Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To enable smooth cashless payments abroad. [Solution] The information processing device 1 includes a storage unit 12 that stores the balance of electronic money owned by the user, which is a first balance that can be used for settlement and for which fund transfers related to remittances and withdrawals are restricted, and a second balance that can be used for settlement and fund transfers; an acquisition unit 132 that acquires a user's settlement request that includes a settlement amount and corresponds to a predetermined settlement request destination; and a settlement processing unit 133 that, when the acquisition unit 132 acquires a settlement request, settles the settlement amount from the first balance in response to the settlement request if the first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, and if the first balance is less than the settlement amount, moves the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount, and settles the settlement amount from the first balance that has become equal to or greater than the settlement amount in response to the settlement request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Code settlement using two-dimensional barcodes such as QR Code (registered trademark) has become widespread (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). In code settlement, settlement is performed by the user terminal reading the two-dimensional barcode displayed by the store side or the store side reading the two-dimensional barcode displayed by the user terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When performing cashless settlement using a user terminal outside Japan, if settlement is performed by making a transfer from an account capable of making a transfer, it is necessary to perform predetermined processes such as identity verification processing because it involves transfer processing, and there has been a problem that the processing at the time of settlement becomes complicated.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to enable smooth cashless settlement outside the country.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a storage unit that stores the balance of electronic money owned by a user, which is a first balance that can be settled and for which fund transfers related to remittances and withdrawals are restricted, and a second balance that can be settled and for which fund transfers are possible; an acquisition unit that acquires a settlement request from the user that includes a settlement amount and corresponds to a predetermined settlement request destination; and a settlement processing unit that, when the acquisition unit acquires a settlement request, settles the settlement amount from the first balance in response to the settlement request if the first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, and if the first balance is less than the settlement amount, moves the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount, and settles the settlement amount from the first balance that has become equal to or greater than the settlement amount in response to the settlement request.

[0007] The information processing device further includes a receiving unit that receives permission from the user to move the balance from the second balance to the first balance, and the settlement processing unit may, when the acquisition unit acquires a settlement request from a predetermined settlement request destination and the first balance is less than the settlement amount, and the receiving unit has received permission, move the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount.

[0008] The receiving unit stores permission information in the storage unit indicating that it has received permission from the user, and the settlement processing unit may, when the acquisition unit has acquired a settlement request from a predetermined settlement request destination and the first balance is less than the settlement amount, move the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount, if the permission information corresponding to the user is stored in the storage unit.

[0009] The receiving unit may accept the permission if the acquisition unit has acquired a settlement request from the predetermined settlement request recipient and the first balance is less than the settlement amount. The receiving unit may accept permission from the user to transfer the balance from the second balance to the first balance when the user makes the payment request corresponding to payment from a predetermined region.

[0010] When the receiving unit receives an operation to make the payment request corresponding to a payment from a predetermined region in the payment application that performs the payment and is executed on the user terminal used by the user, it may receive permission from the user to move the balance from the second balance to the first balance.

[0011] The storage unit stores permission information indicating that it has received permission from the user, and the receiving unit, in response to receiving an operation to start the payment request in the payment application that performs the payment and is executed on the user terminal used by the user, receives an inquiry from the user regarding whether permission has been received, and if it determines that permission has not been received from the user, it may receive permission from the user.

[0012] The acquisition unit acquires information indicating the region in which the settlement corresponding to the settlement request will be made, and the settlement processing unit may settle the settlement amount from the first balance in response to the settlement request if the information indicating the region acquired by the acquisition unit indicates a predetermined region.

[0013] The information indicating the region may be at least one of the following: the address information or server name of the server from which the payment request originated; information indicating a country or region included in the payment request; flag information indicating that the payment request is outside of Japan; information indicating the country to which the business operator that made the payment request belongs; the name of the interface that receives the payment request; and information indicating that the payment request does not include a payment code.

[0014] The acquisition unit acquires the payment code issued by the server to the user for payment purposes from the server that sent the payment request at the time the server issued the payment code, stores the acquired payment code in the storage unit as a payment code for a predetermined region, and acquires the payment code from the server along with the payment request. The payment processing unit may determine that the payment corresponding to the payment request is a payment for the predetermined region when the payment code stored in the storage unit matches the payment code acquired by the acquisition unit along with the payment request, and may settle the payment amount from the first balance in response to the payment request.

[0015] The settlement processing unit may also have a notification unit that notifies the user of the amount transferred from the second balance to the first balance.

[0016] The settlement processing unit may, when the first balance is less than the settlement amount, charge the first balance so that it becomes equal to or equal to the settlement amount if it is possible to charge the first balance, or, when it is not possible to charge the first balance, transfer the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that it becomes equal to or equal to the settlement amount, and then settle the settlement amount from the first balance, which has become equal to or equal to the settlement amount, in response to the settlement request.

[0017] The settlement processing unit may determine whether it is possible to charge the first balance when the first balance is less than the settlement amount, and if it determines that it is possible to charge the first balance, it may charge the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount.

[0018] The information processing method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes: a step of acquiring, by a computer, a settlement request of a user including a settlement amount, the settlement request corresponding to a predetermined settlement destination; and when the settlement request is acquired, if a first balance of electronic money owned by the user, which allows settlement and has restricted fund transfers related to remittance and withdrawal, is not less than the settlement amount, performing settlement of the settlement amount from the first balance for the settlement request, and if the first balance is less than the settlement amount, transferring a balance from a second balance of electronic money owned by the user, which allows settlement and fund transfers, to the first balance so that the first balance becomes not less than the settlement amount, and performing settlement of the settlement amount from the first balance that has become not less than the settlement amount for the settlement request.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, there is an effect that cashless settlement can be smoothly performed overseas.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing apparatus. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a conversion server. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 5] It is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow in an information processing system. [Figure 6] It is a sequence diagram following FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a flowchart showing a settlement processing flow in an information processing apparatus.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] [Overview of Information Processing System S] Figure 1 shows an overview of the information processing system S. The information processing system S is a system that allows users to make code payments using their electronic money balance when purchasing goods or services at a store in Country X, which is a second country different from Japan, the first country, using a user terminal that the user possesses. The code is text or an image that can be read by the store's terminal used for settlement at the store, or by the user's terminal, and is the code used at the time of payment.

[0022] The information processing system S comprises an information processing device 1, a conversion server 2, a user terminal 3, and a store terminal 4. The information processing device 1 is a server that settles purchase amounts in Japanese yen and manages a first balance and a second balance, both expressed in Japanese yen as the first currency. The first balance is a balance for which settlement is possible, but for which fund transfers related to remittances and withdrawals are restricted. The second balance is a balance for which settlement and fund transfers related to remittances and withdrawals are possible. Here, remittance refers to a transfer to a bank account, and the restriction on fund transfers from the first balance means that funds cannot be transferred from the first balance to a bank account. Note that remittance does not include a user sending points they hold to another user in order to transfer points.

[0023] The conversion server 2 is a server that converts the payment amount, expressed in the currency of country X, included in the user's payment request into Japanese yen and sends the payment request in Japanese yen to the information processing device 1. The user terminal 3 is a mobile device used by the user, such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. The store terminal 4 is such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or POS terminal.

[0024] The following explains the process until payment is completed, referring to Figure 1. The example shown in Figure 1 describes the process for CPM (Customer Presented Mode) code payment, where the user terminal 3 displays a code and the store terminal 4 reads the code displayed on the user terminal 3 to complete the payment.

[0025] The user makes a purchase of goods or services at a store in Country X. When the user makes a payment at the store, they launch the payment application software and perform an operation to display a code on the user terminal 3. When the user terminal 3 receives the operation to display the code, it sends a user ID (Identification), which is user identification information that identifies the user, and a code issuance request that requests the issuance of a code to the conversion server 2 (Figure 1 (1)). The user ID is, for example, a user ID assigned to the user by a business operator that manages the information processing device 1 and provides payment services.

[0026] When the conversion server 2 receives the user ID and code issuance request from the user terminal 3, it generates a token corresponding to the code (Figure 1, (2)). The token is a data sequence used by the user terminal 3 when generating the code that the user presents at the store. The conversion server 2 associates the generated token with the user ID and stores it in a storage medium (Figure 1, (3)).

[0027] The conversion server 2 sends the generated token to the user terminal 3 (Figure 1, (4)). The conversion server 2 may also encrypt the token and then send the encrypted token to the user terminal 3.

[0028] User terminal 3 generates and displays a code based on the received token (Figure 1, (5)). The user presents the code when paying for the goods at the store's register. Then, for example, at the operation of a store employee, store terminal 4 reads the code displayed on user terminal 3 (Figure 1, (6)).

[0029] When the store terminal 4 reads the code, it sends a payment request to the conversion server 2 that includes the payment amount for the user's purchase, the store ID as store identification information to identify the store, and the token indicated by the read code (Figure 1, (7)).

[0030] When the conversion server 2 receives a payment request from the store terminal 4, it authenticates the token by determining whether the token included in the received payment request matches the token sent to the user terminal 3, and also performs a currency conversion to convert the payment amount expressed in the currency of country X to a payment amount in Japanese yen (Figure 1, (8)). If the conversion server 2 determines that the tokens match, it sends a payment request to the information processing device 1 that includes the user ID associated with the token, the payment amount in Japanese yen, and a payment ID to identify the payment (Figure 1, (9)).

[0031] When the information processing device 1 receives a payment request from the conversion server 2, it performs a payment process by deducting the payment amount from the user's electronic money balance based on the user ID, payment amount, and payment ID included in the payment request, and then sending the payment amount to the store (Figure 1, (10)).

[0032] In this context, when making payments outside of Japan, measures against money laundering are required. For example, when making payments outside of Japan by sending money from an account that is capable of receiving transfers, it constitutes a money transfer process, which requires predetermined processes such as identity verification, and this has led to the problem of complicated processing when using code payments.

[0033] In response to this, when the information processing device 1 receives a settlement request from the conversion server 2, if the user's first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, it settles the settlement amount from the first balance in response to the settlement request. On the other hand, if the user's first balance is less than the settlement amount, the information processing device 1 moves the balance from the user's second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount, and then settles the settlement amount from the user's first balance, which is now equal to or greater than the settlement amount, in response to the settlement request.

[0034] As a result, the information processing device 1 settles the settlement amount for payments made outside of Japan from a first balance, which is restricted from fund transfers related to remittances and withdrawals, thus enabling smooth cashless payments outside of Japan.

[0035] Subsequently, the conversion server 2 sends payment completion information to the user terminal 3 and the store terminal 4, indicating that the payment has been completed (Figure 1, (11), (12)). The following describes the detailed configuration of the information processing device 1, the conversion server 2, and the user terminal 3.

[0036] [Functional configuration of the information processing device 1] Figure 2 shows the functional configuration of the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0037] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for sending and receiving data with the conversion server 2 and the user terminal 3 via a network such as the Internet.

[0038] The memory unit 12 is a storage medium for storing various types of data, and includes ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and hard disks. The memory unit 12 stores programs to be executed by the control unit 13. The memory unit 12 also stores programs that cause the control unit 13 to function as a reception unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, a settlement processing unit 133, and a notification unit 134.

[0039] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores the balance of the user's electronic money account. The storage unit 12 stores a first balance of the user's electronic money account, which can be used for settlements but is subject to restrictions on fund transfers and withdrawals, and a second balance that can be used for settlements and fund transfers. For example, the storage unit 12 stores a first balance database that associates the user's user ID with the user's first balance, and a second balance database that associates the user's user ID with the user's second balance.

[0040] The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). By executing the program stored in the memory unit 12, the control unit 13 functions as a reception unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, a settlement processing unit 133, and a notification unit 134. Details of the operation of each part of the control unit 13 will be described later.

[0041] [Functional Configuration of Conversion Server 2] Figure 3 shows the functional configuration of the conversion server 2. The conversion server 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0042] The communication unit 21 is a communication interface for sending and receiving data with the information processing device 1, user terminal 3, and store terminal 4 via a network such as the Internet.

[0043] The storage unit 22 is a storage medium for storing various types of data, and includes ROM, RAM, and hard disks. The storage unit 22 stores programs to be executed by the control unit 23. The storage unit 22 stores programs that cause the control unit 23 to function as an issuance request receiving unit 231, a token transmission unit 232, a settlement request transmission / reception unit 233, a settlement processing unit 234, and a completion information transmission / reception unit 235.

[0044] The control unit 23 is, for example, a CPU. By executing a program stored in the memory unit 22, the control unit 23 functions as an issuance request receiving unit 231, a token transmission unit 232, a settlement request transmission / reception unit 233, a settlement processing unit 234, and a completion information transmission / reception unit 235. Details of the operation of each part of the control unit 23 will be described later.

[0045] [Functional Configuration of User Terminal 3] Figure 4 shows the functional configuration of the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 has an operation unit 31, a communication unit 32, a display unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35. The control unit 35 has an operation reception unit 351, a request transmission unit 352, a code generation unit 353, and a display control unit 354.

[0046] The operation unit 31 is an operating device that receives user input, and is, for example, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 33. The operation unit 31 notifies the operation reception unit 351 of a signal indicating the position touched by the user.

[0047] The communication unit 32 is, for example, a wireless communication interface for sending and receiving data with a base station of a mobile phone network.

[0048] The display unit 33 is a display that shows various kinds of information. Based on the control of the code generation unit 353, the display unit 33 displays a code that indicates a token.

[0049] The storage unit 34 is a storage medium including ROM and RAM. The storage unit 34 stores the program executed by the control unit 35. The storage unit 34 stores a payment application program for code payment that causes the control unit 35 to function as an operation reception unit 351, a request transmission unit 352, a code generation unit 353, and a display control unit 354.

[0050] The control unit 35 is, for example, a CPU, and by executing the payment application program stored in the memory unit 34, it functions as an operation reception unit 351, a request transmission unit 352, a code generation unit 353, and a display control unit 354.

[0051] The operation reception unit 351 receives operations from the user via the operation unit 31. For example, the operation reception unit 351 receives operations related to code payment from the user via the operation unit 31.

[0052] When the operation reception unit 351 receives an operation to display a code on the user terminal 3, for example, outside of Japan, the request transmission unit 352 transmits the user's user ID and the code issuance request to the conversion server 2 via the communication unit 32.

[0053] When the code generation unit 353 receives a token related to code payment outside of Japan from the conversion server 2 via the communication unit 32, it generates a code based on the received token. The code generation unit 353 generates a code, for example, based on predetermined rules. The code generation unit 353 displays the generated code on the display unit 33.

[0054] When the display control unit 354 receives payment completion information from the conversion server 2 indicating that payment has been completed, it displays the payment completion information on the display unit 33.

[0055] [Operation Sequence] Next, the operation of each part of the control unit 13, control unit 23, and control unit 35 will be explained. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of the information processing system S. Figure 6 is a sequence diagram following Figure 5.

[0056] The sequence diagram shown in Figure 5 begins with the user executing a payment application program on the user terminal 3 and performing a foreign payment operation using code payment with electronic money. A foreign payment operation is an operation to initiate a payment request to perform code payment in a predetermined region, i.e., a foreign country. The operation reception unit 351 of the user terminal 3 receives the foreign payment operation and also accepts the selection of the country to make the payment (S1). The country to make the payment is, for example, a country other than Japan.

[0057] The request transmission unit 352 of the user terminal 3 determines whether it has received a foreign payment operation from the user for the first time, in response to the operation reception unit 351 receiving the foreign payment operation (S2). If the request transmission unit 352 determines that it has received a foreign payment operation for the first time (YES in S2), it receives permission from the user to move the balance from the second balance to the first balance at the time of settlement. Then, in response to receiving said permission, the request transmission unit 352 sends a permission request to the information processing device 1 requesting permission to move the balance (S3). The permission request includes the user ID of the user of the user terminal 3. If the request transmission unit 352 determines that it has not received a foreign payment operation for the first time (NO in S2), it moves the process to S5.

[0058] The reception unit 131 of the information processing device 1 receives permission from the user to move the balance from the second balance to the first balance. Specifically, the reception unit 131 receives permission from the user by obtaining a permission request indicating permission to move the balance from the user terminal 3 in response to the first foreign payment operation from the user on the screen related to the payment application executed on the user terminal 3 that initiates a payment request corresponding to a payment from a foreign country.

[0059] Upon receiving a permission request, the reception unit 131 stores permission information in the storage unit 12, indicating that permission has been received from the user (S4). The permission information is, for example, information that associates the user ID included in the permission request with the permission date and time, which indicates the date and time when permission was received.

[0060] Furthermore, the request transmission unit 352 of the user terminal 3 may, upon receiving a foreign payment operation, send an inquiry request to the information processing device 1, including the user's user ID, to inquire whether permission for a balance transfer has been received from the user. When the receiving unit 131 of the information processing device 1 receives the inquiry request from the user terminal 3, it may determine whether permission for the user's balance transfer has been received by checking whether permission information including the user ID included in the inquiry request is stored in the storage unit 12. If the receiving unit 131 determines that permission for the user's balance transfer has not been received, it may then request permission for the balance transfer from the user terminal 3.

[0061] In S5, the request transmission unit 352 sends the user's user ID and a code issuance request to the conversion server 2. The code issuance request includes country information indicating the country where the payment will be made, as received by the operation reception unit 351. The issuance request receiving unit 231 of the conversion server 2 receives the user ID and the code issuance request from the user terminal 3.

[0062] When the issuance request receiving unit 231 receives the user ID and code issuance request from the user terminal 3, the token transmission unit 232 generates a token for payment (S6). The token transmission unit 232 associates the user ID with the generated token and stores it in the storage unit 22 (S7). The token transmission unit 232 sends the generated token to the user terminal 3 that sent the code issuance request (S8).

[0063] The code generation unit 353 of the user terminal 3 generates a code based on the token received from the conversion server 2 and displays the generated code on the display unit 33 (S9). The user presents the code displayed on the user terminal 3 at the store, and the store terminal 4 reads the payment code (S10).

[0064] Furthermore, the store terminal 4 obtains the payment amount by identifying the price of the product based on, for example, a product ID entered by a store employee or a product ID read from a barcode attached to the product (S11). The store terminal 4 sends a payment request to the conversion server 2, which includes the obtained payment amount, payment information including a store ID for identifying the store, and a token contained in the read code (S12). The payment amount included in the payment information is assumed to be expressed in the currency of the country where the payment is made. The payment request transmission / reception unit 233 of the conversion server 2 receives a payment request from the store terminal 4, which includes the payment information and the token.

[0065] The explanation will now move to Figure 6. The payment request transmission / reception unit 233 authenticates the token by determining whether the token stored in the storage unit 12 matches the received token. If the token authentication is successful, that is, if the tokens match, the payment request transmission / reception unit 233 obtains the user ID associated with the token stored in the storage unit 12 (S13).

[0066] Next, the settlement request transmission / reception unit 233 converts the settlement amount, expressed in the currency of the country where the settlement is to be made, into Japanese yen by referring to the rate information indicating the currency rate stored in the storage unit 12 (S14). Subsequently, the settlement request transmission / reception unit 233 generates a settlement ID to identify the settlement corresponding to the settlement information and sends a settlement request including the settlement amount, user ID, and settlement ID to the information processing device 1 (S15).

[0067] The acquisition unit 132 of the information processing device 1 acquires a user's payment request, including the payment amount, that corresponds to a predetermined payment request destination. Here, the predetermined payment request destination refers to the conversion server 2, and the acquisition unit 132 acquires a payment request from the conversion server 2 that includes the payment amount, the user ID, and the payment ID. The acquisition unit 132 receives the payment request from the conversion server 2, for example, via an interface dedicated to foreign payments. The payment ID includes, for example, information indicating the country or region included in the payment request. The payment ID may also include flag information indicating that the payment request is outside of Japan, and information indicating the country to which the business operator that made the payment request belongs.

[0068] When the settlement processing unit 133 of the information processing device 1 receives a settlement request from the conversion server 2, it cooperates with the settlement processing unit 234 of the conversion server 2 to perform settlement processing related to foreign settlement (S16). Details of the settlement processing will be described later. When the settlement processing unit 133 completes the settlement, it sends settlement completion information to the conversion server 2 indicating that the settlement has been completed (S17). When the completion information transmission / reception unit 235 of the conversion server 2 receives the settlement completion information from the information processing device 1, it sends the settlement completion information to the user terminal 3 and the store terminal 4 (S18, S19).

[0069] Next, the details of the settlement process will be explained. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of settlement processing related to foreign settlements in the information processing device 1. First, when the acquisition unit 132 acquires a settlement request, it acquires regional information, which is information indicating the region in which the settlement corresponding to the settlement request will be made (S101). The regional information is, for example, at least one of the following: the address information or server name of the translation server 2 that sent the settlement request, information indicating the country or region included in the settlement request, and the name of the interface that receives the settlement request.

[0070] Furthermore, the payment request received by the information processing device 1 from the conversion server 2 may include flag information indicating that the payment request is outside of Japan and information indicating the country to which the business making the payment request belongs, and the regional information may include the said flag information or information indicating the country to which the business making the payment request belongs. In addition, the token that the conversion server 2 sends to the user terminal 3 may include information indicating the country in which the payment will be made, and in this case, the conversion server 2 may include the said token in the payment request as regional information. In addition to foreign payments, the information processing device 1 may also make payments within Japan by issuing its own tokens and receiving payment requests that include the tokens or payment codes corresponding to the tokens. In this case, the acquisition unit 132 may generate information indicating whether or not the payment request includes a payment code, and the regional information may be information generated by the acquisition unit 132 indicating that the payment request does not include a payment code.

[0071] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 132 may acquire from the conversion server 2, the source of the payment request, a payment code issued by the conversion server 2 to the user for payment purposes, and information indicating a predetermined region where the payment code will be used, at the time the conversion server 2 issues the payment code. The acquired payment code and the information indicating the predetermined region may be associated and stored in the storage unit 12. The acquisition unit 132 may also acquire the payment code from the conversion server 2 along with the payment request.

[0072] The settlement processing unit 133 determines whether the settlement request is from a predetermined region, i.e., outside of Japan (S102). Specifically, the settlement processing unit 133 determines whether the settlement request is from outside of Japan by determining whether the region information acquired by the acquisition unit 132 indicates outside of Japan. If the settlement processing unit 133 determines that it is a settlement request from outside of Japan (YES in S102), it moves the process to S103; if it determines that it is not a settlement request from outside of Japan (NO in S102), it moves the process to S111. If the acquisition unit 132 has acquired the settlement code at the time the conversion server 2 issues the settlement code, the settlement processing unit 133 may determine that the settlement corresponding to the settlement request is a settlement in a predetermined region if the settlement code stored in the storage unit 12 matches the settlement code acquired by the acquisition unit 132 along with the settlement request. If the settlement processing unit 133 finds that the settlement code stored in the storage unit 12 matches the settlement code obtained by the acquisition unit 132 along with the settlement request, it may identify information indicating a predetermined region that is associated with the settlement code and stored in the storage unit 12, and determine that the settlement is in a predetermined region based on the information indicating the predetermined region.

[0073] The settlement processing unit 133 refers to the first balance DB and identifies the first balance associated with the user ID included in the settlement request (S103). Next, the settlement processing unit 133 determines whether the user's first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount (S104). If the settlement processing unit 133 determines that the first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount (YES in S104), it moves the process to S110. If the settlement processing unit 133 determines that the first balance is less than the settlement amount (NO in S104), it moves the process to S105.

[0074] In S105, the settlement processing unit 133 refers to the authorization information stored in the storage unit 12 and determines whether the receiving unit 131 has accepted the balance transfer authorization. The settlement processing unit 133 determines whether the receiving unit 131 has accepted the balance transfer authorization by determining whether the storage unit 12 has authorization information associated with the user ID included in the settlement request. If the settlement processing unit 133 determines that the balance transfer authorization has been accepted (YES in S105), it moves the process to S106, and if it determines that the balance transfer authorization has not been accepted (NO in S105), it moves the process to S111.

[0075] In S106, the settlement processing unit 133 refers to the second balance DB to identify the second balance associated with the user ID included in the settlement request. Next, the settlement processing unit 133 determines whether the sum of the first and second balances is equal to or greater than the settlement amount (S107). If the settlement processing unit 133 determines that the sum is equal to or greater than the settlement amount (YES in S107), it moves the process to S108. If it determines that the sum is not equal to or greater than the settlement amount (NO in S107), it moves the process to S111.

[0076] In S108, the settlement processing unit 133 moves the user's balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the user's first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount. For example, the settlement processing unit 133 may move the deficit amount, which is the settlement amount minus the first balance, from the second balance to the first balance, or it may move an amount that is greater than the deficit amount, is an integer multiple of the unit amount, and corresponds to the smallest integer multiple, from the second balance to the first balance.

[0077] Next, the notification unit 134 notifies the user of the amount transferred from the second balance to the first balance by the settlement processing unit 133 by sending notification information to the user terminal 3 (S109). Subsequently, the settlement processing unit 133 settles the settlement amount from the first balance, which is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, in response to the settlement request (S110). For example, the settlement processing unit 133 subtracts the settlement amount from the first balance and, in association with the settlement ID included in the settlement request, performs a remittance process to send the settlement amount to the account of the business operator running the conversion server 2.

[0078] The payment processing unit 133 of the conversion server 2 identifies the payment information included in the payment request received from the user terminal 3 when the payment amount is deposited into the account of the business operator operating the conversion server 2, and sends the payment amount included in the payment information to the account corresponding to the store ID included in the payment information in the currency of the country where the payment is to be made.

[0079] In S111, the notification unit 134 sends error information to the conversion server 2 indicating that payment cannot be made. When the payment processing unit 234 of the conversion server 2 receives the error information from the information processing unit 1, it sends the error information to the user terminal 3 and the store terminal 4.

[0080] [Example 1] In the above-described embodiment, when the information processing device 1 receives a payment request related to CPM-based code payment from the conversion server 2, if the user's first balance is less than the payment amount, it moves the balance from the user's second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the payment amount, and then settles the payment amount from the user's first balance, which is equal to or greater than the payment amount, in response to the payment request. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0081] When the information processing device 1 receives a payment request related to MPM (Merchant Presented Mode) code payment from the conversion server 2, if the user's first balance is less than the payment amount, it may transfer the balance from the user's second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the payment amount, and then make a payment for the payment request from the user's first balance, which is now equal to or greater than the payment amount. MPM code payment is a code payment method in which, for example, a store presents a code and the user terminal 3 reads the code to make a payment.

[0082] Furthermore, if the information processing device 1 receives a payment request from the conversion server 2 for electronic money payment, which is different from code payment, and the user's first balance is less than the payment amount, the device may transfer the balance from the user's second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the payment amount, and then make a payment for the payment amount from the user's first balance, which is now equal to or greater than the payment amount, in response to the payment request.

[0083] [Differentiation 2] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the reception unit 131 stores permission information indicating permission to move the balance in the storage unit 12, and, on the condition that permission information corresponding to the user is stored in the storage unit 12, moves the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, but is not limited to this.

[0084] The reception unit 131 may prevent permission information from being stored in the storage unit 12. The reception unit 131 may also always accept permission from the user if the acquisition unit 132 acquires a settlement request from the conversion server 2, which is a predetermined settlement request destination, and the first balance corresponding to the user is less than the settlement amount. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent a portion of the second balance from being moved to the first balance without the user's knowledge.

[0085] Furthermore, the settlement processing unit 133 has moved an amount from the second balance to the first balance when the user's first balance is less than the settlement amount, provided that the sum of the first and second balances is equal to or greater than the settlement amount. However, it is not limited to this. The settlement processing unit 133 may, when the user's first balance is less than the settlement amount, charge the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount, provided that it is possible to charge the first balance. Also, when the user's first balance is less than the settlement amount, and it is not possible to charge the first balance, the settlement processing unit 133 may move an amount from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount.

[0086] Furthermore, the settlement processing unit 133 may determine whether or not to charge the first balance when the user's first balance is less than the settlement amount, and the sum of the first and second balances is less than the settlement amount. If the settlement processing unit 133 determines that it is possible to charge the first balance, it may not send error information to the conversion server 2, but instead charge the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount.

[0087] Then, the settlement processing unit 133 may settle the settlement amount from the first balance, which has reached or exceeded the settlement amount, in response to the settlement request. In this way, the information processing device 1 can facilitate cashless payment using the user terminal 3 by performing a charge.

[0088] [Effects of Information Processing System S] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment stores a first balance of electronic money owned by a user, which is eligible for settlement but whose transfer of funds for remittance and withdrawal is restricted, and a second balance which is eligible for settlement and fund transfer. When the device receives a settlement request from a user that includes a settlement amount and corresponds to a predetermined settlement destination, if the first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, it settles the settlement amount from the first balance in response to the settlement request. If the first balance is less than the settlement amount, it moves the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount, and then settles the settlement amount from the first balance, which is now equal to or greater than the settlement amount, in response to the settlement request. In this way, the information processing device 1 can facilitate code payments overseas.

[0089] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0090] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 1. Information Processing Device 2 Conversion Server 3. User terminals 4 Store terminals 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 31 Operation section 32 Communications Department 33 Display section 34 Storage section 35 Control Unit 131 Reception Department 132 Acquisition Department 133 Payment Processing Unit 134 Notification Department 231 Issuance Request Receiving Unit 232 Token transmission unit 233 Payment Request Transmission / Reception Unit 234 Payment Processing Unit 235 Completion Information Transmission / Reception Unit 351 Operation Reception Section 352 Request transmission unit 353 Code Generation Unit 354 Display Control Unit

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores the balance of electronic money owned by the user, a first balance which can be used for payment but is restricted from being transferred to an account and withdrawn, and a second balance which can be used for payment and the aforementioned fund transfers. An acquisition unit that acquires a payment request from the user, including the payment amount, that corresponds to a predetermined payment request destination, When the acquisition unit acquires the settlement request, if the first balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, the settlement processing unit settles the settlement amount from the first balance in response to the settlement request; if the first balance is less than the settlement amount, the settlement processing unit moves the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount, and settles the settlement amount from the first balance which is equal to or greater than the settlement amount in response to the settlement request. An information processing device having

2. The first balance is payable but cannot be transferred to or withdrawn from an account. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a receiving unit that receives permission from the user to transfer the balance from the second balance to the first balance, The settlement processing unit, when the acquisition unit acquires a settlement request from the predetermined settlement request destination and the first balance is less than the settlement amount, and the acceptance unit has accepted the permission, moves the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The reception unit stores permission information indicating that it has received permission from the user in the storage unit. The settlement processing unit, when the acquisition unit acquires a settlement request from the predetermined settlement request destination and the first balance is less than the settlement amount, and the storage unit has the permission information corresponding to the user stored therein, moves the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The receiving unit accepts the permission when the acquisition unit has acquired a settlement request from the predetermined settlement request recipient and the first balance is less than the settlement amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

6. The receiving unit receives permission from the user to transfer the balance from the second balance to the first balance when the user makes the payment request corresponding to the payment from a predetermined region. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

7. When the receiving unit receives an operation to make the payment request corresponding to a payment from a predetermined region in the payment application that is executed on the user terminal used by the user, it receives permission from the user to transfer the balance from the second balance to the first balance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The storage unit stores permission information indicating that it has received the permission from the user. The reception unit, upon receiving an operation to initiate the payment request in the payment application that performs the payment on the user terminal used by the user, receives an inquiry from the user regarding whether permission has been granted, and if it determines that permission has not been granted by the user, it grants permission from the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

9. The acquisition unit acquires information indicating the region in which the settlement corresponding to the settlement request will be made. The settlement processing unit, when the information indicating the region obtained by the acquisition unit indicates a predetermined region, settles the settlement amount from the first balance in response to the settlement request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. The information indicating the region is at least one of the following: the address information or server name of the server from which the payment request originated; information indicating a country or region included in the payment request; flag information indicating that the payment request is outside of Japan; information indicating the country to which the business operator that made the payment request belongs; the name of the interface that receives the payment request; and information indicating that the payment request does not contain a payment code. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The acquisition unit acquires the payment code issued by the server to the user for payment purposes from the server that sent the payment request at the time the server issued the payment code, stores the acquired payment code in the storage unit as a payment code for a predetermined region, and acquires the payment code from the server along with the payment request. The settlement processing unit determines, when the settlement code stored in the storage unit matches the settlement code acquired by the acquisition unit along with the settlement request, that the settlement corresponding to the settlement request is a settlement in the predetermined region, and settles the settlement amount from the first balance in response to the settlement request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

12. The settlement processing unit has a notification unit that notifies the user of the amount transferred from the second balance to the first balance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

13. The settlement processing unit, when the first balance is less than the settlement amount, if it is possible to charge the first balance, charges the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount; if it is not possible to charge the first balance, it transfers the balance from the second balance to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount; and in response to the settlement request, settles the settlement amount from the first balance, which has become equal to or greater than the settlement amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

14. The settlement processing unit determines whether it is possible to charge the first balance when the first balance is less than the settlement amount, and if it determines that it is possible to charge the first balance, it charges the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the settlement amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12.

15. A computer executes A step of obtaining a user's payment request that includes the payment amount, and the payment request that corresponds to a predetermined payment destination. Upon receiving the payment request, if the balance of the electronic money owned by the user, which is a first balance that can be used for payment and for which fund transfers to and withdrawals to an account are restricted, is equal to or greater than the payment amount, the payment amount is settled from the first balance in response to the payment request. If the first balance is less than the payment amount, the balance is transferred from the second balance, which is a balance of electronic money owned by the user that can be used for payment and for which fund transfers are restricted, to the first balance so that the first balance becomes equal to or greater than the payment amount, and the payment amount is settled from the first balance, which is now equal to or greater than the payment amount, in response to the payment request. An information processing method having

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