation screen 100 (step S201). In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 sends an order confirmation request as an example of transaction confirmation request information to the service server 1 (step S202). The transaction confirmation unit 1106 of the service server 1, upon receiving the order confirmation request, executes a settlement process to settle the payment amount (step S203). Next, the transaction confirmation unit 1106 determines whether the selection information included in the point usage information indicates that it has been selected to use available points for payment (step S204). If it has been selected to use available points for payment (step S204: YES), the transaction confirmation unit 1106 sends a point deduction request to the point management server 3 (step S206). The point deduction request may include the user ID of the user who ordered the product and the number of points used. If the user chooses to use all their points for payment, the transaction confirmation unit 1106 may calculate the number of points to be used. For example, if the total amount of the order is greater than the amount equivalent to the number of available points, the transaction confirmation unit 1106 may determine the number of available points to be used. If the amount equivalent to the number of available points is greater than the total amount, the transaction confirmation unit 1106 may determine the number of points equivalent to the total amount to be used. The deduction unit 3106 of the point management server 3, upon receiving the point deduction request, deducts the number of points to be used from the number of available points of the user who ordered the product (step S206). After step S205, or if the user has not chosen to use their available points for payment (step S204: NO), the transaction confirmation unit 1106 stores the purchase information in the purchase history DB 14a (step S207).

[0121] Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 of the service server 1 generates an HTML document for the order completion screen (step S208). At this time, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may generate the HTML document such that the order completion screen includes the order result table area 310. At this stage, the order completion screen does not include the UI 320 for point interest. Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 executes a UI display determination process for point interest (step S209).

[0122] Figure 19 shows an example of the UI display determination process for point interest executed by the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 19, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 determines whether the selection information included in the point usage information received from the user terminal 4 indicates that non-use addition has been selected, which means adding the available points to the point interest limit without using them for payment (step S301). If non-use addition is not selected (step S301: NO), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 decides not to display the UI 320 for point interest (step S302). If non-use addition is selected (step S301: YES), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 decides to display the UI 320 for point interest (step S303). When step S302 or S302 is completed, the UI display determination process for point interest ends.

[0123] Returning to Figure 18, once the UI display determination process for point interest is complete, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 determines whether or not it has been decided to display the UI for point interest 320 (step S210). If it is decided to display the UI for point interest 320 (step S210: YES), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 adds information for displaying the UI for point interest 320 to the HTML document of the order completion screen (step S211). After step S211, or if it is decided not to display the UI for point interest 320 (step S210: NO), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 sends the HTML document of the order completion screen to the user terminal 4 (step S212). Based on this HTML document, the user terminal 4 displays either the order completion screen 300-1 or 300-2 (step S213).

[0124] Figure 20 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing of the communication system S when points are added to the point interest limit. User terminal 4 is displaying the add operation screen display operation screen. For example, in step S211, user terminal 4 displays the order completion screen 300-2. The user selects to add available points to the point interest limit in the point interest UI 320 and operates the setting button 323 (step S401). In response to this operation, user terminal 4 sends a non-periodic point interest limit point addition screen request to the point management server 3 (step S402). The non-periodic point interest limit point addition screen request may include, for example, the user ID of the user of user terminal 4 that sent this request. The add operation screen information transmission unit 3102 of the point management server 3, which received the non-periodic point interest limit point addition screen request, generates an HTML document for the non-periodic point interest limit point addition screen 500 and sends this HTML document to user terminal 4 (step S403). At this time, the additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may obtain the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a in association with the user ID included in the request. The additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may add this number of normal points as the number of points that can be added 510 to this HTML document. The additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may also set the number of additional points corresponding to the number of normal points to be entered in the number of additional points input field 520. The additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may also set the selection state of the automatic addition mode checkbox 530 according to the automatic addition function flag stored in the automatic addition setting DB 34f in association with the user ID included in the request. For example, if the automatic addition function flag is "disabled", the additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may set the selection state of the automatic addition mode checkbox 530 to indicate that the automatic addition function is selected as disabled. If the automatic addition function flag is "enabled", the additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may set the selection state of the automatic addition mode checkbox 530 to indicate that the automatic addition function is selected as enabled. User terminal 4 displays the non-regular points interest rate point addition screen 500 based on this HTML document (step S404).

[0125] On the non-regular points interest frame point addition screen 500, the user changes the number of points to add as needed. The user also enables or disables the automatic addition function by operating the automatic addition mode checkbox 530 as needed. If the user enables the automatic addition function instead of immediately adding points to the points interest frame, the user may change the number of points to add to 0 points. The user then operates the confirmation button 540 to confirm the settings on the point addition confirmation screen (step S405). In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 sends a non-regular points interest frame point addition request to the point management server 3 (step S406). The non-regular points interest frame point addition request may include the user ID of the user who sent the request, the number of points to add, and an automatic addition function flag. This automatic addition function flag indicates whether the automatic addition function is enabled or disabled, corresponding to the selection state of the automatic addition mode checkbox 530 at the time the confirmation button 540 was operated. Upon receiving a request to add points to the non-regular point interest limit, the addition unit 3103 of the point management server 3 executes the process of adding points to the non-regular point interest limit (step S407).

[0126] Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of the non-periodic point interest frame point addition process executed by the system control unit 31 of the point management server 3 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 21, the addition unit 3103 overwrites the automatic addition function flag stored in the automatic addition setting DB 34f in association with the user ID included in the non-periodic point interest frame point addition request with the automatic addition function flag included in the non-periodic point interest frame point addition request (step S501). Next, the addition unit 3103 subtracts the number of added points from the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a in association with that user ID (step S502). Next, the addition unit 3103 adds the number of added points to the number of points in operation stored in the non-periodic point interest frame DB 34d in association with that user ID (step S503). Next, the addition unit 3103 generates a point interest frame operation log corresponding to the addition of points to the regular point interest frame, and stores this point interest frame operation log in the point interest frame operation history DB 34e (step S504). When step S504 is completed, the regular point interest frame point addition process is finished.

[0127] Figure 22 shows an example of the automatic addition process for non-periodic point interest credit points executed by the system control unit 31 of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 31 may execute the automatic addition process for non-periodic point interest credit points at a predetermined time every day. As shown in Figure 22, the addition unit 3103 searches for a user ID associated with the automatic addition function flag indicating "enabled" from the automatic addition setting DB 34f (step S601). Then, in steps S602 to S605, processing is executed for each searched user ID. The addition unit 3103 sets the number of additional points for the user indicated by the user ID (step S602). For example, the addition unit 3103 may set the number of additional points to the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a associated with that user ID. Next, the addition unit 3103 sets the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a associated with that user ID to 0 points (step S603). Next, the addition unit 3103 adds the number of points to the number of points currently in use, which is stored in the non-periodic point interest frame DB34d in association with the user ID (step S604). Next, the addition unit 3103 generates a point interest frame operation log corresponding to the automatic addition of points to the periodic point interest frame, and stores this point interest frame operation log in the point interest frame operation history DB34e (step S605). When step S605 is completed, the automatic addition of points to the periodic point interest frame process is finished.

[0128] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can recognize that it is possible to add available points to the points interest limit through the additional information provided, when making a choice about whether or not to use available points for payment. Therefore, the user can take this into consideration when selecting an option. After the user makes a selection, an add operation screen or a display operation screen is displayed. Even if the display operation screen is displayed, the add operation screen will be displayed based on the operation on the display operation screen. Therefore, in either case, the user can perform an operation to add points to the points interest limit on the add operation screen. The display of an add operation screen or a display operation screen is convenient for the user who has considered whether or not to use available points for payment. Therefore, the user can be prompted to take action to make the points available for payment eligible for interest.

[0129] Here, the service server 1 may receive transaction procedure request information from the user terminal 4. Alternatively, after receiving the transaction procedure request information, the service server 1 may send usage selection screen information. In this case, in a situation where it is possible to choose to use points to pay for the transaction amount, the user can be prompted to take action to enable the receipt of interest.

[0130] Here, service server 1 may receive transaction confirmation request information from user terminal 4, indicating a request to confirm the transaction details, including the options indicated by the selection information. Also, if service server 1 receives transaction confirmation request information from user terminal 4, at least one of service server 1 and point management server 3 may send at least one of additional operation screen information and display operation screen information to user terminal 4. In this case, after a selection is made as to whether to use available points for payment, if the transaction details are confirmed, the additional operation screen or display operation screen is displayed. This prevents the transaction process from being interrupted by an operation to add points to the point interest limit.

[0131] Furthermore, if at least one of the service server 1 and the point management server 3 determines that the option indicated by the selection information is not to use or add points, at least one of the add operation screen information and the display operation screen information may be sent to the user terminal 4. In this case, if the user chooses to add the points to the point interest limit instead of using the available points for payment, the display operation screen or the add operation screen will be displayed. This allows the system to respond to the user's wishes.

[0132] Furthermore, the point management server 3 may add points that have been granted from the first service and added to the available points limit, thereby making them available for use in the second service, to the points interest limit. In this case, points granted to a user in one service but available for use by the user in a different service can be added to the points interest limit.

[0133] Alternatively, the point management server 3 may subtract the number of additional points from the number of available points and update the point interest limit information associated with the user on the user terminal 4 with the number of additional points, or store point interest limit information indicating the number of additional points associated with the user on the user terminal 4. In this case, the number of available points is subtracted from the number of available points associated with that user. As a result, the number of available points decreases by the amount added to the point interest limit. In addition, the point interest limit information associated with that user is updated with the number of additional points, or point interest limit information including the number of additional points is stored associated with that user. As a result, the number of points in the point interest limit increases by the amount added to the point interest limit. In this way, available points can be added to the point interest limit.

[0134] [2. Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 23 and 24. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be identical to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the usage selection screen was a screen that could accept an operation to select non-use addition, which means adding points that are in the point interest limit to the point interest limit without using them for payment. In this embodiment, the usage selection screen is not a screen that accepts such an operation, but a screen that includes information on points that can be added.

[0135] Figure 23 shows an example of a points usage change screen. In Figure 23, elements identical to those in Figure 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 23, the points usage change screen 200 may include an amount information area 210, a points usage change area 220, and a change button 230. The points usage change area 220 may include the number of available points 221, the number of limited-time points 222, a radio button for partial use 222, a field for inputting the number of points to use 223, a radio button for full use 224, a radio button for non-use 226, and additional information 229. The difference between Figure 23 and Figure 11 is that the additional use radio button 227 and the additional non-use radio button explanation information 228 are not displayed, and the additional information 229 is displayed. The additional information 229 may indicate that available points can be added to the points interest frame. For example, the additional information 229 may display "Regular points are subject to interest. Try setting this after shopping!" In step S108 of the process shown in Figure 17, when generating the HTML document for the point usage change screen 200, the service server 1's usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may generate the HTML document so that, normally, if the number of points is 1 point or more, the additional information 229 is displayed.

[0136] Among the multiple options available on the usage selection screen, there is no option for "add non-usage." Therefore, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 of the service server 1 or the additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 of the point management server 3 may determine whether or not to send additional operation screen information or display operation screen information to the user terminal 4 based on display conditions other than whether "add non-usage" has been selected. For example, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may send additional operation screen information unconditionally. That is, the additional operation screen or display operation screen may always be displayed. Alternatively, if the user chooses not to use points for payment, additional operation screen information or display operation screen information may be sent. Alternatively, if the point existence determination unit 1108 determines that there are points in the available points slot, additional operation screen information may be sent. Also, for example, if the additional function information acquired by the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 indicates that the automatic addition function is disabled, additional operation screen information or display operation screen information may be sent. Furthermore, if the display conditions are met, the service server 1 or the point management server 3 may send an additional operation screen or a display operation screen to the user terminal 4 even if the usage selection screen information has not been sent to the user terminal 4 by the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 or if the selection information has not been received by the selection information reception unit 1104. In other words, if the display conditions are met, the additional operation screen or the additional operation screen display operation screen may be displayed even if the usage selection screen is not displayed.

[0137] Figure 24 is a diagram showing an example of the UI display determination process for point interest executed by the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 24, the same reference numerals are used for processes that are the same as those in Figure 19. As shown in Figure 24, the available points acquisition unit 1107 acquires the normal number of points for the target user (step S322). For example, the available points acquisition unit 1107 may acquire the normal number of points by sending an available points information request to the point management server 3. Next, the point existence determination unit 1108 determines whether the normal number of points is 1 point or more (step S322). If the normal number of points is 1 point or more (step S322: YES), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 decides to display the UI 320 for point interest (step S303). If the normal number of points is 0 points (step S322: NO), the additional function information acquisition unit 1109 acquires the automatic additional function flag for the target user (step S323). For example, the additional function information acquisition unit 1109 may send an automatic addition function flag request to the point management server 3. The automatic addition function flag request may include the user ID of the target user. The point management server 3 may send the automatic addition function flag stored in the automatic addition setting DB 34f, associated with the user ID included in the automatic addition function flag request, to the service server 1. As a result, the additional function information acquisition unit 1109 may acquire the automatic addition function flag. Next, the additional screen information transmission unit 1110 determines whether the automatic addition function flag is "invalid" or not (step S324). If the automatic addition function flag is "invalid" (step S324: YES), the process proceeds to step S303. If the automatic addition function flag is "valid" (step S324: NO), it is decided not to display the point interest UI 320 (step S302). When step S302 or S303 is completed, the point interest UI display determination process ends.

[0138] As described above, in this embodiment, the service server 1 may acquire the number of points available after use. Furthermore, if at least one of the service server 1 and the point management server 3 indicates that the number of points after use is in the available points balance, it may transmit at least one of the additional operation screen information and the display operation screen information. In this case, if points remain in the available points balance after they have been used for payment or not used based on the user's selection, the display operation screen or the additional operation screen will be displayed. This allows the user to be encouraged to make effective use of the points remaining in the available points balance to receive interest, according to the user's selection.

[0139] Furthermore, service server 1 may acquire additional function information. Also, if at least one of service server 1 and point management server 3 indicates that the additional function information is invalid, they may transmit information from at least one of the additional operation screen information and display operation screen information. In this case, if the automatic addition function is disabled, an additional screen that accepts operations to enable the automatic addition function, or a display operation screen that accepts operations to display the additional screen, will be displayed. Therefore, the user can enable the automatic addition function.

[0140] [3. Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be identical to at least one of the embodiments described so far. The service provided by the service server 1 of this embodiment is a payment service. The payment service may be a service that enables payment by electronic payment. Users can use points for payments using electronic payment. In the payment service, users may be able to pre-select one of several options regarding whether or not to use available points for payment. Examples of electronic payment include credit card payment, debit card payment, electronic money payment, app payment, and carrier billing. Hereafter, as an example, the service provided will be a service that enables app payment. This payment service using app payment may be a service that enables payment using a payment method selected in advance by the user. Examples of methods that can be used for payment include credit card payment, debit card payment, electronic money payment, and bank transfer. An electronic payment app may be installed on the portable user terminal 4. The electronic payment app may be an application for making payments by app payment. App payment may enable so-called code payment. Code payment may be a payment method executed by optically reading a payment code displayed on the screen of an electronic payment app using equipment (not shown) at the receiving facility. The payment code may be, for example, a code that identifies the user as the payer. Payment identification information may be regenerated by encoding this code. The payment identification information may be identification information that identifies the payer. The payment code may be represented, for example, as a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional code. The equipment at the receiving facility may be equipment located at that facility or equipment used by the facility's employees. Examples of equipment at the receiving facility include POS (Point of Sales) registers, personal computers, tablet computers, etc. Examples of optically reading the code include reading the code with a scanner using infrared light, or photographing the code.Alternatively, code payment may be executed by the user terminal 4 reading a code displayed at the payment destination facility.

[0141] [3-1. Service Server Configuration] Next, the configuration of the service server 1 will be described with reference to Figures 25 and 26. Figure 25 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 25, the same elements as in Figure 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 25, the service server 1 includes a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The storage unit 14 in this embodiment may store databases such as a point usage setting DB 14b and a settlement history DB 14c.

[0142] Figure 26 shows an example of the contents stored in the database of the service server 1. Point usage setting DB 14b may store point usage setting information for each user, which indicates whether or not available points are used for payment. For example, point usage setting DB 14b may store the user ID, selection information, and maximum number of points to use, etc., as linked to each other as point usage setting information. The user ID may indicate the user who made the setting. The selection information may indicate the option selected by the user regarding whether or not to use points for payment. The maximum number of points to use may indicate the maximum number of points that can be used for payment. In this embodiment, the user can specify in advance the maximum number of points to use for payment. Therefore, when a settlement occurs, the amount to be paid may be lower than the amount corresponding to the maximum number of points to use. In this case, a number of points corresponding to the amount to be paid may be used for payment.

[0143] The settlement history DB14c may store a history of electronic payments made using the payment service. For example, a settlement log may be stored each time an electronic payment is made. Examples of settlement log entries in the settlement history DB14c include the transaction number, settlement date and time, user ID, store ID, product ID, price, quantity, total amount, points used information, payment amount, and payment method information. The transaction number may be a number that identifies the transaction for the electronic payment that was executed. The settlement date and time may indicate the date and time the electronic payment was made. The user ID may indicate the user who made the payment via electronic payment. It may also be identification information that identifies the facility to which the payment was made via electronic payment. The transaction item ID may be identification information that identifies the transaction item purchased via electronic payment. The total amount may indicate the total amount that the user should have originally paid to that facility. If the facility to which the payment was made is a facility that sells goods, the total amount may indicate the total price of the purchased goods. If the facility to which the payment was made is a facility that provides services, the total amount may indicate the total service usage fee. Point usage information may include the choice made by the user regarding whether or not to use points and the number of points used. The payment amount may represent the total amount minus the amount equivalent to the number of points used for payment. The payment method information may represent information indicating the payment method.

[0144] [3-2. Functional Overview of the Service Server's System Control Unit] Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 will be described with reference to Figures 27 to 31. Figure 27 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 27, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as those in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 27, the system control unit 11 functions as a user selection screen information transmission unit 1103, a selection information reception unit 1104, a usable points acquisition unit 1107, a points availability determination unit 1108, an additional function information acquisition unit 1109, a display operation screen information transmission unit 1110, and a point granting unit 1111, and may also function as a settlement unit 1121.

[0145] The usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 of this embodiment may transmit usage selection screen information for a specific screen of the electronic payment application as the usage selection screen. For example, the usage selection screen may be a screen displayed in response to an operation that can be accepted on the electronic payment top screen. The top screen of the electronic payment application may be the screen that is first displayed when the electronic payment application is launched. Alternatively, for example, the usage selection screen may be a screen displayed in response to an operation that can be accepted on the code screen. The code screen is a screen that includes the payment code described above. For example, the electronic payment top screen may be the code screen.

[0146] Figure 28 shows an example of an electronic payment top screen. As shown in Figure 28, the electronic payment top screen 600 may include a one-dimensional code 610, a two-dimensional code 620, a payment method 630, a "Use All" checkbox 640, and a detailed settings link 650. The one-dimensional code 610 and the two-dimensional code 620 may each be payment codes. When either the one-dimensional code 610 or the two-dimensional code 620 is read, the payment is executed. The payment method 630 may indicate a payment method. When the user operates the payment method 630, a screen for changing the payment method may be displayed. The "Use All" checkbox 640 may be an operable element that allows the user to select either to use all available points for payment or not to use any available points for payment. The detailed settings link 650 may be an operable element that allows the user to display the detailed points usage settings window. The detailed settings window may be a screen for making detailed settings about whether or not to use available points for payment. The detailed points usage settings window may be displayed, for example, overlaid on the electronic payment top screen. The points usage details settings window may be an example of a usage selection screen.

[0147] Figures 29(a) and (b) show examples of the Point Usage Details Settings window 700, respectively. Figure 29(a) shows an example of the Point Usage Details Settings window 700 when it is opened. As shown in Figure 29(a), the Point Usage Details Settings window 700 may include the number of available points 710, the number of limited-time points 720, a "Use All" button 730, a "Use Partially" button 740, a "Add Non-Used" button 750, a "Cancel" button 760, and a "Set" button 770. The "Use All" button 730 may be a button that can be operated to select to use all of the available points for payment. The "Use Partially" button 740 may be a button that can be operated to select to use a portion of the available points for payment. The "Add Non-Used" button 750 may be an element that can be operated to select to add the available points to the point interest limit without using them for payment. The "Add Non-Used" button 750 may correspond to an example of additional information. For example, the "Add Non-Use" button 750 may display "Pay interest without using points." When the Point Usage Details Settings window 700 is opened, it is selected to use all available points for payment. The Cancel button 760 may be an element that can be operated to cancel the settings in the Point Usage Details Settings window 700. If the settings are canceled, the setting made by the Use All checkbox 640 on the Electronic Payment Top Screen 600 may become more effective. The Set button 770 may be an element that can be operated to confirm the settings in the Point Usage Details Settings window 700. Figure 29(b) shows an example of the Point Usage Details Settings window 700 when it is selected to use a portion of the available points for payment. In the Point Usage Details Settings window 700 shown in Figure 29(a), if the user operates the Use Partial button 740, the Point Usage Details Settings window 700 may change to the Point Usage Details Settings window 700 shown in Figure 29(b).As shown in Figure 29(b), the point usage details setting window 700 may include a maximum number of points to use input field 780 in addition to the available points 710 to setting button 770. The maximum number of points to use input field 780 may be an area that accepts input for the maximum number of points to be used.

[0148] Users can pre-configure whether or not to use available points for payment on the electronic payment top screen 600 or the points usage details settings window 700. This setting may be applied to each electronic payment, for example. Alternatively, this setting may be applied only to the first electronic payment after the setting is made, and thereafter revert to the default setting. An example of the default setting is not to use available points for payment.

[0149] The usage selection screen may be a code screen or a top screen. In other words, the code screen may include additional information. For example, the electronic payment top screen 600 may display elements that can be operated to select a non-usage option. Also, both the code screen and the screens displayed in response to operations accepted on the code screen may correspond to the usage selection screen.

[0150] The selection information receiving unit 1104 may receive selection information indicating the options selected by the user on the electronic payment top screen 600 or the points usage details setting window 700.

[0151] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information to the user terminal 4 in response to selection information being received from the user terminal 4 by the selection information receiving unit 1104. For example, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information in response to the operation of the setting button 770 in the point usage details setting window 700. Alternatively, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information only when the setting button 770 is operated. The additional operation screen display operation screen may be, for example, a point interest transition window. The point interest transition window may be a screen for screen transition to the additional operation screen. The point interest transition window may be displayed overlaid on the electronic payment top screen, for example. Figure 30 is a diagram showing an example of a point interest transition window. In Figure 30, the same elements as in Figure 12(b) are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 30, the point interest transition window 800 may include a point interest UI 320.

[0152] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information when the display conditions are met. For example, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information only when non-use addition is selected. In addition, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information when it is selected to use a portion of the available points, the point existence determination unit 1108 determines that there are points in the available points limit, and the user's settings regarding point usage apply only to the next payment. The point existence determination unit 1108 may determine that there are points that can be added to the point interest limit by determining whether the normal number of points is greater than the maximum number of points used. In addition, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information when the additional function information acquired by the additional function information acquisition unit 1109 indicates that the automatic addition function is disabled.

[0153] Figure 31 shows an example of screen transitions in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 31, when the electronic payment app is launched, the electronic payment top screen 600 is displayed. When the user operates the detailed settings link 650 on the electronic payment top screen 600, the point usage detailed settings window 700 is displayed. After the settings in the point usage detailed settings window 700, if the display conditions are not met, the electronic payment app top screen 600 is displayed. If the display conditions are met, the point interest transition window 800 is displayed. When the user selects to add points to the point interest frame on the point interest transition window 800, the non-regular point interest frame point addition screen 500 is displayed. When the user sets the addition of points to the point interest frame on the point interest frame point addition screen 500, a point addition confirmation screen is displayed, and then the non-regular point interest frame top screen 400 is displayed.

[0154] As described above, the service server 1 or the point management server 3 may send additional operation screen information without sending display operation screen information. For example, after the settings in the point usage details setting window 700, the non-periodic point interest frame point addition screen 500 may be displayed without the point interest transition window 800 being displayed.

[0155] The settlement unit 1121 may perform settlement processing for a user to pay for a transaction via app payment. For example, the equipment of the facility to which payment is made may read the settlement code displayed on the screen of the user terminal 4 and send settlement information to the electronic settlement server 3. The settlement information is information for electronic settlement and may also be information indicating the details of the transaction. For example, the settlement information may include settlement identification information, the facility ID of the facility to which payment is made, the transaction ID of the item being purchased, the total amount, etc. The settlement unit 1121 may perform settlement processing based on the settlement information. The settlement unit 1121 may use a predetermined algorithm to convert the settlement identification information included in the settlement information into the user ID of the user making the payment. The settlement unit 1121 may determine whether or not to use points for payment based on the point usage setting information stored in the point usage setting DB 14b in association with the user ID of the user making the payment. If points are to be used for payment, the settlement unit 1121 may determine the number of points to use based on the total amount included in the settlement information and the point usage setting information. The settlement unit 1121 may subtract the number of points used from the number of available points by sending a point deduction request including the number of points used to the point management server 3. The settlement unit 1121 may calculate the payment amount to be settled based on the total amount and the number of points used. The settlement unit 1121 may execute settlement processing according to the payment method pre-registered for the user making the payment. The settlement processing by the settlement unit 1121 itself may be the same as or similar to the settlement processing executed by the transaction details confirmation unit 1106. After completing the settlement processing, the settlement unit 1121 may generate a settlement log and store this settlement log in the settlement history DB 14c.

[0156] [3-3. Operation of the communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be explained with reference to Figure 32. Figure 32 is a diagram showing an example of the processing of the communication system S when setting up point usage. For example, user terminal 4 is displaying the electronic payment application top screen. At this time, the user operates the detailed settings link 650. In response to this operation, user terminal 4 sends a point usage detailed settings window request to service server 1, as shown in Figure 32 (step S701). Upon receiving the point usage detailed settings window request, the service server 1's available points acquisition unit 1107 sends an available points information request to point management server 3 (step S702) and receives the available points information (step S703). Next, the service server 1's usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 sends information to user terminal 4 as an example of usage selection screen information, in order to display the point usage detailed settings window (step S704). This information may be an HTML document or other information. At this time, the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may add the number of available points 710 and the number of limited-time points 720 to the information sent, based on the available points information. Furthermore, the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may generate information to be transmitted such that the "Add Non-Use" button 750 is displayed when the normal number of points is 1 point or more. The user terminal 4 displays the point usage details setting window 700 based on the information received from the service server 1 (step S705).

[0157] The user configures the details of point usage in the point usage details setting window 700 and operates the setting button 770 (step S706). In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 sends point usage setting information to the service server 1 (step S707). The point usage setting information may include the user ID of the user terminal 4, selection information indicating the option selected by the user, and the maximum number of points to be used. The user terminal 4 then clears the point usage details setting window 700 from the screen (step S708). The selection information receiving unit 1104 of the service server 1 stores the point usage setting information received from the user terminal 4 in the point usage setting DB 14b (step S709). Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 executes a UI display determination process for point interest (step S710). The UI display determination process for point interest may be the same as or similar to the process shown in Figure 18, or it may be a different process. Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 determines whether or not the display of the point interest UI 320 has been determined in the point interest UI display determination process (step S711). If it is determined that the point interest UI 320 should be displayed (step S711: YES), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 transmits information for displaying the point interest transition window 800 to the user terminal 4 (step S712). This information may be an HTML document or other information. Based on this information, the user terminal 4 displays the point interest transition window 800. After this, depending on the user's operation on the point interest transition window 800, processing similar to that shown in Figure 20 may be executed. If it is determined that the point interest UI 320 should not be displayed (step S711: NO), information for displaying the point interest transition window 800 is not transmitted.

[0158] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to encourage users to take actions that enable them to receive interest on points that can be used for payments using the payment service.

[0159] Here, the usage selection screen may be at least one of the following: a code screen containing a code displayed for electronic payment, and a screen displayed in response to an operation that can be performed on the code screen. In this case, the user can be prompted to take action to enable them to receive interest on points that can be used for electronic payments using the code.

[0160] Furthermore, the service server 1 and the point management server 3 may transmit at least one of the additional screen information and the display operation screen information in response to receiving selection information from the user terminal 4. In this case, the additional operation screen or the display operation screen will be displayed in response to the user performing an operation to select an option on the usage selection screen which includes additional information. Therefore, when a user considers whether or not to use points in their available points limit for payment, they can quickly take action based on the result of that consideration.

[0161] [4. Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 33 and 34. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be identical to at least one of the embodiments described so far. In the third embodiment, in response to the user setting up the usage of points in the point usage details setting window 700, which is an example of a usage selection screen, the point interest transition window 800, which is an example of an additional operation screen display operation screen, was displayed. In this embodiment, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit the display operation screen information to the user terminal 4 when a payment process is executed in the payment service.

[0162] The additional operation screen display operation screen may be, for example, a payment completion screen. The payment completion screen may be a screen indicating that electronic payment has been completed. Figure 33 is a diagram showing an example of a payment completion screen. In Figure 33, the same elements as in Figure 12(b) are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 33, the payment completion screen 900 may include a payment completion information area 910 and a UI 320 for point interest. The payment completion information area 910 may display a message indicating that payment has been completed, the name of the payment recipient facility, the payment date and time, the total amount, the number of points used, the slip number, etc.

[0163] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit the display operation screen information only when non-use addition is selected. Also, if the point presence / absence determination unit 1108 determines that there are points in the available points frame, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit the display operation screen information to the user terminal 4 even if it is selected to use all of the available points. Furthermore, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit the display operation screen information if the additional function information acquired by the additional function information acquisition unit 1109 indicates that the automatic addition function is disabled.

[0164] Figure 34 shows an example of the processing of the communication system S during payment. For example, a user makes a payment by presenting the electronic payment top screen at a certain facility. The equipment at the facility reads the payment code from the electronic payment top screen and sends the payment information to the service server 1. As shown in Figure 34, the payment unit 1121 of the service server 1 receives the payment information (step S801). The payment unit 1121 obtains the user ID of the user making the payment based on the payment identification information contained in the payment information. Next, the available points acquisition unit 1107 of the service server 1 sends a request for available points information to the point management server 3, including this user ID (step S802), and receives the available points information (step S803). Next, the payment unit 1121 obtains point usage setting information, including the acquired user ID, from the point usage setting DB 14b (step S804). Next, the payment unit 1121 determines whether or not to use the available points for payment based on the selection information contained in the point usage setting information (step S805). If available points are to be used for payment (step S805: YES), the settlement unit 1121 calculates the number of points used (step S807). Next, the settlement unit 1121 sends a point deduction request to the point management server 3, including the acquired user ID and the number of points used (step S807). The deduction unit 3106 of the point management server 3, upon receiving the point deduction request, subtracts the number of points used from the number of available points of the user who made the payment (step S808).

[0165] After step S807, or if available points are not used for payment (step S805: NO), the settlement unit 1121 executes the settlement process (step S809). Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 identifies the user terminal 4 of the user who made the payment based on the acquired user ID and sends a settlement completion notification to that user terminal 4 (step S810). The settlement completion notification may be a message indicating that the payment has been completed. For example, the settlement completion notification may be sent as a push notification, short message, or email. The user of the user terminal 4 who receives the settlement completion notification displays the settlement completion notification on the user terminal 4. The user performs an operation to display the settlement completion screen 900, for example, by selecting the settlement completion notification or selecting a link included in the settlement completion notification. In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 sends a settlement completion screen request to the service server 1 (step S811). Upon receiving a payment completion screen request, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 of the service server 1 generates an HTML document of the payment completion screen as an example of display operation screen information (step S812). At this time, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may generate the HTML document such that the payment completion screen 900 includes the payment completion information area 910. At this stage, the payment completion screen 900 does not include the UI 320 for point interest. Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 executes a UI display determination process for point interest (step S813). Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 determines whether or not the UI display determination process for point interest has determined whether or not to display the UI 320 for point interest (step S814). If it has been determined to display the UI 320 for point interest (step S814: YES), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 adds information for displaying the UI 320 for point interest to the HTML document of the payment completion screen 900 (step S815). After step S815, or if it is decided not to display the UI320 for point interest (step S814: NO), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 sends the HTML document of the payment completion screen 900 to the user terminal 4 (step S816). The user terminal 4 displays the payment completion screen 900 based on this HTML document (step S817).

[0166] As described above, according to this embodiment, once payment using electronic payment in the payment service is completed, an additional operation screen or display operation screen is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent operations to add points to the point interest limit before payment is made.

[0167] [5. Fifth Embodiment] Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 35. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be identical to at least one of the embodiments described so far. In the third and fourth embodiments, the usage selection screen was a screen that could accept the operation of selecting not to use. In this embodiment, the usage selection screen is not a screen that accepts such an operation, but a screen that includes information that can be added.

[0168] Figure 35 shows an example of a points usage details setting window. In Figure 35, the same elements as in Figure 29(a) are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 35, the points usage details setting window 700 may include the number of available points 710, the number of limited-time points 720, a "Use All" button 730, a "Use Partially" button 740, a "Cancel" button 760, a "Set" button 770, and additional information 790. The difference between Figure 35 and Figure 29(a) is that the "Add Non-Use" button 750 is not displayed, and the additional information 790 is displayed. The additional information 790 may indicate that available points can be added to the point interest limit. For example, the additional information 790 may display "Normal points are subject to interest. Let's set it up later!". When generating the information for the points details setting window 700 in step S704 of the process shown in Figure 32, the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 of the service server 1 may generate this information such that the additional information 790 is displayed when the number of normal points is 1 point or more.

[0169] If there is no option to "not use" among the multiple options available on the usage selection screen, the service server 1 or point management server 3 may determine whether or not to send additional operation screen information or display operation screen information to the user terminal 4 based on display conditions other than whether "not use" has been selected. For example, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may send additional operation screen information unconditionally. Alternatively, if the user chooses not to use points for payment, additional operation screen information or display operation screen information may be sent. Also, for example, if the additional function information obtained by the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 indicates that the automatic addition function is disabled, additional operation screen information or display operation screen information may be sent. Also, for example, if it is stipulated that an additional operation screen or display operation screen will be displayed after payment is completed, and the number of points available after use indicates that points are in the available points limit, additional operation screen information or display operation screen information may be sent.

[0170] [6. Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be identical to at least one of the embodiments described so far. The service provided by the service server 1 of this embodiment may be a service for which usage fees are incurred on a periodic basis. The user is required to pay usage fees for the provided service on a periodic basis. For example, usage fees may be incurred on a monthly, semi-annual, or annual basis. A fixed usage fee may be billed to the user on a periodic basis. Alternatively, for example, the usage fee may be determined on a periodic basis according to the usage status of the provided service during that period. The provided service is not particularly limited as long as the user pays usage fees on a periodic basis, but examples of provided services include communication services, content distribution services, and other subscription services. Examples of communication services include mobile communication services and optical fiber connection services. The user can use available points to pay for the usage fees of the provided service. In the provided service, the user may be able to pre-select one of several options regarding whether or not to use available points for payment. The user's selection may be applied, for example, to the payment of usage fees each time. If the user chooses to use points for payment, the service server 1 may be configured so that the points are used when it is time to pay the usage fee. The service server 1 may also be a server device that primarily handles processing related to usage fees for the provided service.

[0171] [6-1. Service Server Configuration] Next, the configuration of the service server 1 will be described with reference to Figure 36. Figure 36 is a block diagram showing an example of the overview configuration of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 36, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as those in Figure 25. As shown in Figure 36, the service server 1 includes a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The storage unit 14 in this embodiment may store databases such as a point usage setting DB 14b and a billing fee DB 14d. The billing fee DB 14d may store billing fee information regarding the usage fees charged to users for the services provided, for each combination of user and period. For example, the billing fee DB 14d may store user ID, target period, and billing amount as billing fee information, associated with each other. The user ID may indicate the user to whom the usage fee is billed. The target period may indicate the period in which the usage fee was incurred for the use of the provided services. For example, the target period may be indicated as a combination of year and month. The billing amount may indicate the amount of the usage fee to be charged.

[0172] [6-2. Functional Overview of the Service Server's System Control Unit] Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 will be described with reference to Figures 37 to 41. Figure 37 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 37, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as those in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 37, the system control unit 11 functions as a usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103, a selection information reception unit 1104, an available points acquisition unit 1107, a points availability determination unit 1108, an additional function information acquisition unit 1109, a display operation screen information transmission unit 1110, and a point granting unit 1111, and may also function as a usage fee receipt unit 1141.

[0173] The usage selection screen in this embodiment may be, for example, a payment method change screen. The payment method change screen may be a screen that can accept operations to change the payment method for usage fees. The usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may transmit screen information of the payment method change screen to the user terminal 4. The payment method change screen may be displayed in response to user operations on a predetermined screen in the provided service. That screen may be, for example, a usage fee screen. The usage fee screen may be a screen that shows the usage fees for the provided service. Figure 38 is a diagram showing an example of a usage fee screen. As shown in Figure 38, the usage fee screen 1000-1 may include a usage fee display area 1010 and a payment method change link 1020. The usage fee display area 1010 may display information related to usage fees. For example, the usage fee display area 1010 may display the usage fee, the period to which the usage fee applies, information indicating whether or not the usage fee has been determined, etc. The payment method change link 1020 may be an element that can be operated to display the payment method change screen.

[0174] Figure 39 shows an example of a payment method change screen. As shown in Figure 39, the payment method change screen 1200 may include payment method information 1210, a point usage change area 1220, and a change button 1230. The payment method information 1210 may show the payment method currently selected by the user. Depending on the user's actions, a screen for changing the payment method may be displayed. The point usage change area 1220 may include elements that allow the user to select whether or not to use available points for payment. For example, the point usage change area 1220 may include the number of available points 1221, the number of limited-time points 1222, a radio button for using all points 1223, a radio button for using some points 1224, a maximum number of points to use input field 1225, a radio button for not using points 1226, and a radio button for adding points not to use 1227. The radio button for using all points 1223 may be an element that allows the user to select to use all available points for payment. The "Partial Use" radio button 1224 may be an operable element for selecting to use a portion of the available points for payment. The "Maximum Points to Use" input field 1225 may be an area that accepts input for the maximum number of points to use. Inputting a number of points into the "Maximum Points to Use" input field 1225 may only be possible if the "Partial Use" radio button 1224 indicates that "Partial Use" has been selected. The "Non-Use" radio button 1226 may be an operable element for selecting not to use the available points for payment. The "Non-Use Additional Points" radio button 1227 may be an operable element for selecting "Non-Use Additional Points". Descriptive information for the "Non-Use Additional Points" radio button 1228 may be displayed near the "Non-Use Additional Points" radio button 1227. Descriptive information for the "Non-Use Additional Points" radio button 1228 may be information that explains the "Non-Use Additional Points" radio button 1227. For example, the "Non-Use Additional Points" radio button descriptive information 1228 may display "Pay interest without using points". The change button 1230 may be an element that can be operated to confirm the change in payment method and the change in point usage on the payment method change screen 1200.

[0175] The selection information receiving unit 1104 may receive selection information indicating the options selected by the user on the payment method change screen 1200.

[0176] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information to the user terminal 4 in response to selection information being received from the user terminal 4 by the selection information receiving unit 1104, for example. For example, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information in response to the change button 1230 being operated on the payment method change screen 1200. The additional operation screen display operation screen may be, for example, a usage fee screen. However, the usage fee screen 1000-1 shown in Figure 38 is the screen that does not correspond to the additional operation screen display operation screen. Figure 40 is a diagram showing an example of the usage fee screen that corresponds to the additional operation screen display operation screen. In Figure 40, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as in Figure 12(b) or Figure 38. As shown in Figure 40, the usage fee screen 1000-2 may include a usage fee display area 1010, a payment method change link 1020, and a UI 320 for point interest.

[0177] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information only when "not used" is selected. Furthermore, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may transmit display operation screen information if the additional function information acquired by the additional function information acquisition unit 1109 indicates that the automatic addition function is disabled.

[0178] Figure 41 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 41, the usage fee screen 1000-1 is displayed in response to a user's operation on any screen of the provided service. When the user operates the payment method change link 1020 on the usage fee screen 1000-1, the payment method change screen 1200 is displayed. After setting the use of points on the payment method change screen 1200, if the display conditions are not met, the usage fee screen 1000-1 is displayed. If the display conditions are met, the usage fee screen 1000-2 is displayed. When the user selects to add points to the point interest frame on the usage fee screen 1000-2, the non-regular point interest frame point addition screen 500 is displayed. When the user sets the addition of points to the point interest frame on the point interest frame point addition screen 500, a point addition confirmation screen is displayed, and then the non-regular point interest frame top screen 400 is displayed.

[0179] As described above, the service server 1 or the point management server 3 may send additional operation screen information without sending the display operation screen information. For example, after making settings on the payment method change screen 120, the usage fee screen 1000-2 may not be displayed, and the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 500 may be displayed instead.

[0180] The usage fee collection unit 1141 may perform processing to allow the service provider to receive usage fees for the provided services from users. For example, the usage fee collection unit 1141 may perform processing to receive usage fees from each user for the period preceding the current period on a predetermined day of each period. For example, the usage fee collection unit 1141 may perform settlement processing to settle the usage fees indicated by the billing amount stored in the billing fee DB 14d. Except for settling the usage fees, the settlement processing itself performed by the usage fee collection unit 1141 may be the same as or similar to the settlement processing performed by the transaction details confirmation unit 1106 or the settlement unit 1121. In this case, the usage fee collection unit 1141 may determine the payment amount based on the point usage setting information stored in the point usage setting DB 14b. Furthermore, for users whose point usage setting information indicates that they will use points for payment, the usage fee collection unit 1141 may send a point deduction request to the point management server 3 to deduct the number of points used from the number of available points.

[0181] [6-3. Operation of the communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be explained with reference to Figure 42. Figure 42 is a diagram showing an example of the processing of the communication system S when the payment method for usage fees is changed. For example, user terminal 4 is displaying the usage fee screen 1000-1. At this time, the user operates the payment method change link 1020. In response to this operation, user terminal 4 sends a payment method change screen request to service server 1, as shown in Figure 42 (step S901). The available points acquisition unit 1107 of service server 1, which has received the payment method change screen request, sends an available points information request to point management server 3 (step S902) and receives the available points information (step S903). Next, the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 of service server 1 sends an HTML document of the payment method change screen 1200 as an example of usage selection screen information to user terminal 4 (step S904). At this time, the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may add the number of available points 1221 and the number of limited-time points 1222 to this HTML document based on the available points information. Also, if the number of regular points is 1 point or more, the usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may generate the HTML document so that the non-usage add radio button 1227 and the non-usage add radio button explanation information 1228 are displayed. The user terminal 4 displays the payment method change screen 1200 based on the information received from the service server 1 (step S905).

[0182] On the payment method change screen 1200, the user changes the payment method and sets the details of point usage, and operates the change button 1230 (step S906). In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 transmits payment method information and point usage setting information to the service server 1 (step S907). The point usage setting information may include the user ID of the user on the user terminal 4, selection information indicating the option selected by that user, and the maximum number of points to be used. The selection information receiving unit 1104 of the service server 1 stores the point usage setting information received from the user terminal 4 in the point usage setting DB 14b (step S908). Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 generates an HTML document of the usage fee screen as an example of display operation screen information (step S909). At this time, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may generate the HTML document so that the usage fee screen includes the usage fee display area 1010. At this stage, the usage fee screen does not include the point interest UI 320. Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 executes a UI display determination process for point interest (step S911). Next, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 determines whether or not the UI display determination process for point interest has determined whether or not to display the UI for point interest 320 (step S911). If it is determined that the UI for point interest 320 should be displayed (step S911: YES), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 adds information for displaying the UI for point interest 320 to the HTML document of the usage fee screen (step S912). After step S912, or if it is determined that the UI for point interest 320 should not be displayed (step S911: NO), the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 sends the HTML document of the usage fee screen to the user terminal 4 (step S913). The user terminal 4 displays the usage fee screen 1000-1 or 1000-2 based on this HTML document (step S914).

[0183] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to encourage users to take actions that allow them to receive interest on points that can be used to pay for the usage fees of services for which the user pays a usage fee on a periodic basis.

[0184] [7. Seventh Embodiment] Next, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 43. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be identical to at least one of the embodiments described so far. In the sixth embodiment, the usage selection screen was a screen that could accept the operation of selecting non-usage addition. In this embodiment, the usage selection screen is not a screen that accepts such an operation, but a screen that includes information that can be added.

[0185] Figure 43 shows an example of a payment method change screen. In Figure 34, the same elements as in Figure 39 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 43, the payment method change screen 1200 may include payment method information 1210, a point usage change area 1220, and a change button 1230. The point usage change area 1220 may include the number of available points 1221, the number of limited-time points 1222, a radio button for using all points 1223, a radio button for using some points 1224, a maximum number of points to use input field 1225, a radio button for not using points 1226, and additional information 1229. The difference between Figure 43 and Figure 39 is that the additional non-use radio button 1227 and the additional non-use radio button explanation information 1228 are not displayed, and the additional information 1229 is displayed. The additional information 1229 may indicate that available points can be added to the point interest limit. For example, the additional information 1229 may display "Regular points incur interest. Let's set this up later!" In the process shown in Figure 42, when generating the HTML document for the payment method change screen 1200 in step S904, the service server 1's usage selection screen information transmission unit 1103 may generate this HTML document so that, normally, if the number of points is 1 point or more, the additional information 12290 is displayed.

[0186] Since there is no option to "not use" among the multiple options available on the usage selection screen, the service server 1 or point management server 3 may determine whether or not to send additional operation screen information or display operation screen information to the user terminal 4 based on display conditions other than whether "not use" has been selected. For example, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may send additional operation screen information unconditionally. Alternatively, if the user chooses not to use points for payment, additional operation screen information or display operation screen information may be sent. Also, for example, if the additional function information obtained by the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 indicates that the automatic addition function is disabled, additional operation screen information or display operation screen information may be sent.

[0187] [8. Eighth Implementation] Next, the eighth embodiment will be described with reference. Except for the points described below, this embodiment may be identical to at least one of the embodiments described so far. In the embodiments described so far, the point interest frame that users are prompted to add to the points via the additional information and additional operation screen display operation screen was a non-periodic point interest frame with no defined investment period. In this embodiment, the point interest frame that users are prompted to add to the points is a point interest frame for holding points with a defined investment period. This point interest frame is called the periodic point interest frame. Interest is paid on the points provided that the points are in the periodic point interest frame for a predetermined investment period. The length of the investment period is called the investment period length. The service provided by the service server 1 may be any service. Hereafter, as an example, the service provided will be a transaction service.

[0188] [8-1. Composition of Point Interest Rate Types] Next, the types of point interest programs will be explained with reference to Figure 44. For example, a point program may offer both a non-regular point interest program and a regular point interest program. Alternatively, a point program may offer only one of them. Figure 44 shows examples of the differences between a non-regular point interest program and a regular point interest program. As shown in Figure 44, examples of differences in a regular point interest program include whether or not there is a defined investment period, the interest rate, the unit for managing points in the point interest program, and whether or not there are any precautions regarding withdrawing points from the point interest program.

[0189] There is no set investment period for non-regular point interest programs. For regular point interest programs, an investment period is set. For example, the length of the investment period may be predetermined. Examples of investment period lengths include 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, etc. When investing points, users may be able to select one of several investment period lengths. The investment period may be, for example, the period from the day points are added to the regular point interest program until the end of the investment period. Alternatively, the investment period may be the period from the end of the month in which points are added to the regular point interest program until the end of the investment period.

[0190] The interest rate for the regular point interest program is higher than the interest rate for the non-regular point interest program. For example, the annual interest rate for the non-regular point interest program may be 0.1 percent, while the annual interest rate for the regular point interest program may be 0.5 percent. If the user can select from several investment period lengths, an interest rate may be set for each investment period length. For example, the longer the investment period, the higher the interest rate. The interest rate corresponding to any investment period length is higher than the interest rate for the non-regular point interest program. The interest rate used to calculate interest on points in the non-regular point interest program may be the interest rate at the end of the month or the interest rate at the time the interest is awarded. The interest rate used to calculate interest on points in the regular point interest program may be the interest rate at the time the points are added to the regular point interest program. For points in the regular point interest program, interest may be provisionally awarded to the user, for example, on a monthly basis. Once the investment period has elapsed, the provisionally awarded interest becomes the final interest. The user can then receive the final interest. Users cannot receive interest that has not been confirmed.

[0191] Points in the non-regular points interest account are managed collectively. For example, if a user adds points to the non-regular points interest account on different days, those points are managed together. For example, the same interest rate may be applied to all points in the non-regular points interest account. Alternatively, a user may be able to freely specify the number of points to withdraw from the non-regular points interest account. Points in the regular points interest account are managed on a per-unit basis. For example, if a user adds points to the regular points interest account on different days, points added on the same day may be managed as one unit of points. Or, points added to the regular points interest account in the same month may be managed as one unit of points. Interest rates and investment periods may be applied separately to each unit of points in the regular points interest account. Also, when a user withdraws points from the regular points interest account, withdrawals may be possible in units of one unit.

[0192] For the non-regular points interest allowance, there is no set investment period, so users can withdraw points from the non-regular points interest allowance at any time. In this case, users can withdraw points including interest that has been generated, for example, on a monthly basis, as a result of points being in the non-regular points interest allowance. For the regular points interest allowance, there is a set investment period. Therefore, there are considerations regarding the withdrawal of points from the regular points interest allowance. For example, it may be impossible for users to withdraw points from the regular points interest allowance during the investment period. For example, points may be automatically withdrawn from the regular points interest allowance once the investment period has elapsed. Alternatively, the point management server 3 may be configured so that users can choose whether to automatically withdraw points from the regular points interest allowance when the investment period has elapsed or to continue investing the points for the same investment period length. Alternatively, users may be able to withdraw points from the regular points interest allowance at any time, but in that case, the user may not receive any interest. Alternatively, users may be able to withdraw points from the regular points interest allowance at any time and receive interest calculated at a lower interest rate than the interest rate at the time the points were added to the regular points interest allowance.

[0193] Regarding the addition of points to the regular point interest accrual limit, users may have access to an automatic addition function. For example, users may have access to the automatic addition function for both the non-regular point interest accrual limit and the regular point usage limit. In this case, users may be able to choose which of the two point interest accrual limits to add points to. Alternatively, users may have access to the automatic addition function for only one of the two.

[0194] Hereafter, as an example, the investment period length for the regular points interest allowance will be set to a single length. Also as an example, users can withdraw points from the regular points interest allowance even during the investment period, but in that case, the user will not receive any interest. Also as an example, the automatic addition function will only be available for the regular points usage allowance. Also as an example, if points are added to the regular points usage allowance multiple times within the same month, those points will be managed as a single unit of points. Also as an example, the automatic addition of points to the regular points usage allowance using the automatic addition function will be performed every month.

[0195] [8-2. Configuration of the Point Management Server] Next, the configuration of the point management server 3 will be described with reference to Figures 45 and 46. Figure 45 is a block diagram showing an example of the overview configuration of the point management server 3 according to this embodiment. In Figure 45, the same elements as in Figure 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 45, the point management server 3 includes a system control unit 31, a system bus 32, an input / output interface 33, a storage unit 34, and a communication unit 35. In addition to the normal point DB 34a, time-limited point DB 34b, interest rate DB 34c, non-regular point interest limit DB 34d, point interest limit operation history DB 34e, and automatic addition setting DB 34f, the storage unit 34 may also store a regular point interest limit DB 34g.

[0196] Figure 46 shows an example of information stored in the database of the point management server 3 according to this embodiment. The interest rate DB34c may store non-periodic point interest rate information and periodic point interest rate information as interest rate information. The periodic point interest rate information may be interest rate information for periodic point interest limits. If the user can select the investment period length, periodic point interest rate information for each investment period length may be stored. The interest rates shown by the periodic point interest rate information may change, for example, when the month changes.

[0197] The periodic points interest frame DB34g may store investment unit information for each combination of user and investment unit of the periodic points interest frame. An investment unit may represent one unit of points in the periodic points interest frame. Investment unit information may also be information about the points of that investment unit. The periodic points interest frame DB34g may store the following as investment unit information, associated with each other: user ID, investment unit ID, addition date, number of points under investment, investment period length, investment period start date, investment period end date, interest rate information, provisional interest, confirmed interest, and post-expiration setting information. The user ID may represent the user who has placed the points of the investment unit into the periodic points interest frame. The investment unit ID may be identification information for identifying that investment unit. The addition date may represent the date on which the user added points to the periodic points interest frame. The number of points under investment may represent the number of points of that investment unit in the periodic points interest frame. The investment period length may represent the length of the investment period for the points of that investment unit. The investment period start date may indicate the date on which the investment of the points of that investment unit began. The initial value of the investment period start date may be the last day of the month including the date of addition. If the points of that investment unit continue to be included in the regular point interest accrual pool after the investment period has elapsed, the investment period start date may be updated to the day after the investment period expiration date. The investment period expiration date may indicate the date on which the investment of the points of that investment unit ends. For example, the investment period expiration date may be a certain length of time after the investment period start date. If the points of that investment unit continue to be included in the regular point interest accrual pool after the investment period has elapsed, the investment period expiration date may be updated to a certain length of time after that date. Interest rate information may indicate the interest rate applied to the calculation of interest on the points of that investment unit. Provisional interest may indicate the cumulative value of interest provisionally granted to the user for the points of that investment unit. Confirmed interest may indicate the number of points that have been confirmed as interest to be granted to the user for the points of that investment unit. For example, after the investment period has elapsed, provisional interest may become confirmed interest. The unit of investment information is an example of point interest rate information.

[0198] [8-3. Overview of System Control Unit Functions] [8-3-1. Service Server] The display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 of this embodiment may transmit display operation screen information so that the additional operation screen display operation screen can receive an operation to display an additional operation screen that can receive an operation to add points to the regular point interest frame. The additional operation screen may be, for example, the regular point interest frame point addition screen described later. For example, the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 may generate display operation screen information so that when a user selects to add points to the point interest frame in the point interest UI 320, the user terminal 4 sends a request for the regular point interest frame point addition screen to the point management server 3.

[0199] [8-3-2. Point Management Server] Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 31 of the point management server 3 will be explained with reference to Figures 47 and 48.

[0200] In this embodiment, the top screen information transmission unit 3101 may transmit screen information of the regular point interest frame top screen to the user terminal 4 as an example of top screen information. The regular point interest frame top screen may be a screen that corresponds to the entry point for operations on the regular point interest frame. Figure 47 is a diagram showing an example of the regular point interest frame top screen. As shown in Figure 47, the regular point interest frame top screen 1400 may include the number of points in operation 1410, an add button 1420, a withdrawal link 1430, and an automatic add mode change slider 1440. The number of points in operation 410 may indicate the total number of points in the regular point interest frame. The add button 1420 may be an element that can be operated to select to add points to the regular point interest frame. When the user operates the add button 1420, the user terminal 4 may display the regular point interest frame point addition screen, which will be described later. The regular point interest frame point addition screen may be a screen that can accept operations such as inputting the number of points to add to the regular point interest frame and enabling the automatic add function. The withdrawal link 1430 may be an operable element for selecting to withdraw points from the regular point interest allowance. When the user operates the withdrawal link 1430, the user terminal 4 may display the regular point interest allowance point withdrawal screen. The non-regular point interest allowance point withdrawal screen may be a screen that accepts the selection of which investment unit of points to withdraw from the points in the regular point interest allowance. The automatic addition mode change slider 1440 may be an operable element for switching the automatic addition function on and off.

[0201] The additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may transmit screen information for the regular point interest rate addition screen to the user terminal 4 as an example of additional operation screen information. The additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may transmit screen information for the regular point interest rate addition screen in response to a display operation performed on the additional operation screen displayed on the user terminal 4 based on the display operation screen information transmitted by the display operation screen information transmission unit 1110 of the service server 1. The regular point interest rate addition screen may be a screen similar to the non-regular point interest rate addition screen 500. For example, the point interest rate addition screen may include elements corresponding to the number of points that can be added 510, the input field for the number of points to add 520, the automatic addition mode checkbox 530, and the confirmation button 540.

[0202] Figure 48 shows an example of screen transitions in this embodiment. The differences between Figure 48 and Figure 16 are that the regular point interest frame point addition screen 1500 is displayed instead of the non-regular point interest frame point addition screen 500, and the regular point interest frame top screen 1400 is displayed instead of the non-regular point interest frame top screen 400.

[0203] The addition unit 3103 may add available points to the regular point interest limit. The process by the addition unit 3103 for adding points to the point interest limit may include subtracting the number of added points from the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a associated with the target user. Furthermore, the process by the addition unit 3103 for adding points to the point interest limit may include updating the investment unit information stored in the storage unit 34 associated with the target user with the number of added points, or storing the investment unit information including the number of added points in the storage unit 34 associated with the target user. For example, if the investment unit information including the addition date within the current month for that user is not stored in the regular point interest limit DB 34g, the addition unit 3103 may store the investment unit information including the number of added points in the regular point interest limit DB 34g. In this case, the addition unit 3103 may include the regular point interest rate information stored in the interest rate DB 34c as interest rate information in the investment unit information. Furthermore, the additional unit 3103 may calculate the investment period expiration date based on the additional date and the investment period length, using today's date as the additional date. The additional unit 3103 may include the investment period expiration date in the investment unit information. The additional unit 3103 may also set the provisional interest and confirmed interest to 0 points. If investment unit information including the additional date within the current month is stored in the regular point interest frame DB34g, the additional unit 3103 may update the investment unit information by adding the number of additional points to the number of points currently invested in that investment unit information.

[0204] The interest payment unit 3104 may award interest to the user on points in the regular point interest frame. For example, the interest payment unit 3104 may provisionally award interest on a predetermined date each month. The interest payment unit 3104 may calculate interest for each investment unit information stored in the regular point interest frame DB 34g. For example, the interest payment unit 3104 may calculate interest by multiplying the sum of the number of points being invested and the provisional interest by the monthly interest rate indicated by the interest rate information. The interest payment unit 3104 may add the calculated interest to the provisional interest. The interest payment unit 3104 may also finalize the interest on a predetermined date after the end of the investment period. For example, the interest payment unit 3104 may add the provisional interest to the number of points being invested and the finalized interest included in the investment unit information. The interest payment unit 3104 may also change the provisional interest to 0 points.

[0205] The withdrawal unit 3105 may withdraw points from the regular point interest limit to the available point limit. For example, the user selects the points of the investment unit to be withdrawn on the regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen described above. The withdrawal unit 3105 may withdraw the points in response to this operation. The process for withdrawing points by the withdrawal unit 3105 may include adding the number of points currently being invested, which is included in the investment unit information corresponding to the investment unit selected by the user, to the number of normal points stored in the normal point DB 34a associated with that user, and deleting the investment unit information from the regular point interest limit DB 34g.

[0206] [8-4. Operation of the communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be explained with reference to Figures 49 to 51. Figure 49 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing of the communication system S when points are added to the point interest limit. User terminal 4 is displaying the add operation screen. At this time, the user selects to add available points to the point interest limit in the point interest UI 320 and operates the setting button (step S1001). In response to this operation, user terminal 4 sends a request for the periodic point interest limit point addition screen to the point management server 3 (step S1002). The periodic point interest limit point addition screen request may include, for example, the user ID of the user of user terminal 4 that sent this request. The add operation screen information transmission unit 3102 of the point management server 3, which has received the periodic point interest limit point addition screen request, generates an HTML document for the periodic point interest limit point addition screen 1500 and sends this HTML document to user terminal 4 (step S1003). At this time, the additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may set the selection state of the automatic addition mode checkbox according to the automatic addition function flag stored in the automatic addition setting DB 34f in association with the user ID included in the request. For example, if the automatic addition function flag is "disabled", the additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may set the selection state of the automatic addition mode checkbox to indicate that the automatic addition function is disabled. If the automatic addition function flag is "enabled", the additional operation screen information transmission unit 3102 may set the selection state of the automatic addition mode checkbox to indicate that the automatic addition function is enabled. Based on this HTML document, the user terminal 4 displays the periodic point interest limit point addition screen 1500 (step S1004).

[0207] On the regular point interest rate point addition screen 1500, the user enters the number of points to add. The user also operates the automatic addition mode checkbox to enable or disable the automatic addition function as needed. Then, the user operates the confirmation button to confirm the settings on the point addition confirmation screen (step S1005). In response to this operation, the user terminal 4 sends a regular point interest rate point addition request to the point management server 3 (step S1006). The regular point interest rate point addition request may include the user ID of the user who sent the request, the number of points to add, and an automatic addition function flag. This automatic addition function flag indicates the status of the automatic addition function, which is enabled or disabled, corresponding to the selection state of the automatic addition mode checkbox at the time the confirmation button was operated. The addition unit 3103 of the point management server 3, which received the regular point interest rate point addition request, executes the regular point interest rate point addition process (step S1007).

[0208] Figure 50 shows an example of the periodic point interest frame point addition process executed by the system control unit 31 of the point management server 3 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 50, the addition unit 3103 overwrites the automatic addition function flag stored in the automatic addition setting DB 34f in association with the user ID included in the periodic point interest frame point addition request with the automatic addition function flag included in the periodic point interest frame point addition request (step S1101). Next, the addition unit 3103 subtracts the number of additional points from the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a in association with that user ID (step S1102). Next, the addition unit 3103 searches the periodic point interest frame DB 34g for operational unit information including the combination of that user ID and the addition date included in the current month (step S1103). As a result of the search, the addition unit 3103 determines whether or not there is corresponding operational unit information (step S1104). If there is corresponding investment unit information (step S1104: YES), the addition unit 3103 adds the number of additional points to the number of points currently being invested included in that investment unit information (step S1105). If there is no corresponding investment unit information (step S1104: NO), the addition unit 3103 generates investment unit information (step S1106). For example, the addition unit 3103 may obtain periodic point interest rate information from the interest rate DB 34c. The addition unit 3103 may also determine the investment period expiration date. The addition unit 3103 may generate investment unit information including the user ID of the target user, the addition date indicating today's date, the investment period expiration date, the number of points currently being invested indicating the number of additional points, periodic point interest rate information as interest rate information, and provisional interest and confirmed interest, each indicating 0 points. Next, the addition unit 3103 stores the generated investment unit information in the periodic point interest frame DB 34g (step S1107). After step S1105 or S1107, the addition unit 3103 generates a point interest rate operation log and stores this point interest rate operation log in the point interest rate operation history DB 34e (step S1108). When step S1108 is completed, the periodic point interest rate point addition process is finished.

[0209] Figure 51 shows an example of the automatic addition of regular point interest credit points process executed by the system control unit 11 of the service server 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 31 may execute the automatic addition of regular point interest credit points process at a predetermined time on a predetermined day each month. As shown in Figure 51, the addition unit 3103 searches for a user ID associated with the automatic addition function flag indicating "enabled" from the automatic addition setting DB 34f (step S1201). Then, in steps S1202 to S1209, processing is executed for each searched user ID. The addition unit 3103 sets the number of additional points for the user indicated by that user ID to the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a associated with that user ID (step S1202). Next, the addition unit 3103 sets the number of normal points stored in the normal points DB 34a associated with that user ID to 0 points (step S1203). Next, the addition unit 3103 searches the periodic point interest frame DB34g for investment unit information that includes the combination of the user ID and the addition date included in the current month (step S1204). Based on the search results, the addition unit 3103 determines whether or not there is matching investment unit information (step S1205). If there is matching investment unit information (step S1205: YES), the addition unit 3103 adds the number of added points to the number of points currently being invested in that investment unit information (step S1206). If there is no matching investment unit information (step S1205: NO), the addition unit 3103 generates investment unit information (step S1207). Next, the addition unit 3103 stores the generated investment unit information in the periodic point interest frame DB34g (step S1208). After step S1206 or S1208, the addition unit 3103 generates a point interest rate operation log and stores this point interest rate operation log in the point interest rate operation history DB 34e (step S1209). When step S1209 is completed, the periodic point interest rate point addition process is finished.

[0210] As explained above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to encourage users to take actions that will allow them to receive interest by depositing points that can be used for payment for a predetermined investment period.

[0211] (Note 1) In a point usage selection system that allows users to choose whether or not to use points they have in a points program for payment, there are multiple point slots for storing the points the user has, which include a usable points slot and a points interest slot, of which the points in the usable points slot are usable for payment, of which the points in the points interest slot are subject to interest, and the usage selection screen is capable of accepting a selection operation to choose one of multiple options regarding whether or not to use the points in the usable points slot for payment, and the points in the usable points slot are added to the points interest slot. A point usage selection system comprising: usage selection screen information transmission means for transmitting usage selection screen information to the user's terminal device, which causes the terminal device to display a usage selection screen including additional possible information indicating that it is possible to do so; selection information receiving means for receiving from the terminal device selection information indicating the selected option on the usage selection screen displayed on the terminal device; additional operation screen information for transmitting to the terminal device at least one of the following operation screen information to the terminal device after the selection information has been received from the terminal device: additional operation screen information for displaying an additional operation screen on the terminal device that can accept an operation to add points in the available points frame to the point interest frame; and display operation screen information for displaying a display operation screen on the terminal device that can accept an operation to display the additional operation screen.

[0212] (Note 2) The point usage selection system according to Note 1, wherein the usage selection screen is a screen for a transaction service that enables a transaction target, and is a screen that can accept the selection operation of whether or not to use the points in the available points frame to pay for the transaction target selected by the user, and further comprises a transaction procedure request information receiving means that receives transaction procedure request information from the terminal device indicating a request to enter the transaction procedure, and the usage selection screen information transmitting means transmits the usage selection screen information after the transaction procedure request information has been received from the terminal device.

[0213] (Note 3) The point usage selection system according to Note 2, further comprising a transaction content confirmation request information receiving means for receiving transaction content confirmation request information from the terminal device, which indicates a request to confirm the transaction content including the selections indicated by the received selection information, wherein the operation screen information transmitting means transmits the operation screen information when the transaction content confirmation request information is received from the terminal device.

[0214] (Note 4) The point usage selection system according to Note 1, characterized in that the usage selection screen is a screen for a payment service that enables payment by electronic payment, and is a screen that can accept the selection operation regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points frame for payment using the payment service.

[0215] (Note 5) The point usage selection system according to Note 4, characterized in that the usage selection screen is at least one of a code screen including a code displayed for electronic payment and a screen displayed in response to an operation that can be accepted on the code screen.

[0216] (Note 6) The point usage selection system according to Note 4 or 5, characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when a payment process is executed in the payment service.

[0217] (Note 7) The point usage selection system according to Note 1, characterized in that the usage selection screen is a screen for a service in which the user pays a usage fee for each period, and is a screen that can accept the selection operation regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points frame to pay the usage fee.

[0218] (Note 8) The point usage selection system according to any one of Notes 1 to 7, characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information in response to the reception of the selection information from the terminal device.

[0219] (Note 9) The point usage selection system according to any one of Notes 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of options include non-use addition, which indicates that points in the available points limit will be added to the points interest limit instead of being used for payment, and the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when the option indicated by the received selection information is non-use addition.

[0220] (Note 10) A point usage selection system according to any one of Notes 1 to 9, further comprising a means for acquiring a number of points after use, which is the number of points used for payment, and which is the number of points remaining in the available points frame after deducting the number of points used according to the selection indicated by the received selection information, wherein the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when the acquired number of points after use indicates that there are points in the available points frame.

[0221] (Note 11) The point usage selection system according to any one of Notes 1 to 10, wherein the additional operation screen is a screen capable of accepting operations to enable an additional function that periodically adds points in the available points limit to the points interest limit, and additional function information indicating whether or not the additional function is enabled is stored in an additional function information storage means for each user, and the system further comprises an additional function information acquisition means that acquires the additional function information stored in the additional function information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device, and the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when the acquired additional function information indicates that it is invalid.

[0222] (Appendix 12) The point usage selection system according to any one of Appendix 1 to 11, further comprising an additional means for adding points in the available points frame to the point interest frame based on an operation accepted on the additional operation screen displayed on the terminal device.

[0223] (Note 13) A point usage selection system according to Note 12, wherein the user has access to a points program, and the user has access to a points program, and the user has access to points through the points program to make payments for the use of the services

[0224] (Note 14) The point usage selection system according to Note 12 or 13, characterized in that the number of available points, which indicates the number of points in the available points frame, is stored in the available points storage means for each user, the number of points in the points interest frame, which indicates the number of points in the points interest frame, is stored in the points interest frame information storage means for each user or in accordance with when points are added to the points interest frame, and the addition means subtracts an additional number of points, which indicates the number of points to be added, from the number of available points stored in the available points storage means, and updates the points interest frame information stored in the points interest frame information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device with the additional number of points, or stores the points interest frame information indicating the additional number of points in the points interest frame information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device, thereby adding points in the available points frame to the points interest frame.

[0225] (Note 15) The point usage selection system according to any one of Notes 1 to 14, characterized in that the point interest frame includes a periodic investment point interest frame for which interest is paid on the condition that points for an investment period of a predetermined length are included, and the addition operation screen is a screen that can accept operations for adding points in the available point frame to the periodic investment point interest frame.

[0226] (Note 16) A screen information transmission method executed by a computer of a point usage selection system that enables a user to choose whether or not to use points held in a point program for payment, wherein there are multiple point slots for holding the points held by the user, and multiple point slots including an available points slot and a points interest slot are defined, and of the available points slot and the points interest slot, the points held in the available points slot are available for payment, and of the available points slot and the points interest slot, interest is paid on the points held in the points interest slot, and a usage selection screen that can accept a selection operation to choose one of multiple options regarding whether or not to use the points held in the available points slot for payment, wherein the points held in the available points slot are used for payment A screen information transmission method characterized by comprising: a usage selection screen information transmission step of transmitting usage selection screen information to the user's terminal device, which causes the terminal device to display a usage selection screen that includes addability information indicating that it is possible to add points to the interest rate limit; a selection information reception step of receiving selection information from the terminal device that indicates the selection of the option selected on the usage selection screen displayed on the terminal device; an operation screen information transmission step of transmitting at least one of the following operation screen information to the terminal device after the selection information has been received from the terminal device: an addability screen information that causes the terminal device to display an addability screen that accepts an operation to add points in the available points limit to the interest rate limit; and a display operation screen information that causes the terminal device to display a display operation screen that accepts an operation to display the addability screen. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0227] 1 Service Server 2. Member Information Management Server 3. Point Management Server 4. User terminals 11, 21, 31 System Control Unit 12, 22, 32 System Bus 13, 23, 33 Input / Output Interfaces 14, 24, 34 storage section 15, 25, 35 Communications Department 14a Purchase History Database 14b Point Usage Settings DB 14c Payment History Database 24a Member Database 34a Normal Point DB 34b Limited-Time Points Database 34c interest rate DB34 34d Non-regular point interest rate DB 34e Point Interest Limit Operation History DB 34f Automatic Addition Settings DB 34g Regular Points Interest Rate DB 1101 Transaction Procedure Request Receiving Department 1102 Transaction Details Confirmation Screen Information Transmission Section 1103 User Selection Screen Information Transmission Unit 1104 Selected Information Receiving Unit 1105 Transaction Details Confirmation Request Information Receiving Unit 1106 Transaction Details Confirmation Section 1107 Unit for obtaining available points 1108 Point presence / absence determination unit 1109 Automatic Additional Function Information Acquisition Unit 1110 Display operation screen information transmission unit 1111 Point Award Department 1121 Payment Department 1141 Payment Collection Department 3101 Top screen information transmission unit 3102 Additional operation screen information transmission unit 3103 Additional section 3104 Interest Payment Department 3105 Drawer section 3106 Subtraction Unit NW Network S Communication System

Claims

1. In a points usage selection system that allows users to choose whether or not to use the points they have accumulated in a points program for payment, Multiple point slots for storing points held by the aforementioned user, each slot including an available points slot and a points interest slot, are defined. Of the aforementioned available points limit and points interest limit, the points included in the aforementioned available points limit can be used for payment. Of the aforementioned available points limit and points interest limit, interest will be paid on the points that fall within the points interest limit. A usage selection screen information transmission means transmits usage selection screen information to the user's terminal device, which allows the user to select one of several options regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points limit for payment, and includes additional information indicating that the points in the available points limit can be added to the points interest limit, and displays usage selection screen information on the user's terminal device. Selection information receiving means that receives selection information from the terminal device indicating the selected option on the usage selection screen displayed on the terminal device, An operation screen information transmission means transmits to the terminal device at least one of the following operation screen information to the terminal device after the selection information has been received from the terminal device: additional operation screen information that displays an additional operation screen on the terminal device that accepts an operation to add points in the available points limit to the points interest limit; and display operation screen information that displays a display operation screen on the terminal device that accepts an operation to display the additional operation screen. A point usage selection system characterized by having the following features.

2. The aforementioned usage selection screen is a screen for a trading service that enables the transaction to be traded, and is a screen that accepts the user's selection operation regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points limit to pay for the transaction to be traded, The system further comprises transaction procedure request information receiving means for receiving transaction procedure request information from the terminal device indicating a request to enter into the aforementioned transaction procedure, The point usage selection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the usage selection screen information transmission means transmits the usage selection screen information after receiving the transaction procedure request information from the terminal device.

3. The system further includes a transaction content confirmation request information receiving means that receives transaction content confirmation request information from the terminal device, which indicates a request to confirm the transaction content including the selections indicated by the received selection information. The point usage selection system according to claim 2, characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when the transaction details confirmation request information is received from the terminal device.

4. The point usage selection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the usage selection screen is a screen for a payment service that enables payment by electronic payment, and is a screen that can accept the selection operation regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points frame for payment using the payment service.

5. The point usage selection system according to claim 4, characterized in that the usage selection screen is at least one of a code screen including a code displayed for electronic payment and a screen displayed in response to an operation that can be accepted on the code screen.

6. The point usage selection system according to claim 4, characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when a payment process is executed in the payment service.

7. The point usage selection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the usage selection screen is a screen for a service in which the user pays a usage fee for a period of time, and is a screen that can accept the selection operation regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points limit to pay the usage fee.

8. The point usage selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information in response to the reception of the selection information from the terminal device.

9. The aforementioned options include non-use additions, which indicate that points in the available points limit are not used for payment but are instead added to the points interest limit. The point usage selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when the option indicated by the received selection information is the non-usable additional option.

10. The system further includes a means for obtaining a number of points after use, which is the number of points used for the payment, and which is the number of points remaining in the available points limit after deducting the number of points used according to the selection indicated by the received selection information. The point usage selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when the acquired number of points after use indicates that the points are in the available points frame.

11. The aforementioned additional operation screen is a screen that can accept operations to enable an additional function that periodically adds points in the available points limit to the points interest limit. Additional function information indicating whether the aforementioned additional function is enabled is stored in the additional function information storage means for each user. The terminal device further comprises an additional function information acquisition means for acquiring the additional function information stored in the additional function information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device, The point usage selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operation screen information transmission means transmits the operation screen information when the acquired additional function information indicates that it is invalid.

12. The point usage selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising additional means for adding points in the available points frame to the point interest frame based on an operation accepted on the additional operation screen displayed on the terminal device.

13. Multiple services are defined for which the user can use a points program, and which award points through the points program and allow the user to use points through the points program for payments incurred in using the services. Points awarded to the user from any one of the aforementioned multiple services are added to the available points limit. Points added to the aforementioned available points limit can be used for payments incurred by using any second service from the aforementioned multiple services that is different from the first service. The point usage selection system according to claim 12, characterized in that the additional means adds points that have been granted from the first service and added to the available points limit, thereby making them available for use in the second service, to the point interest limit.

14. The number of available points, which indicates the number of points in the aforementioned available points frame, is stored in the available points storage means for each user. Point interest frame information indicating the number of points in the aforementioned point interest frame is stored in the point interest frame information storage means for each user or in response to points being added to the aforementioned point interest frame. The point usage selection system according to claim 12, characterized in that the additional means subtracts an additional number of points indicating the number of points to be added from the number of available points stored in the available points storage means, and updates the point interest frame information stored in the point interest frame information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device with the additional number of points, or stores the point interest frame information indicating the additional number of points in the point interest frame information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device, thereby adding the points in the available points frame to the point interest frame.

15. The aforementioned point interest framework includes a periodic investment point interest framework for which the aforementioned interest is paid on the condition that the investment period points have been accumulated for a predetermined length. The point usage selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the additional operation screen is a screen capable of accepting an operation to add points in the available points frame to the regular investment point interest frame.

16. In a computer-based screen information transmission method for a point usage selection system that allows users to choose whether or not to use points they have in a points program for payment, Multiple point slots for storing points held by the aforementioned user, each slot including an available points slot and a points interest slot, are defined. Of the aforementioned available points limit and points interest limit, the points included in the aforementioned available points limit can be used for payment. Of the aforementioned available points limit and points interest limit, interest will be paid on the points that fall within the points interest limit. A usage selection screen information transmission step involves transmitting usage selection screen information to the user's terminal device, which includes usage selection screen information that allows the user to select one of several options regarding whether or not to use the points in the available points limit for payment, and includes information indicating that the points in the available points limit can be added to the points interest limit, to display the usage selection screen on the user's terminal device. A selection information receiving step, in which selection information indicating the selected option on the usage selection screen displayed on the terminal device is received from the terminal device, After receiving the selection information from the terminal device, an operation screen information transmission step is performed to transmit to the terminal device at least one of the following operation screen information to the terminal device: additional operation screen information that displays an additional operation screen on the terminal device that accepts an operation to add points in the available points limit to the points interest limit; and display operation screen information that displays a display operation screen on the terminal device that accepts an operation to display the additional operation screen. A method for transmitting screen information, characterized by including the following:

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