Information processing method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience in making settlement involving multiple users.SOLUTION: An information processing device provided herein performs processes comprising: managing an account of a first group comprising a first user and a second user; upon receipt of a first request for settlement using the first group account from an information processing terminal of the first user, making settlement using the first group account based on the first request for settlement; and, upon receipt of a second request for settlement using the first group account from an information processing terminal of the second user, making settlement using the first group account based on the second request for settlement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, when multiple users purchase a product, one user pays the price together (in one lump sum) at a store cash register or the like, and the other users transfer money (person-to-person transfer) to the first user using a payment service that performs online payments, etc., thereby allowing the multiple users to share the payment (split the bill) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-238998 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional technologies, for example, the user may have to split the bill every time a payment is made, which can be cumbersome. The present disclosure aims to provide a technology that can improve the convenience of payments made by multiple users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a process of providing each user with a payment app that enables transaction processing including payment for services received at a physical store and remittance associated with the payment, a process of managing the balance of a group including a first user and a second user, and a process of, when the first user or the second user has completed payment for the services received at the physical store by using the payment app, Payment is made to the physical store for the services received at the physical store by using the payment app. Including amount , for the remittance associated with the settlement The control unit has a process of acquiring each remittance request, and a process of proceeding with transaction processing and subtracting the amount from the balance of the group based on each remittance request. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server and a terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server and a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence for creating a joint account in a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information stored in a user information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of group information stored in a group information storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence for making a payment using a joint account in a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 8C] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment history stored in a payment history storage unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] <Legal compliance> The disclosures described herein, when implemented, are implemented in compliance with the laws and regulations of the countries in which the disclosures are implemented, and are implemented with all changes, substitutions, variations, modifications, and alterations that can be made by a person skilled in the art and are necessary to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries in which the disclosures are implemented.

[0008] An embodiment for implementing a payment using a joint account of multiple users according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. <System configuration> 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the communication system 1, a server 110A, a server 110B, a terminal 120A, a terminal 120B, and a terminal 120C are connected via a network 130.

[0009] In the present disclosure, when there is no need to distinguish between server 110A and server 110B, server 110A and server 110B may each be expressed as server 110.

[0010] In the present disclosure, when there is no need to distinguish between terminal 120A, terminal 120B, and terminal 120C, terminal 120A, terminal 120B, and terminal 120C may each be expressed as terminal 120 (an example of an "information processing terminal").

[0011] In the present disclosure, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the server 110 and the terminal 120, the server 110 and the terminal 120 may each be expressed as an information processing device 200. Note that the number of information processing devices 200 connected to the network 130 is not limited to the example in FIG.

[0012] The server 110 provides predetermined services to the terminal 120 used by the user via the network 130. Examples of predetermined services include, but are not limited to, payment services, financial services, e-commerce services, social networking services (SNS) such as messaging services using instant messengers, and content provision services such as music, videos, and books. The server 110 may provide one or more predetermined services independently, or multiple servers 110 may provide one or more predetermined services. When a user uses a predetermined service via the terminal 120, the server 110 can provide the predetermined service to one or more terminals 120.

[0013] The terminal 120 is, for example, a terminal such as a user's smartphone, and performs processing to use various services provided by the server 110.

[0014] As necessary, the terminal used by user X will be referred to as terminal 120X, and user information in a predetermined service associated with user X or terminal 120X will be referred to as user information X. Note that user information is information of a user associated with an account used by the user in a predetermined service. User information includes, but is not limited to, information associated with a user, such as the user's name, user icon image, user age, user gender, user address, user hobbies and interests, and user identifier, which is input by the user or assigned by the predetermined service, balance information of electronic value (electronic money) associated with the user, and credit card information (such as a credit card number) associated with the user, and may be any one or a combination of these.

[0015] The network 130 serves to connect two or more information processing devices 200. The network 130 refers to a communication network that provides a connection path so that the terminal 120 can connect to the server 110 and then transmit and receive data.

[0016] One or more portions of network 130 may be a wired network or a wireless network. Network 130 may include, by way of example and not limitation, an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), a cellular network, Integrated Service Digital Networks (ISDNs), wireless LANs, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Bluetooth, satellite communications, or the like, or a combination of two or more thereof. Network 130 may include one or more networks 130.

[0017] Information processing device 200 may be any information processing device that can implement the functions and methods described in this disclosure.

[0018] The information processing device 200 includes, for example and without limitation, a smartphone, a mobile phone (feature phone), a computer (for example and without limitation, a desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.), a server device, a media computer platform (for example and without limitation, a cable or satellite set-top box, digital video recorder, etc.), a handheld computer device (for example and without limitation, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), email client, etc.), a wearable device (for example and without limitation, a glasses-type device, a watch-type device, etc.), other types of computers, or communication platforms.

[0019] <Hardware configuration> The hardware configuration of the information processing device 200 included in the communication system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 200 according to the embodiment.

[0020] The information processing device 200 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage 203, an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 204, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 205. The hardware components of the information processing device 200 are connected to each other via a bus B, for example and not by way of limitation.

[0021] The information processing device 200 realizes the functions and / or methods described in this disclosure through cooperation between the processor 201, memory 202, storage 203, input / output I / F 204, and communication I / F 205.

[0022] The processor 201 executes functions and methods implemented by codes or instructions included in a program stored in the storage 203. The processor 201 may include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and may implement each process disclosed in each embodiment using a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (an integrated circuit (IC) chip, a large-scale integration (LSI)), etc. Furthermore, these circuits may be implemented using one or more integrated circuits, and multiple processes described in each embodiment may be implemented using a single integrated circuit. Furthermore, LSIs may be referred to as VLSIs, super LSIs, ultra LSIs, etc. depending on the degree of integration.

[0023] The memory 202 temporarily stores the program loaded from the storage 203 and provides a working area for the processor 201. The memory 202 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 201 is executing the program. The memory 202 includes, but is not limited to, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like.

[0024] The storage 203 stores programs. Examples of the storage 203 include, but are not limited to, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and a flash memory.

[0025] The communication I / F 205 transmits and receives various data via the network 130. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication is possible. The communication I / F 205 has a function of communicating with other information processing devices via the network 130. The communication I / F 205 transmits various data to other information processing devices in accordance with instructions from the processor 201. The communication I / F 205 also receives various data transmitted from other information processing devices and transmits the data to the processor 201.

[0026] The input / output I / F 204 includes an input device for inputting various operations to the information processing device 200, and an output device for outputting processing results processed by the information processing device 200. The input / output I / F 204 may be an integrated input device and output device, or may be separate input device and output device.

[0027] The input device is realized by any one or combination of all types of devices that can receive input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the processor 201. Examples of input devices include, but are not limited to, hardware keys such as a touch panel, a touch display, and a keyboard, pointing devices such as a mouse, a camera (for inputting operations via images), and a microphone (for inputting operations via voice).

[0028] The output device may be any of a variety of devices capable of outputting the processing results of the processor 201, or a combination thereof. When the processing results are output as video or video images, the output device may be any of a variety of devices capable of displaying the display data written to the frame buffer, or a combination thereof. Examples of output devices include, but are not limited to, touch panels, touch displays, monitors (including, but not limited to, liquid crystal displays and organic electroluminescence displays (OLEDs)), head-mounted displays (HDMs), projection mapping, holograms, devices capable of displaying images, text information, etc. in air (or even in a vacuum), speakers (audio output), printers, etc. Note that these output devices may be capable of displaying display data in 3D.

[0029] The programs of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can store the programs in a "non-transitory tangible medium." Examples of the programs include, but are not limited to, software programs and computer programs.

[0030] The storage medium may, where appropriate, include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (by way of example and not limitation, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific ICs (ASICs), etc.), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards or drives, any other suitable storage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these. The storage medium may, where appropriate, be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile.

[0031] Furthermore, the program of the present disclosure may be provided to the information processing device 200 via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or broadcast waves) capable of transmitting the program.

[0032] Furthermore, each embodiment of the present disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which a program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0033] The programs of the present disclosure are implemented using, for example and without limitation, scripting languages ​​such as JavaScript (registered trademark) and Python, C language, Go language, Swift, Kotlin, Java (registered trademark), and the like.

[0034] At least a part of the processing in the information processing device 200 may be realized by cloud computing configured by one or more computers.

[0035] At least a part of the processing in the information processing device 200 may be performed by another information processing device. In this case, at least a part of the processing of each functional unit realized by the processor 201 may be performed by the other information processing device.

[0036] <Other> Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the judgment configuration in the embodiments of the present disclosure is not required, and a predetermined process may be performed when the judgment condition is met, or when the judgment condition is not met.

[0037] In this disclosure, unless expressly stated or indicated by context, "at least one of A and B" means "A, B, or both." Furthermore, unless expressly stated or indicated by context, "a," "an," or "the" shall mean "one or more." Thus, in this specification, unless expressly stated or indicated by context, "an A" or "the A" means "one or more A."

[0038] The present disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, or modifications that a person skilled in the art may make to the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure. The appended claims also encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, or modifications that a person skilled in the art may make to the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure encompasses any combination, that a person skilled in the art may make, of one or more features of an embodiment or example of the present disclosure with one or more features of another embodiment or example of the present disclosure.

[0039] Additionally, references in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system that is adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or capable of performing a particular function encompass that apparatus, system, component, whether or not that apparatus, system, component, or that particular function thereof, is activated, turned on, or unlocked, so long as the apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, enabled, or capable of performing that function.

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, the present disclosure may obtain consent from a user in advance or immediately before implementing any embodiment or example of the present disclosure, and the consent obtained may be comprehensive or may be obtained on a case-by-case basis.

[0041] <Embodiment> An embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: This embodiment provides a joint account that can be used by multiple users for payment.

[0042] The embodiment can improve the convenience of making payments among multiple users, for example. Also, since the user does not need to set the split amount each time a payment is made, the load on the terminal 120A and the server 110, as well as the load on the network 130 between the terminal 120A and the server 110, can be reduced.

[0043] <Functional configuration of the embodiment> The functional configuration of the server 110 and the terminal 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 110 and the terminal 120 according to an embodiment. The functional units disclosed in Fig. 3 are realized by cooperation of a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage 203, an input / output I / F 204, and a communication I / F 205 provided in the information processing device 200.

[0044] (1) Server functional configuration The server 110 includes a reception unit 311, a transmission / reception unit 312, a control unit 313, a display control unit 314, and a storage unit 315. Note that the functions or processes of each functional unit may be realized by machine learning or AI (Artificial Intelligence) to the extent feasible.

[0045] The reception unit 311 receives various setting operations and the like from businesses that operate the various services provided by the server 110.

[0046] The transmitting / receiving unit 312 transmits and receives data to and from the terminal 120 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 313. Note that the transmitting / receiving unit 312 connects a communication session with the terminal 120 using HTTPS or the like when the user of the terminal 120 is authenticated, for example, by the user ID and password included in a login request from the terminal 120. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 stores the communication address and user ID of the terminal 120 or the like in association with the ID of the connected communication session. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 transmits data to the terminal 120 or the like using the connected communication session.

[0047] The control unit 313 performs processing to provide services such as payment services, financial services, and SMS messaging services to the user of the terminal 120.

[0048] The display control unit 314, in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 313, causes the transmitting / receiving unit 312 to transmit information for controlling the display screen of the terminal 120 or the like.

[0049] The storage unit 315 includes a user information storage unit 3151 that stores user information, a group information storage unit 3152 that stores information about the group that manages the joint account, a payment history storage unit 3153 that stores the history of each payment using the joint account, etc. The information stored in each storage unit will be described later.

[0050] (2) Functional configuration of the terminal The terminal 120 includes a reception unit 321, a transmission / reception unit 322, a control unit 323, a display control unit 324, and a storage unit 325. Note that the functions or processes of each functional unit may be realized by machine learning or AI to the extent feasible.

[0051] The reception unit 321 receives various operations from the user of the terminal 120 .

[0052] The transmitting / receiving unit 322 transmits and receives data to and from the server 110, etc., in accordance with instructions from the control unit 323. For example, when logging in to the server 110, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 connects a communication session with the server 110 using HTTPS, etc. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 stores the communication address, etc. of the server 110 in association with the ID of the connected communication session. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 transmits data to the server 110 using the connected communication session.

[0053] The control unit 323 performs processing to use predetermined services such as a payment service provided by the server 110.

[0054] The display control unit 324 controls the display screen of the terminal 120 according to instructions from the control unit 323 and based on information received from the server 110, etc.

[0055] The storage unit 325 stores information for using services provided by the server 110, etc.

[0056] <Processing of the embodiment> The processing of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described below. Note that, hereinafter, the users of the terminal 120A, the terminal 120B, and the terminal 120C will be referred to as user A, user B, and user C, respectively. Note that, when each terminal 120 communicates with the server 110, it is assumed that the user account of each terminal 120 is authenticated by the server 110.

[0057] <Processing when creating a joint account> The process of creating a joint account in the communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6B. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a process sequence for creating a joint account in the communication system 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5A is a diagram showing an example of user information stored in the user information storage unit 3151 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5B is a diagram showing an example of group information stored in the group information storage unit 3152 according to the embodiment. Figs. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example of a display screen of the terminal 120 according to the embodiment.

[0058] The following describes an example in which user A first creates a group (group A) that includes users A and B, and then adds user C to the group. Note that the number of users included in a group is not limited to this example. Also, adding users to a group is not required.

[0059] In step S1, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A receives an operation to set a group including multiple users from the user A. Here, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A may receive an operation to select users to be included in the group from among the users who have been set in advance in a predetermined relationship with the user A, such as friends, in the user information storage unit 3151 of the server 110, for example.

[0060] Furthermore, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A may acquire candidate users to be included in the group from the server 110, and allow user A to select from the candidate users. The control unit 313 of the server 110 may select candidate users to be included in the group based on a social graph or the like. In this case, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may select candidate users to be included in the group based on, for example, the user IDs of users of terminals 120 located within a predetermined range from the current location of the terminal 120A, who have a predetermined relationship set in the user information storage unit 3151. For example, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may select users who have a predetermined relationship set with user A (friend users) and users who have a predetermined relationship with users who have a predetermined relationship set with user A (friends of friends users). This makes it possible to extract, from other users near user A, users who are thought to be eating and drinking with user A, as candidate users to be included in the group.

[0061] Note that a predetermined relationship means that the server 110 or the terminal 120 stores a predetermined relationship between two or more users. By way of example and not limitation, the predetermined relationship may include a relationship in which both parties have mutually approved the establishment of a relationship, a relationship in which at least one party has requested the establishment of a relationship, a relationship established based on user information, a relationship established based on user behavior, and a state in which a relationship is established due to the satisfaction of a predetermined condition. Note that a relationship established based on user information may include a relationship in which one or more users having the same or similar user information are associated with each other, and a relationship established based on user behavior may include a relationship in which one or more users having the same or similar user behavior are associated with each other. Also, by way of example and not limitation, a user who has a predetermined relationship with a first user may include not only a second user who has a predetermined relationship with the first user, but also a third user (a friend of a friend) who has a predetermined relationship with the second user.

[0062] Furthermore, the users who have a predetermined relationship with the user (users who have a predetermined relationship with the user) may be, for example and without limitation, all users who have a predetermined relationship with the user, a predetermined number of users, or users whose intimacy level is at or above a predetermined level.

[0063] Here, the intimacy level may be determined so that the degree of intimacy increases in descending order of the number of messages exchanged between users within a predetermined period (which may be a predetermined fixed period such as one month or two months, or may be the period from the establishment of a predetermined relationship to the present).Also, the intimacy level may be determined so that the degree of intimacy increases in descending order of the number of transactions (including the buying and selling of goods, the sending and receiving of assets, currency exchange, etc.) conducted between users within a predetermined period.

[0064] Furthermore, the intimacy level may be determined such that the longer the period from when the predetermined relationship was established to the present, the higher the intimacy level. The period from when the predetermined relationship was established to the present may be an absolute value, or a relative value among one or more users who have the predetermined relationship with the user.

[0065] Furthermore, the intimacy level may be determined such that, for multiple other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user, the intimacy level increases as the length of time the other users stay within a predetermined range from the user's location increases. Furthermore, the intimacy level may be determined such that, for multiple users who have a predetermined relationship with the user, the intimacy level increases as the relationship estimated based on the period from when the predetermined relationship was established to the present and the location information of each user (for example, the degree of estimation that the users are in a family relationship) increases.

[0066] Furthermore, the intimacy level may be determined such that the greater the number of users in common with the user (the number of mutual friends), the higher the intimacy level for multiple other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user.

[0067] In addition, the intimacy level may be determined so that the greater the number of users who have a predetermined relationship with the user who is communicating with the user, the higher the intimacy level.

[0068] In addition, the intimacy level may be determined such that the greater the similarity between the user's own attribute and the attribute of each of multiple users who have a predetermined relationship with the user, the higher the intimacy level. The user's attribute may be, for example and without limitation, an interest or concern.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 323 of the terminal 120A may acquire information on candidate users to be included in a group from other terminals 120 via short-range wireless communication, and may cause the acquired information on the users of other terminals 120 to be displayed by the display control unit 324. In this case, the short-range wireless communication may be any type that can establish wireless communication between terminals 120 at a relatively short distance. Examples of short-range wireless communication include, but are not limited to, Wi-Fi, RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier), NFC (Near Field Communication), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), and ultrasonic waves.

[0070] This allows other users near user A to be extracted as candidate users to be included in the group. Furthermore, control unit 323 of terminal 120A may select candidate users to be included in the group based on the social graph. In this case, control unit 323 of terminal 120A may select, for example, users of other terminals 120 detected by short-range wireless communication who have a predetermined relationship with user A (friend users), and cause display control unit 324 to display the selected users.

[0071] Furthermore, the accepting unit 321 of the terminal 120B may accept an operation to designate a group that has been created in advance as a group for sending and receiving content using a messaging service provided by the server 110 as a group for a joint account.

[0072] (User information storage unit 3151) In the example of FIG. 5A, the user information storage unit 3151 stores, in association with the user ID, the name, icon, balance, and user ID of each user who is set in a predetermined relationship. The user ID is identification information of the user. The name is the name of the user. The icon is an image (still image, illustration, etc.) set for the user that represents the user. The balance is the balance of the user's account that can be used by the user to make payments in the payment service provided by the server 110. The user ID of each user who is set in a predetermined relationship is, for example, the user ID of a user who is set as a friend in an SNS or the like provided by the server 110.

[0073] Next, the transmitter / receiver 322 of the terminal 120A transmits a request to set up a group to the server 110 (step S2). Here, the request to set up a group may include, for example, the user ID of the user A and the user IDs of one or more users to be included in the group specified by the user A. Note that the control unit 313 of the server 110 may acquire the user ID of the user A of the terminal 120A based on the ID of a data communication session received from the terminal 120A that has previously logged in to the server 110 using the user ID of the user A.

[0074] In the following description, it is assumed that user A first specifies that user B should be included in the group. The control unit 313 of the server 110 sets a group including the specified users in the group information storage unit 3152 (step S3). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 transmits a notification to terminal 120B that the user has been invited to the group including user A and user B, and causes it to be displayed. Then, when user B performs an operation to approve participation in the group, the control unit 313 transmits a notification to that effect to terminal 120A, and causes it to be displayed. This allows user A and user B to send and receive content between the users included in the group, for example, using a messaging service provided by the server 110. Note that the content may include messages, images (including still images and videos), illustrations, etc.

[0075] (Group information storage unit 3152) 5B, the group information storage unit 3152 stores a name, each user ID, a history of transmitted and received content, and a balance in association with the group ID. The group ID is identification information of the group. The name is the name of the group designated by the user when setting up (generating, creating) the group, for example.

[0076] The user IDs of the multiple users are the user IDs of the users included in the group. The history of transmitted and received content is the history of content transmitted and received in the group. Note that the history of transmitted and received content may store, for example, the user ID of the user who transmitted the content, the date and time the content was transmitted, data on the content, etc., in association with the ID of the transmitted and received content.

[0077] The balance is the balance of the group's account (joint account) that can be used by each user included in the group to make payments using the payment service provided by the server 110.

[0078] Next, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120A receives an operation by each user in the group to specify the amount to be deposited into the group's joint account (step S4). In the example of FIG. 6A, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120A displays, on a deposit screen 601 to the joint account, the group's name 602, a message 603 prompting each user to input the amount to be deposited, an icon 604A and name 604B of user A, an input field 604C for the amount to be deposited, an icon 605A and name 605B of user B, an input field 605C for the amount to be deposited, and a "Decide" button 606. When the reception unit 321 receives an operation in which the amounts are entered into the input fields 604C and 605C and the "Decide" button 606 is pressed, the terminal 120A performs the following processing. Note that in the example of the input fields 604C and 605C of FIG. 6A, it is specified that user A and user B will each deposit 5,000 yen into the joint account. The deposit amount may be set so that each user can specify the amount to deposit, or the amount may be automatically deposited at predetermined intervals (for example, every month).

[0079] Next, the transmitter / receiver 322 of the terminal 120A sends a deposit request including information on each amount to be deposited into the group's joint account specified by user A to the server 110 (step S5). Here, the deposit request may include the group ID, user A's user ID, user A's deposit amount, user B's user ID, user B's deposit amount, etc.

[0080] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 transfers (deposits) the amount specified by user A in the received deposit request from user A's account to the group's joint account (step S6). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the specified amount from user A's balance in the user information storage unit 3151. Then, the control unit 313 of the server 110 adds this amount to group A's balance in the group information storage unit 3152. Here, the transmission / reception unit 312 of the server 110 may send a notification to terminal 120A that allows user A to make a payment from group A's balance. Then, upon receiving this notification, the display control unit 324 of terminal 120A may enable user A to operate a button or the like to make a payment from group A's balance.

[0081] Next, the transmitter / receiver 312 of the server 110 transmits to the terminal 120B a deposit request for the amount specified by user A in the received deposit request that user B deposit into the group's joint account (step S7).

[0082] Next, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120B displays the received deposit request (step S8). Here, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120B may display, for example, a display screen as shown in FIG. 6B. In the example of FIG. 6B, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120B displays a group message screen 611 that displays content, etc. transmitted and received in group A in chronological order of transmission, using the messaging service provided by the server 110. In the example of FIG. 6B, each content, etc. is displayed in descending order of transmission date and time from the bottom of a display area 613 for transmitted and received content, etc. Note that the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120 may also display each content, etc. in descending order of transmission date and time from the top of the display area 613.

[0083] In the example of Figure 6B, a message 614A sent by user A and a date and time 614B when message 614A was sent are displayed in association with user A's icon 604A and name 604B. A message 615A sent by user B and a date and time 615B when message 615A was sent are displayed in association with user B's icon 605A and name 605B. A message 616A and a date and time 616B when message 616A was sent, which was delivered by server 110 to the terminal 120 of each user included in the group, indicating that user A has deposited money into the joint account. A deposit request message 617A and a date and time 617B when message 614A was sent by server 110, a "Cancel" button 617C, and an "Accept and deposit" button 617D are also displayed.

[0084] Next, the accepting unit 321 of the terminal 120B accepts from the user B an operation to agree to deposit the amount specified by the user A (step S9). Here, the accepting unit 321 of the terminal 120B accepts from the user B, for example, an operation to press the "Agree and deposit" button 617D in FIG. 6B. Note that the terminal 120B may allow the user B to specify an arbitrary deposit amount to deposit. In this case, the terminal 120B may allow the user B to specify an amount equal to or greater than the amount specified by the user A. This allows the user B to deposit an amount greater than the amount specified by the user A, for example.

[0085] Next, the transmitter / receiver 322 of the terminal 120B transmits an acceptance response to the received deposit request to the server 110 (step S10). Here, the acceptance response may include the group ID, the user ID of user B, the amount of deposit by user B, etc.

[0086] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 transfers the amount designated by user A or user B to be deposited by user B into the group's joint account from user B's account to the group's joint account (step S11). The control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the designated amount from user B's balance in the user information storage unit 3151. The control unit 313 of the server 110 then adds the designated amount to group A's balance in the group information storage unit 3152. The transceiver unit 312 of the server 110 may determine whether the amount deposited by user B into the group's joint account is equal to or greater than the amount designated by user A, and may transmit a notification to terminal 120B indicating that user B can make a payment from group A's balance only if the amount is equal to or greater than the designated amount. Upon receiving the notification, the display control unit 324 of terminal 120B may enable user B to operate a button or the like to make a payment from group A's balance. This allows users who deposit a predetermined amount or more into the joint account to make a payment using the joint account. In addition, users who have not deposited funds into the joint account can be prevented from making payments using the joint account.

[0087] Next, the accepting unit 321 of the terminal 120A accepts an operation from the user A to add the user C to the group and to specify the amount that the user C will deposit into the group's joint account (step S12). Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 of the terminal 120A transmits to the server 110 a deposit request including information on each amount that the user C will deposit into the group's joint account, as specified by the user A (step S13).

[0088] Next, the transmitter / receiver 312 of the server 110 transmits a deposit request to the terminal 120C (step S14). Here, the deposit request may include information on the amount designated by the user A that the user C will deposit into the group joint account.

[0089] Next, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120C displays the received deposit request (step S15). Next, the accepting unit 321 of the terminal 120C accepts from the user C an operation to agree to deposit the amount specified by the user A (step S16). Note that the terminal 120C may allow the user C to specify an arbitrary deposit amount. In this case, the terminal 120C may allow the user C to specify an amount equal to or greater than the amount specified by the user A. This allows, for example, the user C to deposit an amount greater than the amount specified by the user A. Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 322 of the terminal 120C transmits an acceptance response to the received deposit request to the server 110 (step S17).

[0090] Next, the transceiver 312 of the server 110 transfers the amount designated by user A or user C to be deposited into the group joint account by user C from user C's account to the group joint account (step S18). Here, the transceiver 312 of the server 110 may determine whether the amount deposited by user C into the group joint account is equal to or greater than the amount designated by user A, and may transmit a notification to terminal 120C indicating that user C can make a payment from the balance of group A only if the amount is equal to or greater than the amount designated by user A. Upon receiving the notification, the display control unit 324 of terminal 120C may enable user C to operate a button or the like for making a payment from the balance of group A. Furthermore, here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may add user C to group A of the messaging service, enabling users A, B, and C to send and receive content using group A. Thus, user C, who is added to group A, can make a payment using the joint account and use the messaging service in group A by depositing an amount equal to or greater than the amount designated by user A into the joint account.

[0091] <Processing when making payments using a joint account> The process of making a payment using a joint account in the communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the sequence of the process of making a payment using a joint account in the communication system 1 according to the embodiment. Figs. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing an example of the display screen of the terminal 120 according to the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the payment history stored in the payment history storage unit 3153 according to the embodiment.

[0092] The following describes an example in which user C makes a payment using a joint account of group A, which includes users A, B, and C. Note that the number of users included in the group is not limited to this example. Note that the process in which users A and B make a payment using the joint account of group A may be the same as the process in which user C makes a payment using the joint account of group A, which will be described below.

[0093] In step S51, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120C receives from the user C an operation to make a payment from the joint account of the group A using the payment service provided by the server 110. Here, the reception unit 321 of the terminal 120C may receive a payment operation using various methods, such as QR code (registered trademark) payment, contactless payment, credit card payment, online payment, etc.

[0094] Next, the transmitter / receiver 322 of the terminal 120C transmits a payment request to the server 110 (step S52). Here, the payment request may include the group ID of group A, the user ID of user C, and payment information. The payment information may include information such as the payment amount, the ID of the payee business, and a breakdown of the payment (receipt information).

[0095] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 stores the payment information and the like included in the received payment request in the payment history storage unit 3153 (step S53).

[0096] (Payment history storage unit 3153) In the example of Figure 9, the payment history storage unit 3153 stores a payment ID, the user ID of the person making the payment, payment information, the amount used (yen), and the approval status in association with the group ID. The payment ID is identification information for the payment in the joint account. The user ID of the person making the payment is the user ID of the user who made the payment. The payment information is information indicating the content of the payment. The amount used is the name of each user who used (consumed) the paid product and the amount used by each user. The approval status is the approval status of each user's payment in the joint account, and includes "approved," "not approved," and "not approved," etc. The amount used and the approval status may be set, for example, by a user's operation on the terminal 120.

[0097] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 makes a payment (advance payment) from the account of the user C (step S54). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the payment amount from the balance of the user C stored in the user information storage unit 3151, and adds the payment amount to the balance of the account of the payee business. This completes the payment at the store or the like.

[0098] Next, the transmitter / receiver 312 of the server 110 transmits the payment information to the terminals 120A, 120B, and 120C of the users included in group A via the messaging service (steps S55-1 to S55-3). Next, the display controllers 324 of the terminals 120A, 120B, and 120C each display the payment information, including receipt information, on the group message screen for group A via the messaging service (steps S56-1 to S56-3).

[0099] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 312 of the server 110 transmits a payment approval request to the terminals 120A and 120B of each user included in group A other than user C, by using the messaging service (steps S57-1 to S57-2). Next, the display control units 324 of the terminals 120A and 120B each display the approval request on a group message screen for group A in the messaging service (steps S58-1 to S58-2). In the example of FIG. 8A , the display control units 324 of the terminals 120A and 120B display a group message screen 801 that displays content and the like transmitted and received in group A in chronological order of transmission, by using the messaging service provided by the server 110.

[0100] In the example of Figure 8A, area 802 displaying payment information and approval requests displays message 802A indicating that user C has requested approval for payment to a joint account, summary of payment details 802B, "View details" button 801C, and "Set user" button 801D. Area 802 also displays approval status 802E of each user other than the payer included in group A, "Do not approve payment" button 802F, "Approve payment" button 802G, and date and time of approval request transmission 802H.

[0101] Also displayed are a message 803C sent by user C and a sending date and time 803D of the message 803C, associated with an icon 803A and a name 803B of user C.

[0102] Since approval is not required from user C, who made the payment using the joint account, the "Do not approve payment" button 802F and the "Approve payment" button 802G are not displayed on the group message screen displayed by the display control unit 324 of terminal 120C.

[0103] When the "View details" button 801C is pressed, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120 displays detailed payment information such as the breakdown of the purchased products. When the "Set users" button 801D is pressed, a display screen is displayed that accepts the setting operation of each user who used (consumed) the paid product and the amount used by each user.

[0104] When the "Do not approve payment" button 802F is pressed, the transmitter / receiver 322 of the terminal 120 sends a non-approval response to the server 110. Then, the control unit 313 of the server 110 updates the approval status for the user of the terminal 120 in the payment history storage unit 3153 from "unapproved" to "not approved."

[0105] Next, the reception units 321 of the terminals 120A and 120B receive approval operations from the users A and B, respectively (steps S59-1 to S59-2). Here, the reception units 321 of the terminals 120A and 120B receive, for example, the operation of pressing the "Approve payment" button 802G in Fig. 9. Next, the transmission / reception units 322 of the terminals 120A and 120B transmit approval responses to the server 110, respectively (steps S60-1 to S60-2).

[0106] Next, the control unit 313 of the server 110 transfers the payment amount from the joint account of group A to the account of user C (step S61). Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the payment amount from the balance of group A in the group information storage unit 3152, and adds the payment amount to the balance of user C stored in the user information storage unit 3151. As a result, the payment amount that had been paid in advance for user C is paid from the joint account. The control unit 313 of the server 110 also updates the approval status for the user of the terminal 120 in the payment history storage unit 3153 from "unapproved" to "approved."

[0107] When a payment to a joint account is approved by user A and user B, and the user and amount of the payment are set to either user, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120 displays the group message screen 811 shown in Fig. 8B. In the example of Fig. 8B, the user and amount of the payment 812, and the approval status 813 of each user are displayed.

[0108] In addition, in response to a user operation, the display control unit 324 of the terminal 120 of each user included in group A displays the payment history of payments made by each user to the joint account of group A. In the example of Figure 8C, payment history screen 821 for user B in group A displays payment information 822 and 823 associated with user B, the balance 824 of the joint account of group A, a total amount 825 of amounts deposited into the joint account by user B, and an amount 826 of amounts used by user B in the joint account. This allows the user to check the usage status of the joint account by each user included in the group.

[0109] According to the above-described embodiment, there is no need to split the bill every time a payment is made, and payments can be made jointly with simple operations, for example, when a couple has a joint account or when traveling with a group of friends.

[0110] Example 1 In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which payment is made from a joint account when all users in a group other than the payer perform an approval operation. Alternatively, for example, when setting up (creating) a group, the terminal 120 may set a group administrator in the server 110 in response to a user's operation, and payment from the joint account may be made when the group administrator performs an approval operation. This makes it easier to approve payments. Alternatively, payment from the joint account may be made when a majority of users in a group perform an approval operation. Alternatively, payment from the joint account may be made when one or more users in a group perform an approval operation.

[0111] Alternatively, in the case of a group of a married couple or the like, the approval operation may be made unnecessary by the operation performed when setting up (creating) the group. In this case, in the process of step S54 in FIG. 9, the control unit 313 of the server 110 settles from the joint account and does not send an approval request to the terminal 120.

[0112] <Example 2> In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which payment is made in advance from the account of user C, who is the payer, and if approval is obtained, the money is transferred from the joint account to the account of user C. Alternatively, payment may be made from the joint account, and if the payment is not approved, the money may be transferred from user C's account to the joint account.

[0113] In this case, in the process of step S54 in Figure 9, the control unit 313 of the server 110 makes the payment from the joint account of group A. Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the payment amount from the balance of group A in the group information storage unit 3152, and adds the payment amount to the balance of the account of the payee business. This completes the payment at the store, etc.

[0114] If the payment is rejected by another user, the control unit 313 of the server 110 compensates for the payment amount from the account of user C. Here, the control unit 313 of the server 110 subtracts the payment amount from the balance of user C stored in the user information storage unit 3151, and adds the payment amount to the balance of group A in the group information storage unit 3152. This allows payment to be made using the joint account even if the balance of the payer is less than the payment amount.

[0115] Example 3 When a user included in a joint account group withdraws from the group, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may transfer at least a portion of the balance of the joint account to the balance of the withdrawing user. In this case, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may, for example, transfer to the balance of the withdrawing user an amount that corresponds to the proportion of the amount deposited into the joint account by each user included in the joint account group and the balance of the joint account. For example, if user A, who is withdrawing, has deposited 10,000 yen into the joint account, and each of the other users has deposited a total of 10,000 yen into the joint account, and the balance of the joint account is 10,000 yen, half of that, or 5,000 yen, may be transferred to user A.

[0116] In addition, the control unit 313 of the server 110 may transfer to the balance of the withdrawing user an amount that corresponds to, for example, the proportion of the amount deposited by each user in the joint account group into the joint account, the amount used by each user in the joint account, and the balance of the joint account. For example, if user A who is withdrawing has deposited 10,000 yen into the joint account and user A's amount used is 5,000 yen, and each of the other users has deposited a total of 10,000 yen into the joint account and each of the other users' amount used is 0 yen, and the balance of the joint account is 10,000 yen, one-third of that, or 3,333 yen, may be transferred to user A.

[0117] In this disclosure, transferring money includes subtracting a predetermined amount from one balance and adding a predetermined amount to the other balance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1. Communication Systems 110 Server 120 terminals 130 Network 200 Information processing device 311 Reception 312 Transmitter / Receiver 313 Control Unit 314 Display control unit 315 Storage section 3151 User information storage unit 3152 Group information storage unit 3153 Payment history memory unit 321 Reception Department 322 Transmitter / Receiver 323 Control Unit 324 Display control unit 325 Storage section

Claims

1. The information processing device A process of providing each user with a payment app that enables transaction processing including payment for services received at a physical store and remittance associated with the payment; a process of managing a balance of a group including a first user and a second user; When the first user or the second user has completed payment for a service received at a physical store by the first user or the second user, respectively, through use of the payment app, a process of respectively acquiring a remittance request for remittance associated with the payment, the remittance request including an amount to be paid to the physical store for the service received at the physical store through use of the payment app; a process for processing a transaction based on each of the remittance requests and deducting the amount from the balance of the group; An information processing method that performs the above.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1 , wherein the payment completed by using the payment app includes at least one of two-dimensional code payment, credit card payment, and online payment.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of adding a third user to the group.

4. The adding process is The information processing method according to claim 3 , wherein the method is executed when a predetermined amount is added from the balance of the third user to the balance of the group.

5. The adding process is The information processing method according to claim 3 , wherein the information processing method is executed when a predetermined relationship is established between the first user or the second user and the third user.

6. The information processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: deleting at least one user from the group.

7. The information processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: associating a name with the group.

8. The information processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of accepting automatic deposit into a predetermined account from at least one of the first user and the second user.

9. The information processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising: displaying a history of use of the payment app in association with a user who has used the payment app.

10. The information processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of subtracting a predetermined amount from the balance of the group and adding the predetermined amount to the balance of any one of the users belonging to the group.

11. In the information processing device, A process of providing each user with a payment app that enables transaction processing including payment for services received at a physical store and remittance associated with the payment; a process of managing a balance of a group including a first user and a second user; When the first user or the second user has completed payment for a service received at a physical store by the first user or the second user, respectively, through use of the payment app, a process of respectively acquiring a remittance request for remittance associated with the payment, the remittance request including an amount to be paid to the physical store for the service received at the physical store through use of the payment app; a process for processing a transaction based on each of the remittance requests and deducting the amount from the balance of the group; A program that executes the following.

12. A process of providing each user with a payment app that enables transaction processing including payment for services received at a physical store and remittance associated with the payment; a process of managing a balance of a group including a first user and a second user; When the first user or the second user has completed payment for a service received at a physical store by the first user or the second user, respectively, through use of the payment app, a process of respectively acquiring a remittance request for remittance associated with the payment, the remittance request including an amount to be paid to the physical store for the service received at the physical store through use of the payment app; a process for processing a transaction based on each of the remittance requests and deducting the amount from the balance of the group; An information processing device having a control unit that executes the above.

Images