Information processing method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience regarding restrictions on the use of payment methods. [Solution] An information processing method in which a computer sets a first threshold associated with one or more payment media, calculates the total amount of payments made by one or more payment media, and, if the calculated total is greater than or equal to the first threshold, executes a process to restrict payments made by one or more payment media.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in transactions using a payment medium such as a credit card, authorization is performed to confirm whether the payment medium is valid and whether the transaction is within the available limit. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which, when the use of a credit card as a payment medium is subject to authorization processing, an issuer-side system that acquires a message generated in response to the use from a member store performs predetermined authorization processing based on the message.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, settings for conditions related to authorization are often set and managed by card issuing companies and the like, and it is difficult for the user of the payment medium themselves to freely make or change such settings. Therefore, a mechanism that allows users to flexibly set restrictions such as overuse of payment media has not been sufficiently provided.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve user convenience regarding restrictions on the use of payment media.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method in which a computer performs the following actions: setting a first threshold associated with one or more payment media; calculating the total amount of payments for one or more payment media; and, if the calculated total amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold, executing a process to restrict payments for one or more payment media. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This invention makes it possible to improve user convenience regarding restrictions on the use of payment media. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the payment system 100 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer 200 according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device 30 according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of transaction information stored in the transaction information storage unit 31 according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of payment medium information stored in the payment medium information storage unit 32 according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a setting screen 300 for payment restriction conditions and prior notification conditions, which is displayed on the user terminal 20 according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation flow diagram for the process related to setting payment restriction conditions and prior notification conditions, which is executed by the management device 30 according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation flow diagram for the processing related to payment restrictions and prior notification performed by the management device 30 according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a pre-notification display screen 400 displayed on the user terminal 20 according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are used for identical components in each drawing whenever possible, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the payment system 100 according to this embodiment. The payment system 100 comprises a merchant system 10, a user terminal 20, and a management device 30. The merchant system 10, the user terminal 20, and the management device 30 may each include one or more computers.

[0011] The payment system 100 enables settlement using one or more types of settlement schemes. In the settlement schemes used in the payment system 100, transactions are conducted using (or employing) a settlement medium issued to the user. The settlement medium may include any medium that can be subject to authorization processing, whether physical or non-physical (virtual). For example, if a deferred payment medium is used, payment processing using the settlement medium is performed first, and then settlement according to the settlement medium is performed. At the time of payment, a physical medium carried by the user (hereinafter referred to as the "user medium") is used. In addition, at the time of payment and settlement, information issued in association with the settlement medium (hereinafter referred to as the "medium information") is used. For example, if the settlement medium is a credit card, the medium information is the actual card number (e.g., Funding Primary Account Number: FPAN), and the user medium may be a card medium such as a plastic card on which the actual card number of the credit card is recorded, or an information device such as a smartphone on which a token corresponding to the actual card number is recorded may be used as a non-physical (virtual) card medium. The payment medium used in the payment system 100 according to this embodiment is not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, electronic value or a debit card.

[0012] The merchant-side system 10 is configured to communicate with other devices such as user terminals 20 and management devices 30 via a communication network N. The communication network N is, for example, a wide-area communication network such as the Internet, and may use either wireless or wired communication. It is also possible for multiple networks to be combined to form the system.

[0013] The merchant-side system 10 is a system used by merchants (hereinafter referred to as "merchants") that can accept payments from users using payment media based on the payment scheme. The payment system 100 may have multiple merchant-side systems 10. The merchant-side system 10 may be used, for example, by a store that has a contract with an acquirer associated with the payment system 100. The merchant-side system 10 generates transaction information based on the payment by accepting payments from users via payment media.

[0014] The merchant system 10 may accept credit card payments by, for example, reading a physical credit card or media information (such as a card number or token) stored on a smartphone. The reading of media information may be performed, for example, by a card reader installed in the physical store, or by a reader that communicates with an in-vehicle unit when passing through an ETC lane. Alternatively, the merchant system 10 may, for example, accept registration of media information from users in advance, and then generate transaction information on a specified date based on the pre-registered media information and process the payment.

[0015] The member store side system 10, for a transaction that is subject to authorization processing, transmits the transaction information including an authorization request when transmitting the transaction information to an unillustrated information processing apparatus that executes the authorization processing. The information processing apparatus may be the management apparatus 30, or may be an apparatus other than the management apparatus 30. The authorization request is information for confirming whether credit card payment processing is possible, and is used, for example, to determine whether the payment amount is within the available amount range, or whether the card is being used by its legitimate owner. The member store side system 10 may, for example, upon receiving a credit card payment request, determine whether the transaction is subject to authorization processing by determining whether the transaction satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition may be acquired from a storage unit accessible by the member store side system 10. Further, the member store side system 10 may, for example, upon receiving a credit card payment request, basically treat all transactions as being subject to authorization processing, and transmit an authorization request to an unillustrated information processing apparatus that executes the authorization processing.

[0016] The management apparatus 30 may determine whether the cumulative value of transaction amounts of one or more payment media subject to payment restriction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "target payment media") within a predetermined period satisfies a user-configurable payment restriction condition to be described later. The target payment media may be, for example, a plurality of payment media included in "aggregation information" of payment media information to be described later. When determining that the cumulative value satisfies the payment restriction condition, the management apparatus 30 may execute processing related to payment restriction for the target payment media. Here, the payment restriction may include at least temporarily suspending payments made with the target payment media. Thereby, since the processing related to payment restriction for the target payment media is executed based on the payment restriction condition set by the user, it is possible to improve user convenience related to payment restriction of the payment media.

[0017] The management device 30 may execute processing related to advance notification when the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target payment medium satisfies an advance notification condition to be described later. Here, the advance notification may be a notification made for a payment medium subject to payment restriction before the payment restriction is imposed. The advance notification condition may be set by a user, or may be set based on a payment restriction condition. As a result, the processing related to advance notification for the target payment medium is executed based on the payment restriction condition or the advance notification condition set by the user, which makes it possible to improve user convenience regarding payment restrictions on payment media.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 200 according to the present embodiment. The member store-side system 10, the user terminal 20, and the management device 30 according to the present embodiment may each be configured to include one or a plurality of computers 200. As shown in Figure 2, the computer 200 includes a processor 201, a storage device 202, an input I / F 203, a data I / F 204, a communication I / F 205, and a display device 206.

[0019] The processor 201 controls various processes in the computer 200 by executing programs stored in the storage device 202. For example, each functional unit included in the control unit 33 of the management device 30 can be implemented by the processor 201 executing the programs stored in the storage device 202.

[0020] The storage device 202 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The RAM temporarily stores the program code of programs executed by the processor 201 and data required during program execution.

[0021] The storage device 202 may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage device 202 stores the operating system and various programs for realizing the above configurations. The storage medium storing these various programs may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In addition, the storage device 202 may also store tables for registering various information and a database for managing these tables. Such programs and data are loaded into the storage device 202 as needed and accessed by the processor 201.

[0022] The input interface 203 is a device for receiving input from the user. Specific examples of the input interface 203 include cameras, buttons, microphones, keyboards, mice, touch panels, various sensors, and wearable devices. The input interface 203 may be connected to the computer 200 via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0023] The data interface 204 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 200. Specific examples of the data interface 204 include drive devices for reading data stored on various storage media. The data interface 204 may also be located outside the computer 200. In that case, the data interface 204 would be connected to the computer 200 via an interface such as USB.

[0024] The communication interface 205 is a device for communicating data with external devices of the computer 200 via a communication network N, either wired or wirelessly. The communication interface 205 may also be located outside the computer 200. In that case, the communication interface 205 would be connected to the computer 200 via an interface such as USB.

[0025] The display device 206 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 206 include liquid crystal displays, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) displays, and displays for wearable devices. The display device 206 may be located outside the computer 200. In that case, the display device 206 is connected to the computer 200 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, if a touch panel is used as the input I / F 203, the display device 206 can be configured as an integrated unit with the input I / F 203.

[0026] The components of the device included in the payment system 100 of the above embodiment may be such that a program stored in the storage device 202 is executed by the processor 201, thereby realizing a defined process in cooperation with other hardware. In other words, these components are conceived as software or firmware, and also as corresponding hardware. Furthermore, these components are also described and interpreted as "function," "means," "part," "processing circuit," "unit," or "module" in both of these concepts.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device 30 according to this embodiment. The management device 30 is configured, for example, using one or more computers 200. The management device 30 includes a transaction information storage unit 31, a settlement medium information storage unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of transaction information stored in the transaction information storage unit 31 according to this embodiment. The transaction information storage unit 31 is composed of a storage device 202 and stores transaction information, which is information relating to payment transactions made using a payment medium in the payment system 100. The transaction information includes information relating to a single payment transaction made using a payment medium such as a credit card. The transaction information may include, for example, "transaction ID," "transaction date," "transaction amount," "card number," "merchant ID," "payment scheme," "brand," and "authorization-related information," as shown in Figure 4.

[0029] The "Transaction ID" is identification information used to identify each transaction. The "Transaction Date" indicates the date and time the payment was made for that transaction. The "Transaction Amount" represents the amount paid for each transaction. The "Payment Medium ID" is identification information used to identify the payment medium, such as a credit card, used for the payment.

[0030] "Merchant ID" is information that identifies a merchant that accepts payments using a payment medium. "Payment Scheme" is information that indicates which payment scheme is used for the transaction, and may include, for example, credit card, electronic money (prepaid), post-pay, etc. The value that "Payment Scheme" takes may be a classification set by the acquirer or a classification set by the issuer. "Brand" indicates the brand of the payment medium used, such as a credit card, and may include VISA, Mastercard, etc.

[0031] "Authorization-related information" refers to information regarding the authorization of the transaction in question. "Authorization-related information" includes, for example, whether the transaction is subject to authorization processing, whether it is subject to authorization notification, whether authorization processing has been performed, the result of the authorization processing, and the approval number based on that result. The "approval number" is a number assigned by the issuer (card issuing company) when payment is authorized using a card, and is one of the payment identification numbers in cashless payments. "Authorization-related information" may be information generated by the management device 30 if the management device 30 also performs authorization processing, or it may be information obtained by the management device 30 from the device that performs the authorization processing if a device other than the management device 30 performs the authorization processing.

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of payment medium information stored in the payment medium information storage unit 32 according to this embodiment. The payment medium information storage unit 32 is composed of a storage device 202 and stores payment medium information, which is information relating to payment mediums used in the payment system 100. The payment medium information includes setting information relating to payment mediums such as credit cards. The payment medium information may include, for example, "payment medium ID," "user information," "payment restriction conditions," "prior notification conditions," and "aggregate information," as shown in Figure 5.

[0033] The "Payment Medium ID" is identification information used to identify the payment medium. "User Information" is information about the user using the payment medium (such as the user ID and the user's personal information).

[0034] "Settlement restriction conditions" are the conditions for imposing settlement restrictions. "Settlement restriction conditions" may include, for example, conditions regarding the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target settlement medium over a specified period. Specifically, "settlement restriction conditions" may include, for example, the condition that the cumulative value exceeds the first threshold. Furthermore, "settlement restriction conditions" may include setting conditions such as whether to impose settlement restrictions only when the cumulative value exceeds the first threshold (when the cumulative value changes from below the first threshold to above the first threshold), or whether to impose settlement restrictions for each transaction after the cumulative value has reached the first threshold until other conditions are met. "Settlement restriction conditions" may be set by the user, by the system administrator, or automatically. For example, the first threshold included in the "settlement restriction conditions" may be set by the user, by the system administrator, or automatically.

[0035] "Prior notification conditions" are the conditions for providing prior notification. "Prior notification conditions" may include, for example, conditions regarding the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target settlement medium over a specified period. Specifically, "prior notification conditions" may include, for example, that the cumulative value has reached or exceeded the second threshold. "Prior notification conditions" may further include, for example, that the cumulative value is less than the first threshold. In this case, "prior notification conditions" may also include, for example, that the cumulative value is both at or above the second threshold and below the first threshold. Furthermore, "prior notification conditions" may include setting conditions such as whether to provide notification only when the cumulative value exceeds the second threshold (when the cumulative value changes from less than the second threshold to at or above the second threshold), or whether to provide prior notification for each transaction after the cumulative value has reached or exceeded the second threshold until other conditions are met (for example, until the cumulative value reaches or exceeds the first threshold). "Prior notification conditions" may be configurable by the user, by the system administrator, or automatically. For example, the second threshold included in the "prior notification conditions" may be configurable by the user, configurable by the system administrator, or configurable automatically.

[0036] "Aggregated information" includes information (such as payment medium IDs) for identifying other payment mediums that are also subject to payment restrictions and prior notification. Multiple payment mediums may include, for example, multiple payment mediums used by one user (e.g., primary member, etc.) or multiple payment mediums used by multiple users (e.g., family members, etc.) that are associated with each other (e.g., family cards, etc.). The payment medium information included in "Aggregated information" may be configured to be editable by the user.

[0037] Refer again to Figure 3. The control unit 33 includes a condition setting unit 331, a determination unit 332, a settlement processing unit 333, a pre-notification unit 334, and a settlement restriction unit 335 as functional units. These functional units can be realized, for example, by the processor 201 executing a program stored in the storage device 202 in the management device 30.

[0038] The condition setting unit 331 has the function of setting various conditions related to settlement of the payment medium. These conditions may include settlement restriction conditions and prior notification conditions.

[0039] The condition setting unit 331 sets, for example, payment restriction conditions. The condition setting unit 331 may set payment restriction conditions by, for example, obtaining payment restriction conditions from the user terminal 20 and registering them in the payment medium information of the payment medium information storage unit 32. Specifically, for example, the condition setting unit 331 may set the payment restriction condition as "the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target payment medium is equal to or greater than the first threshold" by obtaining information on a first threshold entered by the user from the user terminal 20 (an example of a first input value) and registering it in the payment medium information of the payment medium information storage unit 32.

[0040] The condition setting unit 331 sets, for example, pre-notification conditions. The condition setting unit 331 may set pre-notification conditions by, for example, obtaining pre-notification conditions from the user terminal 20 and registering them in the payment medium information of the payment medium information storage unit 32. Specifically, for example, the condition setting unit 331 may set the pre-notification condition as "the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target payment medium is greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold" by obtaining information on the second threshold entered by the user from the user terminal 20 (an example of a second input value) and registering it in the payment medium information of the payment medium information storage unit 32.

[0041] The condition setting unit 331 may, for example, set default pre-notification conditions based on settlement restriction conditions. Specifically, for example, the condition setting unit 331 may calculate a setting value based on a first threshold included in the settlement restriction conditions (information on the first threshold entered by the user (an example of a first input value)), and set the pre-notification condition as "the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target settlement medium is greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold" using this setting value as the second threshold. The method for calculating the setting value is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be calculated by multiplying the information on the first threshold entered by the user (an example of a first input value) by a predetermined coefficient. The coefficient is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be a value set by the user or system administrator. The coefficient may be, for example, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 50%, etc.

[0042] The determination unit 332 determines, for example, whether the cumulative value of the transaction amounts of the target settlement medium satisfies the settlement restriction conditions and / or the prior notification conditions. Specifically, when the determination unit 332 receives a settlement request for any settlement medium included in the target settlement medium, it refers to the transaction information and calculates the cumulative value of the transaction amounts from past settlements of the target settlement medium. The determination unit 332 calculates a total value by adding the transaction amounts included in the request to the calculated cumulative value. The determination unit 332 then determines whether the calculated total value satisfies the settlement restriction conditions and the prior notification conditions. The determination result by the determination unit 332 may include, for example, cases where neither the settlement restriction conditions nor the prior notification conditions are satisfied (for example, when the total value is less than the second threshold), cases where the prior notification conditions are satisfied (for example, when the total value is greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold), and cases where the settlement restriction conditions are satisfied (for example, when the total value is greater than or equal to the first threshold).

[0043] The settlement processing unit 333 performs settlement processing for the payment medium according to the determination result by the determination unit 332. The settlement processing unit 333 may, for example, perform settlement processing if the determination result by the determination unit 332 does not satisfy either the settlement restriction condition or the prior notification condition (for example, if the cumulative value is less than the second threshold). The settlement processing unit 333 may also perform settlement processing if, for example, the determination result by the determination unit 332 does not satisfy the settlement restriction condition but satisfies the prior notification condition. In this case, prior notification by the prior notification unit 334 may also be performed. The settlement processing may include any processing that settles the payment medium, for example, the generation of transaction data or the notification of approval information to the merchant system 10.

[0044] The advance notification unit 334 provides advance notification according to the determination result by the determination unit 332. The advance notification unit 334 may provide advance notification if, for example, the determination result by the determination unit 332 does not satisfy the settlement restriction conditions but satisfies the advance notification conditions (for example, if the cumulative value is greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold). The advance notification may be a notification given before the settlement restriction is imposed on the settlement medium subject to the settlement restriction. The advance notification may be, for example, a notification regarding the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target settlement medium. The advance notification may include, for example, information indicating that the cumulative value has reached the second threshold. The advance notification unit 334 may, for example, send the advance notification to the user terminal 20 that is the source of the transaction request. The advance notification unit 334 may also, for example, refer to the "aggregate information" of the settlement medium information described in Figure 5 and send the advance notification to an information processing device used by a user associated with the target settlement medium (an information processing device other than the user terminal 20 that is the source of the transaction request).

[0045] The settlement restriction unit 336, based on instructions from the determination unit 332, imposes a settlement restriction on the payment medium if the settlement restriction conditions are met. The settlement restriction may include at least temporarily suspending the use of the target payment medium. For example, if the cumulative value reaches or exceeds the first threshold, the use of the payment medium is temporarily suspended, and a notification (settlement restriction notification) is sent to the user indicating that a settlement restriction has been applied. The settlement restriction notification may include details regarding the use of the payment medium (transaction amount, etc.). The settlement restriction notification may include, for example, a request for whether or not to lift the suspension of the use of the payment medium. The settlement restriction notification may be configured to allow input of an instruction to lift the suspension of the use of the payment medium. The temporary suspension of the use of the payment medium may be lifted if instructed by the user or after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0046] Figure 6 shows an example of a payment restriction conditions and prior notification conditions setting screen 300 displayed on the user terminal 20 according to this embodiment.

[0047] The settings screen 300 may include a selection section 301. The selection section 301 is a selection section for selecting whether to limit the payment medium to one payment medium or to limit it to a predetermined number of payment mediums. In the illustrated example, the selection section 301 includes, for example, the text "Total usage by the user and family" and an ON / OFF toggle button. By selecting ON in the selection section 301, the user can include other payment mediums registered in the "Total Information" in the payment medium information shown in Figure 5 as targets for payment restrictions. On the other hand, by selecting OFF in the selection section 301, the user can exclude other payment mediums registered in the "Total Information" in the payment medium information shown in Figure 5 from being subject to payment restrictions. The selection section 301 may also be configured to allow setting which payment mediums are subject to payment restrictions. For example, the user may select family members. In this case, the payment medium associated with the family members will be subject to payment restrictions.

[0048] The settings screen 300 may include an input section 302 for payment restriction conditions. The input section 302 may include an input field for the amount to be restricted (an example of a first threshold). In the illustrated example, "200,000 yen" is entered as the amount to be restricted. Also, as shown in the illustration, the input section 302 may display the previous setting value of the amount to be restricted. The input section 302 may be configured to allow input of other payment restriction conditions, not just the amount to be restricted.

[0049] The settings screen 300 may include an input section 303 for pre-notification conditions. The input section 303 may include an input field for the amount to be pre-notified (an example of a second threshold). In the illustrated example, "160,000 yen" is entered as the amount to be pre-notified. As shown in the illustration, the input section 303 may also display the previous setting value of the amount to be pre-notified. The input section 303 may be configured to allow input of other pre-notification conditions, not just the amount to be pre-notified.

[0050] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation flow diagram for the process related to setting settlement restriction conditions and prior notification conditions, which is performed by the management device 30 according to this embodiment.

[0051] (S101) When the user terminal 20 receives user input to the payment restriction condition input section 302, for example, on the settings screen 300 shown in Figure 6, it transmits the input information to the management device 30. The management device 30 acquires the payment restriction condition input information transmitted from the user terminal 20. The payment restriction condition input information may include information on the amount to which the payment restriction will be applied (an example of a first threshold).

[0052] (S102) The management device 30 sets payment restriction conditions by registering the acquired input information in the payment medium information storage unit 32. The condition setting unit 331 registers information such as the amount for which payment restrictions will be applied (an example of a first threshold) in the payment medium information.

[0053] (S103) The management device 30 sets default pre-notification conditions based on the amount subject to settlement restrictions. The default pre-notification conditions may include the amount subject to pre-notification. The amount subject to pre-notification may be, for example, an amount calculated by multiplying the amount subject to settlement restrictions by a predetermined coefficient (for example, 80%). The management device 30 may, for example, set the pre-notification condition as "the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target settlement medium is equal to or greater than the amount subject to pre-notification (second threshold) and less than the amount subject to settlement restrictions (first threshold)." The management device 30 may transmit the information of the set default pre-notification conditions to the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 may display the information of the default pre-notification conditions in the pre-notification condition input section 303 of the setting screen 300 shown in Figure 6. Note that in S103, the management device 30 does not necessarily have to set the default pre-notification conditions (amount subject to pre-notification, etc.) based on the amount subject to settlement restrictions. In this case, the management device 30 may calculate an amount corresponding to the second threshold described above (an amount calculated by multiplying the amount subject to payment restrictions by a predetermined coefficient (for example, 80%)) and then notify the user terminal 20 of that amount. The user terminal 20 may then display the amount obtained from the management device 30 through this notification in the input section 303 of the pre-notification conditions on the setting screen 300 shown in Figure 6.

[0054] (S104) When the user terminal 20 receives user input to the input section 303 for pre-notification conditions, for example, on the settings screen 300 shown in Figure 6, it transmits the input information to the management device 30. The management device 30 determines whether it has received the input information for pre-notification conditions from the user terminal 20. If the input information for pre-notification conditions has been received from the user terminal 20 (S104; Yes), the process proceeds to S105. On the other hand, if the input information for pre-notification conditions has not been received from the user terminal 20 (S104; No), the process ends. In this case, for example, the default pre-notification conditions set in S103 are applied.

[0055] (S105) The management device 30 sets the pre-notification conditions by registering the acquired input information in the payment medium information storage unit 32. The pre-notification conditions may include the amount to be pre-notified, as entered by the user. For example, the management device 30 may set the pre-notification condition to "the cumulative value of the transaction amount of the target payment medium is equal to or greater than the amount to be pre-notified (second threshold) and less than the amount to be restricted from payment (first threshold)." Through the above process, the payment restriction conditions and pre-notification conditions are set.

[0056] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation flow diagram of the processing related to payment restrictions and prior notification performed by the management device 30 according to this embodiment.

[0057] (S201) The management device 30 receives payment requests from the merchant system 10 for payment media from users. These payment requests are transmitted from the merchant system 10 to the management device 30, for example, when a user performs a payment operation at a merchant using a payment medium such as a credit card. The payment request for payment media includes, for example, transaction information related to the use of the payment medium.

[0058] (S202) When the management device 30 receives a settlement request for a settlement medium, it identifies the target settlement medium based on the settlement request and calculates the cumulative value of past transaction amounts for that settlement medium by referring to the transaction information shown in Figure 4, for example. If the target settlement medium is multiple settlement mediums, the transaction amounts from past settlements of those multiple settlement mediums are included in the cumulative value. The management device 30 calculates a total value by adding the transaction amounts included in the settlement request to the calculated cumulative value. The management device 30 then determines whether the calculated total value satisfies the settlement restriction conditions and the prior notification conditions.

[0059] (S203) If neither the settlement restriction conditions nor the prior notification conditions are met in S202 (for example, if the total value calculated in S202 is less than the second threshold), the settlement processing unit 333 performs settlement processing in response to the settlement request.

[0060] (S204) If the pre-notification conditions are met in S202 (for example, if the total value calculated in S202 is greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold), the management device 30 performs settlement processing for the settlement medium and also sends a pre-notification. The management device 30 may, for example, send the pre-notification to the user terminal 20 that is the source of the transaction request, or it may refer to the "summary information" of the settlement medium information and send the pre-notification to the information processing device used by the user associated with the target settlement medium.

[0061] Figure 9 shows an example of a pre-notification display screen 400 displayed on the user terminal 20 according to this embodiment.

[0062] Display screen 400 contains information that is displayed when the user-defined pre-notification conditions are met. Specifically, display screen 400 displays text 401 that reads, "We are contacting you because you have reached the pre-notification amount you have set." Note that the content of text 401 is just an example, and the wording is not particularly limited as long as it is clear that it is a pre-notification regarding a payment restriction. Display screen 400 may also display the specific pre-notification amount (the amount that triggers a pre-notification, such as the second threshold).

[0063] The display screen 400 may include information regarding the total amount. In the example in Figure 9, text 402 is displayed as an example of such information, stating, "This total amount includes usage from family cards." This text 402 clearly indicates that the usage amounts from family cards (an example of multiple payment methods) are combined. Note that the content of this text is just an example, and its expression is not particularly limited.

[0064] The display screen 400 may include information regarding payment restriction conditions. For example, the display screen 400 may include a notice that payment restrictions may be imposed, and information regarding the amount (first threshold) for which payment restrictions will be imposed.

[0065] (S205) Refer to Figure 8 again. If the payment restriction conditions are met (for example, if the total value calculated in S202 is equal to or greater than the first threshold), the management device 30 imposes a payment restriction. For example, the management device 30 temporarily suspends the use of the payment medium and sends a notification to the user that a payment restriction has been applied (payment restriction notification). The temporary suspension of the use of the payment medium may be lifted if instructed by the user or after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0066] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 100...Payment system, 10...Merchant-side system, 20...User terminal, 30...Management device, 200...Computer, 201...Processor, 202...Storage device, 203...Input I / F, 204...Data I / F, 205...Communication I / F, 206...Display device, 31...Control unit, 31...Transaction information storage unit, 32...Payment medium information storage unit, 33...Control unit, 331...Condition setting unit, 332...Determination unit, 333...Payment processing unit, 334...Pre-notification unit, 335...Payment restriction unit

Claims

1. Computers Setting a first threshold associated with one or more payment methods, Calculate the total amount of payments made through one or more of the aforementioned payment methods, If the calculated total value is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a process is executed to restrict the payment of one or more payment methods. An information processing method that performs the following.

2. Setting the first threshold means Obtaining a first input value entered by a user associated with one or more payment media from another information processing device associated with one or more payment media, The information processing method according to claim 1, comprising setting the acquired first input value as the first threshold value.

3. The aforementioned computer further, Setting a second threshold less than or equal to the first threshold in association with one or more of the aforementioned payment media, The information processing method according to claim 2, wherein if the calculated total value is greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold, a predetermined notification is output.

4. The aforementioned computer further, Based on the acquired first input value, calculate the set value, The information processing method according to claim 3, comprising notifying the other information processing device of the calculated setting value.

5. Setting the second threshold means Based on the acquired first input value, calculate the set value, The calculated setting value is set as the second threshold, The information processing method according to claim 3, including the method described in claim 3.

6. The information processing method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the setting value is a value obtained by multiplying the acquired first input value by a predetermined coefficient.

7. The aforementioned computer further, The information processing method according to claim 5, further comprising notifying the other information processing device of the calculated setting value.

8. Setting the second threshold means Obtaining a second input value entered by a user associated with one or more payment media from another information processing device associated with one or more payment media, The information processing method according to claim 3, comprising setting the acquired second input value as the second threshold value.

9. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more payment media are payment media set by the user.

10. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of payment media is associated with either the user or another user associated with the user.

11. A means for setting a first threshold associated with one or more payment methods, A means for calculating the total amount of payments made through one or more payment methods, If the calculated total value is equal to or greater than the first threshold, means for executing a process to restrict the settlement of one or more payment media, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

12. On the computer, Setting a first threshold associated with one or more payment methods, Calculate the total amount of payments made through one or more of the aforementioned payment methods, If the calculated total value is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a process is executed to restrict the payment of one or more payment methods. A program to execute.

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