Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

Assist you in redeeming your benefits. [Solution] An information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that a user has performed an operation to obtain a benefit that can be used for electronic payment provided by an electronic payment service displayed on a display unit; and a processing unit that causes the display unit to display a payment method to which the benefit can be applied in accordance with the operation.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a payment management device has been disclosed that includes a memory unit that stores user identification information for identifying each user in the device and payment identification information that identifies each electronic payment process in the device in association with each other, a transmission unit that transmits the payment identification information to a user terminal, a payment processing unit that, when a store terminal acquires a payment request including the payment identification information acquired from the user terminal, performs processing related to electronic payment for a user corresponding to the user identification information stored in the memory in association with the payment identification information included in the payment request, and a transmission unit that, when an inquiry request including the payment identification information is acquired from a privilege granting device, transmits the user identification information stored in the memory in association with the payment identification information to the privilege granting device (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-61238 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional techniques do not take into consideration the use of benefits, and therefore may not be able to support the use of benefits.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can support the use of benefits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that includes an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that a user has performed an operation to obtain a benefit that can be used for electronic payment provided by an electronic payment service displayed on a display unit, and a processing unit that causes the display unit to display a payment method to which the benefit can be applied in response to the operation. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can support the use of benefits, thereby improving convenience for users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. [Diagram 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Diagram 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of bonus information 173. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM1. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM2. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM3. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM4. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM5. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM6. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM7. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information for setting a payment method displayed on a display unit. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM9. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a coupon list screen. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program of the present invention will be described. Various devices for providing services to users and performing internal analysis, such as the "server" that will be described below, may be realized by a group of distributed devices, and each device may be operated by a different business operator. Furthermore, the owner of the hardware of the device (the provider of the cloud server) and the business that actually operates the device may also be different. The application program and the payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payments related to the purchase of goods and services at a store. The store is, for example, a physical store (real store) that exists in the real world, but may also include a virtual store for electronic commerce. The virtual store may include a store provided by an entity different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a payment for shopping at the virtual store, the screen is controlled to transition to an interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, the store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at the store is mainly performed between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be performed between the user and the store.

[0010] [Electronic payment service] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic payment system in which an electronic payment service is realized. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. The electronic payment system that realizes the electronic payment service includes, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and a payment server 100. These devices communicate with each other, for example, via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and a network of a payment system such as a credit card. The electronic payment system or the payment server 100 is an example of an "information processing device".

[0011] A part or all of the functional configuration included in the electronic payment system may be distributed among multiple devices in any form, or may be integrated into any device. For example, a part or all of the functional configuration of the payment server 100 may be included in another device.

[0012] [User terminal device] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input reception function, and a program execution function. In the following description, components for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment application 20, thereby operating to provide an electronic payment service to a user in cooperation with a payment server 100. The payment application 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0013] [First store terminal device] The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store, and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. The store code image 60 may be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0014] [Second store terminal device] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. An interface 72 for affiliated stores runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface 72 for affiliated stores may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface 72 for affiliated stores accepts coupon settings and the like made by the operator of the affiliated store and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image and reading a code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

[0015] [Payment server] The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case the payment information is sent from the POS device via the affiliated store server to the payment server 100. In the following explanation, no distinction is made between these two and it is assumed that the payment information is sent from the first store terminal device 50.

[0016] 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns of electronic payment: pattern 1 and pattern 2.

[0017] In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10 with the payment application 20 activated decodes the store code image 60 by the optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which store-identifying information is added, and is associated with an affiliated store ID, a store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 transmits the first payment information including the store URL and the account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the affiliated store ID and the store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and the store name information (S3), and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user inputs the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen on which the affiliated store name and the store name are displayed (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount, and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that when the store code image 60 is displayed on a display installed in the store, the store code image 60 may include not only the store URL but also information on the payment amount. In this case, the step of the user inputting the payment amount is omitted, and the information on the payment amount is included in the first payment information and transmitted to the payment server 100. Information on the affiliated store name and the store name may be included in the payment completion screen and displayed.

[0018] In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, when the payment application 20 is started, when a payment operation is performed in the payment application 20, when an automatic update timing (e.g., every minute) occurs, and at other timings, the payment application 20 transmits a request for issuing a one-time code to the payment server 100 (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S13). The payment application 20 displays a code image such as a QR code or a barcode generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50, and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image by an optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). The first store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode or manually entering it. The payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code based on the received information and performs electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0019] Note that electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Furthermore, the "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information. Furthermore, issuance of a one-time code may be omitted in the store scan, and the payment application 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In this case, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0020] [Payment server functional configuration] 4 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, a determination unit 150, an information processing unit (processing unit) 160, and a storage unit 170. The components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a SOC (System On Chip), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device with a non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device.

[0021] The storage unit 170 is a HDD, a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like. The storage unit 170 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172 including benefit information 173, content information 174, and affiliated store / shop information 176. Some of this information may be stored in the storage unit of the user terminal device 10.

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

[0023] The content providing unit 120 has, for example, a function of a web server, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The content providing unit 120 reads out necessary content from the content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs by the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100. The above content may be generated by the payment application 20. In this case, the content providing unit 120 provides the payment application 20 with information required for generating the content.

[0024] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0025] [User information] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the user information 172. The user information 172 is an example of the registration information of a user. The user information 172 is, for example, a user URL, an account ID, a telephone number, a password, as well as information associated with an email address, a user ID, a name, an address, a date of birth, a registration date, a charge balance, a credit payment setting, a credit payment limit, a credit payment amount used, a credit payment available amount, a payment method setting, a bank account, a credit card number, charge history information, and payment history information. The user URL is used for a remittance process between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, it is necessary to register a telephone number and a password. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). Similarly, the email address, and the name, address, and date of birth are information that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created). Hereinafter, the user's instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0026] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money that is set by a user by transferring money to the account in advance. The means of transfer include transfer from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated company (bank) and transfer from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting is information indicating whether or not the setting for enabling electronic payment by credit payment has been completed, and is set to either "completed" or "not completed." The credit payment limit is the credit payment limit that can be used each month, the credit payment usage amount is the amount of credit payment that has already been used in the current month, and the credit payment available amount is the amount of credit payment that can be used in the current month, which is calculated by subtracting the credit payment usage amount from the credit payment limit. Although only one credit payment limit is shown in the figure, in reality, there are also daily upper limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. The payment method setting is setting information indicating whether the user will make electronic payment using the charge balance or by credit payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information (account number, card number) of a bank account or credit card number that can be deposited into the electronic payment service, respectively. The charge history information is a history of the user's remittances to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information showing the details of the payments made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.) for each payment.

[0027] When the credit card payment setting is "completed," it means that the user has signed up for a credit card. The payment method setting may include other payment methods in addition to the charge balance and credit card payment. Other payment methods include, for example, gift certificates, points, and debit cards.

[0028] The user information 172 includes benefit information 173. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the benefit information 173. The benefit information 173 is, for example, information indicating a benefit that can be used by a user. The benefit is, for example, a coupon or a voucher. In the following description, the benefit is described as a coupon.

[0029] The benefit information 173 is information in which the conditions for applying the benefit and the contents of the benefit are associated with the user ID. The conditions for applying the benefit are, for example, the affiliated stores at which the benefit can be used and the payment methods at which the benefit can be used. The payment methods are, for example, credit cards, charge balances, gift certificates, or combinations of these. The payment methods are not limited to the above and may include other payment methods such as debit cards and points.

[0030] [Affiliated store / store information] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store / store information 176. The affiliated store / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which an affiliated store ID and a store ID are associated with a store URL, a second table 176B in which an affiliated store name and sales amount (described above) are associated with an affiliated store ID, and a third table 176C in which a store ID is associated with a store name. In addition to this information, the affiliated store / store information 176 may also include information such as the category of the affiliated store or store, the location of the store, and payment patterns.

[0031] The information management unit 140 acquires information provided by other server devices and terminal devices. The information management unit 140 manages user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. The information management unit 140 adds new records to, edits, and deletes the user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176.

[0032] [Electronic payment] When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 130 refers to the user information 172 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For a user whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows. For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the affiliated store's sales. The item value of the affiliated store's sales is not used as electronic money itself, for example, and an amount corresponding to the item value of the sales is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

[0033] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment for users whose "setting information" is set to "credit card payment" as follows. Credit card payment is a payment method in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and the operator of the electronic payment service acts as a creditor and allows electronic payment that is not dependent on the charge balance within the credit card payment limit. In order to receive the credit card payment service, a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service may be required. The amount used in the credit card payment is settled on the payment date of the following month, for example, by debiting from a bank account, for one month. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs provisional payment by adding the payment amount to the credit card payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the available credit card payment amount, and when the closing date comes, it performs processing to debit the payment for the current month on the payment date of the following month as described above, or requests the operator of the credit card company to perform the processing. In addition, if the payment amount exceeds the available credit card payment amount at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment application 20.

[0034] The determination unit 150 refers to the user information 172 (correspondence information) in which the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service is associated with information indicating the set payment method, and determines whether the payment method is set to one that allows the use of a privilege. The information processing unit 160 executes various processes related to the information held by the payment server 100.

[0035] [Benefits list screen] The payment server 100 displays an interface screen IM1 on the display unit in response to a predetermined operation on the payment application 20 by the user. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the interface screen IM1. The interface screen IM1 is a list screen of coupons provided by the electronic payment service. The interface screen IM1 includes, for example, a button B1 for narrowing down the display to credit card-only coupons, a button B2 for displaying a list screen of credit card-only coupons, information on popular brands, coupon information, and the like. The button B2 is a button that is displayed when there are a predetermined number of credit card-only coupons provided by the electronic payment service that can be proposed to the user.

[0036] A credit card-only coupon is a coupon that is applied to electronic payments using a credit card. In addition, there may be charge balance-only coupons that are applied to electronic payments using a charge balance, and coupons that are limited to other payment methods. In the following example, processing related to credit card-only coupons is explained, but similar concepts are used to display, propose to the user, and perform various processing for other payment method-only coupons.

[0037] [Limited bonus list screen] When the button B1 or B2 is operated, the payment server 100 displays the interface screen IM2 on the display unit. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the interface screen IM2. The interface screen IM2 is a list screen of credit card-only coupons. Each coupon on the list screen displays the coupon content, information indicating that it is a credit card-only coupon, and the like.

[0038] [Bonus acquisition screen (1)] When the user selects a specific coupon from the coupons on the list screen, the payment server 100 displays an interface screen IM3 on the display unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the interface screen IM3. The interface screen IM3 includes information indicating that a credit card-only coupon has been acquired, a button B3 for confirming the credit card, and the like. Note that the display of the interface screen IM3 may be omitted, and an interface screen IM5 in FIG. 12, which will be described later, may be displayed instead.

[0039] [Payment method application screen] When the button B3 is operated, the payment server 100 displays the interface screen IM4 on the display unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the interface screen IM4. The interface screen IM4 is a screen for applying for a credit card that can be used in the electronic payment service. As described above, when the user performs an operation to check whether the credit card can be used after acquiring a credit card-only coupon, the payment server 100, for example, refers to the user information in the user information 172, and if the credit card is not registered (if the credit card number is not associated in the user information 172 or the credit card payment setting is "not yet"), displays the interface screen IM4 on the display unit. If the credit card is registered, information indicating that the credit card can be used or any of the processes (1) to (4) described later may be performed. The button for displaying the interface screen IM4, such as the button B3, may be included in any of the interface screens in FIG. 12 to FIG. 15 described later.

[0040] [Bonus details screen (2)] When an operation for closing the interface screen IM3 of Fig. 10 described above is performed, the payment server 100 displays the interface screen IM5 on the display unit. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the interface screen IM5. The interface screen IM5 includes information showing details of the coupon. The interface screen IM5 includes, for example, information that the coupon is a credit card-only coupon, the coupon expiration date, the coupon contents, a button B4 for obtaining the coupon, and the like.

[0041] [Payment screen (1)] When the user operates the button B4, the payment server 100 displays an interface screen IM6 on the display unit. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the interface screen IM6. The interface screen IM6 is a screen in which a button B5 for proceeding to payment is superimposed on the interface screen IM5.

[0042] [Payment screen (2)] When the button B5 is operated, the payment server 100 displays the interface screen IM7 on the display unit. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the interface screen IM7. The interface screen IM7 is a payment screen used for payment. The interface screen IM7 includes, for example, code information in which the user's identification information is encoded, a payment method, and the like. When the code information is read by the first store terminal device 50, the acquired credit card-only coupon is applied and electronic payment is made. In the example of FIG. 14, the payment method is set to credit card. When a store scan is to be performed, after the button B5 on the interface screen IM6 is operated, the user performs an operation to perform a user scan, and the camera is started to perform the user scan.

[0043] As described above, the user can obtain credit card-only coupons that can be used in electronic payment services, and can make electronic payments smoothly. If credit card-only coupons are not set as available payment methods, the following process may be performed.

[0044] [Support for changing payment method] The information management unit 140 of the payment server 100 acquires information indicating that the user has performed an operation to acquire a benefit that can be used in electronic payment provided by the electronic payment service, and the user's identification information (such as an account ID or a user ID). The determination unit 150 of the payment server 100 refers to user information 172 (correspondence information) in which the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service and information indicating the set payment method are associated with each other, according to the operation and the user's identification information, and determines whether or not the payment method is set to a payment method that can use a benefit. When it is determined that the payment method is not set to a payment method that can use a benefit, the information processing unit 160 performs a process of prompting the payment method to be set to a payment method that can use a benefit, or a process of changing the setting to a payment method that can use a benefit. For example, after the prompting process, the setting is changed to a payment method that can use a benefit with the user's consent, or with the user's consent (or automatically), and electronic payment is performed with the payment method that uses the benefit.

[0045] The information processing unit 160 of the payment server 100, in cooperation with the content providing unit 120, performs any one of the processes (1) to (5) as a process for prompting the user to set the payment method to a payment method that allows the user to use a special benefit. For example, this prompting process is performed for a user whose payment method is not set to a payment method that allows the user to use a special benefit. This prompting process is performed when the special benefit is a credit card-only coupon, and may not be performed for other coupons. In this case, it is performed for a user whose payment method is not set to a credit card.

[0046] (1) Information for setting the payment method to a payment method for which the benefit can be used is displayed on the display unit. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of information for setting the payment method displayed on the display unit. When button B5 is operated on interface screen IM6, payment server 100 displays interface screen IM8 on the display unit. Interface screen IM8 includes, for example, button B6 (information) for changing the payment method to a credit card. When button B6 is operated, the payment method is changed to a credit card. Then, electronic payment is performed using the above-mentioned interface screen IM7.

[0047] (2) Display information on the display unit to prompt a user to change the setting of the priority order of the payment method. Setting the priority order means setting the payment method to be used with priority. For example, instead of button B6, a button for setting the payment method to be used with priority may be displayed. For example, when the button is operated, the payment method to which a credit card-only coupon (or the coupon to be used) can be applied is set to have the highest priority. In this case, if the conditions for using a credit card are met, the credit card is used.

[0048] (3) Information for setting a payment method for which the benefit can be used in preference to other payment methods is displayed on the display unit. For example, instead of button B6, a button for setting a payment method for which the benefit can be used in preference to other payment methods may be displayed. When this setting is made, a payment method for which a coupon that provides the greatest return to the user can be used is automatically set and used. For example, the payment server 100 identifies coupons that the user owns that can be used at the target affiliated store, and identifies the coupon that provides the greatest benefit to the user (e.g., the coupon with the highest point return rate). The payment server 100 automatically sets a payment method for which the identified coupon can be used and performs electronic payment.

[0049] (4) A link, which is information for displaying a screen for changing the payment method, is displayed on the display unit. For example, when this link is operated, a screen on which the user can set the payment method or the priority order of the payment methods is displayed. The user can set the payment method or the priority order of the payment methods on this screen. In this case, this setting may be carried over to the next electronic payment.

[0050] (5) In the user information 172 in which the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service is associated with information indicating whether or not an application for a payment method that can use the benefit has been made (for example, information indicating that credit card payment setting is "done" or "not yet"), if information indicating that an application has been made is not associated with the user's identification information, information for carrying out the application procedure is displayed on the display unit. For example, in the user information 172, if a credit card number and information indicating that credit card payment setting is "done" are not associated with the user's identification information, the payment server 100 displays an interface screen IM9 on the display unit that encourages the user to apply for a credit card.

[0051] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an interface screen IM9. The interface screen IM9 includes, for example, a link button B7 to a screen for applying for a credit card. When this link button B7 is operated, the payment server 100 displays, for example, the interface screen IM4 of FIG. 11 described above on the display unit. If the user has not signed up for a credit card, the button B7 may be displayed instead of the button B5 of the interface screen IM6 of FIG. 15. Also, if the user has not signed up for a credit card, the button B7 may be displayed on any of the interface screens of FIG. 8 to FIG. 14 described above.

[0052] As described above, the payment server 100 can support the user in using a coupon with a limited payment method. This can promote the use of benefits, improving user convenience.

[0053] [When information about support will be displayed] The information for any of the above prompting processes (1) to (5) is included on any of the screens (A) to (C). Examples of the information for the prompting process include a button for setting a payment method, a button for changing the priority of a payment method, a button for setting a payment method to one for which a coupon can be used, a link to a screen for setting or changing the payment method, a button for signing up for a credit card, etc.

[0054] (A) The information on the above prompting process is included in a screen that is displayed after an operation for making an electronic payment on the benefit screen is performed. As shown in FIG. 15 above, for example, when the button B5 for making a payment on the interface screen IM6 is operated, an interface screen IM8 or IM9 including the information on the prompting process may be displayed.

[0055] (B) The information on the above prompting process is included in the screen showing the details of the benefit. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the button B4 for obtaining the coupon on the interface screen IM5 is operated, the interface screen IM8 or IM9 including the information on the prompting process may be displayed.

[0056] (C) The information on the above-mentioned prompting process is included in a reward screen that is displayed in response to the user performing an operation to acquire the reward. As shown in Fig. 9 described above, for example, the information on the prompting process may be included in interface screen IM3 or IM5, which is a reward screen that is displayed in response to the user performing an operation to acquire a coupon on interface screen IM2.

[0057] In addition to the above, information such as buttons for changing or setting the payment method may be displayed at any timing within the flow from the interface screen of FIG. 8 to the interface screen of FIG.

[0058] For example, it can be expressed as follows: When the user performs an operation to acquire the benefit for which the payment method is limited on a screen (IM1 or IM2) displaying a list of the benefits, the information processing unit 160 causes the display unit to display a details screen (IM5) showing details of the benefit for which the payment method is limited. When the user performs an operation to acquire the benefit for which the payment method is limited on the details screen (operation of button B4), and the determination unit 150 refers to user information 172 (corresponding information) and determines that the payment method is not set to one that can be used for the benefit, the information processing unit 160 performs a process to prompt the payment method to be set to one that can be used for the benefit, or changes the setting to a payment method that can be used for the benefit.

[0059] When the user performs an operation to acquire the benefit for which the payment method is limited on the screen (IM1 or IM2) displaying the list of benefits, the information processing unit 160 causes the display unit to display a details screen (IM5) showing details of the benefit for which the payment method is limited. When the user performs an operation to acquire the benefit for which the payment method is limited on the details screen (operation of button B4), information (IM6) inquiring whether or not to perform the electronic payment is displayed on the display unit, and when an operation to perform the electronic payment (operation of button B5) is performed, the determination unit 150 refers to the user information 172 (compatible information) and determines that the payment method is not set to a payment method for which the benefit can be used, the information processing unit 160 performs a process of prompting the user to set the payment method to a payment method for which the benefit can be used, or changes the setting to a payment method for which the benefit can be used.

[0060] [flowchart] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. First, the payment server 100 judges whether or not the payment button has been operated via a screen for acquiring a credit card-only coupon (S100). The operation of the payment button via a screen for acquiring a coupon means, for example, the operation of the button B5 on the interface screen IM6 via the interface screen IM1, the interface screen IM2, and / or the interface screen IM5.

[0061] When the payment button is operated via a screen for acquiring a credit card-only coupon, the payment server 100 judges whether or not the payment method is set to a credit card (S102). For example, this is judged by referring to the user information 172. If it is set to a credit card, the payment server 100 applies the credit card-only coupon and executes electronic payment using the credit card (S104). For example, a user scan or a store scan is executed.

[0062] If the payment method is not set to a credit card, the payment server 100 executes a process to prompt the user to set the payment method to a payment method that allows the user to use the benefit, as described above (S106). This ends one routine of the process in this flowchart.

[0063] As described above, the payment server 100 can support the use of benefits by performing a process of prompting the user to set the payment method to a payment method that allows the user to use the benefit.

[0064] [Other examples] In the above example, a process of prompting a user who has not set a payment method to which a coupon can be applied has been described, but, for example, the payment server 100 may display an interface screen on the display unit indicating that a payment method to which a coupon can be applied will be used before executing electronic payment, regardless of the payment method set by the user. For example, when the Proceed to Payment button B5 is operated, the above interface screen may be displayed, and when the user performs an operation to make a payment with a payment method to which a coupon can be applied, electronic payment may be performed with the payment method to which the coupon can be applied. This allows the user to easily use a coupon.

[0065] [Electronic payment after receiving rewards] In the above example, a case has been described in which payment is made via a screen for acquiring a coupon, but a case will now be described in which, after acquiring a coupon, payment is not made and the coupon is used later.

[0066] When a coupon is acquired, the acquired coupon is associated with the user's identification information in the benefit information 173 of the user information 172. The coupon is then displayed on a list screen of the acquired coupons in response to the user's operation. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the coupon list screen. The coupon list screen includes points that have been acquired by using coupons up to now, a button for narrowing down to credit card-only coupons, and the coupons that have been acquired. By operating the button for use associated with the coupon, a store scan or user scan is performed to make an electronic payment using the coupon.

[0067] The payment server 100 reads the code information of the store where the electronic payment service is available by the user's terminal device, and obtains payment information including the payment amount, the user's identification information, and the store's identification information included in the code information from the user's terminal device, or reads the user's code information presented by the user by the store's terminal device, and obtains payment information including the payment amount, the store's identification information, and the user's identification information included in the code information from the store's terminal device. When the determination unit 150 of the payment server 100 refers to the user information 172 (corresponding information) according to the payment information and determines that the payment method is not set to a payment method that can use the benefit, the information processing unit 160 performs a process of prompting the payment method to be set to a payment method that can use the benefit, or changes the setting to a payment method that can use the benefit.

[0068] The information processing unit 160 of the payment server 100 refers to the benefit information 173 in which the identification information of the user is associated with a plurality of benefits available to the user, and determines a benefit to be used with the payment information from among the plurality of benefits based on a predetermined rule. When the determination unit 150 of the payment server 100 refers to the correspondence information according to the payment information and the determined benefit and determines that the payment method is not set as a payment method that can use the benefit, the information processing unit 160 performs a process of prompting the payment method to be set as a payment method that can use the benefit, or changes the setting to a payment method that can use the benefit. The rule is a rule used in the process of S204 in FIG. 19 described later. The flow of the process will be described below.

[0069] [Flowchart (User Scan)] Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. The payment server 100 judges whether or not a user scan has been performed (S200). If a user scan has been performed, the payment server 100 judges whether or not the user has a coupon that can be used at the affiliated store (S202). If the user does not have a coupon that can be used at the affiliated store, the processing of one routine of this flowchart ends.

[0070] If the user has a coupon that can be used at the affiliated store, the payment server 100 determines the coupon to be applied (S204). The coupon to be applied is, for example, the coupon that is most advantageous to the user or the coupon with the nearest expiration date. For example, if there are multiple coupons that are most advantageous to the user, the coupon with the nearest expiration date may be determined to be the coupon to be applied. The coupon to be applied is determined according to the above rules or other predetermined rules.

[0071] Next, the payment server 100 judges whether the coupon to be applied is a credit card-only coupon (S206). If it is not a credit card-only coupon, the processing of one routine of this flowchart ends. In this case, for example, electronic payment is made using a preset payment method, or a change or suggestion to change to a payment method that can use the determined coupon is made, and electronic payment is made.

[0072] If the coupon is for a credit card only coupon, the payment server 100 judges whether the payment method is set to a credit card (S208). If the payment method is set to a credit card, the payment server 100 executes electronic payment using the credit card (S210). If the payment method is not set to a credit card, a predetermined process is executed (S212).

[0073] The predetermined processing is a processing to prompt the user to set the payment method to a payment method that can use a coupon (benefit), or a processing to change the setting to a payment method that can use a coupon (benefit). The predetermined processing is, for example, providing an interface screen suggesting credit card membership when the user has not registered a credit card with the electronic payment service, or providing an interface screen for setting the payment method to credit when the user has registered a credit card with the electronic payment service. Also, when the user has registered a credit card with the electronic payment service, providing an interface screen for setting the credit card payment method to be used preferentially, or an interface screen for setting to change the priority of the credit card payment method. This ends the processing of one routine of this flowchart.

[0074] As described above, when the payment server 100 determines in a user scan that the payment method is not set to one that can use the benefit, it can assist in the use of the benefit by prompting the payment method to be set to one that can use the benefit, or by changing the setting to a payment method that can use the benefit.

[0075] [Flowchart (Store Scan)] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. The payment server 100 judges whether or not a store scan has been performed (S300). If a store scan has been performed, the payment server 100 judges whether or not the user has a coupon that can be used at the affiliated store (S302). If the user does not have a coupon that can be used at the affiliated store, the processing of one routine of this flowchart ends.

[0076] If the user has a coupon that can be used at the affiliated store, the payment server 100 determines the coupon to be applied (S304). The coupon to be applied is determined in the same manner as in FIG.

[0077] Next, the payment server 100 judges whether the coupon to be applied is a credit card-only coupon (S306). If it is not a credit card-only coupon, the processing of one routine of this flowchart ends. In this case, for example, electronic payment is made using a preset payment method, or a change or suggestion to change to a payment method that can use the determined coupon is made, and electronic payment is made.

[0078] If it is a credit card-only coupon, the payment server 100 performs electronic payment using a credit card (S308). If it is a credit card-only coupon, the payment server 100 may provide an interface screen suggesting credit card membership if the user has not registered a credit card in the electronic payment service. If the user has registered a credit card in the electronic payment service, the payment server 100 may provide an interface screen inquiring whether to set the payment method to credit. If the user has registered a credit card in the electronic payment service, an interface screen for setting the credit card payment method to be used preferentially, or an interface screen for setting to change the priority of the credit card payment method, may be provided. For example, the electronic payment of the store scan may be temporarily suspended so that the user can use the credit card-only coupon, and the above interface screen may be used to support the user to use the credit card-only coupon. This ends the processing of one routine of this flowchart.

[0079] As described above, when the payment server 100 determines in the store scan that the payment method is not set to one that can use the benefit, it can assist in the use of the benefit by prompting the payment method to be set to one that can use the benefit, or by changing the setting to a payment method that can use the benefit.

[0080] In each of the above flowcharts, an example has been described in which it is determined whether the coupon is a credit card-only coupon and processing is performed according to the determination result. However, if the coupon is a coupon limited to another payment method, the credit card-only coupon in the above processing can be appropriately replaced with the desired payment method-only coupon and applied.

[0081] According to the embodiment described above, the payment server 100 can improve user convenience by assisting in the use of benefits by prompting the user to set the payment method to a payment method that can use benefits, or by changing the setting to a payment method that can use benefits.

[0082] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 User terminal device 20. Payment App 100 Payment Server 120 Contents Provider 130 Payment processing unit 140 Information Management Department (Acquisition Department) 150 Judgment section 160 Information Processing Section (Processing Section)

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that a user has performed an operation to acquire a privilege that can be used for electronic payment provided by the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit and that can be applied to electronic payment using a credit card that can be used with the electronic payment service, and identification information of the user; a processing unit that displays, in response to the operation, a payment method to which the benefit is applicable on the display unit; The payment method to which the benefit is applicable is a credit card, When the credit card is not associated with the identification information of the user managed by the electronic payment service in response to the operation, the processing unit causes the display unit to display information for informing the user of the application for the credit card. Information processing device.

2. the processing unit refers to correspondence information in which information indicating whether a credit card is registered is associated with the identification information of the user managed by the electronic payment service, and determines whether the credit card is registered. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that a user has performed an operation to acquire a benefit that can be used for electronic payment provided by the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit, and identification information of the user; a processing unit that displays, in response to the operation, a payment method to which the benefit is applicable on the display unit; If the payment method to which the above benefits are applied is a credit card, the processing unit causes the display unit to display a button for displaying the payment method and the credit card information of the user; the processing unit refers to correspondence information in which information indicating whether the credit card is registered is associated with the identification information of the user managed by the electronic payment service, and changes a screen to be displayed on the display unit after the button is operated according to a result of the reference. Information processing device.

4. the processing unit, when the button is operated and the user has not registered a credit card that can be used in the electronic payment service, causes the display unit to display a guide to registering for the credit card. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The computer A process of acquiring information indicating that a user has performed an operation to acquire a privilege that can be used for electronic payment provided by the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit and that can be applied to electronic payment using a credit card that can be used with the electronic payment service, and identification information of the user; In response to the operation, a process of displaying on the display unit a payment method to which the benefit is applicable; The payment method to which the benefit is applicable is a credit card, a process of displaying information on the display unit to guide the user to apply for the credit card when the credit card is not associated with the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service in response to the operation; The information processing method to be performed.

6. On the computer, A process of acquiring information indicating that a user has performed an operation to acquire a privilege that can be used for electronic payment provided by the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit and that can be applied to electronic payment using a credit card that can be used with the electronic payment service, and identification information of the user; and executing a process of displaying, on the display unit, a payment method to which the benefit is applicable in response to the operation; The payment method to which the benefit is applicable is a credit card, a process of displaying information on the display unit to guide the user to apply for the credit card when the credit card is not associated with the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service in response to the operation; The program to be executed.

7. The computer A process of acquiring information indicating that a user has performed an operation to acquire a benefit that can be used for electronic payment provided by the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit, and identification information of the user; In response to the operation, a process of displaying on the display unit a payment method to which the benefit is applicable; If the payment method to which the above benefits are applied is a credit card, a process of displaying on the display unit a button for displaying the user's credit card information together with the payment method; a process of referring to correspondence information in which information indicating whether the credit card is registered is associated with the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, and changing a screen to be displayed on the display unit after the button is operated according to a result of the reference; An information processing method for performing the above.

8. On the computer, A process of acquiring information indicating that a user has performed an operation to acquire a benefit that can be used for electronic payment provided by the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit, and identification information of the user; and executing a process of displaying, on the display unit, a payment method to which the benefit is applicable in response to the operation; If the payment method to which the above benefits are applied is a credit card, a process of displaying on the display unit a button for displaying the user's credit card information together with the payment method; a process of referring to correspondence information in which information indicating whether the credit card is registered is associated with the user's identification information managed by the electronic payment service, and changing a screen to be displayed on the display unit after the button is operated according to a result of the reference; A program that executes the following.

Images