Application programs, systems, information processing methods, and information processing devices.

Abstract

To provide an application program capable of managing a payment limit in an electronic settlement service without making a user feel uncomfortable, a system, an information process method and an information processing device.SOLUTION: An application program when causing a user terminal device of a user of an electronic settlement service to display a deferred payment as a candidate of a settlement method in the settlement of a price for the electronic settlement service, determines whether or not a usage balance of the deferred payment is the upper limit or more of the deferred payment, and when it is determined that the usage balance is the usage upper limit or more, causing the user terminal device not to display the deterred payment as the candidate of the payment method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for managing a payment limit in an electronic payment service has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for restricting a purchase process related to a purchase amount when the purchase amount in an electronic payment service exceeds a payment limit set by a user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technique described in Patent Document 1 restricts the purchase process when the purchase amount exceeds the payment limit after the user proceeds with the purchase procedure. However, restricting the purchase process after the user has proceeded with the purchase procedure may impede the smoothness of the purchase procedure and cause discomfort to the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide an application program, a system, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus that can manage the payment limit in an electronic payment service without giving discomfort to the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an application program, a system, an information processing method, and an information processing device can be provided that can manage payment limits in an electronic payment service without causing discomfort to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a configuration for realizing the electronic payment service according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal device 10 and the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of BNPL configuration information 176. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. [Figure 7] This figure shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. [Figure 9]This figure shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. [Figure 10] This figure shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. [Figure 11] This figure shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. [Figure 12] This sequence diagram shows an example of the processing flow performed by the payment application 20 and the payment server 100. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a candidate payment method by the display control function 22 according to a modified version of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of a configuration for realizing the electronic payment service according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of the contents of BNPL configuration information 176B. [Figure 17] This figure shows an example of how individual BNPL payments and comprehensive BNPL payments are displayed as payment method candidates by the display control function 22. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of how individual BNPL payments and comprehensive BNPL payments are displayed as payment method candidates by the display control function 22. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an application program, a system, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described. The application program is executed by one or more processors. The application program is installed in a user terminal device of a user who uses an electronic payment service, and in cooperation with a payment server that provides the electronic payment service, executes processing related to the electronic payment service. The application program further controls a display related to a payment method applied when an electronic payment is executed. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payment related to the purchase of goods and services in a physical store or an online shopping site. Hereinafter, in the first embodiment, the electronic payment service is assumed to be a service that supports payment related to the purchase of goods and services in a physical store, and in the second embodiment, the electronic payment service is assumed to be a service that supports payment related to the purchase of goods and services in an online shopping site.

[0010] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service according to the first embodiment. The electronic payment service is realized centering around a payment server 100. The payment server 100 communicates with each of, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10 and one or more store terminal devices 50 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like.

[0011] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input reception function, and a program execution function. In the following description, the configurations for realizing these functions are respectively referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, the settlement application 20 is executed by a processor such as a CPU, and thus operates to provide an electronic payment service to the user in cooperation with the payment server 100. The settlement application 20 controls a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, etc. In the following description, the processes executed with the user terminal device 10 as the subject can also be read as processes executed with the settlement application 20 as the subject.

[0012] The store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. Note that the store code image 60 may be displayed by a display placed in the store.

[0013] The payment server 100 implements electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the store terminal device 50. The payment server 100 performs electronic payment, for example, by increasing or decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID (in other words, depositing or withdrawing electronic money). Furthermore, when executing electronic payment, the payment server 100 provides the user terminal device 10 with a deferred payment (BNPL; Buy Now Pay Later, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "BNPL payment") function, which allows the user to postpone payment for a predetermined period (for example, one month), and settles the transaction by receiving payment from the user after the predetermined period. In this case, the operator of the electronic payment service pays the payment amount to the store where the electronic payment was made on their behalf, and performs final settlement by receiving payment from the user after the predetermined period through methods such as withdrawal from the charge balance, bank transfer, or invoice payment. BNPL payment simplifies the identity verification and screening procedures for use compared to conventional deferred payment methods such as credit card payments. For example, unlike credit card payments, which require credit checks by external credit agencies, BNPL payments may provide credit to users without conducting a credit check. Furthermore, BNPL payments offer more flexible repayment options compared to traditional deferred payment methods. For instance, while credit card payments are automatically debited from the account on a fixed date each month, BNPL payments offer additional repayment options such as invoice payments and payments using the remaining balance, in addition to automatic debits. Details of these repayment options will be discussed later.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns for electronic payment: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2. In Pattern 1, first, the payment application 20 is launched on the user terminal device 10 and a code image such as a QR code or barcode is displayed. The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 to the store terminal device 50. The store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains information such as the account ID. The store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the account ID, payment amount, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100. The payment amount information is obtained in advance by barcode reading or manual input. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 moves the payment amount from the user's electronic payment account to the store's electronic payment account and completes the payment process.

[0015] In Pattern 2, the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function. The store code image 60 contains information such as the store name. On the screen displaying the store name, the user enters the payment amount and payment method (e.g., charge balance payment or BNPL payment) into the user terminal device 10. Once the payment amount and payment method have been entered, the user presses the payment button, and the user terminal device 10 generates payment information including the account ID, payment amount, payment method, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100. The payment server 100 processes the payment based on the received information. In this embodiment, electronic payment is performed using at least the method of Pattern 2. Furthermore, the "account ID" described in Figure 2 may be other information that can be used as user identification information (e.g., telephone number).

[0016] [Payment Server] Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of the user terminal device 10 and payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. The payment application 20 installed on the user terminal device 10 has a display control function 22, a deferred payment determination function 24, and a repayment acceptance function 26, which are implemented as program modules. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a payment content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 122, a BNPL processing unit 124, and a storage unit 170. The payment content provision unit 120, the payment processing unit 122, and the BNPL processing unit 124 are realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance on a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored on a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed on the storage device when the storage medium is inserted into the drive device.

[0017] The storage unit 170 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may also be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that can be accessed by the payment server 100 via the network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, payment content information 174, and BNPL setting information 176.

[0018] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to a network NW. The communication unit 110 is, for example, a network interface card.

[0019] The payment content provider unit 120, for example, has the functionality of a web server and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The payment content provider unit 120 reads the necessary content from the payment content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20 and transmits the aforementioned payment information to the payment server 100. The content based on the payment content information 174 includes content provided when logged into the electronic payment service and content provided when not logged in. In the case of content when not logged in, the payment server 100 provides various guidance information and accepts applications for new registrations and changes to telephone numbers.

[0020] The payment processing unit 122 performs payment processing based on payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 122 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172 and BNPL setting information 176 described below.

[0021] Figure 4 shows an example of the contents of User Information 172. User Information 172 associates, for example, an account ID with information such as the phone number and password required at the minimum time for new registration to the electronic payment service, as well as an email address, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, bank account, credit card number, whether or not identity verification has been completed, charge history information, payment history information, and chat history information. Information other than the phone number, password, registration date, charge balance, charge history information, and payment history information is optional. Hereafter, the instance of a user (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account. The registration date is the date on which the user registered with the electronic payment service (the date the account was created).

[0022] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money that has been set up by the user by sending money to their account in advance. Methods of sending money include sending money from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated provider (bank) and sending money from a registered bank account. The bank account and credit card number information are the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit money into the electronic payment service. The presence or absence of identity verification is information indicating whether the user has verified their identity by, for example, uploading an image of an identity verification document such as a driver's license to the electronic payment service. The charge history information is the history of when the user has sent money to the electronic payment service in advance to increase the charge balance. The payment history information shows the details of each payment made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, etc.).

[0023] The BNPL processing unit 124 performs various server-side processes necessary to realize BNPL payments in the electronic payment service. For example, the BNPL processing unit 124 configures the use of BNPL payments in response to a request from the payment application 20, and notifies the user of the available amount for which they can make BNPL payments in response to the launch of the payment application 20 (or in response to the selection of BNPL payments). The BNPL processing unit 124 performs such server-side processes related to BNPL payments while referring to the BNPL configuration information 176 described below.

[0024] Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of BNPL setting information 176. BNPL setting information 176 associates information such as BNPL payment usage settings, usage limits, outstanding balance, repayment settings, and repayment history information with an account ID. BNPL payment usage settings indicate whether or not the use of BNPL payment has been activated as a result of the electronic payment service user applying to use BNPL payment. In order for an electronic payment service user to use BNPL payment, at a minimum, the identity verification stored in user information 172 must be "verified".

[0025] The usage limit indicates the maximum amount a user can use for BNPL payments during a specified period (for example, one month). The outstanding balance indicates the outstanding amount of BNPL payments used (unpaid) by the user during the specified period. The available amount is the amount obtained by subtracting the outstanding balance from the usage limit, and represents the amount a user can use for BNPL payments during the current period.

[0026] Repayment settings are information that indicates how a user will repay their outstanding balance using BNPL payment. Repayment settings include, for example, balance settlement, where the outstanding balance is deducted from the charge balance on a designated day each month (for example, the 27th of each month); direct debit, where the outstanding balance is deducted from the bank account registered in user information 172; and bill payment, where the outstanding balance amount stated on the invoice sent to the address registered in user information 172 is paid at a convenience store, for example. Repayment history information is information that indicates whether the user has repaid their outstanding balance at predetermined intervals (and / or the amount of the repayment). In addition, if the user has not repaid their outstanding balance for a certain period by the deadline, the repayment history information may also store information indicating that the repayment was not made by the deadline.

[0027] The display control function 22 performs various controls related to the display of the payment method on the user terminal device 10 when payment is made in the electronic payment service. For example, when payment is made in the electronic payment service, the display control function 22 displays BNPL payment as a candidate payment method on the user terminal device 10.

[0028] Figure 6 shows an example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. Figure 6 assumes a scenario in which electronic payment of pattern 2 shown in Figure 2 is performed. First, when a user starts the payment application 20, the payment application 20 sends a notification to the payment server 100 indicating that it has started, including the user's account ID. When the BNPL processing unit 124 receives the notification indicating that the payment application 20 has started, it refers to the BNPL setting information 176 using the account ID as a key and obtains a record corresponding to the user (including at least the BNPL payment usage settings and available amount). The BNPL processing unit 124 sends the obtained record to the payment application 20. Once the payment application 20 has finished starting up, the payment application 20 then decodes the store code image 60 using the optical reading function, as shown on the left side of Figure 6. When the payment application 20 decodes the store code image 60, as shown on the right side of Figure 6, the display control function 22 displays an area A1 for entering the payment amount to be paid to the store, along with an area A2 for selecting the payment method, on the user terminal device 10. At this time, if the BNPL payment usage setting in the BNPL setting information 176 is enabled for the user, the display control function 22 displays a selection item for selecting BNPL payment in area A2. As shown in Figure 6, the display control function 22 may also refer to the BNPL setting information 176 and display the available amount that the user can use for BNPL payment during the current period.

[0029] When a user selects BNPL payment and presses the payment button B1, the payment app 20 sends information including the payment amount and payment method to the payment server 100. The payment server 100 receives this information, and if the payment method indicates BNPL payment, the BNPL processing unit 124 executes the BNPL payment. More specifically, the BNPL processing unit 124 transfers an amount equivalent to the payment amount entered in area A1 to the account of the physical store linked to the store code image 60, and at the same time increases the balance in the BNPL setting information 176 by the payment amount (simultaneously, the available balance is reduced by the payment amount). After a predetermined period has elapsed and it is the balance settlement date, the BNPL processing unit 124 settles the BNPL payment using the repayment method set in the repayment settings (for example, by deducting the payment amount from the user's charge balance). If the BNPL settlement is successful, the BNPL processing unit 124 records information to that effect (and / or the repayment amount) in the repayment history information of the BNPL setting information 176.

[0030] Thus, by using BNPL payment, users of electronic payment services can execute electronic payments even if their charged balance is insufficient to cover the payment amount. However, as mentioned above, BNPL payment has a usage limit set for each predetermined period, and depending on the user's current available balance, it may not be possible to execute a BNPL payment. In this case, the user may not realize that their available balance is insufficient to cover the payment amount, and may attempt to execute a BNPL payment, resulting in an error or preventing them from obtaining the goods or services they wish to purchase. The first embodiment addresses such problems.

[0031] Figure 7 shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. Figure 7 shows a situation where the user's available balance for BNPL payment is 0 yen, that is, the outstanding balance has reached the usage limit. The deferred payment determination function 24 determines whether the user's available balance for BNPL payment is 0 yen or not (i.e., whether the outstanding balance is greater than or equal to the usage limit). If it is determined that the available balance is 0 yen, the display control function 22 operates so that BNPL payment is not displayed as a payment method candidate on the user terminal device 10. Here, "not displaying" includes not only hiding the option but also making it visible that BNPL payment is not possible. In the example in Figure 7, the display control function 22 makes it visible to the user that BNPL payment is not possible by displaying the BNPL payment option in grayscale. This prevents the user from experiencing discomfort due to an error occurring with BNPL payment.

[0032] Furthermore, the display control function 22 may, for example, display information indicating that the balance has reached the usage limit on the home screen of the payment app 20 when the available balance becomes 0 yen (i.e., the balance reaches the usage limit) by the user using BNPL payment. Alternatively, the display control function 22 may notify the user of the information indicating that the balance has reached the usage limit through a function such as a push notification.

[0033] Figure 8 shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. Figure 8 shows a situation where the user's available balance for BNPL payment is not 0 yen, but the payment amount entered by the user exceeds the available balance. The deferred payment determination function 24 determines whether the payment amount entered by the user exceeds the user's available balance (in other words, whether the sum of the payment amount and the outstanding balance exceeds the usage limit). If the deferred payment determination function 24 determines that the payment amount entered by the user exceeds the user's available balance, the display control function 22 operates to prevent BNPL payment from being displayed as a payment method candidate on the user terminal device 10. This prevents the user from experiencing discomfort due to errors occurring with BNPL payment.

[0034] Figure 9 shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. Similar to Figure 7, Figure 9 shows a situation where the user's available balance in BNPL payment is 0 yen, that is, the outstanding balance has reached the usage limit. As shown on the left side of Figure 9, the display control function 22 may display a button B2 on the user terminal device 10 to accept repayment of the outstanding balance when the outstanding balance reaches the usage limit. When the user presses button B2, the user terminal device 10 transitions to a screen for accepting repayment of the outstanding balance.

[0035] In the right side of Figure 9, symbol A3 indicates an area for the user to select a method for repaying the outstanding balance, symbol A4 indicates an area for entering the repayment amount, and symbol B3 indicates a button for executing the repayment of the outstanding balance using the selected repayment method. Repayment methods for the outstanding balance include, for example, balance repayment, which deducts the outstanding balance amount from the charge balance; account repayment, which deducts the outstanding balance amount from the bank account registered in user information 172; and invoice repayment, which involves paying the outstanding balance amount stated on the invoice sent to the address registered in user information 172, for example, at a convenience store. As shown in Figure 9, the display control function 22 may also display the estimated time until BNPL payment becomes possible again after executing a repayment using that repayment method (i.e., until the BNPL payment selection item is redisplayed by the display control function 22).

[0036] When a user specifies the repayment method and amount for their outstanding balance and presses the repayment button B3, the repayment acceptance function 26 accepts the selection and sends the acceptance information to the settlement server 100. When the settlement server 100 receives the acceptance information, the BNPL processing unit 124 executes the repayment of the outstanding balance using the selected repayment method and updates (i.e., increases) the available amount for BNPL payment. The BNPL processing unit 124 sends the updated available amount to the settlement application 20, and the display control function 22, if the available amount is greater than zero (i.e., the outstanding balance falls below the usage limit), redisplays BNPL payment as a payment method option on the user terminal device 10. This allows BNPL payment to be restored before the outstanding balance repayment date, thereby improving user convenience.

[0037] The process described in Figure 9 allows users to reinstate BNPL settlement by making an early repayment of their outstanding balance. This means that users need to have the cash for repayment ready in advance. However, users do not always have such financial resources available, so providing only repayment as a means to reinstate BNPL settlement is inconvenient for users. Therefore, the process described below provides users with a means to reinstate BNPL settlement even if they do not have the cash for repayment ready in advance.

[0038] Figure 10 shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. In Figure 10, symbol B4 indicates a request button for the user to request a continuous increase in the BNPL payment limit. Here, "continuous increase" means that once the limit is increased, it will be maintained permanently thereafter (more specifically, until the provision of the electronic payment service ends or the user cancels their registration for the electronic payment service). For example, the display control function 22 causes the user terminal device 10 to display the request button B4 if the difference between the outstanding balance and the limit is within a threshold (i.e., the available amount is within a threshold).

[0039] When a user presses the request button B4, the payment app 20 sends information to the payment server 100 indicating that the user wishes to have their spending limit continuously increased. When the BNPL processing unit 124 receives information from the payment app 20 indicating that the user wishes to have their spending limit continuously increased, it calculates the user's credit score based on the user's usage history of the electronic payment service, and determines that the spending limit should be continuously increased if the credit score is above a threshold. Here, usage history includes at least one of the payment history information recorded in the user information 172 and the repayment history information recorded in the BNPL setting information 176. For example, the BNPL processing unit 124 may calculate a higher credit score the higher the user's average monthly payment amount. Also, for example, the BNPL processing unit 124 may calculate a higher credit score the longer the period during which the user has settled their outstanding balance on time.

[0040] Figure 11 shows another example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22. In Figure 11, symbol B5 indicates a request button for the user to request a temporary increase in the BNPL payment limit. Here, "temporary increase" means increasing the limit for a limited time (for example, a few days or a month). For example, the display control function 22 displays the request button B5 on the user terminal device 10 if the difference between the outstanding balance and the limit is within a threshold (i.e., the available amount is within the threshold). When the user presses the request button B5, the payment application 20 sends information to the payment server 100 indicating that the user wishes to have the limit increased permanently. When the BNPL processing unit 124 receives information from the payment application 20 indicating that the user wishes to have the limit increased permanently, it calculates the user's credit score based on the user's electronic payment service usage history, similar to the case in Figure 10, and determines to temporarily increase the limit if the credit score is above the threshold. Furthermore, temporarily increasing the spending limit poses less credit risk to the electronic payment service provider compared to permanently increasing the spending limit. Therefore, the threshold for permitting a temporary increase in the spending limit may be set lower than the threshold for permitting a permanent increase. This allows for providing users without high credit scores with the opportunity to resume BNPL payments whenever possible.

[0041] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the payment application 20 and the payment server 100. First, the payment application 20 is activated, for example, in response to a button press by the user (step S10). When the payment application 20 is activated, it sends activation information, which includes at least the user's account ID, to the payment server 100 (step S12).

[0042] When the payment server 100 receives the startup information, it uses the account ID included in the startup information as a key to refer to the BNPL configuration information 176 and obtain the record corresponding to that account ID (step S14). Next, the payment server 100 sends the obtained record of the BNPL configuration information 176 to the payment application 20 (step S16). As a result, the payment application 20 obtains whether or not BNPL payment is enabled for the user, and if BNPL payment is enabled, at least the available balance set for that user.

[0043] Next, when payment is made at a physical store, the payment app 20 decodes the store code image 60 installed at the store and identifies the physical store to which the payment will be made (step S18). The payment app 20 displays an area on the user terminal device 10 for entering the payment amount to be paid to the identified physical store and an area for selecting the payment method (step S20). At this time, if BNPL payment is enabled, the payment app 20 displays BNPL payment and the available amount as payment method options. The display of BNPL payment is as described with reference to Figures 6 to 11.

[0044] Next, when the payment application 20 receives payment information including the payment amount and payment method from the user, it sends this information to the payment server 100 (step S22). The payment server 100 then performs the electronic payment according to the entered payment method (step S24). Specifically, if BNPL payment is specified in the payment information, the payment server 100 uses the BNPL processing unit 124 to perform the BNPL payment. This completes the processing shown in this sequence diagram.

[0045] According to the first embodiment described above, if the payment application determines that the outstanding balance exceeds the usage limit, it will not display BNPL payment as a payment method option on the user terminal device, thereby preventing the user from experiencing discomfort due to BNPL payment errors. Furthermore, if the available amount for BNPL payment is within a threshold, the payment application will provide the user with an opportunity to increase the usage limit. This makes it possible to manage payment limits in electronic payment services without causing discomfort to the user.

[0046] In the first embodiment described above, the display modes of BNPL settlement by the display control function 22 are shown individually. However, the present invention is not limited to such configurations, and the display modes described with reference to Figures 6 to 11 may be combined with each other. For example, when the outstanding balance of a BNPL settlement reaches the usage limit, the display control function 22 may display both the repayment button B2 shown in Figure 9 and the request button B4 shown in Figure 10, which indicates the user's desire to continuously increase the usage limit. Alternatively, for example, the display control function 22 may display both the request button B4 shown in Figure 10, which indicates the user's desire to continuously increase the usage limit, and the request button B5 shown in Figure 11, which indicates the user's desire to temporarily increase the usage limit, allowing the user to decide whether to continuously increase or temporarily increase the usage limit according to their preference.

[0047] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, as an example, the display of BNPL payment is controlled by the display control function 22 when the user terminal device 10 decodes the store code image 60 (i.e., when electronic payment is performed). However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, when the default payment settings are made through the settings screen of the payment application 20, the display control function 22 may perform the display control described above. For example, when a user sets BNPL payment as the default payment method, if the outstanding balance has reached the usage limit, the repayment button B2 shown in Figure 9 or the request button B4 shown in Figure 10 may be displayed on the settings screen.

[0048] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the processing related to the display of the payment method is realized by the mutual cooperation of program modules such as the display control function 22, the deferred payment determination function 24, and the repayment acceptance function 26 included in the payment application 20. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the functional units such as the display control function 22, the deferred payment determination function 24, and the repayment acceptance function 26 may be implemented in the payment server 100 as a display control unit, a deferred payment determination unit, and a repayment acceptance unit, respectively. In that case, the electronic payment service is implemented as a web application, for example, and the payment application 20 accesses the payment server 100 via a web browser to display the processing results related to electronic payment and BNPL payment.

[0049] <Modified form of the first embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, the deferred payment determination function 24 determines whether the user's available amount for BNPL payment is 0 yen (i.e., whether the outstanding balance is greater than or equal to the usage limit). If it is determined that the available amount is 0 yen, the display control function 22 prevents BNPL payment from being displayed as a payment method option on the user terminal device 10. However, in actual transactions, it is rare for the available amount for BNPL payment to be exactly 0 yen, and it is more common for the available amount to settle at a small amount (for example, 20 yen) that reduces the number of items that can be purchased. In that case, with the configuration of the first embodiment, even though there are almost no items that can be purchased, BNPL payment will continue to be displayed as a payment method option because the available amount is greater than 0 yen. In other words, such a configuration may impair the convenience for the user.

[0050] Against the backdrop of the above circumstances, in the modified version of the first embodiment, the storage unit 170 maintains an additional amount limit for each user that allows them to use BNPL payment only once, exceeding the maximum amount of BNPL payment. The additional amount limit is calculated in advance by the BNPL processing unit 124, for example, based on the user's usage history of the electronic payment service. For example, the additional amount limit is set to a larger value the higher the user's monthly payment amount.

[0051] When a user enters a payment amount on the payment app 20, the BNPL processing unit 124 receives the payment amount entered from the payment app 20 and determines whether the payment amount exceeds the sum of the available balance and the additional balance limit. If it is determined that the payment amount does not exceed the sum of the available balance and the additional balance limit, the BNPL processing unit 124 displays BNPL payment as a payment method option on the user terminal device 10.

[0052] Figure 13 shows an example of how BNPL payment is displayed as a payment method candidate by the display control function 22 according to a modification of the first embodiment. In Figure 13, for example, the available amount for BNPL payment is set to 90 yen, and the payment amount is entered as 300 yen. At this time, the BNPL processing unit 124 determines that the payment amount (300 yen) does not exceed the sum of the available amount (90 yen) and the additional amount limit (for example, 500 yen), and displays BNPL payment as a payment method candidate on the user terminal device 10. Since the use of the additional amount limit is valid only once, if the user performs BNPL payment in the scenario shown in Figure 13, the available amount becomes 0 yen, and BNPL payment will not be displayed as a payment method candidate for subsequent electronic payments. In this way, by allowing the use of BNPL payment only once, even if the usage limit for BNPL payment is exceeded, the inconvenience of BNPL payment continuing to be displayed as a payment method candidate even when there are almost no items available for purchase can be eliminated.

[0053] The determination of whether the payment amount exceeds the sum of the available balance and the additional balance limit may also be performed on the payment application 20 side. In that case, for example, when the payment application 20 starts up, it receives the values ​​of the available balance and the additional balance limit from the payment server 100, and when electronic payment is executed, the deferred payment determination function 24 determines whether the entered payment amount exceeds the sum of the available balance and the additional balance limit.

[0054] <Second Embodiment> The first embodiment described above controls the display of BNPL payments when a user makes an electronic payment at a physical store. On the other hand, the present invention can also be applied when a user makes an electronic payment, for example, on an online shopping site. The following description of the electronic payment service according to the second embodiment will focus on the differences in configuration from the first embodiment.

[0055] Figure 14 shows an example of a configuration for realizing the electronic payment service according to the second embodiment. The electronic payment service according to the second embodiment is realized by a user terminal device 10 and a payment server 100B. In addition to the functions of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment, the payment server 100B provides the user terminal device 10 with functions for purchasing goods and services on an online shopping site. The user accesses the payment server 100B via the payment application 20 on the user terminal device 10 and purchases goods and services on the online shopping site. Note that a server providing functions related to the online shopping site may be provided separately from the payment server 100B.

[0056] Figure 15 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100B according to the second embodiment. Unlike the configuration of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment, the payment server 100B includes BNPL setting information 176B which has a different configuration from BNPL setting information 176. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the payment server 100B provides the user terminal device 10 with multiple different types of BNPL payment functions, and the BNPL setting information 176B stores setting information related to these multiple types of BNPL payments. Note that the configuration of the functions of the online shopping site provided by the payment server 100B can be a known one, so the description of that function is omitted in Figure 15.

[0057] Figure 16 shows an example of the contents of BNPL setting information 176B. BNPL setting information 176B associates, for example, the account ID with information such as the usage settings for individual BNPL payments, usage limit 1, outstanding balance 1, available amount 1, usage settings for comprehensive BNPL payments, usage limit 2, outstanding balance 2, available amount 2, and repayment history information. Individual BNPL payments are an example of "Type 1 deferred payment," and comprehensive BNPL payments are an example of "Type 2 deferred payment." Since comprehensive BNPL payments are a payment method in the same format as BNPL payments according to the first embodiment, their explanation is omitted.

[0058] Individual BNPL payment is a deferred payment method that allows deferred payment for each purchase of goods on an online shopping site. In Figure 16, the individual BNPL payment usage setting indicates whether the use of individual BNPL payment has been activated as a result of the electronic payment service user applying for individual BNPL payment. In other words, if the use of individual BNPL payment is set to "enabled," the user can select individual BNPL payment as the payment method when purchasing goods or services on an online shopping site. When the user selects individual BNPL payment, the BNPL processing unit 124 determines whether or not to allow individual BNPL payment for each product or service purchased. Unlike comprehensive BNPL payment, identity verification is not required to activate the use of individual BNPL payment, so the usage limit 1 is set to a lower amount than the usage limit 2.

[0059] Figure 17 shows an example of how individual BNPL payment and comprehensive BNPL payment are displayed as payment method options by the display control function 22. Figure 17 shows a scenario where a user accesses an online shopping site using the user terminal device 10 and selects a payment method to purchase a television. In Figure 17, code A5 indicates an item for selecting balance payment, which deducts an amount equivalent to the price of the product from the charge balance; code A6 indicates an item for selecting individual BNPL payment; and code A7 indicates an item for selecting comprehensive BNPL payment. Generally, unlike comprehensive BNPL payment, the display control function 22 does not display the available amount for individual BNPL payment on the user terminal device 10. Therefore, individual BNPL payment has the problem of being more prone to errors during payment compared to comprehensive BNPL payment.

[0060] Therefore, when a user transitions to the purchase page of an online shopping site, the BNPL processing unit 124 refers to the BNPL setting information 176B to determine whether the amount available for individual BNPL payment by that user (i.e., available amount 1) is zero. If the display control function 22 determines that the available amount 1 is zero, the BNPL processing unit 124 operates to prevent the individual BNPL payment from being displayed as a payment method option on the user terminal device 10.

[0061] Figure 18 shows another example of how individual BNPL payment and comprehensive BNPL payment are displayed as payment method candidates by the display control function 22. Figure 18 shows a scene where the display control function 22 displays the individual BNPL payment options in grayscale in response to the BNPL processing unit 124 determining that the amount available for individual BNPL payment by the user is zero. This prevents the user from experiencing discomfort due to errors occurring in individual BNPL payment.

[0062] The operation of the display control function 22 shown in Figures 9 to 11 can also be applied to individual BNPL settlements. For example, as in the case of Figure 9, the display control function 22 may display a button on the user terminal device 10 to accept repayment of the outstanding balance of an individual BNPL settlement when the user's outstanding balance reaches the usage limit. Also, as in the cases of Figures 10 and 11, the display control function 22 may display a button on the user terminal device 10 to continuously or temporarily increase the available amount of an individual BNPL settlement when the user's available amount is within a threshold (or zero). In this case as well, the decision of whether or not to increase the available amount will be made using a credit score calculated based on the user's settlement history information and repayment history information.

[0063] According to the second embodiment described above, if the payment application determines that the outstanding balance of an individual BNP payment exceeds the usage limit, it will not display the individual BNP payment as a payment method option on the user terminal device, thereby preventing the user from experiencing discomfort due to errors in the individual BNPL payment. Furthermore, if the available amount for an individual BNPL payment is within a threshold, the payment application will provide the user with an opportunity to increase the usage limit. This makes it possible to manage payment limits in electronic payment services without causing discomfort to the user.

[0064] Although embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 10. User terminal device 20 Payment Apps 22 Display control function 24. Post-payment determination function 26. Repayment Acceptance Function 50 Store Terminal Devices 60 Store Code Images 100, 100B payment server 110 Communications Department 120 Payment Content Provision Department 122 Payment Processing Unit 170 Storage section 172 User information 174 Payment Content Information 176, 176B BNPL Configuration Information

Claims

1. When setting a payment method in an electronic payment service, the user terminal device of the user of the electronic payment service displays deferred payment and charge balance payment, which subtracts the payment amount from the charge balance that the user has previously charged, as candidate payment methods, and determines whether the outstanding balance of the deferred payment is equal to or greater than the maximum amount of the deferred payment, and if it is determined that the outstanding balance is equal to or greater than the maximum amount of the payment, the user terminal device does not display the deferred payment as a selectable payment method, but only displays the charge balance payment as a selectable payment method. Application program.

2. When setting a payment method in an electronic payment service, if the user terminal device of the user of the electronic payment service displays deferred payment as a candidate payment method, and the difference between the outstanding balance of the deferred payment and the deferred payment usage limit is greater than zero and within a threshold, the user terminal device displays an option indicating whether the user wishes to continuously increase the usage limit. Application program.

3. When setting a payment method in an electronic payment service, if the user terminal device of the user of the electronic payment service displays deferred payment as a candidate payment method, and the difference between the outstanding balance of the deferred payment and the deferred payment usage limit is greater than zero and within a threshold, the user terminal device displays an option indicating whether the user wishes to temporarily increase the usage limit. Application program.

4. If it is determined that the outstanding balance exceeds the usage limit, the user terminal device is notified of information indicating that the deferred payment method cannot be used. An application program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The user terminal device accepts the repayment of the outstanding balance of the deferred payment, If, as a result of the repayment of the outstanding balance, the outstanding balance falls below the upper limit, the user terminal device will display the deferred payment option as a payment method option. An application program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The user terminal device is made to display the estimated period from the repayment to the display. The application program according to claim 5.

7. The user terminal device displays the available amount for deferred payment, which is calculated by subtracting the outstanding balance from the usage limit. An application program according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The aforementioned deferred payment includes a first type of deferred payment that is permitted for use for each purchase in the aforementioned electronic payment service, and a second type of deferred payment that is permitted for use within the aforementioned usage limit, regardless of the number and content of purchases in the aforementioned electronic payment service. The user terminal device displays the first type of deferred payment and the second type of deferred payment as options for the payment method. An application program according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The user terminal device equipped with the application program described in claim 2 or 3, The system includes a server device that provides the aforementioned electronic payment service, When the server device receives information from the user terminal device indicating a desire to continuously or temporarily increase the usage limit, it determines whether or not to continuously or temporarily increase the usage limit based on the usage history of the electronic payment service. system.

10. Computers When setting a payment method in an electronic payment service, if the user terminal device of the electronic payment service displays "post-payment" and "charge balance payment," which deducts the payment amount from the charge balance pre-charged by the user, as payment method options, it is determined whether the outstanding balance for post-payment is equal to or greater than the maximum amount for post-payment. If it is determined that the outstanding balance is equal to or greater than the maximum amount for post-payment, the user terminal device is not displayed as a selectable payment method option for post-payment, and only the charge balance payment option is displayed as selectable. Information processing methods.

11. A display control unit that, when setting a payment method in an electronic payment service, displays deferred payment and charge balance payment, which subtracts the payment amount from a charge balance previously charged by the user, as candidate payment methods on the user terminal device of the user of the electronic payment service, The system includes a deferred payment determination unit that determines whether the outstanding balance of the deferred payment is equal to or greater than the deferred payment usage limit, If the deferred payment determination unit determines that the outstanding balance is equal to or greater than the usage limit, the display control unit will not display the deferred payment option as a selectable payment method on the user terminal device, but will instead display only the charge balance payment option as selectable. Information processing device.

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