PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD

Abstract

To provide a program, information processing device, and information processing method that, in transaction settlement, reduce the possibility of a transaction being unable to be settled due to insufficient account balance.SOLUTION: In a settlement of a transaction between a first dealer and a second dealer, a program causes a computer to execute: a confirmation reception function of receiving a request to confirm the validity of settlement means linked to a first dealer's account; a confirmation function of confirming the validity of the settlement means; a securing instruction function of instructing a first institution device that manages the first dealer's account to transfer a secured amount from the first dealer's account to a managed account; a notification reception function of receiving a definitive notification about a settlement amount of the settlement from a first dealer device or a second dealer device; a calculation function of calculating a difference between the secured amount and the determined settlement amount based on the definitive notification; a settling function of executing settling processing for settling the difference; and a payment instruction function of instructing a management institution device to transfer the settlement amount from the managed account to a second dealer's account of the second dealer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been technology relating to services for directly withdrawing the payment amount from a transactor's account using a payment method linked to the transactor's account when settling a transaction, such as a debit card service (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). Such services incorporate a mechanism whereby, when a request for validity confirmation (so-called authorization) of a payment method such as a debit card is sent from a device at the transactor's store, the payment amount is immediately withdrawn from the transactor's account. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-111177 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on the transaction, it may take time between the confirmation of the validity of the payment instrument linked to the transactor's account and the determination of the payment amount, and the details of the transaction may change during that time, making it inappropriate to immediately debit the payment amount from the transactor's account after this validation. However, if the debit is not made immediately in such a case, there is a problem that a balance shortage may occur due to a debit made by another payment between the confirmation of validity and the determination of the payment amount, making it impossible to make the payment using the payment instrument linked to that account.

[0005] Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a program, an information processing device, and an information processing method that can reduce the possibility of payment being disabled due to insufficient account balance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to implement the following functions in the settlement of a transaction between a first trader and a second trader: a confirmation reception function that receives a request from a first trader device of a first trader or a second trader device of a second trader to confirm the validity of a payment method linked to the first trader's first trader's account; a confirmation function that confirms the validity of the payment method based on the request; a securing instruction function that instructs a first institution device of a first institution that manages the first trader's account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader's account to a managed account based on the results of the validity confirmation; a notification reception function that receives a confirmation notification from the first trader device or the second trader device notifying that the settlement amount of the settlement has been confirmed; a calculation function that calculates the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notification; a settlement function that executes settlement processing for settling the difference; and a payment instruction function that instructs a management institution device of a management institution that manages the managed account to transfer the settlement amount from the managed account to the second trader's account of the second trader.

[0007] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises, in the settlement of a transaction between a first trader and a second trader, a confirmation receiving unit that receives a request from a first trader device of the first trader or a second trader device of the second trader to confirm the validity of a payment method linked to the first trader's first trader's account; a confirmation unit that confirms the validity of the payment method based on the request; a securing instruction unit that instructs a first institution device of a first institution that manages the first trader's account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader's account to a managed account based on the results of the validity confirmation; a notification receiving unit that receives a confirmation notification from the first trader device or the second trader device notifying that the settlement amount of the settlement has been confirmed; a calculation unit that calculates the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notification; a settlement unit that executes settlement processing for settling the difference; and a payment instruction unit that instructs a management institution device of a management institution that manages the managed account to transfer the settlement amount from the managed account to the second trader's account of the second trader.

[0008] In one embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, in the settlement of a transaction between a first trader and a second trader, a computer receives a request from a first trader device of the first trader or a second trader device of the second trader to confirm the validity of a payment method linked to the first trader's first trader's account, confirms the validity of the payment method based on the request, and based on the results of the validity confirmation, instructs a first institution device of a first institution that manages the first trader's account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader's account to a managed account, receives a confirmation notice from the first trader device or the second trader device notifying that the settlement amount of the settlement has been confirmed, calculates the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notice, executes a settlement process for settling the difference, and instructs a management institution device of a management institution that manages the managed account to transfer the settlement amount from the managed account to the second trader's account of the second trader.

[0009] In one embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, in the settlement of a transaction between a first trader and a second trader, a computer receives a request from a first trader device of the first trader or a second trader device of the second trader to confirm the validity of a payment method linked to the first trader's first trader's account, confirms the validity of the payment method based on the request, and based on the results of the validation, instructs a first institution device of a first institution that manages the first trader's account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader's account to a managed account, receives a confirmation notice from the first trader device or the second trader device notifying that the settlement amount of the settlement has been confirmed, calculates the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notice, instructs a management institution device of a management institution that manages the managed account to transfer the settlement amount from the managed account to the second trader's account of the second trader, and performs settlement processing to settle the difference.

[0010] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a computer instructing a first institution device of a first institution that manages a first trader's first trader account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader's account to a managed account, receiving a confirmation notice from the first trader device of the first trader or the second trader device of the second trader in settlement of a transaction between the first trader and the second trader that the settlement amount for settlement using a payment method linked to the first trader's account has been confirmed, and based on the confirmation notice, instructing a management institution device of a management institution that manages the managed account to transfer the settlement amount from the managed account to the second trader's second trader account, calculating the difference by subtracting the confirmed settlement amount from the secured amount, and executing a settlement process for settling the difference.

[0011] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a computer instructing a first institution device of a first institution that manages a first trader's first trader account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader's account to a managed account, receiving a confirmation notice from the first trader device of the first trader or the second trader device of the second trader that the settlement amount for settlement using a payment method linked to the first trader's account has been confirmed, calculating the difference by subtracting the confirmed settlement amount from the secured amount, executing a settlement process for settling the difference, and, based on the confirmation notice, instructing a management institution device of a management institution that manages the managed account to transfer the settlement amount from the managed account to the second trader's second trader account. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a transaction will not be settled due to insufficient account balance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of a payment support system according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overview of a payment support system according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the payment support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the payment support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the payment support system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the payment support system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, components with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

[0015] In this invention, the terms "unit," "means," "device," or "system" do not simply mean physical means, but also include cases where the functions of the "unit," "means," "device," or "system" are realized by software. Furthermore, the functions of one "unit," "means," "device," or "system" may be realized by a combination of two or more physical means, devices, or software modules, and the functions of two or more "units," "means," "device," or "system" may be realized by one physical means, device, or software module.

[0016] [First embodiment] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a transaction between a first trader and a second trader is settled using a payment method linked to the first trader's account (hereinafter also referred to as the "first trader's account"). Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the payment method linked to the first trader's account (hereinafter also referred to as the "first trader's account's payment method") is a payment using a debit card owned by the first trader (hereinafter also referred to as a "debit payment"). However, the payment method for the first trader's account according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the payment method for the first trader's account may be an instant account transfer (direct debit) or account transfer without using a debit card, a prepaid fund transfer method, or the like. Furthermore, the funds used to settle a transaction according to the present invention may be, for example, a bank account balance, or crypto assets such as electronic money.

[0017] The first and second transactors in this embodiment may be individuals or businesses. The payment support system 1 according to this embodiment can be used for not only B2C (business-to-consumer) payments but also C2B, B2B, C2C, and other payments.

[0018] Debit payment is a payment method in which a financial institution (e.g., a bank) that provides a system for providing debit payments (hereinafter also referred to as a "debit card system"), or a designated business partnering with a financial institution, instantly deducts the amount specified by the first transactor from an account managed by the financial institution, up to the account balance, and deposits it into the account of the second transactor (including an account at another financial institution).

[0019] The payment facilitating system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that supports a transaction by securing funds for the settlement of the transaction. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the operator of the first institution's external system is the operator of the payment facilitating system 1. The external system is, for example, a system that controls communication and converts messages between the first institution's system and an external system. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the first institution is a first bank, but the first institution according to the present invention is not limited to this. The first institution may be any institution that manages the transactor's account, such as a financial institution other than a bank or an electronic payment service provider that issues and manages electronic money. In addition, this embodiment describes an example in which a debit payment function (hereinafter also referred to as the "debit payment function") provided by the first bank is used.

[0020] <1. System configuration> An example of the system configuration of a payment support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the payment support system 1 includes a server device 100 of the operator, a first trader device 200a of the first trader, and a second trader device 200b of the second trader. The server device 100, the first trader device 200a, and the second trader device 200b are connected to each other via a network N. The payment support system 1 also serves as an external system, and is connected to a bank system 400 via the network N. The first trader device 200a and the second trader device 200b are collectively referred to as "transactor devices 200" unless there is a need to distinguish between them. The first trader and the second trader are collectively referred to as "transactors" unless there is a need to distinguish between them.

[0022] [Server device] The server device 100 is connected to a bank server 410 in a bank system 400 of a bank via a network N for communication control and use of a bank account.

[0023] The server device 100 is an information processing device capable of communicating with the transactor device 200 or the bank server 410. The server device 100 executes a predetermined program (hereinafter also referred to as the "server program") to manage information related to payments (e.g., transaction information, payment method information, and / or account information, etc.) in cooperation with the transactor device 200, etc., and controls the fund transfer process to prevent payment failure due to insufficient account balance when using debit payment.

[0024] The account information is information for managing each bank account. The account information includes, for example, a bank code for identifying the target bank, an account number for identifying an account held by the transactor, operator, and / or bank, an account balance such as the total amount deposited in the account, or transaction details indicating the details of transactions using the account. The account information may also include, for example, authentication information for the account. Details of the authentication information will be described later.

[0025] The transaction details include, for example, a deposit / withdrawal history indicating the history of deposits and withdrawals. The deposit / withdrawal history includes, for example, a deposit / withdrawal ID for identifying each deposit / withdrawal, the ID of the bank card used at the time of the deposit / withdrawal, or a customer ID indicating the counterparty of the deposit / withdrawal such as various card companies in the case of debit card or credit card withdrawals, the deposit / withdrawal date and time indicating the date and time of the deposit / withdrawal, the deposit amount indicating the amount deposited into the account, and / or the withdrawal amount indicating the amount withdrawn from the account.

[0026] [Transactional Device] The trader device 200 is, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop used by the trader, and is an information processing device capable of accepting input such as product purchases from the trader, outputting notifications such as procedure completion to the trader, and communicating with the server device 100. By executing a predetermined program, the trader device 200 cooperates with the server device 100 to send and receive transaction information, display screens related to transactions, and accept instructions from the trader.

[0027] Transaction information is information related to a transaction. Transaction information includes, for example, transaction identification information for identifying each transaction, the details of each transaction, the transaction date and time, the status of transaction processing (e.g., accepting transaction details, verifying the validity of the payment method, accepting transaction confirmation input, transaction confirmation, etc.), and (if the transaction is confirmed) payment instructions for settling each transaction. Transaction details may include, for example, information about the product (hereinafter also referred to as "product information") or service (hereinafter also referred to as "service information") that is the subject of the transaction, the transaction amount, and / or information about the payment method used for the transaction (hereinafter also referred to as "payment method information").

[0028] Payment method information includes, for example, type information indicating the type of payment method (e.g., credit card payment, debit card payment, electronic money payment, etc.), payment method identification information for identifying the payment method (e.g., card number, account number, etc.), payment service provider identification information that provides the payment method, user identification information of the user who uses the payment method, security information for the security of the payment method, etc. Payment method information may also include, for example, setting information indicating whether the payment method is suspended or not, history information of payments made by the payment method over a specified period, and various settings related to the payment method (e.g., upper limit, etc.).

[0029] When the transactor is a store (including a store clerk), the transactor device 200 is an information processing device used in the store, and may be, for example, a POS register terminal or a handheld terminal. The transactor device 200 may have a reader function that reads, for example, product information about products sold in the store where it is installed or information about services provided in the store. As another example, the transactor device 200 may not have a reader function, and an external device such as a card reader connected to the transactor device 200 may have the reader function. The transactor device 200 may have POS register functions, such as accepting input of information about products or services (hereinafter also referred to as "products, etc.") and calculating the total price of the accepted products, etc. (in other words, the payment amount).

[0030] [Banking system and bank server] The bank system 400 is a collective term for a first bank system 400a of a first bank and a second bank system 400b of a second bank, which will be described later. The bank system 400 may also function as a debit system, for example.

[0031] The bank server 410 is a collective term for the first bank server 410a of the first bank and the second bank server 410b of the second bank, which will be described later. The bank server 410 is a server of the bank system 400 that manages account information of bank accounts and performs transfer processing and / or deposit processing, reference processing, etc. for the accounts. The bank server 410 cooperates with the server device 100 to provide services related to the deposit processing, etc.

[0032] The bank server 410 may provide, for example, a bank API to an external device such as the server device 100. The bank API is an interface used by software components to communicate with each other in order to turn existing functions such as fund transfers and balance inquiries into individual services and use them from external applications. The bank API includes update APIs and reference APIs. The update API is an API for fund transfers such as bank account transfers, and the reference API is an API for obtaining account information such as bank account balance inquiries.

[0033] [network] The network N is configured by a wireless network or a wired network. Examples of the network include a mobile phone network, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) network, a wireless LAN (a local area network, including communication conforming to IEEE802.11 (so-called WI / Fi (registered trademark))), 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), WiMax (registered trademark), infrared communication, visible light communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wired LAN, a telephone line, a power line communication network, a network conforming to IEEE1394, etc.

[0034] <2. Overview> An example of the outline of the payment facilitating system 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2. In this example, the first institution that manages the first trader's account and the management institution that manages the managed account are the same institution, specifically, the first institution and the management institution are the first bank. In another example, the first institution and the management institution may be different institutions. The managed account is an account that is temporarily managed to secure the secured amount described below. The managed account may be, for example, an account held by the operator or a special deposit account at the first bank. In addition, this example will describe an example in which the second institution that manages the second trader's account and the management institution that manages the managed account are different institutions, specifically, the second institution is a second bank that is different from the first bank.

[0035] In this example, it is assumed that a debit card for the first trader's account has already been issued in the first bank system 400a, and that the second trader is registered as a member of the first bank system 400a's debit card service.

[0036] (1) As shown in Figure 2, first, a first trader, who is a customer of a store or the like, makes an application to a second trader to purchase a product. (2) Next, the first trader requests the second trader to use debit payment as the payment method to be used for this purchase transaction. This application may, for example, involve the second trader device 200b reading the first trader's debit card to be used for debit payment. At this time, the second trader device 200b accepts input of transaction information from the first or second trader, including payment method information for the debit payment of this purchase transaction.

[0037] (3) In order to confirm the validity of the debit payment, which is the payment method indicated in the payment method information received in (1) and (2) above, the second transactor device 200b performs a so-called authorization process, requesting confirmation of validity, to the first bank system 400a, which is the provider of the debit payment. This request for confirmation of validity is sent to the server device 100, which is the server of the external system of the first bank system 400a. The second transactor device 200b also sends transaction information to the server device 100 together with this request for confirmation of validity.

[0038] (4) Upon receiving the request for validity confirmation sent in (3) above, the server device 100 confirms the validity of the debit payment. The method for confirming the validity of the debit payment may be, for example, a method in which the server device 100 checks the validity of the debit payment against the payment method information of the source stored in the server device 100 itself. Alternatively, the method for confirming the validity of the debit payment may be, for example, a method in which the server device 100 inquires about the validity of the debit payment from the first bank system 400a, and receives and confirms the result of the validity confirmation.

[0039] (5) If the validity of the debit payment is confirmed in (4) above, the server device 100 instructs the first bank server 410a of the first bank to transfer the deposit from the first transactor account to the management account. In this example, the deposit amount is set to 30,000 yen.

[0040] The secured amount is the amount of funds to secure the settlement amount before the settlement amount is finalized. The secured amount may be, for example, (a) set by the trader's designation, (b) set as a common amount for multiple traders, or (c) set according to the type of transaction and / or the trader's attributes.

[0041] The type of transaction may be, for example, a buying and selling transaction (including a purchasing transaction of a product) involving the provision of a service or product, a loan, factoring, a remittance transaction, a transfer of value such as electronic money, etc. Furthermore, the attributes of the transactor may be, for example, the name, occupation and / or annual income, payment history, etc. if the transactor is an individual, or the name of the business, business content, business form, number of employees, industry, business scale, management status, capital status, and / or payment history, etc. if the transactor is a business.

[0042] (6) When the first bank server 410a receives the transfer instruction in (5) above, it transfers the secured amount by transferring funds between the first trader's account and the management account. At this time, the first bank server 410a deducts the secured amount of 30,000 yen from the balance of the first trader's account and increases the balance of the management account by 30,000 yen.

[0043] (7) The payment amount (sales amount) of the product purchase transaction is confirmed between the first transactor and the second transactor. In this example, the payment amount is 5,000 yen. (8) When the second transactor device 200b receives input from the first transactor or the second transactor confirming the payment amount, it sends a confirmation notification to the server device 100 informing that the payment amount has been confirmed.

[0044] (9) Upon receiving the confirmation notice of (7) above, the server device 100 calculates the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed payment amount based on this confirmation notice.

[0045] (10) If validity is confirmed in (4) above, the server device 100 executes processing related to the settlement of the difference calculated in (9) above (hereinafter also referred to as "settlement processing"). The server device 100 instructs the first bank server 410a to transfer the difference between the management account and the first trader account. Specifically, since the amount obtained by subtracting the settlement amount from the secured amount is 25,000 yen, the server device 100 instructs the first bank server 410a to transfer the difference from the management account to the first trader account in order to return this 25,000 yen to the first trader account. Here, if the difference is negative, the server device 100 may instruct the first bank server 410a to transfer the difference from the first trader account to the management account.

[0046] (11) When the first bank server 410a receives the transfer instruction (return instruction) described in (10) above, it transfers the difference between the management account and the first trader account by debiting the account. At this time, the first bank server 410a may also deduct the difference from the balance of the first trader account and increase the balance of the management account by the difference. Specifically, the first bank server 410a may deduct 25,000 yen from the balance of the management account and increase the balance of the first trader account by 25,000 yen.

[0047] (12) To make payment to the second transactor in the product purchase transaction, the server device 100 instructs the first bank server 410a to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to the second transactor's account.

[0048] (13) When the first bank server 410a receives the transfer instruction (payment instruction) described in (12) above, it transfers the settlement amount by transferring funds between the management account and the second transactor account. At this time, the first bank server 410a deducts 5,000 yen from the balance of the management account and increases 5,000 yen to the balance of the second transactor account.

[0049] In this overview, the server device 100 instructs the first bank server 410a to transfer the difference between the management account and the first trader account, and then instructs it to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to the second trader account. The server device 100 may instruct the first bank server 410a to transfer the settlement amount between the management account and the second trader account, and then instruct it to transfer the difference from the management account to the first trader account. The server device 100 may also instruct the first bank server 410a to transfer the settlement amount between the management account and the second trader account, and to transfer the difference from the management account to the first trader account.

[0050] With the above configuration, the payment facilitating system 1 can prevent the balance from being used for other transactions by transferring the secured amount to the management account when validating the payment method of the first trader's account. Therefore, even when it takes time to settle a transaction between validating the payment method linked to the first trader's account and determining the settlement amount, the payment facilitating system 1 can reduce the possibility of settlement being impossible due to insufficient balance in the first trader's account.

[0051] With the above configuration, the payment support system 1 can be realized by utilizing the existing mechanisms of the first bank system 400a (debit system) and external system. Therefore, for transactions that are not suitable for immediate transfer, etc., it is possible to reduce the possibility of failure due to insufficient account balance by utilizing the existing mechanisms, without building a special function, such as setting a credit limit on the account balance to prevent it from being used for other transactions.

[0052] <3. Functional configuration of the server device> The functional configuration of the server device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the server device 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, and a storage unit .

[0053] The control unit 110 includes a reception unit 111 , an instruction unit 112 , a confirmation unit 113 , a calculation unit 114 , and a settlement unit 115 .

[0054] The reception unit 111 receives various information from the first institution device, the second institution device, and / or the management institution, etc. via the communication unit 120. The reception unit 111 includes a confirmation reception unit 111a. In settling a transaction between a first trader and a second trader, the confirmation reception unit 111a receives a request from the first trader device 200a or the second trader device 200b to confirm the validity of the payment method linked to the first trader's first trader account.

[0055] The reception unit 111 includes a notification reception unit 111b. The notification reception unit 111b receives a confirmation notification from the first trader device 200a or the second trader device 200b notifying that the settlement amount for the transaction using the payment method of the first trader's account has been confirmed.

[0056] The instruction unit 112 transmits various instructions to the trader device 200, the first institution device, the second institution device, and / or the management institution, etc. via the communication unit 120. The instruction unit 112 includes a reservation instruction unit 112a. Based on a request for confirmation of validity received by the confirmation receiving unit 111a, the reservation instruction unit 112a instructs the first institution device of the first institution that manages the first trader account to transfer the reserved amount from the first trader account to the management account. For example, if the first institution device is a bank server 410, the reservation instruction unit 112a may call an update API provided by the bank server 410 to instruct the transfer of this reserved amount.

[0057] The instruction unit 112 includes a payment instruction unit 112b, which instructs the management institution device to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to the second transactor's second transactor account.

[0058] The confirmation unit 113 confirms the validity of the payment method linked to the first trader's account based on the request for validity confirmation received by the confirmation receiving unit 111a. The confirmation unit 113 may check whether the payment method is within its expiration date or has been suspended by comparing it with the payment method information of the source of the comparison stored in the memory unit 130. As another example, the confirmation unit 113 may, for example, inquire about the validity of the payment method from the first bank system 400a, and receive and confirm confirmation result information indicating the result of this validity confirmation.

[0059] The calculation unit 114 calculates the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed payment amount based on the confirmation notification received by the notification receiving unit 111b. This difference may be in any form as long as it indicates the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed payment amount.

[0060] Based on the result of the validity confirmation by the confirmation unit 113, the settlement unit 115 executes a settlement process for settling the difference between the secured amount calculated by the calculation unit 114 and the settlement amount.

[0061] The settlement unit 115 may include, for example, a difference transfer unit 115a. As a settlement process, if the amount obtained by subtracting the settlement amount from the secured amount is a positive number based on the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount, the difference transfer unit 115a may instruct the management institution device to transfer the amount from the management account to the first trader's account. On the other hand, as a settlement process, if the amount obtained by subtracting the confirmed settlement amount from the secured amount is a negative number based on the difference between the secured amount and the settlement amount, the difference transfer unit 115a instructs the first institution device managing the first trader's account to transfer the amount from the first trader's account to the management account.

[0062] The communication unit 120 transmits and receives various information to the trader device 200 and / or the bank system 400, etc., via the network N. For example, the communication unit 120 receives transaction information transmitted from the trader device 200 via the network N, and transmits instructions for various fund transfers using the first trader account to the bank system 400.

[0063] The storage unit 130 may store transaction information and account information. The storage unit 130 may store each piece of information using a database management system (DBMS) or a file system. When using a DBMS, a table may be provided for each piece of information, and each piece of information may be managed by associating the tables with each other.

[0064] <4. Example of operation> An example of the operation of the payment facilitating system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow and interactions between each device in the payment facilitating system 1 from accepting input of transaction information from a trader to confirming the validity of the payment method of the first trader's account. Note that the order and units of processing shown below are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4, the trader device 200 accepts input of transaction information from the trader (S10). The trader device 200 transmits the accepted transaction information and a request for confirmation of the validity of the payment method of the first trader's account indicated by the transaction information to the server device 100 (S11).

[0066] The reception unit 111 (including the confirmation reception unit 111a) of the server device 100 receives the transmitted transaction information and the confirmation request (S12). The confirmation unit 113 of the server device 100 verifies the validity of the first trader's account based on the confirmation request (S13).

[0067] If the validity of the settlement method of the first trader's account is confirmed (OK), the trader device 200, server device 100, first institution device, and management institution device execute the processing within the area indicated by the composite fragment alt1 (alternative1) above the dashed line. Specifically, the securing instruction unit 112a of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the first institution device to transfer the secured amount from the first trader's account to the management account (S14). The first institution device accepts the transfer instruction sent from the server device 100 (S15). Based on the accepted transfer instruction, the first institution device executes processing related to the transfer of the secured amount from the first trader's account to the management account (hereinafter also referred to as the "transfer processing") (S16). In response to the transfer instruction, the first institution device transmits funds transfer information indicating the results of the secured amount transfer processing to the server device 100 (S17).

[0068] The confirmation unit 113 of the server device 100 transmits confirmation information indicating the result of the validity confirmation (OK) and the received funds transfer information to the trader device 200 (S18). The trader device 200 receives the confirmation information and transfer information transmitted from the server device 100 and outputs them on the screen (S19). The trader device 200 receives input from the trader that the settlement amount for the transaction has been confirmed (S20). The trader device 200 transmits a confirmation notice to the server device 100 notifying that the settlement amount has been confirmed (S21). The notice receiving unit 111b of the server device 100 receives the confirmation notice transmitted from the trader device 200 (S22). The calculation unit 114 of the server device 100 calculates the difference between the reserved amount and this confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notice (S23). The subsequent processing flow and interactions are shown in FIG. 5.

[0069] If the validity of the settlement method of the first trader's account cannot be confirmed (NG), the trader device 200, server device 100, first institution device, and management institution device execute the processing below the dashed line in the area indicated by the composite fragment alt1. Specifically, the confirmation unit 113 of the server device 100 sends confirmation information indicating the result of the validity confirmation (NG) to the trader device 200 (S25). The trader device 200 receives the confirmation information sent from the server device 100 and outputs it as an error on the screen (S26).

[0070] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing and interactions between devices after the process of calculating the difference between the finalized amount and the payment amount in Figure 4 in payment processing system 1. Note that the order and units of processing shown below are examples and may be changed as appropriate.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 5, if the amount obtained by subtracting the confirmed settlement amount from the secured amount based on the calculated difference (hereinafter simply referred to as the "difference") is a positive number, the transactor device 200, server device 100, first institution device, and management institution device execute the processing above the dashed line in the area indicated by the combined fragment alt2 (alternative2). Furthermore, the processing above the dashed line in the area indicated by the combined fragment para (Parallel) and the processing below the dashed line are executed in parallel. Specifically, the payment instruction unit 112b of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the management institution to transfer the settlement amount from the managed account to the second transactor account (S30). The management institution device accepts the transfer instruction sent from the server device 100 (S31). Based on the accepted transfer instruction, the management institution device executes the process of transferring the settlement amount from the managed account to the second transactor account (S32). In response to the transfer instruction, the management institution device transmits funds transfer information indicating the result of the transfer process of the settlement amount to the server device 100 (S33).

[0072] In parallel with step S30, the difference transfer unit 115a of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the management institution device to transfer the difference from the management account to the first transactor's account as a settlement process for the difference between the secured amount and the settlement amount (S34). The management institution device accepts the transfer instruction sent from the server device 100 (S35). Based on the accepted transfer instruction, the management institution device executes the process of transferring the difference from the management account to the first transactor's account (S36). In response to the transfer instruction, the management institution device sends funds transfer information indicating the result of the difference transfer process to the server device 100 (S37). Note that the processes in the area above and below the dashed line in the area indicated by the composite fragment para(Parallel) are not limited to parallel processing, and either one may be processed first. In other words, either the transfer instruction for step S30 or step S34 may be sent first.

[0073] The payment instruction unit 112b and the balance transfer unit 115a of the server device 100 receive the funds transfer information sent above and send it to the transactor device 200 (S38). The transactor device 200 receives the transfer information sent from the server device 100 and outputs it on the screen (S39).

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5, if the calculated difference is a negative value, the transactor device 200, the server device 100, the first institution device, and the management institution device execute the processing below the dashed line in the area indicated by the combined fragment alt2. Specifically, the difference transfer unit 115a of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the first institution device to transfer the difference from the first transactor's account to the management account in order to charge the first transactor an additional amount for the difference (S40). The first institution device accepts the transfer instruction sent from the server device 100 (S41). Based on the accepted transfer instruction, the first institution device executes a process to transfer the difference from the first transactor's account to the management account (S42). In response to the transfer instruction, the first institution device transmits funds transfer information indicating the result of the process to transfer the difference to the server device 100 (S43). As another example, the processes described in steps 44 to 47 above may be executed before or in parallel with the processes described in steps 40 to 43 above.

[0075] The payment instruction unit 112b of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the management institution to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to the second transactor's account (S44). The management institution device accepts the transfer instruction sent from the server device 100 (S45). Based on the accepted transfer instruction, the management institution device executes the process of transferring the settlement amount from the management account to the second transactor's account (S46). In response to the transfer instruction, the management institution device transmits funds transfer information indicating the result of the process of transferring the settlement amount to the server device 100 (S47).

[0076] The payment instruction unit 112b and the balance transfer unit 115a of the server device 100 receive the funds transfer information sent above and send it to the transactor device 200 (S48). The transactor device 200 receives the transfer information sent from the server device 100 and outputs it on the screen (S49).

[0077] <5. Hardware Configuration> 6, an example of a hardware configuration in which the above-described server device 100 is realized by a computer 800 will be described. Note that the functions of each device can also be realized by dividing them into multiple devices.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, the computer 800 includes a processor 801, a memory 803, a storage device 805, an input I / F unit 807, a data I / F unit 809, a communication I / F unit 811, and a display device 813.

[0079] The processor 801 controls various processes in the computer 800 by executing programs stored in the memory 803. For example, each functional unit included in the control unit 110 of the server device 100 can be realized by the processor 801 executing a program temporarily stored in the memory 803.

[0080] The memory 803 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 803 temporarily stores the program code of the program executed by the processor 801 and data required when the program is executed.

[0081] The storage device 805 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage device 805 stores an operating system and various programs for implementing the above-mentioned components. In addition, the storage device 805 can also store tables for registering transaction information and / or account information and a DB for managing the tables. Such programs and data are loaded into the memory 803 as needed and can be referenced by the processor 801.

[0082] The input I / F unit 807 is a device for receiving input from a user. Specific examples of the input I / F unit 807 include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, various sensors, and a wearable device. The input I / F unit 807 may be connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0083] The data I / F unit 809 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 800. A specific example of the data I / F unit 809 is a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. The data I / F unit 809 may be provided outside the computer 800. In this case, the data I / F unit 809 is connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB.

[0084] The communication I / F unit 811 is a device for performing data communication via the Internet N, either wired or wirelessly, with devices external to the computer 800. The communication I / F unit 811 may be provided outside the computer 800. In this case, the communication I / F unit 811 is connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as a USB.

[0085] The display device 813 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 813 include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and a display of a wearable device. The display device 813 may be provided outside the computer 800. In this case, the display device 813 is connected to the computer 800 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, when a touch panel is adopted as the input I / F unit 807, the display device 813 can be configured as an integral part of the input I / F unit 807.

[0086] [Second embodiment] Next, we will explain the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the secured amount was transferred to the managed account when the validity of the payment method of the first trader's account was confirmed, but in this embodiment, the secured amount is transferred to the managed account at a timing that is independent of the timing of the validity confirmation, and therefore the timing of the transaction. Below, we will mainly explain the differences from the first embodiment.

[0087] <1. Functional configuration of the server device> An example of the functional configuration of the server device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The server device 100 according to this embodiment includes the communication unit 120 and the storage unit 130 of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and the control unit 110 includes the reception unit 111, the instruction unit 112, the confirmation unit 113, the calculation unit 114, and the settlement unit 115.

[0088] The receiving unit 111 may include, for example, an instruction receiving unit (not shown). The instruction receiving unit receives a reservation instruction for reserving funds for settlement of a transaction, which is transmitted from the first transactor apparatus 200a.

[0089] The securing instruction unit 112a may, for example, instruct the first institution device of the first institution to transfer the secured amount from the first trader account to the management account.

[0090] The payment instruction unit 112b may, for example, based on the confirmation notice received by the notice receiving unit 111b, instruct the management institution's management institution device to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to the second transactor's account.

[0091] According to the above configuration, funds for settlement of a transaction can be secured by transferring the secured amount to the management account in advance without relying on transaction-related processing, including authorization processing, etc. This makes it possible to provide a highly flexible system.

[0092] <2. Example of operation> An example of the operation of the payment facilitating system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow and interactions of each device in the payment facilitating system 1 from when an instruction to secure funds for the payment amount is received from the first transactor until the secured amount is transferred to a managed account. Note that this example describes an event-driven example in which the transfer of the secured amount is triggered by an instruction from the first transactor, but is not limited to this. For example, the transfer of the secured amount may be triggered at a pre-scheduled timing.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 7, the first trader device 200a accepts input from the first trader an instruction to reserve funds for settlement of the transaction (specifically, an instruction to transfer the reserved amount to the management account) (S50). The first trader device 200a transmits this accepted reserve instruction to the server device 100 (S51). The instruction receiving unit of the server device 100 accepts the reserve instruction transmitted from the first trader device 200a (S52). The reserve instruction unit 112a of the server device 100, for example, instructs the first institution device of the first institution to transfer the reserved amount from the first trader account to the management account based on this reserve instruction (S53). The first institution device accepts the transfer instruction transmitted from the server device 100 (S54). Based on this accepted transfer instruction, the first institution device executes a transfer process of the reserved amount from the first trader account to the management account (S55). In response to the transfer instruction, the first institution device transmits funds transfer information indicating the result of the transfer process of the secured amount to the server device 100 (S56). The securing instruction unit 112a of the server device 100 transmits, in response to the above-mentioned securing instruction, based on the funds transfer information, securing information indicating the result that funds for settlement have been secured to the first transactor device 200a (S57). The first transactor device 200a receives the securing information transmitted from the server device 100 and outputs it on the screen (S58).

[0094] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow and interactions between each device in payment support system 1 from accepting input of transaction information from a transactor to payment to the second transactor's account of the second transactor.

[0095] As shown in Figure 8, the trader device 200 accepts input of transaction information from the trader (S60). The trader device 200 accepts input of the settlement amount for the transaction from the trader (S61). The trader device 200 transmits the accepted transaction information and a confirmation notice notifying the confirmation of the settlement amount to the server device 100 (S62).

[0096] The reception unit 111 (including the notification reception unit 111b) of the server device 100 receives the transmitted transaction information and the confirmation notification (S63). The payment instruction unit 112b of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the management institution to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to the second transactor's account (S64). The management institution device receives the transfer instruction sent from the server device 100 (S65). Based on the received transfer instruction, the management institution device executes the process of transferring the settlement amount from the management account to the second transactor's account (S66). In response to the transfer instruction, the management institution device transmits funds transfer information indicating the result of the process of transferring the settlement amount to the server device 100 (S67). The calculation unit 114 of the server device 100 calculates the difference between the secured amount and the settlement amount based on the funds transfer information (S68).

[0097] Based on the calculated difference, if the difference is a positive number, the transactor device 200, server device 100, first institution device, and management institution device execute the processing within the area indicated by the composite fragment alt3 (alternative3) above the dashed line. Specifically, the difference transfer unit 115a of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the management institution device to transfer the difference from the management account to the first transactor account as a settlement process for the difference between the reserved amount and the settlement amount (S69). The management institution device accepts the transfer instruction sent from the server device 100 (S70). Based on the accepted transfer instruction, the management institution device executes a process to transfer the difference from the management account to the first transactor account (S71). In response to the transfer instruction, the management institution device transmits funds transfer information indicating the result of the process to transfer the difference to the server device 100 (S72).

[0098] Based on the calculated difference, if the difference is a negative value, the transactor device 200, server device 100, first institution device, and management institution device execute the processing within the area indicated by the composite fragment alt3, above the dashed line. Specifically, the difference transfer unit 115a of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the first institution device to transfer the difference from the first transactor's account to the management account (S73), in order to charge the first transactor an additional amount for the difference. The first institution device accepts the transfer instruction sent from the server device 100 (S74). Based on the accepted transfer instruction, the first institution device executes a process to transfer the difference from the first transactor's account to the management account (S75). In response to the transfer instruction, the first institution device transmits funds transfer information indicating the result of the process to transfer the difference to the server device 100 (S76).

[0099] The payment instruction unit 112b and the balance transfer unit 115a of the server device 100 receive the funds transfer information sent above and send it to the transactor device 200 (S77). The transactor device 200 receives the transfer information sent from the server device 100 and outputs it on the screen (S78).

[0100] Before executing the processes described in steps S64 to S67, the server device 100 may execute the processes described in S68 and steps S69 to S76 in the area indicated by the combined fragment alt3. In this case, the calculation unit 114 of the server device 100 calculates the difference between the reserved amount and the settlement amount based on the transaction information (S68). Furthermore, upon receiving the result of the difference transfer process (S72 or S76), the payment instruction unit 112b of the server device 100 sends an instruction to the management device agency to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to the second transactor's account (S64).

[0101] [Third embodiment] Next, we will explain the third embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount is settled, but in this embodiment, the secured amount is temporarily returned in full to the first trader's account. Below, we will mainly explain the differences from the first embodiment.

[0102] <Server device functional configuration> An example of the functional configuration of the server device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The server device 100 according to this embodiment includes the communication unit 120 and the storage unit 130 of the server device 100 according to the first embodiment, and the control unit 110 includes the reception unit 111, the instruction unit 112, the confirmation unit 113, the calculation unit 114, and the settlement unit 115.

[0103] The instruction unit 112 may include, for example, a refund instruction unit (not shown). Based on the confirmation notification received by the notification receiving unit 111b, the refund instruction unit instructs the management institution's management institution device to transfer the secured amount from the management account to the first transactor's account.

[0104] The notification receiving unit 111b may, for example, receive a notification (hereinafter also referred to as a "refund notification") from the management institution device indicating that the secured amount has been transferred from the management account to the first trader account in response to an instruction to transfer the secured amount by the instruction unit 112.

[0105] The payment instruction unit 112b may, for example, in response to a refund notification received by the notification receiving unit 111b, instruct the first institution device to transfer the settlement amount from the first trader's account to the second trader's second trader's account.

[0106] If the difference calculated by the calculation unit 114 is a negative number, the refund instruction unit may cancel the instruction to transfer the reserved amount.

[0107] The communication unit 120 may include a transmission unit (not shown). If the difference is a negative number, the transmission unit transmits an error notification to the first transactor device 200a or the second transactor device 200b indicating that the settlement amount of the transaction exceeds the reserved amount.

[0108] The control unit 110 may include, for example, an acquisition unit (not shown). The acquisition unit acquires account information of the first trader (hereinafter also referred to as "first trader account information"), including the available balance of the first trader's account, based on the confirmation notification. In this case, the refund instruction unit may instruct the transfer of the secured amount based on the first trader account information, even if the difference is a negative number, if the sum of the difference and the available balance is a positive number. Furthermore, the transmission unit may not need to send an error notification indicating that the settlement amount of the transaction exceeds the secured amount based on the first trader account information, even if the difference is a negative number, if the sum of the difference and the available balance is a positive number.

[0109] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which the elements described below are replaced with equivalents, and such embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0110] [Variations] Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the following cases are also included in the present invention.

[0111] [First Modification] At least a part of each component of the server device 100 according to the above embodiment may be provided in the trader device 200. For example, all of the functions of the server device 100 may be implemented in the trader device 200 as a dedicated application for the payment support system 1, and the present invention may be realized through interactions between the trader device 200 and the bank server 410.

[0112] [Second Modification] Although not shown in the above embodiment, the transactions targeted by the payment support system according to the present invention are not limited to purchase transactions at a store. The payment support system according to the present invention can also be applied to the following transactions (A) to (D), for example. (A) Transactions related to services such as hotels or cruise ships that take time from validity confirmation to finalization of the payment amount (for example, services that process authorization at check-in and finalize sales at check-out) (a) Transactions for which an authorization environment cannot be established (in-flight sales, offline payments at the register, etc.) (c) Transactions using a gas station POS (for example, authorization processing and sales confirmation processing are performed at different times), (D) Transactions using online wallets (for example, time-delay processing in face-to-face e-commerce, metaverse games, etc.)

[0113] [Third Modification] The various methods of transferring funds between accounts (for example, transfers between bank accounts) described in the above embodiments can be replaced with different methods of transferring funds. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1...payment support system, 100...server device, 110...control unit, 111...reception unit, 112...instruction unit, 113...confirmation unit, 114...calculation unit, 115...settlement unit, 120...communication unit, 130...memory unit, 200...trader device, 200a...first trader device, 200b...second trader device, 400...bank system, 410...bank server, 800...computer, 801...processor, 803...memory, 805...storage device, 807...input I / F unit, 809...data I / F unit, 811...communication I / F unit, 813...display device.

Claims

1. On the computer, a confirmation reception function for receiving a request for confirmation of the validity of a payment method linked to the first trader's first trader account from a first trader device of the first trader or a second trader device of the second trader in the settlement of a transaction between a first trader and a second trader; a verification function for verifying the validity of the payment method based on the request; a securing instruction function that instructs a first institution device of a first institution that manages the first trader account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader account to a management account based on the result of the validity confirmation; A notification receiving function that receives a confirmation notification from the first transactor device or the second transactor device notifying that the settlement amount of the settlement has been confirmed; A calculation function for calculating the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notice; A settlement function for executing a settlement process for settling the difference; a payment instruction function for instructing a management institution device of a management institution that manages the management account to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to a second trader account of the second trader; program.

2. The settlement function includes a difference transfer function, The difference transfer function is As the settlement process, if the amount obtained by subtracting the confirmed settlement amount from the secured amount based on the difference is a positive number, the system instructs the management institution device to transfer the amount from the management account to the first trader account, and on the other hand, if the amount is a negative number, the system instructs the first institution device managing the first trader account to transfer the amount from the first trader account to the management account. The program according to claim 1.

3. a confirmation receiving unit that receives a request for confirmation of the validity of a payment method linked to the first trader's first trader account from a first trader device of the first trader or a second trader device of the second trader in settlement of a transaction between a first trader and a second trader; a verification unit that verifies the validity of the payment method based on the request; a securing instruction unit that instructs a first institution device of a first institution that manages the first trader's account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader's account to a management account based on the result of the validity confirmation; a notification receiving unit that receives a confirmation notification from the first transactor device or the second transactor device that notifies the user that the settlement amount of the settlement has been confirmed; A calculation unit that calculates the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notice; A settlement unit that executes a settlement process for settling the difference; a payment instruction unit that instructs a management institution device of a management institution that manages the management account to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to a second trader account of the second trader, Information processing device.

4. The computer In settling a transaction between a first trader and a second trader, receiving a request from a first trader device of the first trader or a second trader device of the second trader to confirm the validity of a payment instrument linked to a first trader account of the first trader; Validating the payment method based on the request; Based on the result of the validation, instruct a first institution device of a first institution that manages the first trader account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader account to a management account; receiving a confirmation notification from the first transactor device or the second transactor device notifying that the settlement amount of the settlement has been confirmed; Calculate the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notice; Execute a settlement process for settling the difference, instructing a management institution device of a management institution that manages the management account to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to a second trader account of the second trader; Information processing methods.

5. The computer In settling a transaction between a first trader and a second trader, receiving a request from a first trader device of the first trader or a second trader device of the second trader to confirm the validity of a payment instrument linked to a first trader account of the first trader; Validating the payment method based on the request; Based on the result of the validation, instruct a first institution device of a first institution that manages the first trader account to transfer a secured amount from the first trader account to a management account; receiving a confirmation notification from the first transactor device or the second transactor device notifying that the settlement amount of the settlement has been confirmed; Calculate the difference between the secured amount and the confirmed settlement amount based on the confirmation notice; instructing a management institution device of a management institution that manages the management account to transfer the settlement amount from the management account to a second trader account of the second trader; Execute a settlement process for settling the difference. Information processing methods.

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