Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience. [Solution] An information processing device that provides an electronic payment service, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the usage status of a user of a second service from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service; and a processing unit that, when it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a user has input necessary information and set a payment method for service usage fees. For example, an image data input unit that inputs image data of first user information that can be visually recognized to identify a lifeline user, and a second user information necessary for paying the usage fee of the lifeline by credit card payment. A credit information input unit that inputs information, a change data generation unit that combines the image data of the first user information input by the image data input unit and the second user information input by the credit information input unit to generate visible change data for changing the payment method of the lifeline usage fee, A change data output unit that outputs the change data, and a payment method change unit that changes the payment method of the lifeline usage fee are disclosed (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] However, in the payment method change data generation system described in Patent Document 1 above, since the user needs to input information, the convenience for the user may be low.

[0005] This invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device for providing an electronic payment service, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the usage status of a user of a second service from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service; and a processing unit that, when it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the usage status information, provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user convenience. [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 diagram showing the configuration of payment server 100. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of user information 182. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of the contents of merchant / store information 186. [Figure 7]This is a diagram showing the configuration of credit server 300. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the interface screen IF1. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the interface screen IF2. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the contents of linked user information 370. [Figure 11] This diagram shows the interface screen IF3. [Figure 12] This diagram shows the interface screen IF4. [Figure 13] This sequence diagram shows an example of the processing flow for setting the payment method for the second service in an electronic payment service. [Figure 14] This figure shows interface screen IF4#, which is another example of a settings screen. [Figure 15] This diagram shows another example of a settings screen, the interface screen IF4##. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing the interface screen IF10. [Figure 17] This sequence diagram shows an example of the processing flow performed by the user terminal device 10, the credit server 300, and the bank server 700. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Various devices used to provide services to users or perform internal analysis, such as the "server," "management device," and "information providing device" described below, 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, stores are treated as belonging to, for example, affiliated merchants (brands), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at a store is mainly carried out between the user and the affiliated merchant. Alternatively, payment and other processing may be conducted 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 by, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, a payment server 100, a credit server 300, a first service server 500, a second service server 600, and a bank server 700. These communicate with each other via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, and provider equipment. In addition to the first service server 500 and the second service server 600, the electronic payment service may also include service servers that provide other services.

[0011] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input reception function, and a program execution function. In the following description, the configurations for realizing these functions are respectively referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, the settlement application 20 and the service application 30 are executed by a processor such as a CPU, and it operates to provide an electronic settlement service to the user in cooperation with the settlement server 100. The settlement application 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, etc. Similarly, the service application 30 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, etc.

[0012] 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 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store and is a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. Note that the store code image 60 may be displayed by a display placed in the store (which may be a display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

[0013] 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, the interface 72 for the franchise store operates. The interface 72 for the franchise store may be an app for the franchise store or a browser. The interface 72 for the franchise store accepts settings of coupons, etc. by the operator of the franchise store and transmits them to the settlement server 100. The second store terminal device 70 which 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 the app for the franchise store.

[0014] The settlement server 100 realizes electronic settlement based on the settlement 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, the settlement information is transmitted from the POS device to the settlement server 100 via the franchise store server. In the following description, without particularly distinguishing this, it is assumed that the settlement information is transmitted from the first store terminal device 50.

[0015] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are sequence diagrams exemplifying the general flow of electronic settlement. There may be two patterns, pattern 1 and pattern 2, in the electronic settlement.

[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" and "user 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 diagram of the configuration of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, an information provision unit 150, and a storage unit 180. Components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 180 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 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.

[0020] The storage unit 180 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 180 may also be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that can be accessed by the payment server 100 via the network. The storage unit 180 stores information such as user information 182, content information 184, and merchant / store information 186. Each piece of information will be described later.

[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 merchant interface 72, etc. The content provision unit 120 reads the necessary content from the content information 184 as appropriate and provides it to the target device, etc. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20 or service application 30, and transmits the aforementioned payment information, etc. 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 182.

[0024] Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of User Information 182. User Information 182 is an example of user registration information. User Information 182 includes, for example, user URL, account ID, phone number, password, as well 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.

[0025] The user URL is used for processing payments between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, registration of a phone number and password is required. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that the user can optionally set (or not set). Similarly, the email address, name, address, and date of birth (age) are also information that the user can optionally set (or not set). If identity verification has been performed, for example, the address and age will be the address and age confirmed through identity verification. 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.

[0026] 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 numbers, respectively, are information (account number, card number) of a bank account or credit card number that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. In addition to the bank account, user information 182 may also include information such as the name of the bank account holder, the bank name, branch name, bank identification information, and branch identification information (branch number). 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 is information that 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.).

[0027] Figure 6 shows an example of the contents of the merchant / store information 186. The merchant / store information 186 includes, for example, a first table 206A in which the merchant ID and store ID are associated with the store URL, a second table 206B in which the merchant name and sales amount (as described above) are associated with the merchant ID, and a third table 206C in which the store name and store address are associated with the store ID. In addition to this information, the merchant / store information 186 may also include information such as the merchant or store category and payment patterns.

[0028] The Information Management Unit 140 acquires various information from the user terminal device 10 or the second store terminal device 70 and manages the acquired information. Based on the information acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the second store terminal device 70, the Information Management Unit 140 manages user information 182 and affiliated store / store information 186. The Information Management Unit 140 performs operations such as adding, editing, and deleting new records for user information 182 and affiliated store / store information 186.

[0029] [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 182 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. The merchant's sales proceeds item value is not used as electronic money itself, for example, but the amount corresponding to the sales proceeds item value is transferred to the bank account in a cycle according to the agreement between the merchant and the electronic payment service. The merchant may receive the sales proceeds as electronic money. In this case, the payment server 100 manages the account (wallet) corresponding to the merchant ID, the electronic money balance of the account, and the sales proceeds history for each payment method in association.

[0030] 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 that cooperates with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and allows electronic payment that does not depend on the charge balance within the credit limit. In order to use the credit payment service, it may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The payment processing unit 130 adds the payment amount to the credit payment usage amount in the user information 182 and subtracts the above payment amount from the available credit payment amount. If the payment amount exceeds the available credit payment amount, an error notification is sent back to the payment app 20. The amount used by credit payment is settled, for example, in a lump sum for one month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by direct debit from the bank account. This processing is performed by the operator of the credit card company. If the user has a gift certificate that can be used at the merchant, the payment server 100 performs electronic payment using the gift certificate held. In electronic payment, the amount that is insufficient with the gift certificate is settled by other payment methods.

[0031] The information provision unit 150 provides information held by the payment server 100 to other devices.

[0032] [Credit Server] Figure 7 is a diagram of the configuration of the credit server 300. The credit server 300 provides an electronic payment service using credit cards. The credit server 300 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 310, an information processing unit 320, a settlement unit 330, and a storage unit 350. The acquisition unit 310, the information processing unit 320, and the settlement unit 330 are implemented, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be implemented by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI, ASIC, FPGA, or GPU, or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as an HDD 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.

[0033] The storage unit 350 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 350 may also be a NAS device accessible by the credit server 300 via a network. The storage unit 350 stores card user information 360 and linked user information 370 (described later). The card user information 360 is various information about the credit card user. For example, the card user information 360 includes information such as the user's name, address, credit card number, and usage history.

[0034] The acquisition unit 310 acquires information indicating the user's usage status of the second service from the first service server 500, which provides a first service different from an electronic payment service (e.g., a credit card).

[0035] The information processing unit 320 refers to information indicating the usage status of the second service (for example, linked user information 370) and, if it determines that the user is using the second service, provides inquiry information to the user terminal device 10 asking whether to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via an electronic payment service (for example, a credit card), or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via an electronic payment service (for example, a credit card).

[0036] The payment unit 330 communicates with the terminal equipment of the credit card merchant to process authorization information and sales information, and executes the user's electronic payment.

[0037] [First Service Server] The first service server 500 works in conjunction with the service application 30 to provide services to the user terminal device 10. The first service can be various services such as internet shopping, provision of various information, or reservations for restaurants or accommodations. The first service may be a different service from the service provided by the payment server 100, or it may be an electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100. For example, a user can log in to the first service using their login ID for the first service and receive the first service.

[0038] [Second service server] The second service server 600 provides communication-related services such as telephone and data communication. The second service server 600 manages, for example, users' telephone numbers, communication contract status, and communication usage status.

[0039] [Bank Server] The bank server 700 manages information such as the user's bank account information, the user's bank account balance, and the balance history.

[0040] [overview] The credit server 300, which provides electronic payment services, obtains information indicating the user's usage status of the second service from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service (for example, the first service server 500 or the payment server 100). The credit server 300, referring to the usage status information, determines that the user is using the second service, and then provides inquiry information to the user terminal device 10 asking whether to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service.

[0041] The second service is, for example, a second service related to communications (for example, a service related to telephone charges), but is not limited to this; it can be any service provided by an entity different from the electronic payment service and the first service. In this embodiment, as an example, payment for the second service related to communications will be described using electronic payment with a credit card (electronic payment service), but is not limited to this. For example, the second service may be various services such as the provision of utilities such as electricity charges and gas charges, or entertainment services such as video services. The second service is, for example, a service that users are expected to use continuously, and for which charges are paid at predetermined intervals.

[0042] Furthermore, although the process for applying for a credit card will be explained below, this process may be performed when applying for the electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100, and the electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100 may be set as the payment method for the fee of the second service.

[0043] [Interface screen (1)] For example, suppose a user logs into the first service by operating the service application 30 on the user terminal device 10. The service application 30 works in conjunction with the first service server 500 to display interface screen IF1 on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, which contains information indicating a credit card application. Figure 8 shows interface screen IF1. When the user operates the application button on interface screen IF1 to make an application, the service application 30 works in conjunction with the first service server 500 to display interface screen IF2 on the display unit, which asks whether the user agrees to exchange information with the credit card service (credit server 300).

[0044] [Interface screen (2)] Figure 9 shows the interface screen IF2. The interface screen IF2 includes information asking whether the user consents to providing user information (linked user information 370), which is managed by the first service server 500, to the credit card company (credit server 300). When the user presses the consent button on the interface screen IF2 to indicate consent, the credit server 300 is permitted to obtain the user information (linked user information 370) managed by the first service. The credit server 300 then obtains the user information from the first service server 500.

[0045] [Linked User Information] Figure 10 shows an example of the contents of the linked user information 370. The linked user information 370 is, for example, information that associates user identification information (e.g., account ID) of the payment server 100's electronic payment service, user identification information (first service ID) of the first service, and user information in the second service. Some of this information may be omitted. User information in the second service may include, for example, the telephone number contracted for communication services, information to identify the telephone number, and information indicating that the user information of the second service (e.g., telephone number) and the user information of the first service (user identification information) are linked. User information in the second service may also include, for example, information indicating whether or not the user has a contract to use communication services in the second service, or information indicating whether or not payment is incurred by the user for the second service.

[0046] For example, if a user who owns a user terminal device 10 (e.g., a smartphone) for the second service's communication service sets up the second service's phone number to be linked with the first service and the electronic payment service of the payment server 100, the user's information for each service is linked, and the linked information is shared across each service. As a result, when using the first service and the second service using the user terminal device 10, the user can skip entering the login ID for each service, and the user terminal device 10 will automatically log in using the phone number. Furthermore, users who set up phone number linking as described above can receive benefits.

[0047] [Interface screen (3)] The credit server 300, by referring to the linked user information 370, determines that the user is using the second service and provides the user terminal device 10 with an interface screen IF3 that asks whether the user consents to providing the user information provided to the credit card provider (electronic payment service) to the second service. For example, the credit server 300 determines that the user is using the second service if a telephone number is associated with the user's identification information (for example, the identification information of the user of the first service) in the linked user information 370 (information indicating usage status).

[0048] Figure 11 shows the interface screen IF3. When the user clicks the consent button on the interface screen IF3 to agree to provide the user's information managed by the credit card company to the second service, the credit server 300 displays interface screen IF4 on the display unit, which includes inquiry information asking whether or not to set the payment for the second service to be made using a credit card.

[0049] [Interface screen (4)] Figure 12 shows the interface screen IF4. When a user performs an operation on the interface screen IF4 to set the payment for the second service to be made by credit card, information about the user's credit card (for example, credit card number and instructions to set up payment by credit card) is provided to the second service server 600, and the second service server 600 is requested to set up payment for the second service by electronic payment using a credit card. As a result, payment for the second service is automatically set to be made by credit card.

[0050] Furthermore, the display on interface screen IF4 may be omitted, and if the user performs the consent operation on interface screen IF3, the setting to pay for the second service by electronic payment using a credit card may be configured. In this case, for example, information indicating that the fee for the second service will be paid by credit card may be displayed on interface screen IF3. If the consent button is operated on interface screen IF3, it is assumed that the user has consented to, for example, information sharing with the second service and payment using a credit card. Alternatively, the display on interface screen IF3 may be omitted, and payment by credit card may be configured.

[0051] Even if the user selects not to set up credit card payment on interface screen IF4 in Figure 12, the credit server 300 may, after issuing the credit card, provide the user terminal device 10 with information requesting that the user set up payment for the second service to credit card payment via the service app 30 or payment app 20. Similarly, even if the user selects not to share information on interface screen IF3 in Figure 11, the credit server 300 may, after issuing the credit card, provide the user terminal device 10 with information requesting that the user share information via the service app 30 or payment app 20 and set up payment for the second service to credit card payment. This makes it easier to encourage the user to set up credit card payment.

[0052] [Sequence Diagram] For example, when a user terminal device 10 is using the first service, if the user performs an application operation on the application screen for using an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card) provided in the first service, and the user agrees to the electronic payment service provider (e.g., credit card) sharing information indicating the usage status of users of the second service managed by the first service, the first service server 500 providing the first service will obtain the usage status information. When the first service is being used, the user may or may not be logged into the first service. If the user is not logged in, this process is performed when, for example, the user, the first service server 500, or the payment server 100 provides the credit server 300 with the user identification information included in the linked user information 370 in a predetermined manner (for example, by input by the user).

[0053] Then, the credit server 300, referring to information indicating usage status, determines that the user is using the second service, and provides inquiry information to the user terminal device 10 asking whether to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card), or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card).

[0054] The example described above illustrates a case where a user applies for a credit card while using the first service. However, Figure 13, which will be discussed later, illustrates a case where a user applies for a credit card while using the electronic payment service of the payment server 100. In the case where the user is using the first service, the first service server 500 should execute the process that the payment server 100 in Figure 13 would execute, and the service application 30 should execute the process that the payment application 20 would execute.

[0055] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow for setting the payment method for the second service in an electronic payment service. First, with the user logged into the electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100, the payment server 100 works in conjunction with the payment application 20 to provide a credit card application recommendation screen (for example, IF1 in Figure 8) on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 (S100).

[0056] When an operation indicating an intention to apply is performed on the recommendation screen, the payment application 20 provides information to the payment server 100 indicating that an intention to apply has been made (S102). Next, the payment server 100 displays a consent screen (for example, IF2 in Figure 9) on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, asking whether or not the user agrees to provide the information held by the payment server 100 to the credit server 300 (S104). When an operation indicating consent is performed on the consent screen, the payment application 20 provides information to the payment server 100 indicating that consent has been given (S106).

[0057] When the payment server 100 obtains information indicating that consent has been given, it provides an access token to the payment app 20 (S108). The payment app 20 sends the application request along with the access token to the credit server 300 (S110).

[0058] Next, the credit server 300 requests the payment server 100 to provide linked user information 370 using the access token (S112). Then, if the access token is a legitimate access token for providing linked user information 370, the payment server 100 provides the linked user information 370 to the credit server 300 (S114). For example, the credit server 300 obtains the linked user information 370 using the payment server 100's API (Application Programming Interface). In the above process, the payment application 20, the payment server 100, and the credit server 300 share user identification information (e.g., account ID) of the electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100.

[0059] The process by which the linked user information 370 is provided to the credit server 300 is an example, and the linked user information 370 may be provided to the credit server 300 by other methods. For example, the user's identification information and access token may be provided to the credit server 300 from the payment server 100 without going through the payment application 20. Also, although the recommendation screen was described above as being provided by the payment server 100, the recommendation screen may be a screen provided by the credit server 300. Similarly, the consent screen may also be a screen provided by the credit server 300.

[0060] Next, the credit server 300 makes a usage determination by referring to the linked user information 370 (S116). The usage determination is whether or not the user is using the second service. If the user is not using the second service, the linked consent screen and settings screen described later will not be displayed.

[0061] Next, the credit server 300 displays the application screen on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 (S118). The application screen is where the user enters the information necessary to apply for a credit card (for example, name, age, occupation, etc.). Once the user enters the necessary information and performs the prescribed operations, the user terminal device 10 provides the information entered by the user to the credit server 300 (S120).

[0062] Next, the credit server 300 displays a data sharing consent screen (for example, IF3 in Figure 11) on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, which asks whether the user consents to data sharing with the second service server 600 (S122). When the user agrees to data sharing on the data sharing consent screen, the user terminal device 10 provides the data sharing consent information to the credit server 300 (S124).

[0063] Next, the credit server 300 displays a setting screen (for example, IF4 in Figure 12) on the display unit of the user terminal device 10, which asks whether or not to use a credit card to pay for the second service (S126). When the user performs a setting operation on the setting screen, the user terminal device 10 provides the setting information to the credit server 300 (S128).

[0064] Next, the credit server 300 performs a review based on the information entered by the user (S130). If the user passes the review and a credit card is issued, the credit server 300 sends instructions to the second service server 600 to pay the charges using the credit (S132). For example, the second service server 600 is provided with information necessary for payment using a credit card, such as the credit card number, the user's name, the user's telephone number, and the user's identification information.

[0065] Next, the second service server 600 sets the payment method for the second service to credit card payment based on the above instructions (S134), and notifies the user by providing information to the user terminal device 10 indicating that payment has been set to credit card (S136).

[0066] As described above, users can set their payment method for the second service to be a credit card when applying for a credit card, thus improving user convenience.

[0067] The above process describes an example of recognizing the usage status of the second service using the linked user information 370. However, instead of this (or in addition to this), the credit server 300 may query the second service server 600 for the user's usage status of the second service and obtain real-time usage status. For example, if the credit server 300 determines, based on the real-time usage status, that the user is using the second service, it provides the user terminal device 10 with a screen for setting up payment for the second service by credit card. For example, the credit server 300 may obtain the above usage status using the API of the second service server 600.

[0068] [Provision of information regarding the second service] The credit server 300 may obtain from the second service server 600 the payment status of users for the second service (accounts receivable, payment status of usage fees, next payment date), the user's usage status (usage fees, contract details, data usage, call charges, etc.), or benefits corresponding to usage information when paying by electronic payment using an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card), and provide the obtained information to the user terminal device 10. In addition to (or instead of) the above information, the credit server 300 may obtain user information managed by the second service server 600 and provide the obtained information to the user terminal device 10.

[0069] [Provision of information regarding the second service (1)] The credit server 300 may provide information managed by the second service on a settings screen (or on a separate screen) that asks whether or not to use a credit card to pay for the second service. For example, the credit server 300 obtains the user's payment status and usage status managed by the second service server 600. For example, this includes the user's usage fees, outstanding payments, and next payment date. Based on the information obtained, the credit server 300 may provide the user with information indicating, for example, that there are outstanding payments and that setting the payment method to credit card will resolve the outstanding payments. The credit server 300 may also ask whether the outstanding payments will also be paid by credit card, and if the user replies that they will pay, the outstanding payments may be collected by credit card. The credit server 300 may also notify the user that there are outstanding payments.

[0070] Figure 14 shows another example of a settings screen, interface screen IF4#. Interface screen IF4# includes information asking whether or not to use a credit card to pay for the second service, as well as information indicating that there are outstanding receivables and that setting the payment method to credit card will resolve the outstanding receivables. The credit server 300 can prompt the user to set the payment method to credit card by having them refer to this information.

[0071] [Provision of information regarding the second service (2)] The credit server 300 may provide, for example, information such as the user's payment status, contract details, data usage, call charges, and usage fees (e.g., monthly usage fees or average monthly usage fees) in addition to (or instead of) the user's payment status. Based on the above payment status and usage status, the credit server 300 may calculate, for example, the benefits (such as points) that would be awarded if the user paid by credit card, and provide the user with information showing the calculation results. The credit server 300 may also calculate the benefits of the current payment and the benefits of paying by credit card, and provide the user with this information, the difference in benefits, and information showing the advantages of paying by credit card compared to other payment methods. The above calculations may be performed by the second service server 600, and the results may be provided to the credit server 300.

[0072] Figure 15 shows another example of a settings screen, interface screen IF4##. Interface screen IF4## includes information that asks whether or not to use a credit card to pay for the second service, as well as information that shows the benefits of setting up payment by credit card. The credit server 300 can prompt the user to set up payment by credit card by showing them this information.

[0073] [Provision of special offer information] The credit server 300 may provide the user terminal device 10 with information about the benefits (e.g., points) of the electronic payment service provided by the settlement server 100, or information about the benefits of the electronic payment service provided by the credit server 300, at predetermined timings. For example, the credit server 300 may provide benefit information to users who have set or agreed to use a credit card as the payment method for the second service. The timing at which the benefit information is displayed and the content of the benefits may be dynamically changed by the credit server 300. For example, information indicating that XX points will be awarded to the user upon setting or agreeing to the benefit may be displayed on the interface screen IF4 in Figure 12, as described above. This can encourage users to set their credit card as the payment method for the second service.

[0074] [Setting up payment methods for multiple services] The credit server 300 may inquire whether to pay for multiple services by credit card if multiple services exist in the second service. For example, if the second service provides services such as communication fees, electricity, and gas, the payment for all or part of these services can be set to be made by credit card. Similarly, some or all of the payments for multiple terminal devices or line contract fees can also be set to be made by credit card. For example, the credit server 300 accepts requests in the interface screen IF4 of Figure 12 above to set all charges for multiple services to be paid by credit card, or to set the payment method for the services selected by the user to be credit card payment. After issuing a credit card for the services specified by the user, the credit server 300 instructs the second service server 600 to set the payment method to credit card. In addition, information such as the usage fees for each service and the benefits of setting the specified service to credit card payment may be provided to the user on the screen where the user specifies the services.

[0075] Furthermore, the credit server 300 may inquire whether or not to pay for the fees of multiple services, including the third service (a service provided by the third service server) and the fourth service (a service provided by the fourth service server), which are included in the linked user information 370, in addition to the second service, by credit card. For example, the credit server 300 accepts settings to pay for all fees of multiple services by credit card, or to set the payment method for the services selected by the user to be credit card payment, in the interface screen IF4 of Figure 12 mentioned above. After issuing a credit card, the credit server 300 instructs each server to set the payment method to credit card for the services specified by the user. Note that the above screen in which the user specifies services may also provide the user with information such as the usage fees for each service and the benefits of setting the specified service to credit card payment.

[0076] As described above, the credit server 300 allows users to set up payment methods for multiple services to be paid by credit card at once, thereby improving user convenience.

[0077] [Expiration date update] After a credit card is set as the payment method for a service, the credit server 300 may automatically update the credit card information by providing the updated credit card information to the service server of another service, such as a second service, a predetermined period before the expiration date of the user's credit card. In this case, the credit server 300 may obtain prior consent from the user for automatic updating of credit card information when the expiration date approaches, or the credit server 300 may inquire with the user at the time of automatic updating to obtain consent. For example, the credit server 300 obtains consent and provides the new credit card information (such as the expiration date and security code) to the service server of the service for which the payment method has been set. The service server updates the user's credit card information with the information provided by the credit server 300. For example, if the user has set the payment method to credit card for multiple services, the credit card information will be provided to each service server. In addition, when the credit card expiration date approaches, the credit server 300 may obtain from each service server whether the user's payment method is a credit card payment, the credit card's expiration date, etc., and check whether a credit card managed by the credit server 300 is set as the payment method. If a credit card managed by the credit server 300 is set as the payment method, automatic updating may be performed.

[0078] As described above, credit card information is automatically updated, improving convenience for users.

[0079] [About Family Cards] The credit server 300 may set a family card as the payment method for the second service. For example, if a user requests the issuance of a family card and performs the operation to set the family card as the payment method for the second service, the credit server 300 may instruct the second service server 600 to set the family card as the payment method for the second service. For example, the credit server 300 will inquire whether the user wants to set the credit card or the family card associated with that credit card as the payment method for the second service, and will set the card selected by the user as the payment method for the second service.

[0080] For example, if a family member is using the second service, the credit server 300 may inquire whether the family member's second service usage fee should be set to be paid by credit card. For example, the credit server 300 provides the information entered by the user when applying for a family card (family identification information and account ID) to the second service server 600, retrieves the family's linked user information 370 from the second service server 600, and inquires whether the family member's second service usage fee should be set to be paid by credit card. If an instruction to do so is given, the credit server 300 requests the second service server 600 to set the family member's second service usage fee to be paid by credit card.

[0081] As described above, payments using family cards and payments for family members' second services can be set up to be made via credit card, thus improving user convenience.

[0082] [Information sharing with bank servers] The credit server 300 may provide the user terminal device 10 with an inquiry screen that asks whether the user consents to sharing information with the bank regarding the bank account linked to the electronic payment using an electronic payment service (e.g., a credit card). If consent is obtained, the credit server 300 may provide the user terminal device 10 with information indicating that the balance in the user's bank account is insufficient to cover the amount to be withdrawn for the electronic payment.

[0083] The credit server 300 displays, for example, an interface screen IF10, as shown in Figure 16, on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. The interface screen IF10 is, for example, a screen for setting up a bank account from which credit card usage fees will be debited. For example, on this screen (or another screen), it is possible to set whether or not to agree to information sharing with the bank of the bank account. When information sharing is set up, the user information held by the bank and the user information held by the credit card company are shared between the bank and the credit card company. Note that information sharing may also be the credit card company obtaining the user information from the bank, or the bank obtaining the user information from the credit card company. Note that when setting up a bank account, for example, if the user's bank account is managed in the linked user information 370 or in the first service or the payment server 100's service based on the user's identification information, the bank account may be suggested or set up without manual input from the user.

[0084] Figure 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow executed by the user terminal device 10, the credit server 300, and the bank server 700. In this process, the credit server 300 and the bank server 700 share identification information to identify the user's bank account. First, when the scheduled payment amount for the credit card is determined, the credit server 300 sends the scheduled payment amount to the bank server 700 (S200). The bank server 700 compares the scheduled payment amount with the balance in the user's bank account and performs a withdrawal determination to determine whether the balance is insufficient to cover the scheduled payment amount (S202). The bank server 700 sends the result of the withdrawal determination to the user terminal device 10 for notification (S204). The result of the above determination may include information on the insufficient amount and the withdrawal date. Furthermore, information encouraging borrowing may be provided at that time.

[0085] This allows users to easily recognize when their balance is insufficient. Furthermore, it reduces the burden on banks or credit card companies by preventing situations where withdrawals from a user's bank account become impossible.

[0086] The credit server 300 may obtain the result of the determination from the bank server 700 and notify the user terminal device 10 of information such as whether the balance is insufficient and the amount of the insufficient balance. In this case, instead of the bank server 700 determining whether the balance is insufficient, the credit server 300 may obtain the balance of the user's bank account from the bank server 700 and determine whether the balance is insufficient.

[0087] Furthermore, information indicating that the remaining balance is sufficient may be provided to the user terminal device 10, not only when the remaining balance is insufficient.

[0088] [Notification timing] In the example above, we described an example where the fee for the second service is set to be paid by an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card) when a new electronic payment service such as a credit card is applied for. However, the system is not limited to this example. At a predetermined time, information indicating the user's usage status of the second service may be obtained from a server device providing a first service different from the electronic payment service (e.g., credit card), and if it is determined that the user is using the second service, inquiry information may be provided to the user terminal device 10 to inquire about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card), or the user may be set to pay for the second service using electronic payment via an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card). For example, the above inquiry may be made to a user who is using a credit card. For example, in the payment app 20 or service app 30, it may be recommended that the user pay for the second service using a credit card at the time the user performs a predetermined operation or displays a predetermined screen.

[0089] Through the processes described above, the credit server 300 can easily set up electronic payment services (e.g., credit cards) for service payments, and furthermore, delays and interruptions in payments are suppressed, thereby improving user convenience. In addition, since the registered credit card is set as the payment method for each service, it can encourage the use of that credit card as the user's primary card, thereby supporting the promotion of credit card use. Furthermore, by providing seamless credit card payment setup, customer satisfaction can be increased. Moreover, for the second service, the setting up of credit card payment methods enables stable collection of fees. In this way, convenience can be improved for both users and service providers.

[0090] According to the embodiments described above, the credit server 300 obtains information indicating the user's usage status of the second service from a server device that provides a first service different from an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card), and when it determines that the user is using the second service by referring to the usage status information, it provides inquiry information to the user terminal device 10 asking whether to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card), or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via an electronic payment service (e.g., credit card), thereby improving user convenience.

[0091] 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]

[0092] 1. Electronic payment system 10. User terminal device 20 Payment Apps 30 Service Apps 50. First store terminal device 72 Merchant Interface 100 Payment Servers 300 credit server 310 Acquisition Department 320 Information Processing Unit 370 Linked User Information

Claims

1. An information processing device that provides electronic payment services, An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the user's usage status of the second service from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service and mobile phone service, A processing unit that, when it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. An information processing device that provides electronic payment services, An acquisition unit that acquires information showing the usage status of users of the second service related to telephone use from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service, A processing unit that, when it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

3. The processing unit determines that the user is using the second service if a telephone number is associated with the user's identification information in the information indicating the usage status. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. An information processing device that provides electronic payment services, An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the user's usage status of the second service from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service, The system includes, when it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, an inquiry information is provided to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or a processing unit that sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. When the user's terminal device is using the first service, and the user performs an application operation on the application screen for the use of the electronic payment service provided in the first service, and the user agrees to the electronic payment service provider to share the information indicating the usage status managed in the first service, The acquisition unit acquires information indicating the usage status from the server device that provides the first service. Information processing device.

5. An information processing device that provides electronic payment services, An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the user's usage status of the second service from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service, The system includes, when it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, an inquiry information is provided to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or a processing unit that sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. The aforementioned processing unit, If it is determined that the user is using the second service, a screen will be provided to the user's terminal device asking whether they consent to providing the user's information provided to the electronic payment service to the second service. When the user performs the consent operation, the user's information is provided to the server device of the second service, thereby requesting the server device of the second service to configure the payment of the fees for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. Information processing device.

6. An information processing device that provides electronic payment services, An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the user's usage status of the second service from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service, The system includes, when it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, an inquiry information is provided to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or a processing unit that sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. The aforementioned processing unit, If it is determined that the user is using the second service, the terminal device is provided with a screen that asks whether the user consents to providing the user information provided to the electronic payment service to the second service, and whether the user uses the electronic payment service to pay for the second service. When the user agrees and performs the operation to use the electronic payment service for the payment, the user's information is provided to the server device of the second service, thereby requesting the server device of the second service to set up payment for the second service using the electronic payment service. Information processing device.

7. An information processing device that provides electronic payment services, An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the user's usage status of the second service from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service, The system includes, when it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, an inquiry information is provided to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or a processing unit that sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. The aforementioned processing unit, The user's terminal device is provided with an inquiry screen that asks whether or not they consent to the sharing of information with the bank regarding the bank account linked to the electronic payment using the electronic payment service. If the aforementioned consent is obtained, the user's terminal device will be provided with information indicating that the balance in the user's bank account is insufficient to cover the amount to be withdrawn for the electronic payment. Information processing device.

8. The second service is a service provided by an entity different from the electronic payment service and the first service. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, 4, 5, 6, or 7.

9. The aforementioned electronic payment service is a service that provides electronic payments using credit cards. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The processing unit obtains from the server device of the second service the payment status of the user for the second service, the user's usage status, or benefits corresponding to the usage status when payment is made by electronic payment using the electronic payment service, and provides the obtained information to the user's terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Equipped with bank servers, The processing unit of the information processing device is The user's terminal device is provided with an inquiry screen that asks whether or not they consent to the sharing of information with the bank regarding the bank account linked to the electronic payment using the electronic payment service. If the aforementioned consent is obtained, the amount of the user's electronic payment service usage for a predetermined period will be provided to the bank server. The bank server provides the user's terminal device with information indicating that the balance in the user's bank account is insufficient to cover the amount to be debited for the electronic payment. Information processing system.

12. Computers An information processing method for providing electronic payment services, Information indicating the user's usage status of the second service is obtained from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service and mobile phone service. If, by referring to the information indicating the usage status, it is determined that the user is using the second service, the system provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device asking whether to set it to pay the fee for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or sets it to pay the fee for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. Information processing methods.

13. On the computer, A program for providing electronic payment services, Information indicating the user's usage status of the second service is obtained from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service and mobile phone service. When it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, the system provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device asking them to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or instructs the user to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. program.

14. Computers An information processing method for providing electronic payment services, Information showing the usage status of users of the second service related to telephone use is obtained from a server device that provides a first service different from the aforementioned electronic payment service. If, by referring to the information indicating the usage status, it is determined that the user is using the second service, the system provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device asking whether to set it to pay the fee for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or sets it to pay the fee for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. Information processing methods.

15. On the computer, A program for providing electronic payment services, Information showing the usage status of users of the second service related to telephone use is obtained from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service. When it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, the system provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device asking them to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or instructs the user to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. program.

16. Computers An information processing method for providing electronic payment services, Information indicating the user's usage status of the second service is obtained from a server device that provides a first service different from the aforementioned electronic payment service. If, by referring to the information indicating the usage status, it is determined that the user is using the second service, the system provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device inquiring about setting up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or sets up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. When the user's terminal device is using the first service, and the user performs an application operation on the application screen for the use of the electronic payment service provided in the first service, and the user agrees to the electronic payment service provider to share the information indicating the usage status managed in the first service, The server device providing the first service acquires the information indicating the usage status. Information processing methods.

17. On the computer, A program for providing electronic payment services, Information indicating the user's usage status of the second service is obtained from a server device that provides a first service different from the electronic payment service. When it is determined that the user is using the second service by referring to the information indicating the usage status, the system provides inquiry information to the user's terminal device asking them to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service, or instructs the user to set up payment for the second service using electronic payment via the electronic payment service. When the user's terminal device is using the first service, and the user performs an application operation on the application screen for the use of the electronic payment service provided in the first service, and the user agrees to the electronic payment service provider to share the information indicating the usage status managed in the first service, The server device providing the first service is made to obtain information indicating the usage status. program.

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