Usage Fee Reduction Method and Usage Fee Reduction Device

Abstract

To offer a return suitable for a user who uses a financial service or an electronic settlement service as a set, in addition to a communication service.SOLUTION: A usage fee returning method includes: storing information on a user who subscribes to a communication service provided by a communication carrier (S801); storing information on a user who subscribes to a financial service (S802, S803); storing information on a user who subscribes to an electronic settlement service (S804); determining whether or not the user who subscribes to the communication service subscribes to the financial service, and returning, on condition that the user is determined to have a subscription to the financial service, electronic money or points available in the electronic settlement service, as a return for a usage fee for the communication service (S809, S810).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a usage fee reduction method and a usage fee reduction device, and particularly to a usage fee reduction method and a usage fee reduction device for reducing the usage fee of communication services.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a service that reduces points at a variable reduction rate with respect to the settlement amount of a credit card or the like (for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, using the credit card usage history of the credit card user during the target period of the reduction rate, etc., reaction information of the user with respect to the reduction rate is acquired, and the reduction rate is set from the reaction information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, communication carriers that provide communication services such as voice calls and data communication provide not only communication services but also financial services such as credit cards and electronic payment services such as QR code (registered trademark) settlement as exemplified in Patent Document 1.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, since the reduction is limited to the use of a credit card, only the points reduced at the time of using the credit card can be used, and the usage is limited. In recent years, the number of users who use not only communication services but also financial services and electronic payment services in a set has been increasing, but the reduction has not been appropriate for users who use communication services, financial services, and electronic payment services in a set.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a usage fee reduction method and a usage fee reduction device capable of performing appropriate reduction for users who use a set of communication services, financial services, and electronic payment services.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The usage fee reduction method of the present invention includes storing information of users who subscribe to communication services provided by a communication carrier, storing information of users who subscribe to financial services provided by the communication carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, storing information of users who subscribe to electronic payment services provided by the communication carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, determining whether a user who subscribes to communication services also subscribes to financial services, and reducing electronic money or points available for use in the electronic payment service as a reduction for the usage fee of the communication service on the condition that it is determined that the user subscribes to financial services.

[0008] In addition, the usage fee reduction device of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores information of users who subscribe to communication services provided by a communication carrier, information indicating whether a user subscribes to financial services provided by the communication carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, and information indicating whether a user subscribes to electronic payment services provided by the communication carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, and a control unit that determines whether a user who subscribes to communication services also subscribes to financial services, and determines to reduce electronic money or points available for use in the electronic payment service as a reduction for the usage fee of the communication service on the condition that it is determined that the user subscribes to financial services.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a reduction suitable for users who use a set of communication services, financial services, and electronic payment services.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described here, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0012] <Usage Fee Reduction System 1> Referring to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the usage fee reduction system 1 that reduces the usage fee related to communication services such as voice call services and data communication services provided by a communication carrier to the users of the communication services will be described. The usage fee reduction system 1 includes a communication service server 10, a credit card server 20, a bank account server 30, an electronic payment server 40, and a securities server 50.

[0013] The communication service server 10 is a server of a communication carrier that provides communication services. The communication service server 10 stores information of users who subscribe to the communication services provided by the communication carrier. The communication service server 10 is an example of the usage fee reduction device of the present invention.

[0014] The credit card server 20 is a server of a business operator that is either the communication carrier or a business operator having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, and provides financial services such as credit cards and debit cards (card operator). The credit card server 20 stores information of users who subscribe to credit card and debit card services.

[0015] The bank account server 30 is a server of a business operator that is either the communication carrier or a business operator having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, and provides financial services such as banking (bank). The bank account server 30 stores information of users who open accounts with the bank.

[0016] The electronic payment server 40 is a server of a business operator that is either the communication carrier or a business operator having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, and provides electronic payment services (electronic payment operator). The electronic payment service includes an electronic payment service using short-range wireless communication (NFC or Felica) of a communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or an electronic payment service using code information (for example, barcode, QR code (registered trademark)) displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal or code information read by the communication terminal 60. The electronic payment server 40 stores information of users who subscribe to the electronic payment service.

[0017] The securities server 50 is a server of a business operator that is either the communication carrier or a business operator having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, and deals with securities (stock certificates, investment trusts, etc.) (securities company). The securities server 50 stores information of users who open accounts with the securities company.

[0018] The servers 10 to 50 described above are communicably connected to each other via a network such as a dedicated line. Further, the communication service server 10 and the electronic payment server 40 are communicably connected to the communication terminals 60 of users who subscribe to the communication service and users who subscribe to the electronic payment service via a network such as the Internet.

[0019] (Communication service server 10) Referring to FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the control unit 200 of the communication service server 10 will be described. The control unit 200 includes a processor 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary storage unit 203, a communication interface 204 (hereinafter abbreviated as interface I / F), an input / output I / F 205, and a bus 206 that communicatively connects each of the above-described modules. The processor 201 is a central processing unit that controls the operations of each part of the communication service server 10. The processor 201 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. The processor 201 expands the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into an executable working area in the main memory unit 202. The main memory unit 202 stores programs executed by the processor 201, data processed by the processor, and the like. The main memory unit 202 is a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The auxiliary storage unit 203 stores various programs such as an OS (Operating System) and various data. The auxiliary storage unit 203 of the present embodiment stores a user information management DB 210 that stores information of users who subscribe to the communication service. The auxiliary storage unit 203 is, for example, a solid state drive device (SSD: Solid State Drive), a hard disk (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) device, or a combination thereof. The communication I / F 204 is a device for connecting the communication service server 10 to a network such as a LAN, and is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller) or the like. The input / output I / F 205 is a device controller or the like that performs input / output of data with input / output devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a display connected to the communication service server 10.

[0020] The communication service server 10 functions as a web server and displays various information about the communication service to which the user subscribes (e.g., subscription plan name, monthly fee, data usage (or remaining data)) on the web browser of the communication terminal (e.g., smartphone, tablet) of the user who subscribes to the communication service.

[0021] Since the hardware configurations of the credit card server 20, the bank account server 30, the electronic payment server 40, and the securities server 50 are substantially the same as those of the above-described communication service server 10, their descriptions are omitted.

[0022] (Communication service subscriber information 300) Referring to FIG. 3, the details of the information (communication service subscriber information 300) of the user who subscribes to the communication service stored in the user information management DB 210 of the communication service server 10 will be described.

[0023] The communication service subscriber information 300 has a user ID 301, user information 302, a telephone number 303, a subscription plan 304, a subscription date 305, a card subscription status 306, a bank account opening status 307, a pay subscription status 308, and a payment method 309.

[0024] The user ID 301 is an identification number for uniquely identifying the user who subscribes to the communication service.

[0025] The user information 302 is information of the user who subscribes to the communication service and includes, for example, name, age, gender, address, etc.

[0026] The telephone number 303 is the telephone number for subscribing to the subscription plan described later.

[0027] The subscription plan 304 is the subscription plan to which the phone number 303 subscribes. The telecommunications carrier offers various tariff plans with different data usage amounts, etc. However, the plans eligible for the cashback in this embodiment are limited to a predetermined plan (for example, "Plan XX"). For example, this predetermined plan is a plan with unlimited data capacity, and its monthly fee is a fixed amount. The monthly fee of the predetermined plan may also be a variable amount that varies according to the data usage amount and call time. Further, the predetermined plan may be a plan with a usage limit on the data capacity, and the plans eligible for this cashback are not limited to its content.

[0028] The subscription date 305 is information indicating the date of subscribing to the subscription plan.

[0029] The card subscription status 306 is information indicating whether a telecommunications carrier or a card issuer having a predetermined relationship with the telecommunications carrier issues a predetermined credit card. This information is provided by the credit card server 20.

[0030] The bank account opening status 307 is information indicating whether a bank account of a telecommunications carrier or a bank having a predetermined relationship with the telecommunications carrier is opened. This information is provided by the bank account server 30.

[0031] The pay subscription status 308 is information indicating whether a user subscribes to an electronic payment service provided by a telecommunications carrier or an electronic payment provider having a predetermined relationship with the telecommunications carrier. This information is provided by the electronic payment server 40.

[0032] The payment method 309 is information indicating a method for paying the monthly fee (usage fee) required for the subscribed subscription plan. The user can pay the usage fee by a payment method such as a credit card or account debit, for example.

[0033] (Credit card subscriber information 400) Referring to FIG. 4, the details of the information of the user who subscribes to a credit card or the like (credit card subscriber information 400) stored in the credit card server 20 will be described.

[0034] The credit card subscriber information 400 has a user ID 401, user information 402, card type 403, issue date 404, account number 405, limit amount 406, reduction rate 407, and held points 408, and transaction history 409.

[0035] The user ID 401 is an identification number for uniquely identifying the user who issues the credit card. This user ID 401 may be the same number as the above-described user ID 301, or may be a number associated with the user ID 301.

[0036] The user information 402 is information of the user who issues the credit card, and includes, for example, name, age, gender, address, and the like.

[0037] The card type 403 is information indicating the type (grade) of the credit card to be subscribed.

[0038] The issue date 404 is information indicating the date when the credit card was issued.

[0039] The account number 405 is information indicating the account number of the bank from which the settlement amount settled by the credit card is debited. The account number 405 includes a bank code for identifying the bank, a branch code for identifying the branch, and the account number.

[0040] The limit amount 406 is information indicating the monthly settlement limit amount set for each credit card.

[0041] The reduction rate 407 is information indicating the reduction rate of points given according to the settlement amount on the credit card.

[0042] The remaining points 408 are information indicating the remaining number of points granted according to the amount settled with a credit card or points granted in a campaign or the like.

[0043] The transaction history 409 is information indicating the history of settlements using a credit card.

[0044] (Bank account opening user information 500) Referring to FIG. 5, the details of the information of the user who opens a bank account (bank account opening user information 500) stored in the bank account server 30 will be described.

[0045] The bank account opening user information 500 has a user ID 501, user information 502, account type 503, account opening date 504, balance 505, and transaction history 506.

[0046] The user ID 501 is an identification number for uniquely identifying the user who opens a bank account. This user ID 501 may be the same number as the above-described user ID 301 or the like, or may be a number linked to the user ID 301 or the like.

[0047] The user information 502 is information of the user who opens a bank account and includes, for example, name, age, gender, address, and the like.

[0048] The account type 503 is information indicating the type of bank account to be opened (ordinary, current).

[0049] The account opening date 504 is information indicating the date on which the bank account was opened.

[0050] The balance 505 is information indicating the balance of the opened bank account.

[0051] The transaction history 506 is information indicating the history of deposits and withdrawals in the bank account.

[0052] (Electronic payment user information 600) Referring to FIG. 6, the details of the information of the user (electronic payment user information 600) who subscribes to the electronic payment service stored in the electronic payment server 40 will be described.

[0053] The electronic payment user information 600 has a user ID 601, user information 602, a subscription date 603, a balance 604, held points 605, a registered card 606, and a transaction history 607.

[0054] The user ID 601 is an identification number for uniquely identifying the user who subscribes to the electronic payment service. This user ID 601 may be the same number as the above-described user ID 301, etc., or may be a number linked to the user ID 301, etc.

[0055] The user information 602 is information of the user who subscribes to the electronic payment service, and includes, for example, name, age, gender, address, etc.

[0056] The subscription date 603 is information indicating the date when the user subscribed to the electronic payment service.

[0057] The balance 604 is the electronic money charged by the user to the electronic payment service and is the available balance for use in the electronic payment service.

[0058] The held points 605 are points available for use in the electronic payment service. These held points 605 may be points of the type given in response to credit card payment, or may be points of a different type from that type. When the held points 605 are points of the type given in response to credit card payment, the electronic payment server 40 acquires the information of the held points 408 of the credit card linked to the user ID 601 from the credit card server 20 and sets it as the held points 605.

[0059] The registration card 606 contains information about the credit card registered for the electronic payment service. With the electronic payment service, it is possible to make payments from the charged balance or the registered credit card. When making a payment with a credit card, the credit card information registered on the registration card 606 is used for the payment.

[0060] The transaction history 607 is information indicating the history of payments made using the electronic payment service and the history of charges to the electronic payment service.

[0061] (Securities account opening user information 700) Referring to FIG. 7, the details of the information of the user (securities account opening user information 700) who opens an account with the securities company stored in the securities server 50 will be described.

[0062] The securities account opening user information 700 includes a user ID 701, user information 702, account type 703, account opening date 704, held products 705, balance 706, and transaction history 707.

[0063] The user ID 701 is an identification number for uniquely identifying the user who opens the securities account. This user ID 701 may be the same number as the above-mentioned user ID 301 etc., or may be a number linked to the user ID 301 etc.

[0064] The user information 702 is information about the user who opens the securities account, and includes, for example, name, age, gender, address, etc.

[0065] The account type 703 is information indicating the type of the securities account to be opened (NISA, specific, general, etc.).

[0066] The account opening date 704 is information indicating the date when the securities account was opened.

[0067] The held products 705 are information about the securities held by the user.

[0068] The balance 706 is information indicating the balance of the opened securities account.

[0069] The transaction history 707 is information indicating the deposit / withdrawal history and securities trading history, etc. in the securities account.

[0070] <Fee reduction method in the usage fee reduction system 1> Referring to FIG. 8, the reduction (cashback) of the usage fee for the communication service in the usage fee reduction system 1 will be described.

[0071] (S801: Storage of communication service subscribing user information 300) The communication service server 10 stores information (communication service subscribing user information 300) of users who subscribe to the communication service provided by the communication carrier. For example, a person who intends to subscribe to the communication service applies for subscription to the communication service at a window or online operated by the communication carrier. The communication service server 10 stores various information of the communication service subscribing user information 300 according to the subscription application to the communication service. Also, the communication service server 10 updates various information of the communication service subscribing user information 300 according to an information update request. For example, when there is a new subscription to a credit card, the communication service server 10 receives an update request from the credit card server 20 and updates the card subscription status 306 associated with the user ID 301 of the user who newly subscribed to the credit card. Also, when there is a new opening of a bank account, the communication service server 10 receives an update request from the bank account server 30 and updates the bank account opening status 307 associated with the user ID 301 of the user who newly opened the bank account. Also, when there is a new subscription to an electronic payment service, the communication service server 10 receives an update request from the electronic payment server 40 and updates the pay subscription status 308 associated with the user ID 301 of the user who newly subscribed to the electronic payment service.

[0072] (S802: Storage of credit card subscribing user information 400) The credit card server 20 stores information of users (credit card subscribing user information 400) who issue credit cards provided by a communications carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communications carrier. For example, a person who intends to issue the credit card applies for subscribing to the credit card on the website of the credit card company, at a storefront, or by mail. The credit card server 20 stores various information of the credit card subscribing user information 400 according to the application for subscribing to the credit card. Further, the credit card server 20 updates various information of the credit card subscribing user information 400 according to a request for information update.

[0073] (S803: Storage of bank account opening user information 500) The bank account server 30 stores information of users (bank account opening user information 500) who open bank accounts with a communications carrier or a carrier (bank) having a predetermined relationship with the communications carrier. For example, a person who intends to open the bank account applies for opening the bank account on the website of the bank, at a storefront, or by mail. The bank account server 30 stores various information of the bank account opening user information 500 according to the application for opening the account. Further, the bank account server 30 updates various information of the bank account opening user information 500 according to a request for information update.

[0074] (S804: Storage of electronic payment user information 600) The electronic payment server 40 stores information of users (electronic payment user information 600) who subscribe to an electronic payment service provided by a communications carrier or a carrier (electronic payment company) having a predetermined relationship with the communications carrier. For example, a person who intends to subscribe to the electronic payment service downloads an application related to the electronic payment service (hereinafter referred to as an electronic payment application) to a communication terminal such as the user's smartphone, and applies for subscribing to the electronic payment service on the electronic payment application. The electronic payment server 40 stores various information of the electronic payment user information 600 according to the application for subscribing to the electronic payment service. Further, the electronic payment server 40 updates various information of the electronic payment user information 600 according to a request for information update.

[0075] (S805: Provision of Credit Card Enrollment Information) When there is a new credit card enrollment, the credit card server 20 sends an update request to the communication service server 10. The update request includes the user ID 401 as the card enrollment information. The communication service server 10 updates the card enrollment status 306 of the user ID 301 that matches the user ID 401 according to the received update request.

[0076] (S806: Provision of Bank Account Opening Information) When there is a new bank account opening, the bank account server 30 sends an update request to the communication service server 10. The update request includes the user ID 501 as the bank account opening information. The communication service server 10 updates the bank account opening status 307 of the user ID 301 that matches the user ID 501 according to the received update request.

[0077] (S807: Provision of E-payment Service Enrollment Information) When there is a new enrollment in the e-payment service, the e-payment server 40 sends an update request to the communication service server 10. The update request includes the user ID 601 and information identifying the user's account registered in the e-payment application as the e-payment service enrollment information. The communication service server 10 updates the pay enrollment status 308 of the user ID 301 that matches the user ID 601 according to the received update request.

[0078] (S808: Payment Method Setting) Subscribers to the communication service can set the payment method for the usage fee of the communication service. For example, subscribers to the communication service can set a credit card or a bank account as the payment method for the usage fee (monthly fee) of the communication service online or at a service counter. When a credit card provided by the communication carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier is set as the payment method, the communication service server 10 provides information related to the credit card set in the credit card server 20. Also, when a bank account of the communication carrier or a carrier (bank) having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier is set as the payment method, the communication service server 10 provides information related to the bank account set in the bank account server 30.

[0079] (S809: Cashback calculation) The communication service server 10 calculates the amount of cashback for the usage fee of the communication service. Details of S809 will be described later. This cashback calculation (S809) may be executed, for example, at the end of each month, or at other timings.

[0080] (S810: Cashback execution) The communication service server 10 executes the cashback for the amount calculated in S809. The communication service server 10 notifies the electronic payment server 40 of the amount calculated in S809. Details of S810 will be described later.

[0081] (S811: Cashback) The electronic payment server 40 performs a process of adding the amount of cashback notified in S810 to the balance 604 of the account registered in the electronic payment application. Also, the electronic payment server 40 may notify the electronic payment application registered in the communication terminal 60 that the cashback has been executed. The electronic payment application can display the amount of cashback and the account balance to which the cashback amount has been added.

[0082] (S812: Point-back calculation) The credit card server 20 calculates the number of point backs for payments made with a credit card. This point back calculation (S812) may be executed, for example, for each payment, or at other timings. Then, the credit card server 20 adds the number of point backs to the current number of held points to update the held points 408. The credit card server 20 calculates the number of points at a reduction rate (see the card type 403 and the reduction rate 407 in FIG. 4) set according to the type of credit card with respect to, for example, the amount of payment made with the credit card. Further, in the present embodiment, the credit card server 20 may give points obtained by multiplying the amount of payment for the usage fee of the communication service by a predetermined reduction rate to a user who is a subscriber of a predetermined plan of the communication service and who has set the credit card as a payment method.

[0083] (S813: Point back calculation) The communication service server 10 calculates the number of point backs for payments for the usage fee of the communication service made with a credit card. In the present embodiment, the communication service server 10 calculates the number of points corresponding to the amount of payment for the usage fee of the communication service (for example, points of usage fee × 10%). The calculated number of point backs is notified to the credit card server 20. This 10% is an example, and other reduction rates may be used, or the reduction rate may vary for a limited period. Also, this point back calculation (S813) may be calculated by the credit card server 20 based on the usage fee of the communication service.

[0084] (S814: Provision of held points) The credit card server 20 provides the updated held points 408 to the electronic payment server 40. The electronic payment server 40 may display the held points 408 on the electronic payment application of the communication terminal 60.

[0085] (Details of cash back calculation (S809)) Referring to FIG. 9, the details of the cashback calculation (S809) in FIG. 8 will be described. Each process in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed, for example, when the processor 201 of the communication service server 10 reads and executes a cashback calculation program. This flowchart is executed for each user ID who subscribes to the plan targeted for this cashback.

[0086] The communication service server 10 determines whether it is the time to calculate the cashback (S901). The time to calculate the cashback is, for example, the end of the month, but it may be other timings.

[0087] When the communication service server 10 determines that it is the time to calculate the cashback (S901: Yes), it determines whether the user has issued a predetermined credit card (subscribed to the financial service) (S902). Specifically, the communication service server 10 refers to the communication service subscription user information 300 and determines whether the user has issued a predetermined credit card from the card subscription status 306 of the user ID 301 of the user. The predetermined credit card is, for example, a credit card issued by a communication carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier and is the credit card targeted for this cashback.

[0088] When the communication service server 10 determines that the user has issued a predetermined credit card (S902: Yes), it sets the variable CB1 = 300 (S903), and when it determines that the user has not issued a predetermined credit card (S902: No), it sets the variable CB1 = 0 (S904). The variable CB1 indicates the cashback for the subscription of the predetermined credit card, and its value indicates the cashback amount. Note that this cashback amount is not limited to 300 and may be a predetermined amount (or a predetermined number in the case of point back) or a variable amount for the usage fee of the communication service.

[0089] Next, the communication service server 10 determines whether the user has opened a predetermined bank account (subscribed to a financial service) (S905). Specifically, the communication service server 10 refers to the communication service subscriber information 300 and determines whether the user has opened a predetermined bank account based on the bank account opening status 307 of the user ID 301 of the user. The predetermined bank account is, for example, a bank account opened by a communication carrier or a carrier (bank) having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier and is the target bank account for this cashback.

[0090] If the communication service server 10 determines that the user has opened a predetermined bank account (S905: Yes), it sets the variable CB2 = 300 (S906). If it determines that the user has not opened a predetermined bank account (S905: No), it sets the variable CB2 = 0 (S907). The variable CB2 indicates the cashback for the opening of a predetermined bank account, and its value indicates the cashback amount. Note that this cashback amount is not limited to 300 and may be a predetermined amount for the communication service usage fee (or a predetermined number in the case of point back) or a variable amount.

[0091] Next, the communication service server 10 determines whether the user has set a predetermined payment method (set a financial service) as the payment method for the usage fee (S908). Specifically, the communication service server 10 refers to the communication service subscriber information 300 and determines whether the user has set a predetermined credit card or a predetermined bank account as the payment method based on the payment method 309 of the user ID 301 of the user.

[0092] When the communication service server 10 determines that the user has set a predetermined payment method (S908: Yes), it sets the variable CB3 = 200 (S909). When it determines that the user has not set a predetermined payment method (S908: No), it sets the variable CB3 = 0 (S910). The variable CB3 indicates the cashback for the setting of the predetermined payment method, and its value indicates the cashback amount. Note that this cashback amount is not limited to 200, and may be a predetermined amount (or a predetermined number in the case of point back) or a variable amount for the usage fee of the communication service.

[0093] Then, the communication service server 10 calculates CB by summing up the above-mentioned C1, C2, and C3 (S911). The communication service server 10 decides to cash back the calculated cashback amount as a reduction for the usage fee of the communication service. CB indicates the total cashback for the usage fee of the communication service provided by the communication carrier. Note that the above-mentioned cashback amount is appropriately set within a range not exceeding the legally acceptable upper limit such as the Premium Display Law.

[0094] (Details of Cashback Execution (S810)) FIG. 10 illustrates the details of the cashback execution (S810) in FIG. 8. Each process in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is executed, for example, when the processor 201 of the communication service server 10 reads and executes the cashback execution program. This flowchart is executed for each user ID who subscribes to the plan targeted by this cashback.

[0095] The communication service server 10 determines whether it is at the time of reduction for executing cashback (S1001). At the time of reduction for executing cashback, it is the timing after the calculation of the above-mentioned cashback, for example, within a month, but it may be other timings. For example, (1) at the end of the month, after the usage fee (monthly fee) of the communication service for the current month is determined and the creditor-debtor relationship has occurred regarding the payment of the usage fee, (2) it is determined whether the conditions of the above-mentioned cashback are met on the condition determination date (for example, the middle of the next month), (3) when the payment (account debit) of the usage fee (monthly fee) of the communication service is made, (4) the cashback associated with the achievement of the cashback conditions is executed. Note that even if there is no payment of the usage fee (monthly fee) in (3), the cashback may be executed. The cashback executed without the payment of the usage fee (monthly fee) may not be reversed, or may be reversed if there is no payment even after a certain period has passed.

[0096] When the communication service server 10 determines that it is at the time of reduction for executing cashback (S1001: Yes), it determines whether the user has completed the registration for joining a predetermined electronic payment service (S1002). Specifically, the communication service server 10 refers to the communication service subscriber information 300 and determines whether the user has completed the registration for joining a predetermined electronic payment service from the pay joining status 308 of the user ID 301 of the user. The predetermined electronic payment service is, for example, an electronic payment service provided by a communication carrier or a carrier in a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, and is the electronic payment service targeted for this cashback.

[0097] When the communication service server 10 determines that the user has completed the registration for joining a predetermined electronic payment service (S1002: Yes), it notifies the electronic payment server 40 of the cashback amount (S1003). The cashback amount is the value of CB calculated in S911 of FIG. 9.

[0098] When the communication service server 10 determines that the user has not completed the registration for subscribing to a predetermined electronic payment service (S1002: No), this flow ends. Note that the communication service server 10 may notify the electronic payment server 40 of the cashback amount when the registration for subscribing to the electronic payment service is completed.

[0099] (Display screen of communication terminal 60) Referring to FIG. 11, various screens displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal 60 will be described.

[0100] FIG. 11(a) is a screen for using the electronic payment service (electronic payment usage screen 1110). The electronic payment usage screen 1110 is displayed by the electronic payment application installed in the communication terminal 60. The electronic payment usage screen 1110 displays a one-dimensional code 1111 and a two-dimensional code 1112 that are read by the barcode reader of the store at the time of electronic payment, the remaining balance 1113 of the electronic money available for electronic payment, the points 1114 available for electronic payment, and a privilege status confirmation button 1115. The privilege status confirmation button 1115 is a button for displaying a screen (FIGS. 11(b) and (c)) for confirming the status of the reduction of the usage fee of the communication service.

[0101] FIGS. 11(b) and (c) are screens for confirming the status of the reduction of the usage fee of the communication service (reduction status confirmation screen 1120). The reduction status confirmation screen 1120 displays the cashback status for subscribers of a predetermined plan of the communication service. Subscribers of the predetermined plan can receive the joining privileges of a predetermined credit card, the opening privileges of a predetermined bank account, and the setting privileges of a predetermined payment method. The reduction status confirmation screen 1120 displays an item 1121 indicating the achievement status of the joining privileges of a predetermined credit card, an item 1122 indicating the achievement status of the opening privileges of a predetermined bank account, and an item 1123 indicating the achievement status of the setting privileges of a predetermined payment method.

[0102] If a bonus, opening bonus, or setting bonus is achieved, as shown in Fig. 11(c), the items related to the achieved bonus and the items related to the unachieved bonus are distinguished and displayed. In the example of Fig. 11(c), the items 1121 and 1122 related to the achieved bonus are grayed out and the message "Achieved" is displayed.

[0103] The above items 1121 to 1123 may be buttons linked to a web page for applying to achieve each bonus. For example, item 1121 may be a button linked to a web page for applying to join a predetermined credit card, item 1122 may be a button linked to a web page for opening a predetermined bank account, and item 1123 may be a web page for setting up payment of the usage fee for a communication service.

[0104] (Effect of this embodiment) In this embodiment, it is possible to implement a reduction suitable for users who use financial services (credit cards, bank accounts) and electronic payment services as a set, not just communication services.

[0105] Also, in this embodiment, a user who subscribes to a predetermined plan of a communication service can receive a reduction just by subscribing to a financial service (issuing a credit card or opening a bank account). That is, in this embodiment, even if a user subscribes to a financial service and does not set the financial service as a payment method for the communication service usage fee, the user can receive a reduction. Therefore, even in a case where a user subscribes to a financial service but cannot set the financial service as a payment method for the communication service for some reason, a reduction suitable for the user can be given. Note that if the financial service is set as a payment method for the communication service, a further reduction can be received.

[0106] In this embodiment, the rebate conditional on subscription to the financial service is given in the form of electronic money, and the rebate for payment using the financial service (credit card) is given in the form of points. This allows the user to enjoy two types of rebates (cashback and pointback) with different scopes of use.

[0107] In addition, in this embodiment, a specified amount of rebate can be received on the condition that the user subscribes to the financial service, and rebate for payment of the usage fee for communication services using the financial service (credit card) can be received in the form of pay-as-you-go points.

[0108] (Modification) Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the embodiments are merely illustrative of the specific examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0109] For example, in the above embodiment, electronic money is returned as a refund for the usage fee of the communication service on condition of joining the financial service (issuing a credit card, opening a bank account), but points may be returned. Also, in the above embodiment, a predetermined amount (fixed amount) of electronic money is returned (cash back), but electronic money or points may be returned in an amount multiplied by a predetermined refund rate.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the signing-up privilege and setting privilege of a credit card are described, but the credit card may be a debit card.

[0111] In addition, the business operator having a predetermined relationship with the telecommunications business operator in the above-mentioned embodiment may be an operator that has a business partnership with the telecommunications business operator, or an operator that has a capital relationship with the telecommunications business operator.

[0112] In addition, the credit card server 20 in the above-described embodiment may grant points when charging the balance of the electronic payment service with a predetermined credit card. Also, the bank account server 30 in the above-described embodiment may increase the ordinary deposit interest rate and / or the time deposit interest rate on the condition that the user subscribes to a predetermined plan of the communication service, or may increase the ordinary deposit interest rate and / or the time deposit interest rate on the condition that a predetermined credit card is subscribed.

[0113] In addition, when the credit card server 20 in the above-described embodiment subscribes to a predetermined plan of the communication service, issues a predetermined credit card, and purchases securities (for example, builds up investment trusts) by using the predetermined credit card for settlement, points obtained by multiplying the purchase amount (build-up amount) by a predetermined reduction rate may be granted.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0114] 1: Usage Fee Reduction System, 10: Communication Service Server, 20: Credit Card Server, 30: Bank Account Server, 40: Electronic Payment Server, 50: Securities Server, 60: Communication Terminal, 200: Control Unit, 201: Processor, 202: Main Memory Unit, 203: Auxiliary Storage Unit, 204: Communication I / F, 205: Input / Output I / F, 206: Bus, 210: User Information Management DB, 300: Communication Service Subscribing User Information, 400: Credit Card Subscribing User Information, 500: Bank Account Opening User Information, 600: Electronic Payment User Information, 700: Securities Account Opening User Information, 1110: Electronic Payment Usage Screen, 1120: Reduction Status Confirmation Screen

Claims

1. Executed by a processor of a communication service server including a user management information database for managing users who subscribe to a communication service provided by a communication carrier, storing, in the user management information database, information on users who subscribe to a predetermined plan targeted at reducing the amount paid by the user for the usage fee of the communication service among a plurality of types of fee plans provided by the communication service provided by the communication carrier; receiving and storing, from a financial service server that manages users who subscribe to a financial service provided by the communication carrier or a business operator having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, information on users who subscribe to the financial service; receiving and storing, from an electronic payment service server that manages users who subscribe to an electronic payment service provided by the communication carrier or a business operator having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, information on users who subscribe to the electronic payment service; referring to the information on the users stored in the user management information database, and determining whether a user who subscribes to the predetermined plan also subscribes to the financial service; charging, as a reduction in the usage fee of the communication service, the amount calculated as the reduction to the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user in the electronic payment service on the condition that it is determined that a user who subscribes to the predetermined plan also subscribes to the financial service. A usage fee reduction method characterized by the above.

2. Executed by a processor of the communication service server, setting the financial service as a payment method for the usage fee of the communication service; referring to the information on the users stored in the user management information database, and determining whether the financial service is set as a payment method for the usage fee of the communication service of the user; On the condition that it is determined that the financial service is set as the payment method for the usage fee of the communication service, further reducing by charging the amount calculated as the reduction for the usage fee of the communication service to the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user through the electronic payment service The usage fee reduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The subscription to the financial service includes the issuance of a credit card or the opening of a bank account The usage fee reduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. The electronic payment service includes a payment service using short-range wireless communication of a communication terminal, or a payment service using code information displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal or code information read by the communication terminal The usage fee reduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. Further having a step of determining whether the registration for joining the electronic payment service is completed when reducing by charging the balance of the electronic money account, which is executed by the processor of the communication service server The step of further reducing by charging the amount calculated as the reduction for the usage fee of the communication service to the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user through the electronic payment service includes the step of charging the amount calculated as the reduction for the usage fee of the communication service to the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user through the electronic payment service on the condition that it is determined that the user has subscribed to the financial service and it is determined that the registration for joining the electronic payment service by the user is completed when performing the reduction The usage fee reduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. Further comprising a step of reducing points available in the electronic payment service as a reduction for settlement of the usage fee of the communication service using the financial service, which is executed by a processor of the communication service server. The step of reducing by charging an amount calculated as a reduction for the usage fee of the communication service to the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user in the electronic payment service is a step of reducing the electronic money available in the electronic payment service. The usage fee reduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. The step of reducing by charging an amount calculated as a reduction for the usage fee of the communication service to the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user in the electronic payment service is a step of reducing a predetermined amount of electronic money, and The step of reducing points available in the electronic payment service as a reduction for settlement of the usage fee of the communication service using the financial service is a step of reducing a number of points corresponding to the settlement amount of the usage fee of the communication service. The usage fee reduction method according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The step of reducing by charging an amount calculated as a reduction for the usage fee of the communication service to the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user in the electronic payment service includes the step of charging the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user in the electronic payment service as a reduction for the usage fee of the communication service on the condition that it is determined that the user subscribes to the financial service before the usage fee of the communication service is paid. The usage fee reduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. Among a plurality of types of fee plans provided by a communication service offered by a communication carrier, information of users who subscribe to a predetermined plan targeted at reducing the fees for the users of the communication service, information indicating whether or not the user subscribes to a financial service provided by the communication carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, and information indicating whether or not the user subscribes to an electronic payment service provided by the communication carrier or a carrier having a predetermined relationship with the communication carrier, are stored in a storage unit. A control unit that refers to the user information stored in the storage unit, determines whether or not a user who subscribes to the predetermined plan also subscribes to the financial service, and on the condition that it is determined that the user also subscribes to the financial service, determines to reduce the amount calculated as the reduction for the usage fee of the communication service by charging the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user through the electronic payment service. A usage fee reduction device characterized by the above.

10. The storage unit stores the payment method of the usage fee of the communication service. The control unit refers to the information on the payment method of the usage fee of the communication service stored in the storage unit, determines whether or not the financial service is set as the payment method of the usage fee of the communication service for the user, and on the condition that it is determined that the financial service is set as the payment method of the usage fee of the communication service, further reduces the amount calculated as the reduction for the usage fee of the communication service by charging the balance of the electronic money account rechargeable by the user through the electronic payment service. The usage fee reduction device according to claim 9, characterized by the above.

11. Subscription to the financial service includes issuance of a credit card or opening of a bank account. The usage fee reduction device according to claim 9, characterized by the above.

12. The electronic payment service includes a payment service using short-range wireless communication of a communication terminal, or a payment service using code information displayed on a display unit of the communication terminal or code information read by the communication terminal. The usage fee reduction device according to claim 9, characterized in that.

13. The control unit When reducing by charging the balance of the electronic money account, it is determined whether the registration for joining the electronic payment service is completed, On the condition that it is determined that the user has subscribed to the financial service and it is determined that the registration for the user to join the electronic payment service is completed when reducing, the amount calculated as the reduction for the usage fee of the communication service is charged to the balance of the electronic money account that can be charged by the user using the electronic payment service to reduce. The usage fee reduction device according to claim 9, characterized in that.

14. The control unit Reduce the points available in the electronic payment service as the reduction for the settlement of the usage fee of the communication service using the financial service, The amount calculated as the reduction for the usage fee of the communication service is charged to the balance of the electronic money account that can be charged by the user using the electronic payment service with electronic money to reduce. The usage fee reduction device according to claim 9, characterized in that.

15. The control unit Reduce by charging a predetermined amount of electronic money calculated as the reduction for the usage fee of the communication service to the balance of the electronic money account that can be charged by the user, Reduce the number of points corresponding to the settlement amount of the usage fee of the communication service as the reduction for the settlement of the usage fee of the communication service using the financial service. The usage fee reduction device according to claim 14, characterized in that.

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