Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To improve user convenience. [Solution] An information processing device that, in response to an operation on the home screen of an electronic payment service, displays a payment screen for making a payment related to the electronic payment service on the display unit of a user terminal device, the payment screen includes a first area, the first area includes first information including first code information used in a first payment method of the electronic payment service, and in response to a predetermined operation on the first area, changes the first information in the first area to second information, the second information includes second code information used in a second payment method of the electronic payment service.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an application program that allows a user to select immediate payment or deferred payment from the remaining recharge amount of electronic money when making a payment (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology, the convenience for users may not be sufficient. For example, the convenience for users in selecting a payment method may be low.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can improve the convenience for users. More specifically, one of the objectives is to improve the convenience for users in selecting a payment method.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that, in response to an operation on the home screen of an electronic payment service, displays a payment screen for making a payment related to the electronic payment service on the display unit of a user terminal device, wherein the payment screen includes a first area, the first area includes first information including first code information used in a first payment method of the electronic payment service, and in response to a predetermined operation on the first area, changes the first information in the first area to second information, the second information including second code information used in a second payment method of the electronic payment service. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, user convenience can be improved. More specifically, user convenience regarding the selection of payment methods can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an example of a configuration for implementing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 4] This is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of information about payment methods used in electronic payments. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the contents of setting information 173. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the contents of merchant / store information 176. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of the home screen (top screen) of payment app 20. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a payment screen. [Figure 11]This is a diagram illustrating a comparative example. [Figure 12] This is a diagram to explain the transfer of payment methods. [Figure 13] This is a diagram to explain the provision of information regarding the return rate. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of recommendation information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Various devices, such as the "server" mentioned below, which provide services to users or perform internal analysis, may be implemented by a distributed group of devices, and the operators of each device may be different. Furthermore, the owner of the hardware of the devices (the provider of the cloud server) and the operator that actually operates them may also be different. The application program and the payment server work together to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program will be referred to as the payment app. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payment for the purchase of goods and services at a store. A store is, for example, a physical store (real store) that exists in the real world, but may also include a virtual store for e-commerce. A virtual store may include one provided by an entity different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when settling a purchase at a virtual store, the user may be directed to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, a merchant (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at a store is mainly carried out between the user and the merchant. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be carried out between the user and the store.

[0010] [Electronic payment service] Figure 1 shows an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized with a payment server 100 at its center. The payment server 100 communicates with, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, and one or more second store terminal devices 70 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), wireless base stations, provider equipment, etc. The payment server 100 is an example of an "information processing device".

[0011] [User terminal device] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least optical reading function, communication function, display function, input reception function, and program execution function. In the following description, the components for realizing these functions will be referred to as a camera, communication device, touch panel, CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, the payment application 20 is executed by a processor such as the CPU, and it operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to the user. The payment application 20 is installed on the user terminal device 10, for example, from an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0012] [Store Terminal Device #1] The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 may include a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 (code information) is placed in the store and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on paper or plastic media. The store code image 60 may also be displayed on a display placed in the store (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0013] [Second Store Terminal Device] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the franchise store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc. In the second store terminal device 70, an interface 72 for franchise stores operates. The interface 72 for franchise stores may be an app for franchise stores or a browser. The interface 72 for franchise stores accepts settings of coupons, etc. by the operator of the franchise store and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70 that is a smartphone has functions such as displaying a code image corresponding to the store code image or reading the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing an app for franchise stores.

[0014] [Payment Server] The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on the payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and a franchise store server. In that case, payment information is transmitted from the POS device to the payment server 100 via the franchise store server. In the following description, without particularly distinguishing this, it is assumed that payment information is transmitted from the first store terminal device 50.

[0015] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating a rough flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns, Pattern 1 and Pattern 2, in electronic payment.

[0016] In the case of Pattern 1 shown in Figure 2 (hereinafter referred to as User Scan), the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 contains information about the store URL (Uniform Resource Locator). This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which information that can identify the store has been added, and is associated with the merchant ID and store ID, etc., at the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 sends the first payment information, including the store URL and account ID, to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the merchant ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, obtains the merchant name and store name information (S3), and sends it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen where the merchant name and store name are displayed (S5). The user terminal device 10 then generates second payment information, including at least the payment amount, and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification (information for displaying the payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). If the store code image 60 is displayed on a display placed in the store, the store code image 60 may include payment amount information as well as the store URL. In this case, the procedure for the user to enter the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Merchant name and store name information may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0017] In the case of Pattern 2 shown in Figure 3 (hereinafter referred to as Store Scan), when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, when it is time for an automatic update (for example, every minute), and at other times, the payment app 20 sends a request to the payment server 100 to issue a one-time code (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image such as a QR code or barcode that was generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50 (presents it), and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). Then, the first store terminal device 50 generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, merchant ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is obtained in advance by barcode scanning or manual input. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs the electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification to the payment app 20 (S18), and the payment app 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0018] Furthermore, electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Also, the "account ID" explained in Figure 2 may be other information that can be used as user identification information (for example, a phone number). In addition, the issuance of a one-time code may be omitted during store scanning, and the payment app 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In that case, the payment server 100 will identify the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0019] [Payment Server] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to an embodiment. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information processing unit 140, and a storage unit 170. Components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 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 in 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 in a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed in the storage device when the storage medium is mounted on a drive device. Each function included in the payment server 100 may be distributed among multiple functions.

[0020] 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 the payment server 100 can access via the network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172 including configuration information 173, content information 174, and merchant / store information 176.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The content provision 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 content provision unit 120 reads the necessary content from the content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20 and transmits the aforementioned payment information and other data to the payment server 100.

[0023] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0024] [User information] Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of User Information 172. User Information 172 is an example of user registration information. User Information 172 includes, for example, user URL, account ID, telephone number, password, as well as information such as email address, user ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit payment settings, credit payment limit, credit payment amount, available credit payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, and payment history information. The user URL is used for money transfer processing between users. When registering for a new electronic payment service, registration of a telephone number and password is mandatory. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). Similarly, the email address and name, address, and date of birth are also information that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). The registration date is the date the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date the account was created). Hereafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0025] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money set by the user by sending money to their account in advance. Methods of sending money include sending from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated provider (bank) and sending from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting indicates whether or not the user has completed the settings to enable electronic payments by credit card, and is set to either "Completed" or "Not Completed". The credit payment limit is the monthly limit for credit payments, the credit payment amount is the amount already used for credit payments in the current month, and the available credit payment amount is the amount available for credit payments in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment amount from the credit payment limit. While the diagram shows only one credit payment limit, in reality there are also daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. Further details on credit payments will be described later. The payment method setting indicates whether the user will use electronic payment with the charge balance or payment by credit card at that time. The bank account and credit card number information, respectively, refers to the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) to which funds can be deposited into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a record of when the user has previously sent money to the electronic payment service 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, payment method, etc.).

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, user information 172 includes information that associates the user's identification information and the time the electronic payment was made with information about the payment method used by the user. Payment methods include, for example, charge balance, credit card, and voucher. A user may possess multiple credit cards that can be used for electronic payments. In this case, whether or not the credit card was used and the time are managed for each type of credit card. Vouchers include those issued by merchants and local governments. Information about the merchants where the voucher can be used is associated with each voucher. Vouchers can be used with electronic payments at the above-mentioned merchants. When a voucher is used, the type of voucher and the time it was used are managed in association with the user's identification information.

[0027] [Settings Information] Figure 7 shows an example of the contents of setting information 173. Setting information 173 is information that associates the user's identification information, the time when the payment method was selected, and the selected payment method with each other. When the user selects or switches a payment method on the payment screen described later, the setting information 173 is updated to associate the payment method corresponding to that selection or switch with the time and the user's identification information.

[0028] [Franchise / Store Information] Figure 8 shows an example of the contents of the merchant / store information 176. The merchant / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which the merchant ID and store ID are associated with the store URL, a second table 176B in which the merchant name and sales amount (as described above) are associated with the merchant ID, and a third table 176C in which the store name is associated with the store ID. In addition to this information, the merchant / store information 176 may also include information such as the merchant or store category, store location, and payment pattern.

[0029] The information processing unit 140 manages user information 172 and merchant / store information 176 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70. The information processing unit 140 performs operations such as adding, editing, and deleting new records for user information 172 and merchant / store information 176. The information processing unit 140 works in conjunction with the content provision unit 120 and the payment application 20 to display screens containing various content on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0030] [Electronic payment] When the payment processing unit 130 obtains payment information from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, it refers to the user information 172 to obtain the user's "payment method setting". For users whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows: For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance, which is managed in association with the user ID, and increasing the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item. For example, the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item is not used as electronic money itself, but rather the amount corresponding to the value of the sales proceeds item is transferred to the bank account in a cycle according to the agreement between the merchant and the electronic payment service.

[0031] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows for users whose "settings information" is set to "credit payment". Credit payment is a payment method in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the electronic payment service operator. The electronic payment service operator acts as the donor and allows electronic payment within the credit limit, without relying on the charge balance. In order to use the credit payment service, users may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the electronic payment service operator. The amount used by credit payment is settled in a lump sum for the month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by withdrawal from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs a provisional settlement by adding the settlement amount to the amount used by credit payment and subtracting the same amount from the available credit payment limit. When the closing date arrives, it processes the payment for the current month to be withdrawn on the payment date of the following month as described above, or requests the credit card company operator to perform the said process. If the settlement amount exceeds the available credit payment limit at the time of provisional settlement, an error notification is sent back to the payment app 20.

[0032] [Home screen] Figure 9 shows an example of the home screen (top screen) of the payment app 20. The home screen displays a code image C1. The code image C1 includes, for example, a barcode and a QR code. Next to the code image C1, a toggle switch SW is displayed to switch between making an electronic payment using the charge balance or an electronic payment using a credit card. Note that "switch" and "button" refer to GUI (Graphical User Interface) implemented in cooperation with the touch panel. In Figure 9, "Charge Balance" is displayed, meaning that the setting is to make an electronic payment using the charge balance. The user can switch between making an electronic payment using the charge balance or an electronic payment using a credit card by, for example, pressing or swiping the toggle switch SW. The payment method may also be switched by swiping the code image C1 or the area nearby.

[0033] The home screen also includes an operation area OA, and transition buttons TB1 and TB2. The operation area OA is equipped with buttons that instruct the main operations in electronic payment, such as a button to initiate scanning (start user scanning), a button to send the charge balance to another user, a button to display the points earned by the user, and a button to display the history of electronic payments performed by the user. When transition button TB1 is pressed, the user transitions to a payment screen (see Figure 10 below) that displays the code image used for electronic payment and the available amount. When transition button TB2 is pressed, the user transitions to a screen that displays the available amount for payment using the charge balance or credit card. In Figure 9, since electronic payment using the charge balance is set, when transition button TB2 is pressed, the available amount for payment using the charge balance is displayed.

[0034] At the bottom of the operating area OA, for example, a group of buttons (switches) M1, M2, ... for launching mini-applications are displayed. A mini-application is an application that operates using the payment application 20 as a platform and provides some kind of service. Service providers develop mini-applications by referring to the SDK (Software Development Kit), which consists of application development programs and technical documents provided by the administrator of the payment application 20. A mini-application is an application that operates when the payment application 20 is running. For example, when the payment application 20 is installed, some or all of the mini-application may be installed, or some or all of the mini-application may be installed from the service server corresponding to the mini-application.

[0035] [Switching payment methods] The payment server 100 displays a payment screen for making payments related to the electronic payment service on the display unit of the user terminal device in response to an operation on the home screen of the electronic payment service (in response to obtaining information about the operation). An operation on the home screen is, for example, an operation on the transition button TB1 in Figure 9.

[0036] Figure 10 shows an example of a payment screen. Payment screen IM1 is a screen where the payment method for the charge balance is set. Payment screen IM2 is a screen where the payment method for credit payment is set. Payment screens IM1 and IM2 include the first area AR1 and the second area AR2. The first area AR1 includes first information, including a code image C1 (first code information) used for the charge balance of electronic payment (an example of the "first payment method").

[0037] The second area AR2 contains information such as the amount available from the charge balance and the points held by the user. When the charge balance button TB12 is pressed, the payment server 100 displays the list screen IM11, which will be described later. When the points button TB13 is pressed, the payment server 100 switches whether or not points can be used.

[0038] In response to a predetermined operation on the first region AR1, the first information in the first region AR1 is changed to the second information. The second information includes a code image C2 (second code information) used for electronic payment credit card payments (an example of the "second payment method"). The payment screen IM2 is the payment screen after the change to the second information. The payment method in the second information can be any payment method different from the payment method in the first information.

[0039] The predetermined operation is either swiping the first region AR1 (for example, region AR1# within the first region AR1), or operating on the switch button TB11 located in or near the first region AR1 (for example, region AR1# within the first region AR).

[0040] The second area AR2 of the payment screen IM2 contains a list of credit cards that can be used for credit payments. When the button TB22 for credit card A or the button TB23 for credit card B is pressed, the payment server 100 displays the list screen IM11, which will be described later.

[0041] The payment server 100 changes the second information in the second area AR2 to the first information in response to a predetermined operation on the first area AR1 in the payment screen IM2. The screen after the change is the payment screen IM1. The predetermined operation is, for example, swiping the first area AR1 (for example, area AR1# within the first area AR1) as described above, or an operation on the first area AR1 (for example, area AR1# within the first area AR) or a toggle button TB21 provided near the first area AR1.

[0042] In the above example, the payment server 100 may set the color of the first area AR1 of the payment screen IM1 to the first color and the color of the first area AR1 of the payment screen IM2 to the second color. The first color is, for example, red, and the second color is, for example, blue. The payment server 100 may also set the color of the area of ​​the first area AR1 of the payment screen IM1 excluding area AR1# to the first color and the color of the area of ​​the first area AR1 of the payment screen IM2 excluding area AR1# to the second color. This allows the user to easily recognize the set payment method.

[0043] Users can make electronic payments using the electronic payment service by presenting code image C1 or code image C2 at participating merchants during the store scan. At this time, users can easily change their payment method on the payment screen, improving user convenience.

[0044] In the case of user scanning, when the user operates the scan button TB14 on payment screen IM1 or the scan button TB24 on payment screen IM2, the camera on the user terminal device 10 is activated and can read the merchant's code image. The above describes changing between two payment methods: charge balance and credit card payment. However, if multiple credit cards are linked to user information 172, the user can select multiple credit cards through a predetermined operation.

[0045] [Comparative Example] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a comparative example. When the home screen transition button TB1 is operated, the payment screen IM1# is displayed. The payment screen IM1# includes a code image C1 and a charge balance button TB12#. On the payment screen IM1#, buttons for pre-configured payment methods are displayed. The pre-configured payment methods are those set in the payment method settings of user information 172. When the payment screen IM1# is displayed, if the user wants to change the payment method to credit card payment, the user operates button TB12#, and the payment screen IM2# is displayed.

[0046] For example, in user information 172, the payment method setting is configured to prioritize the charge balance as the preferred payment method. In this case, even if the user switches the payment method to electronic payment using a credit card on the home screen, the payment screens IM1# and IM2# will still use the payment method set in the payment method settings.

[0047] The payment screen IM2# includes a code image C1 and a button TB22# for the charge balance. When the user presses the charge balance button TB22#, a list of available payment methods (not shown) is displayed. The user can then make an electronic payment using a credit card by selecting a credit card from the list.

[0048] As described above, in the comparative example, it was not always easy to select a payment method on the payment screen. In contrast, in this embodiment, as explained in Figure 10, the payment method can be easily changed with predetermined operations on the payment screens IM1 and IM2. This improves user convenience.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the payment server 100 carries over the payment method selected by the user on the home screen to the next payment screen (payment screen IM1 or IM2 in Figure 10), rather than the payment method set in the payment method settings. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the transfer of the payment method. For example, suppose that on the home screen, the toggle switch SW is operated to switch the payment method from the charge balance to a credit card, and the transition button TB1 is operated. The payment server 100 displays the payment screen IM2. In this case, even if, for example, the payment method for the charge balance is set in the payment method settings, the payment server 100 carries over the payment method switched by the operation on the home screen and sets the payment method for the payment screen IM2.

[0050] In this way, the payment server 100 carries over the payment method set on the home screen to the next screen, thus reflecting the user's preferences. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

[0051] The above example described a store scan scenario, but the payment method may also be changed by a predetermined operation during a user scan. For example, after the user terminal device 10's camera reads the merchant's code image, a screen for entering the amount is displayed. The payment method may be changed on this screen. In this case, the payment method can be changed, for example, by operating a button to select a payment method or by swiping a predetermined area.

[0052] [Control after closing the screen] After the payment screen is closed (after the payment app 20 is closed or after the screen displayed by the payment app 20 is closed), if the payment screen is to be displayed again (when the payment app 20 is launched), the payment server 100 may set the payment method by inheriting the payment method selected by the user immediately before, and display the screen (code image) of that payment method on the display unit. For example, it may be controlled as follows:

[0053] The payment server 100 displays the home screen on the display unit. The home screen includes a first target area. The first target area is, for example, the area where the code image C1 in Figure 9 is displayed. The first target area includes third information, which includes first code information used for the first payment method of electronic payment (for example, the code image C1 of the charge balance). In response to an operation on the first target area of ​​the home screen, the payment server 100 changes the third information on the home screen to fourth information (for example, the code image C2 of the credit card). The fourth information includes fourth information, which includes second code information used for the second payment method of electronic payment. After the third information has been changed to the fourth information, if an operation is performed on the home screen (for example, the transition button TB1 is operated), the payment server 100 displays a payment screen (payment screen IM2 in Figure 10) on the display unit, which includes the first area containing the fourth information. The payment method in the third information can be any payment method different from the payment method in the fourth information.

[0054] When the payment server 100 changes the third information to the fourth information, it generates setting information 173 (user information) that associates the information indicating the second payment method with the user's identification information. When the payment server 100 displays the home screen on the display unit after the payment screen IM2 is closed, it displays the fourth information (code image C2) in the first target area of ​​the home screen. For example, the home screen shown in Figure 9 is displayed with the previously selected credit card payment method set.

[0055] In this way, the payment server 100 carries over the payment method that was set immediately before to the next screen when the payment app 20 is launched, thus reflecting the user's intentions. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

[0056] [Information on return rates] The payment server 100 displays an operation button (button TB12) for payment methods in a second area different from the first area of ​​the payment screen, and when the operation button is operated, it displays a list of payment methods available to the user (list screen IM11) in the display unit. The list includes a first indicator (In1 in Figure 13, described later) relating to payment methods using the charge balance and the benefits obtained when using such payment methods, and a second indicator (In2 in Figure 13, described later) relating to payment methods using a credit card and the benefits obtained when using such payment methods. The first indicator is, for example, the point redemption rate when making an electronic payment using the charge balance. The second indicator is, for example, the point redemption rate when making an electronic payment using a credit card. When the user selects a payment method by referring to the first and second indicators in the list, the payment method to be used for electronic payment is set to the selected payment method according to the operation selected. The first and second indicators may also be the content of points or benefits that can be obtained instead of (or in addition to) the point redemption rate. The payment method of the first indicator and the payment method of the second indicator may be different payment methods.

[0057] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the provision of information on reward rates. When the payment method button TB12 is pressed on the payment screen IM2, the payment server 100 displays the payment method list screen IM11 on the display unit. The list screen IM11 is a list of payment methods available to the user. For example, as shown in the figure, payment methods such as charge balance, credit card A, credit card B, and vouchers (e.g., gift certificates) are displayed. Rewards may be given depending on the payment method. The payment server 100 associates reward information with the payment method and displays it so that the user can recognize the reward information.

[0058] For example, as shown in the diagram, the payment server 100 displays a list screen IM11 associated with payment methods so that users can recognize information such as the point redemption rate when making an electronic payment using the charge balance (In1) or the point redemption rate when making an electronic payment using credit card A (In2). When a user refers to the above redemption rate information and selects, for example, a payment method with a high redemption rate on the list screen IM11, the payment server 100 sets the selected payment method as the payment method for electronic payments. The redemption rate information for each payment method is stored in the storage unit 170.

[0059] In this way, users can choose their payment method by referring to the point reward rate, thus improving user convenience.

[0060] Even if the payment method is changed through the prescribed operation as described above, the payment server 100 may prioritize using the voucher available at the merchant, and if it is insufficient, it may use the changed payment method to perform the electronic payment. Alternatively, it may not prioritize using the voucher, but instead prioritize the selected payment method. For example, if a credit card is selected, the electronic payment may be performed using the selected credit card.

[0061] Furthermore, on the list screen IM11 mentioned above, information about the voucher, such as its expiration date, type, and amount, may be displayed next to the voucher. This allows users to refer to the voucher's expiration date, amount, and the reward rates of other payment methods to select the appropriate payment method at that time.

[0062] [About Recommendations] The payment server 100 generates user information (for example, user information 172 in Figure 6) that associates the type of payment method used in electronic payment with the user's identification information. If a user uses a payment method with a low reward rate, rather than a payment method with a high reward rate, a predetermined number of times, the payment server 100 displays recommendation information in a different area of ​​the payment screen (for example, the second area AR2) that recommends the user use a payment method with a high reward rate.

[0063] Figure 14 shows an example of recommendation information. The payment server 100, for example, refers to user information 172 (for example, the information in Figure 6) and, if the user has made an electronic payment of their charge balance a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times consecutively), displays recommendation information in the second area AR2 of the payment screen IM2 indicating that they can earn more points by using a credit card. In addition to (or instead of) the above recommendation information, the payment server 100 may also recommend that users who have not applied for a credit card apply for one. For example, when the area of ​​the recommended information is operated, the payment server 100 may display a screen for applying for a credit card on the display unit. Note that whether or not a user has applied for a credit card is managed in user information 172. The recommendation information may also be displayed in the first area. Note that the use of gift certificates may be excluded from the count of the predetermined number of times mentioned above. For example, the use of the charge balance may be included in the count. This is because gift certificates are a payment method that users preferentially use for electronic payments.

[0064] This allows users to recognize payment methods with higher reward rates. As a result, user convenience improves.

[0065] According to the embodiments described above, the payment server 100 displays a payment screen for making payments related to the electronic payment service on the display unit of the user terminal device in response to an operation on the home screen of the electronic payment service, the payment screen includes a first area, the first area includes first information including first code information used in the first payment method of the electronic payment service, the first information in the first area is changed to second information in response to a predetermined operation on the first area, and the second information includes second information including second code information used in the second payment method of the electronic payment service, thereby improving user convenience.

[0066] 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]

[0067] 10. User terminal device 20 Payment Apps 100 Payment Servers 120 Content Provision Department 130 Payment Processing Unit 140 Information Processing Section 172 User information 173 Configuration Information

Claims

1. In response to an operation on the home screen of the electronic payment service, the payment screen for making a payment related to the electronic payment service is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device. The aforementioned payment screen includes a first area, The first region includes first information, which includes first code information used in a first payment method that utilizes the charge balance of the electronic payment, In response to a predetermined operation on the first region, the first information of the first region is changed to the second information. The second information includes second code information used in the second payment method using the credit card for electronic payment, In a second area of ​​the payment screen, distinct from the first area, operation buttons regarding the payment method are displayed. When the aforementioned operation button is pressed, a list of payment methods available to the user is displayed on the display unit. The aforementioned list includes a first indicator relating to the first payment method using the charge balance of the electronic payment service and the benefits obtained when using the first payment method, and a second indicator relating to the second payment method using the credit card of the electronic payment service and the benefits obtained when using the second payment method. The first indicator is the point redemption rate provided by the electronic payment service when the electronic payment is made using the charge balance, The second indicator is the point redemption rate provided by the electronic payment service when the electronic payment is made using the credit card, In the aforementioned list, when a user selects a payment method by referring to the first and second indicators, the payment method to be used for electronic payment is set to the selected payment method according to the selection operation. Information processing device.

2. In response to an operation on the home screen of the electronic payment service, the payment screen for making a payment related to the electronic payment service is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device. The aforementioned payment screen includes a first area, The first region includes first information, which includes first code information used in a first payment method that utilizes the charge balance of the electronic payment, In response to a predetermined operation on the first region, the first information of the first region is changed to the second information. The second information includes second code information used in the second payment method using the credit card for electronic payment, In a second area of ​​the payment screen, distinct from the first area, operation buttons are displayed for the user to select a credit card from among several available credit cards. When the aforementioned operation button is pressed, a list of payment methods available to the user is displayed on the display unit. The aforementioned list includes a first indicator relating to the first payment method using the charge balance of the electronic payment service and the benefits obtained when using the first payment method; a second indicator relating to the second payment method using the first credit card of the electronic payment service and the benefits obtained when using the second payment method; information on a second credit card different from the first credit card usable with the electronic payment service; and information on vouchers usable with the electronic payment service. The first indicator is the point redemption rate provided by the electronic payment service when the electronic payment is made using the charge balance, The second indicator is the point redemption rate provided by the electronic payment service when the electronic payment is made using the first credit card. The information of the voucher includes the amount of the voucher and the expiration date of the voucher. In the aforementioned list, when a user selects a payment method by referring to the first and second indicators, the payment method to be used for electronic payment is set to the selected payment method according to the selection operation. Information processing device.

3. In response to an operation on the home screen of the electronic payment service, the payment screen for making a payment related to the electronic payment service is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device. The aforementioned payment screen includes a first area, The first region includes first information, which includes first code information used in a first payment method that utilizes the charge balance of the electronic payment, In response to a predetermined operation on the first region, the first information of the first region is changed to the second information. The second information includes second code information used in the second payment method using the credit payment method of the electronic payment, The home screen is displayed on the display unit. The aforementioned home screen includes a first target area, The first target area includes third information, which includes first code information used in the first payment method of the electronic payment, In response to the modification operation on the home screen, the third information on the home screen is changed to the fourth information. The fourth information includes the fourth information which includes the second code information used in the second payment method of the electronic payment, If the predetermined operation is performed after the third information has been changed to the fourth information, the display unit will display a payment screen including the first area which includes the fourth information. When the third information is changed to the fourth information, the electronic payment service's storage unit generates user information that is managed and associates the second payment method information with the user identification information of the electronic payment service, and refers to the generated user information. If the home screen is displayed on the display unit after the payment screen has been closed, the first target area of ​​the home screen will be displayed including the fourth information. If the predetermined operation is performed on the home screen after the payment screen has been closed, the payment screen will be displayed on the display unit. If the user has used a payment method with a low reward rate, rather than a payment method with a high reward rate, a predetermined number of times, information recommending the use of the payment method with a high reward rate will be displayed in a different area of ​​the payment screen from the first area. Information processing device.

4. Computers In response to an operation on the home screen of the electronic payment service, the payment screen for making a payment related to the electronic payment service is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device. The aforementioned payment screen includes a first area, The first region includes first information, which includes first code information used in a first payment method that utilizes the charge balance of the electronic payment, In response to a predetermined operation on the first region, the first information of the first region is changed to the second information. The second information includes second code information used in the second payment method using the credit card for electronic payment, In a second area of ​​the payment screen, distinct from the first area, operation buttons regarding the payment method are displayed. When the aforementioned operation button is pressed, a list of payment methods available to the user is displayed on the display unit. The aforementioned list includes a first indicator relating to the first payment method using the charge balance of the electronic payment service and the benefits obtained when using the first payment method, and a second indicator relating to the second payment method using the credit card of the electronic payment service and the benefits obtained when using the second payment method. The first indicator is the point redemption rate provided by the electronic payment service when the electronic payment is made using the charge balance, The second indicator is the point redemption rate provided by the electronic payment service when the electronic payment is made using the credit card, In the aforementioned list, when a user selects a payment method by referring to the first and second indicators, the payment method to be used for electronic payment is set to the selected payment method according to the selection operation. Information processing methods.

5. Computers In response to an operation on the home screen of the electronic payment service, the payment screen for making a payment related to the electronic payment service is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device. The aforementioned payment screen includes a first area, The first region includes first information, which includes first code information used in a first payment method that utilizes the charge balance of the electronic payment, In response to a predetermined operation on the first region, the first information of the first region is changed to the second information. The second information includes second code information used in the second payment method using the credit card for electronic payment, In a second area of ​​the payment screen, distinct from the first area, operation buttons are displayed for the user to select a credit card from among several available credit cards. When the aforementioned operation button is pressed, a list of payment methods available to the user is displayed on the display unit. The aforementioned list includes a first indicator relating to the first payment method using the charge balance of the electronic payment service and the benefits obtained when using the first payment method; a second indicator relating to the second payment method using the first credit card of the electronic payment service and the benefits obtained when using the second payment method; information on a second credit card different from the first credit card usable with the electronic payment service; and information on vouchers usable with the electronic payment service. The first indicator is the point redemption rate provided by the electronic payment service when the electronic payment is made using the charge balance, The second indicator is the point redemption rate provided by the electronic payment service when the electronic payment is made using the first credit card. The information of the voucher includes the amount of the voucher and the expiration date of the voucher. In the aforementioned list, when a user selects a payment method by referring to the first and second indicators, the payment method to be used for electronic payment is set to the selected payment method according to the selection operation. Information processing methods.

6. Computers In response to an operation on the home screen of the electronic payment service, the payment screen for making a payment related to the electronic payment service is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device. The aforementioned payment screen includes a first area, The first region includes first information, which includes first code information used in a first payment method that utilizes the charge balance of the electronic payment, In response to a predetermined operation on the first region, the first information of the first region is changed to the second information. The second information includes second code information used in the second payment method using the credit payment method of the electronic payment, The home screen is displayed on the display unit. The aforementioned home screen includes a first target area, The first target area includes third information, which includes first code information used in the first payment method of the electronic payment, In response to the modification operation on the home screen, the third information on the home screen is changed to the fourth information. The fourth information includes the fourth information which includes the second code information used in the second payment method of the electronic payment, If the predetermined operation is performed after the third information has been changed to the fourth information, the display unit will display a payment screen including the first area which includes the fourth information. When the third information is changed to the fourth information, the electronic payment service's storage unit generates user information that is managed and associates the second payment method information with the user identification information of the electronic payment service, and refers to the generated user information. If the home screen is displayed on the display unit after the payment screen has been closed, the first target area of ​​the home screen will be displayed including the fourth information. If the predetermined operation is performed on the home screen after the payment screen has been closed, the payment screen will be displayed on the display unit. If the user has used a payment method with a low reward rate, rather than a payment method with a high reward rate, a predetermined number of times, information recommending the use of the payment method with a high reward rate will be displayed in a different area of ​​the payment screen from the first area. Information processing methods.

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