Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience. [Solution] An information processing device comprising: a receiving unit that receives information on operations related to the use of a cash advance service registered by the user in the electronic payment service on the interface screen of the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit of the user's user terminal device; a determination unit that determines whether or not it is possible to lend electronic money of the electronic payment service using the cash advance service to the user based on user identification information for identifying the user in the electronic payment service in response to the operation; and a processing unit that performs the lending by associating electronic money with the user identification information when it is determined that a lending can be performed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cashing service that lends money to a user based on the user's request is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that provides a cashing service in which a user can receive a loan by inserting a credit card into an ATM and performing a predetermined operation.

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, when using the cashing service, it was necessary to use an ATM. Therefore, the convenience for the user was sometimes low.

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: a receiving unit that receives information on an operation related to the use of a cash advance service registered by a user in the electronic payment service on an interface screen of an electronic payment service displayed on the display unit of a user terminal device of the user; a determination unit that determines whether or not the cash advance service, which is a loan of electronic money of the electronic payment service, can be provided to the user based on user identification information for identifying the user in the electronic payment service in response to the operation; and a processing unit that, if it is determined that the loan can be provided, performs the loan by associating the electronic money with the user identification information. [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 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 configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of user information 192. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of the contents of merchant / store information 196. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the caching server 200. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of user information 262. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of cash advance information 264. [Figure 10]It is a diagram showing an example of the screen IM1 for using the dedicated card for cashing of the settlement app 20. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the charge using the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 12] It is a sequence diagram exemplifying the flow of charge using the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 13] It is a sequence diagram exemplifying the flow of auto-charge using the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of the top screen IM3 of the settlement app 20. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing an example of the settlement completion screen IM4 using the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 16] It is a sequence diagram (part 1) exemplifying the flow of electronic payment using the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 17] It is a sequence diagram (part 2) exemplifying the flow of electronic payment using the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an example of the money transfer confirmation screen IM5. [Figure 19] It is a sequence diagram exemplifying the flow of money transfer using the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 20] It is a sequence diagram exemplifying the flow of transfer using the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 21] It is a diagram showing an example of the borrowing confirmation screen IM6 where the details of the loan made with the dedicated card for cashing can be confirmed. [Figure 22] It is a diagram showing an example of the repayment screen IM7 for repaying the loan with the dedicated card for cashing. [Figure 23] It is a sequence diagram exemplifying the flow of repayment for the loan. [Figure 24] It is a sequence diagram exemplifying the flow of charge using the dedicated card for cashing with the cashing mini app. [Figure 25] It is a sequence diagram exemplifying the flow of repayment using the cashing mini app.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program of the present invention will be described. Various apparatuses such as "servers", "management apparatuses", and "information providing apparatuses" that provide services to users or perform internal analysis may be realized by a decentralized group of apparatuses, and the operators of each apparatus may be different. Also, the holder of the hardware of the apparatus (provider of the cloud server) and the operator who actually operates the apparatus may be different. The application program and the settlement server cooperate to provide an electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a settlement application. The electronic payment service is a service that supports settlement related to the purchase of goods and services in stores. A store is, for example, a physical store (actual store) existing in the real space, but may include a virtual store for e-commerce. The virtual store may include those provided by a subject different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a purchase settlement in the virtual store, it may be controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, a store is, for example, treated as belonging to a franchise (brand), and processing such as settlement when a purchase action is performed in the store is mainly carried out between the user and the franchise. Instead of this, processing such as settlement may be carried out between the user and the store.

[0010] [Electronic Payment Service] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized centering around a settlement server 100. The settlement server 100 communicates with, 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, and a caching server 200 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like.

[0011] Some or all of the functional configurations included in the electronic payment system may be distributed across multiple devices in any form, or integrated into any device. For example, some or all of the functional configurations of the cashing server 200 may be included in the configuration of the payment server 100, and some or all of the functional configurations of the payment server 100 may be included in the functional configuration of the cashing server 200.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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 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).

[0014] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc. The affiliated store interface 72 operates on the second store terminal device 70. The affiliated store interface 72 may be an affiliated store application or a browser. The affiliated store interface 72 accepts coupon settings etc. from the affiliated store operator and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image corresponding to a store code image by running the affiliated store application, or reading a code image displayed by the user terminal device 10.

[0015] The payment server 100 implements electronic payment based on 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 merchant server, in which case payment information is transmitted from the POS device to the payment server 100 via the merchant server. In the following description, this distinction will not be made, and it will be assumed that payment information is transmitted from the first store terminal device 50.

[0016] Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. There may be two patterns for electronic payments: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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).

[0019] Electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Furthermore, the "account ID" explained in Figure 2 may be other information that can be used as user identification information (e.g., a phone number). Also, 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 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code. The above user identification information may be referred to as user identification information.

[0020] The cash advance server 200 processes transactions related to the use of a cash advance card. A cash advance card is a card registered in the electronic payment service. A cash advance card is, for example, a virtual card. A cash advance card is registered in the electronic payment service by linking, for example, the user's electronic payment service account with the cash advance card account managed by the cash advance server 200. A cash advance card is a card used for the cash advance service. The cash advance service is a service that provides electronic money to users in the electronic payment service. The cash advance service is a service provided when a user uses or is using the electronic payment service. "In use" means that the payment application 20, described later, is launched and the screen provided by the payment application 20 is displayed on the display. "Using the electronic payment service" means, for example, when making an electronic payment, charging, or sending money. Details of the processing by the cash advance server 200 will be described later.

[0021] The cash advance server 200 may be operated by the same company as the payment server 100, or by a different company. The company operating the cash advance server 200 is a provider of cash advance cards.

[0022] [Payment Server] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a payment content provision unit 120, a processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, a reception unit 150, a determination unit 160, a repayment processing unit 170, an interest acquisition unit 175, a display control unit 180, an account linking unit 185, and a storage unit 190. Components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 190 are realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance on a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored on a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed on the storage device when the storage medium is inserted into the drive device.

[0023] The storage unit 190 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 190 may also be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that can be accessed by the payment server 100 via the network. The storage unit 190 stores information such as user information 192, payment content information 194, and merchant / store information 196.

[0024] Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of User Information 192. User Information 192 is an example of user registration information. User Information 192 includes, for example, user URL, account ID, telephone 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, payment history information, points, and cash advance card ID. The user URL is used for money transfer processing between users. When registering for the electronic payment service for the first time, registration of a telephone 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 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). Hereinafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account. Some or all of the information contained in User Information 192 to which this information is associated is user identification information used to identify the user.

[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), sending from a registered bank account, and sending using a dedicated cash advance card. 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 make an electronic payment using the charge balance, a credit payment, or a payment using a dedicated cash advance 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.). Points are information indicating the number of points held by the user. For example, a user can use points in electronic payments at a rate of 1 point = 1 yen. The user ID for a cash advance card is the ID of the user registered on the cash advance card linked to the electronic payment service account. The user ID for a cash advance card is similar to the user ID included in user information 262 (Figure 8) described later.As described later, account linking will occur, and the account ID and the user ID of the cash advance card will be linked and managed on the payment server 100 and the cash advance server 200. If the registration of the cash advance card has not been completed, the user ID of the cash advance card does not need to be stored.

[0026] Figure 6 shows an example of the contents of the merchant / store information 196. The merchant / store information 196 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 196 may also include information such as the merchant or store category, the store's location, and payment patterns.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The payment 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 payment content provision unit 120 reads the necessary content from the payment content information 194 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.

[0029] The processing unit 130 performs settlement, remittance, and charging processing based on information transmitted by the user terminal device 10, the first store terminal device 50, or the cash advance server 200. The processing unit 130 may also perform each process using electronic money that has been lent through the cash advance service using a dedicated cash advance card. The processing unit 130 comprises a settlement processing unit 132, a remittance processing unit 134, a charging unit 136, and a transfer processing unit 138.

[0030] The payment processing unit 132 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 132 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 192.

[0031] The remittance processing unit 134 performs remittance processing based on the remittance information transmitted by the user terminal device 10. When the remittance processing unit 134 obtains remittance information from the user terminal device 10, it performs processing based on the remittance method and makes the remittance by increasing the electronic money balance in the account associated with the recipient's user identification information. The remittance information includes, for example, the user's account ID, the recipient's account ID, the remittance amount, and the remittance method. The remittance method can be set to, for example, either charge balance or cash advance card payment. For users whose remittance method is set to "charge balance," the remittance is made as follows. For example, when the remittance processing unit 134 obtains remittance information, it refers to the user information 192 and makes the electronic money remittance by decreasing the remittance amount from the charge balance managed in association with the account ID and simultaneously adding it to the charge balance managed in association with the recipient's account ID. Processing for users whose remittance method is set to "cash advance card payment" will be described later.

[0032] The charge unit 136 charges electronic money based on the charge information transmitted by the user terminal device 10. When the charge unit 136 obtains the charge information from the user terminal device 10, it processes the charge based on the charge method and adds to the user's charge balance. The charge information includes, for example, the account ID, the charge amount, and the charge method. The charge method can be set to, for example, either a bank account or a cash advance card. For users whose charge method is set to "bank account," the charge is performed as follows. When the charge unit 136 obtains the charge information, it refers to the user information 192 and, in cooperation with the financial institution server of the bank account managed in association with the account ID, subtracts the charge amount from the account balance and adds it to the charge balance to perform the charge. The processing for users whose charge method is set to "cash advance card" will be described later.

[0033] The transfer processing unit 138 performs the transfer based on the transfer information transmitted by the user terminal device 10. The transfer processing unit 138 performs the transfer by disbursing the electronic money held by the user to the bank account associated with the user identification information. The transfer information includes, for example, the account ID and the transfer amount. When the transfer processing unit 138 obtains the transfer information, it refers to the user information 192 and performs the transfer by subtracting the transfer amount from the charge balance managed in association with the account ID and simultaneously adding it to the account balance of the bank account.

[0034] The Information Management Unit 140 manages user information 192 and merchant / store information 196 based on information obtained from the user terminal device 10, the second store terminal device 70, the cash advance server 200, and other sources. The Information Management Unit 140 also performs operations such as adding, editing, and deleting new records for user information 192 and merchant / store information 196.

[0035] The reception unit 150 receives information regarding operations related to the use of the cash advance card registered by the user in the electronic payment service, on the interface screen of the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. Operations related to the use of the cash advance card may include, for example, operations such as charging, electronic payment, or money transfer using the cash advance card, or operations related to repayment of loans made with the cash advance card.

[0036] The determination unit 160 determines whether the user is eligible to use the cash advance card based on the user identification information. Based on the user identification information, the determination unit 160 determines whether it is possible to provide the user with an electronic money loan through the cash advance service using the cash advance card. For example, the determination unit 160 transmits a loan request related to the electronic money loan to the determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200, which will be described later, and makes a determination based on the determination result obtained from the determination unit 230. The loan request includes, for example, user identification information (user identification information for the electronic payment service) or information for identifying the user based on the user identification information (user identification information for the cash advance service), and the loan amount requested. In this embodiment, it is described that a cash advance card is issued and the cash advance service is used, but the issuance of a cash advance card may be omitted and the cash advance service may be used.

[0037] The repayment processing unit 170 repays the loan on the cash advance card by subtracting the electronic money balance associated with the user identification information in response to the repayment operation received by the reception unit 150. The repayment operation is an operation performed by the user via the user terminal device 10, and relates to the repayment of the loan on the cash advance card using the electronic money balance associated with the user identification information. Repayment operations include, for example, specifying the amount to be repaid, selecting the type of electronic money to be used for repayment, and applying to make a repayment.

[0038] The interest acquisition unit 175 acquires interest information relating to the interest incurred on loans (borrowings for the user) using a cash advance card. The interest may increase in hourly units. An hourly unit may be, for example, an hourly unit, a six-hour unit, or a half-day (twelve-hour) unit. An hourly unit may be, for example, a predetermined time unit of less than twenty-four hours. The interest acquisition unit 175 acquires, for example, interest information transmitted from the interest calculation unit 240, which will be described later.

[0039] The display control unit 180 causes the display unit of the user terminal device 10 to display information including the user's loan amount and interest information. The display control unit 180 may also display information including the user's loan amount and interest information in response to user operations.

[0040] Furthermore, the display control unit 180 may provide the user with notifications regarding the use of the cash advance card. The notifications may include some or all of the following information: for example, that the amount of interest has increased, that the user is being prompted to repay the loan, or that the loan has been automatically repaid using points. Notifications prompting the user to repay the loan may be given when a predetermined period has passed until the repayment due date, when repayment is not made on the repayment due date, or when the user's charge balance increases. For example, when the user's charge balance increases due to a charge or a transfer from another user, the display control unit 180 will provide the user with a notification prompting them to repay the loan. The notification may be given, for example, by displaying an image containing the above information on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0041] The account linking unit 185 performs the account linking described later. The account linking unit 185 links the account for the electronic payment service with the account for the cash advance card.

[0042] [Electronic payment] When payment information is obtained from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 132 refers to the user information 192 to obtain the user's "payment method setting". For users whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 132 performs electronic payment as follows: For example, the payment processing unit 132 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 rather 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.

[0043] The payment processing unit 132 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 132 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 application 20.

[0044] The process for users whose "Settings" are set to "Cash advance-only card payment" will be described later.

[0045] [Cashing Server] Figure 7 is a diagram of the configuration of the caching server 200. The caching server 200 includes, for example, a communication unit 210, an application processing unit 220, a determination unit 230, an interest calculation unit 240, an information management unit 250, and a storage unit 260. Components other than the communication unit 210 and the storage unit 260 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 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 in a drive device. The caching server 200 is an example of a "determination server".

[0046] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for connecting to a network NW. The communication unit 210 is, for example, a network interface card.

[0047] The storage unit 260 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM, etc. The storage unit 260 may also be a NAS device accessible by the payment server 100 via a network. The storage unit 260 stores information such as user information 262 and cash advance information 264.

[0048] Figure 8 shows an example of user information 262. User information 262 is an example of user registration information for a cash advance card. User information 262 is a collection of information such as the cash advance card user ID, electronic payment service ID, name, address, telephone number, date of birth, email address, password, employment status, workplace, annual income, and identity verification information. The cash advance card user ID is an ID used to identify the user of the cash advance card. The cash advance card user ID may be issued to the user by the cash advance server 200 when the cash advance card is registered, or it may be set arbitrarily by the user. The electronic payment service ID is an ID registered in the electronic payment service linked to the cash advance card account. The electronic payment service ID is similar to the account ID included in user information 192 (Figure 5), for example. As described later, account linking is performed, and the user ID of the cash advance card and the electronic payment service ID are linked and managed in the payment server 100 and the cash advance server 200. Name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and email address are the user's personal information. Employment status is the employment status of the cash advance card user (e.g., full-time employee, contract employee, part-time worker, unemployed, etc.). Employer is the name and telephone number of the cash advance card user's employer. Annual income is the cash advance card user's annual income. Identity verification information is information used to verify the user's identity. Identity verification information may be, for example, information from a driver's license, information from a My Number Card, or information obtained when identity verification is performed via eKYC (Electronic Know Your Customer). The types of information included in user information 262 are not limited to those listed above, and some information may not be stored. User information 262 may include, for example, the user's liabilities, assets, or usage data of the electronic payment service.For example, if user information 262 includes data on the use of an electronic payment service, this item may be entered based on information received from the payment server 100 when linking accounts. User information 262 may be updated with the latest information at predetermined times or intervals. For example, user information 262 may be updated when changes made by the user are entered.

[0049] Figure 9 shows an example of cash advance information 264. Cash advance information 264 is information related to the use of a cash advance card. Cash advance information 264 includes, for example, the user ID of the cash advance card, the loan limit, the loan amount, the available loan amount, interest information, loan history information, and repayment history information. The loan limit is the maximum amount that can be lent to the user using the cash advance card. The loan amount is the amount currently being lent to the user using the cash advance card. The available loan amount is the amount that can be lent to the user using the cash advance card. The available loan amount is the amount obtained by subtracting the loan amount from the loan limit. Interest information is information related to interest. Interest information includes the amount of interest calculated by the interest calculation unit 240, which will be described later, and the interest rate. Loan history information is the history of loans made to the user using the cash advance card. Loan history information is information that shows the details of each loan (amount, date and time). Repayment history information is a history of repayments made by the user using a cash advance card. Repayment history information shows the details of each repayment (amount, date and time). The types of information included in cash advance information 264 are not limited to these, and some information does not need to be stored.

[0050] The application processing unit 220 configures the system to start using the cash advance card based on the information entered by the user for registration. The application processing unit 220 also performs tasks such as linking the account between the electronic payment service and the cash advance card, and determining whether the user is eligible to use the cash advance card based on the user information 262.

[0051] The determination unit 230 determines whether or not it can provide electronic money to the user based on the loan request sent from the payment server 100. The determination unit 230 transmits the determination result to the determination unit 160 of the payment server 100.

[0052] The interest calculation unit 240 calculates the amount of interest based on a pre-set interest calculation standard. The interest calculation unit 240 refers to the cash advance information 264 and calculates the interest based on the loan amount and the interest rate. The interest calculation unit 240 may also calculate the amount of hourly interest. Hourly interest is interest that increases with each passing hour. For example, if interest accrues on an hourly basis, the interest calculation unit 240 calculates the amount by multiplying the loan amount and the interest rate, and then using a 365-day year (366 days in a leap year) 24-hour daily timetable for the period from the previous repayment date or loan date to the current repayment date.

[0053] The information management unit 250 manages the cash advance information 264 based on information obtained from the settlement server 100 and the determination results of the determination unit 230. The information management unit 250 updates the information stored in the cash advance information 264 when a loan or repayment is made. Details of the processing performed by the application processing unit 220, the determination unit 230, and the information management unit 250 will be described later.

[0054] [Overview of the dedicated cash advance card] Users can use a dedicated cash advance card that can be registered with the electronic payment service to receive electronic money loans when using the electronic payment service. Furthermore, users can repay loans made with the dedicated cash advance card using the electronic money available through the electronic payment service to which the card is registered. While this embodiment describes the process using a dedicated cash advance card, the cash advance service may be provided without the use of a dedicated cash advance card. In this case, the cash advance loan is made when an operation to use the cash advance service is performed or when the cash advance service has been pre-configured. For example, when using the cash advance service, the loan is made based on an application review and the results of a prior review. Also, when an electronic money loan is made using a dedicated cash advance card, the total amount of the loans is transferred to a designated bank account in a cycle according to the agreement between the cash advance service and the electronic payment service.

[0055] [Registering a cash advance-only card] First, let's explain the registration process for the cash advance card. When a user wants to use a cash advance card, they must register the card in advance on the cash advance server 200. Users can proceed with the registration process for the cash advance card by applying to start using the cash advance card from the application screen for the cash advance card provided by the cash advance server 200 (or payment server 100). For example, a user can use the payment app 20 or the cash advance service mini-app of the payment app 20 to display the application screen for the cash advance card and proceed with the registration process for the cash advance card. When an application processing unit 220 receives an application from a user to start using a cash advance card, it performs a registration review for the user's cash advance card. When an application processing unit 220 receives an application from a user to start using a cash advance card, it determines whether the user is eligible to use the cash advance card based on the information entered by the user. The information entered by the user is, for example, the information included in the user information 262. The application processing unit 220 determines whether a user is eligible to use a cash advance card based on their employment status, workplace, annual income, etc. Alternatively, the application processing unit 220 may determine whether a user is eligible to use a cash advance card based on the user's electronic payment service usage data obtained through account linking, as described later. Electronic payment service usage data includes, for example, the amount and duration of use of the electronic payment service, and information about the merchant where the electronic payment was made. If the application processing unit 220 determines that a user is eligible to use a cash advance card, it sets the loan limit and loan conditions based on the information contained in the user information 262, and stores this as cash advance information 264 in the storage unit 260. Loan conditions include, for example, the repayment deadline and the repayment amount on a predetermined repayment date. Once it is determined that a cash advance card is available and the loan limit and loan conditions are set, the registration process for the cash advance card is completed.

[0056] If the cash advance server 200 also provides other cash advance services, the application processing unit 220 may simultaneously perform registration screening for all cash advance services provided by the cash advance server 200. For example, if a user who is already using a credit card issued by the cash advance server 200 applies to start using a dedicated cash advance card, the application processing unit 220 will determine whether the user is eligible for both the cash advance service using the dedicated cash advance card and the cash advance service using the credit card. The application processing unit 220 may determine whether the user is eligible for each cash advance service based on the user information entered and the credit card usage data. The determination results for the cash advance service using the dedicated cash advance card and the cash advance service using the credit card may differ. If a user applies to create a credit card, the cash advance server 200 may, in addition to screening the application for creating a credit card, also screen the user for using cash advance services. For example, the cash advance server 200 may determine that a user who cannot create a credit card is eligible for cash advance services and recommend that the user use cash advance services.

[0057] [Account Linking] This section describes account linking between the payment server 100 and the cash advance server 200. When a user uses a cash advance-only card, they must link their account with the payment server 100 and the cash advance server 200 in advance. The application processing unit 220 performs account linking, for example, when the user instructs it to link their account after the registration process for the cash advance-only card is completed. When the application processing unit 220 receives an instruction to link the account with the user's consent, it obtains the user's personal information (name, date of birth, telephone number, etc.) held by the cash advance server 200, as well as the personal information (name, date of birth, telephone number, etc.) held by the payment server 100. If the personal information associated with the user ID matches the personal information held by the payment server 100, the application processing unit 220 obtains the account ID corresponding to the personal information from the payment server 100 and sends an account linking request to the payment server 100, including the personal information and the user ID of the cash advance-only card corresponding to the personal information. The application processing unit 220 performs account linking by associating the acquired account ID with the personal information as an electronic payment service ID and storing it as user information 262. The application processing unit 220 may also acquire usage data of the electronic payment service linked to the account ID corresponding to the personal information from the payment server 100 during account linking and store it as user information 262.

[0058] Similarly, account linking may also occur if the registration process for the dedicated cash advance card described above is performed using the cash advance service's mini-app.

[0059] Furthermore, if a user is already using other services provided by the cash advance server 200, and the linkage between the services provided by the cash advance server 200 and the services provided by the payment server 100 has been completed, the above account linkage process does not need to be performed because the account linkage has already been established. For example, if the cash advance server 200 provides a credit card service, and the user is already using that credit card service and has linked the credit card service with the electronic payment service, the above account linkage process does not need to be performed.

[0060] [Using a cash advance-only card] Next, the lending of electronic money using a cash advance card will be described. In this embodiment, the settlement server 100, in response to an operation received by the reception unit 150, determines whether or not it can lend electronic money to the user using a cash advance card based on the user identification information in the electronic payment service. If it is determined that a loan can be made, the processing unit 130 associates the electronic money with the user identification information, thereby making the electronic money loan. The electronic money to be lent is, for example, electronic money that can be withdrawn. The electronic money to be lent may also be electronic money that cannot be withdrawn, similar to charging using a credit card registered with the electronic payment service. When a user whose eKYC is stored in user information 192 or user information 262 uses a cash advance card, the loan is made as electronic money that can be withdrawn. When a user whose eKYC is not stored in user information 192 or user information 262 uses a cash advance card, the loan may be made as electronic money that cannot be withdrawn. Withdrawable electronic money refers to electronic money that can be treated the same as cash, such as electronic money that can be transferred (withdrawn) to a bank account. Users can transfer their electronic money to a designated bank account by performing the prescribed operations on the electronic payment service, and then withdraw it as cash from the bank account.

[0061] Figure 10 shows an example of the cash advance card usage screen IM1 of the payment application 20. The cash advance card usage screen IM1 is displayed when the user selects to use the cash advance card in the payment application 20 after the registration process for the cash advance card has been completed. The cash advance card usage screen IM1 includes area A1. Area A1 contains buttons that instruct the user to perform operations to use the cash advance card for electronic payment services, such as a button to charge the cash advance card, a button to make an electronic payment using the cash advance card, and a button to send money to another user using the cash advance card. By selecting a button displayed in area A1, the user can borrow electronic money using the cash advance card.

[0062] Furthermore, the cash advance card usage screen IM1 may be displayed regardless of whether the user has registered a cash advance card. If an icon displayed in area A1 is selected on the cash advance card usage screen IM1 displayed on the user terminal device 10 of a user who has not registered a cash advance card (account linking), the cash advance card application screen may be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0063] Furthermore, if the registration (issuance) of a dedicated cash advance card is omitted, when a button displayed in area A1 on the dedicated cash advance card usage screen IM1 is selected, the display unit of the user terminal device 10 may display the application screen for the cash advance service. The user can use the cash advance service by entering the loan request amount and information included in the user information 262 on the application screen.

[0064] [Charging using a dedicated cash advance card] In this embodiment, the payment server 100 receives an operation to charge using a cash advance card (cash advance service) in an electronic payment service via the reception unit 150, and if the determination unit 160 determines that it can lend electronic money to the user, the charge unit 136 performs the charge by associating the electronic money to be lent with the user identification information.

[0065] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the process of charging using a cash advance card. For example, when the user operates the button to perform a charge on the cash advance card usage screen IM1, the charge screen IM2A, as shown on the left side of Figure 11, is displayed. The charge screen IM2A is the screen for performing a charge using a cash advance card. The charge screen IM2A may display, for example, an input form for setting the amount to be charged, the selected charge method, the available amount (for example, a loanable amount of 300,000 yen) which is the amount the user can borrow using the cash advance card, and a charge button B1 for executing the charge. The charge screen IM2A includes the charge button B1. The user can perform a charge using the cash advance card by setting the amount to be charged and selecting the charge button B1. When the reception unit 150 receives information regarding the operation in which the charge button B1 is selected, the determination unit 160 obtains the charge information. In this case, the charge method included in the charge information is set to "Cash Advance Card". If the charging method is set to "cash advance only card," the determination unit 160 sends a loan request to the determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200 and determines whether or not it can lend the user electronic money for the amount of the charge based on the determination result obtained from the determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200. If it is determined that it is possible to lend electronic money, the charging unit 136 adds to the charge balance and performs the charge. When the charge is performed, the charge completion screen IM2B shown on the right side of Figure 11 is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. The charge completion screen IM2B is a screen that notifies the user that the charge using the cash advance only card has been completed. If it is determined that it is not possible to lend electronic money, a screen notifying the user that the charge was not completed may be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0066] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating the charging process using a cash advance-only card. The process shown in Figure 12 is executed, for example, when a user selects the charge button B1 on the charge screen IM2A.

[0067] First, the payment application 20 sends charge information to the payment server 100, which associates user identification information such as the account ID, the charge amount, and the charge method (S100). When the reception unit 150 receives information regarding the operation in which the charge button B1 is selected and the charge information, the determination unit 160 refers to the user information 192 and determines whether the user has completed registration for the cash advance card (S102). If the user has completed registration for the cash advance card, it sends a loan request based on the charge information to the cash advance server 200 (S104). The loan request includes user identification information and the charge amount (loan request amount). The user identification information included in the loan request may be, for example, the account ID of the electronic payment service or the user ID of the cash advance card. The determination unit 160 may identify the user ID of the cash advance card associated with the acquired account ID based on the user information 192. Alternatively, the cash advance server 200 may identify the user ID of the cash advance card from the account ID.

[0068] The determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200 refers to the cash advance information 264 and determines whether or not it is possible to lend electronic money for the amount of the charge (S106). Specifically, the determination unit 230 refers to the cash advance information 264 and compares the amount of money that the user can lend, which is linked to the user's identification information, with the charge amount (loan request amount) to determine whether or not it is possible to lend electronic money to the user. If the amount of money that can be lent is equal to or greater than the loan request amount, the determination unit 230 determines that it is possible to lend electronic money to the user. If the determination unit 230 determines that it is not possible to lend electronic money to the user, it determines that it is not possible to lend electronic money to the user. If it is determined that it is possible to lend electronic money, the information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 (S108). Specifically, the information management unit 250 adds the loan amount by the loan request amount, subtracts the loan request amount from the amount of money that can be lent, and stores the loan history. After the cash advance information 264 is updated, the determination unit 230 sends the determination result to the settlement server 100 (S110). If it is determined that electronic money can be provided, the determination unit 230 may send an information update completion notice indicating that the update of the cash advance information has been completed at the same time as the determination result.

[0069] The determination unit 160 determines whether or not it can provide electronic money to the user based on the determination result transmitted from the cash advance server 200 (S112). If it is determined that electronic money can be provided, the charge unit 136 adds the charge amount (loan request amount) to the charge balance and performs the charge (S114), and sends a charge completion notification to the payment application 20 (S116). Based on the received charge completion notification, the payment application 20 displays the charge completion screen IM2B shown in Figure 11 above (S118).

[0070] The processing in S108 (updating the cash advance information 264) may be performed after the processing in S114 (performing a charge). Specifically, the charge unit 136 adds to the charge balance and performs a charge (S114), and sends a loan completion notice to the cash advance server 200. The loan completion notice includes user identification information and the amount lent (charged). The information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 based on the received loan completion notice and sends an information update completion notice to the settlement server 100. The charge unit 136 sends a charge completion notice to the settlement application 20 in response to the received information update notice (S116). Subsequent processing is the same as the processing shown in Figure 12.

[0071] Furthermore, if it is determined in the S106 process that electronic money cannot be lent, the S108 process may be omitted. Also, if it is determined in the S112 process that electronic money cannot be lent, the determination unit 160 may send a loan denial notification to the payment application 20, and the payment application 20 may display a screen notifying the user that the charge was not completed. The loan denial notification contains information that a loan cannot be made using the cash advance card and that the charge was not completed.

[0072] In the above explanation, the determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200 determined whether or not it could provide electronic money by comparing the available loan amount with the charged amount. However, the settlement server 100 may also determine whether or not it can provide electronic money by sending the user's available loan amount, linked to the user identification information, to the settlement server 100. In this case, the loan request only needs to include the user identification information. Instead of processing S106, the determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200 sends the user's available loan amount, linked to the user identification information, to the settlement server 100. The determination unit 160 compares the received available loan amount with the charged amount (loan request amount) and determines whether or not the user is eligible to use the cash advance card based on the user identification information. If the available loan amount is equal to or greater than the loan request amount, the determination unit 160 determines that it can provide electronic money to the user. If the available loan amount is less than the loan request amount, it determines that it cannot provide electronic money to the user. If it is determined that electronic money can be lent, the determination unit 160 sends a cash advance information update request to the cash advance server 200. The cash advance information update request includes user identification information and the charge amount. Based on the cash advance information update request, the information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 and sends a cash advance information update completion notification to the settlement server 100. After receiving the cash advance information update completion notification, the charge unit 136 adds to the charge balance and performs the charge. Subsequent processing is the same as the processing shown in Figure 12 (S116, S118).

[0073] [Automatic top-up using a cash advance-only card] Furthermore, the payment server 100 in this embodiment may perform automatic charging using a cash advance-only card. In this embodiment, the determination unit 160 of the payment server 100 determines whether it can automatically lend electronic money for the electronic payment service to the user without requiring any operation when the user's charge balance falls below a predetermined amount. If it determines that it can lend electronic money to the user, the processing unit 130 performs the lending by associating the electronic money to be lent with the user identification information.

[0074] When a user uses the auto-charge function with a cash advance card, the settlement server 100 obtains an auto-charge setting request in advance and stores it in the storage unit 190. The auto-charge setting request includes information such as approval for performing the auto-charge, the amount to be auto-charged, and a threshold (predetermined amount) used to determine whether or not to perform the auto-charge. The settlement server 100 stores the auto-charge information and user identification information in association with each other in the storage unit 190.

[0075] Furthermore, when setting the amount for auto-charging, users may be able to set more detailed conditions. The payment server 100 may set an auto-charge limit such that the repayment amount on the repayment due date after the auto-charge loan has been made is a predetermined amount. For example, auto-charging may be performed so that the predetermined amount is 10,000 yen. For example, based on the user's loan amount, an auto-charge of 10,000 yen or an auto-charge of 5,000 yen may be performed. For example, the payment server 100 may be configured to calculate the impact that the increase in the loan amount due to auto-charging has on the repayment amount on the next repayment due date, and to determine the auto-charge limit based on the calculation result. In this case, the calculation of the impact on the repayment amount will vary depending on the repayment method. The repayment method is a repayment plan with a repayment amount set in advance by the user, such as a lump-sum payment or revolving payment, and the user may be able to select which repayment plan to use as the basis for calculating the limit. Specifically, if a user sets a limit on the next repayment amount (e.g., 10,000 yen) based on a predetermined repayment plan (e.g., lump-sum payment), the payment server 100 calculates the upper limit for auto-charging within the range that satisfies that setting. If the amount set by the user for auto-charging exceeds this upper limit, the payment server 100 may either auto-charge up to the upper limit, or notify the user that the upper limit has been exceeded and ask the user whether or not to proceed with the auto-charge. With this configuration, users can prevent their repayment burden from unintentionally increasing according to their repayment plan, enabling more planned use of the service.

[0076] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of automatic top-up using a cash advance card. The process shown in Figure 13 is executed, for example, when a user starts using automatic top-up with a cash advance card.

[0077] First, the payment application 20 sends an auto-charge setting request to the payment server 100 (S200). The auto-charge setting request includes an approval to perform auto-charge as instructed by the user, the amount to be auto-charged, and a threshold used to determine whether or not to perform auto-charge. Based on the received auto-charge setting request, the payment server 100 performs the auto-charge setting (S202).

[0078] The following processing is executed when the user's charge balance is reduced after the auto-charge settings are completed. The charge unit 136 determines whether the charge balance is below a threshold when the user's charge balance is reduced (S204). If the charge balance is not below the threshold, the process ends, and the process in S204 is executed again when the user's charge balance is reduced again. If the charge balance is below the threshold, the determination unit 160 sends a loan request to the cash advance server 200 (S206). The loan request includes user identification information (e.g., account ID) and the amount to be auto-charged (loan request amount).

[0079] The processing in S208 to S216 is the same as the processing in S106 to S114 shown in Figure 12. After the processing in S216 is completed, the charge unit 136 sends an auto-charge completion notification to the payment application 20 (S218). Based on the received auto-charge completion notification, the payment application 20 displays an auto-charge completion screen (S220). The auto-charge completion screen is a display that notifies the user that an auto-charge has been performed. The auto-charge completion screen includes, for example, the amount that was auto-charged and the charge balance after the auto-charge. The auto-charge completion screen may be displayed at the same time as a screen that notifies the user that a process in which the user's charge balance is deducted (for example, electronic payment or remittance) has been completed.

[0080] In the above, auto-charge was performed when the charge balance after electronic payment or remittance was deducted was below a threshold. However, auto-charge may also be performed when it is determined that there is insufficient balance when making an electronic payment or remittance. The payment server 100 may perform auto-charge to cover the shortfall and make the payment if the user's charge balance for the electronic payment service is insufficient for the payment amount. If the payment server 100 determines that it can make a loan, it makes a loan by associating the electronic money to be lent with the user identification information and uses the lent amount to make the payment for the insufficient payment amount. In this case, instead of the processing in S204, the charge unit 136 determines whether the charge balance is equal to or greater than the payment amount or remittance amount when an electronic payment or remittance is made. If the charge balance is not equal to or greater than the payment amount or remittance amount (insufficient charge balance), the payment server 100, the cash advance server 200, and the payment application 20 execute the processing from S206 onwards and perform auto-charge. For example, the insufficient amount is auto-charged. This means that when a user makes an electronic payment or transfer, if their balance is insufficient, an automatic top-up will occur instantly, allowing the payment to be completed without interruption.

[0081] Furthermore, the process of automatic top-up due to insufficient balance may also be executed when an electronic payment is made at a merchant (target merchant) that does not accept electronic money that cannot be withdrawn for electronic payments. For example, in a setting where credit card payments are prioritized, when making a payment at a target merchant, credit card payments using electronic money that cannot be withdrawn for electronic payments cannot be used, so an electronic payment using a cash advance service may be made instead of a credit card payment. For example, if credit card payments are set to be prioritized or prioritized after the charge balance, and the charge balance is insufficient at a target merchant, a cash advance service may be used to make the payment. Since the electronic money provided by the cash advance service is electronic money that can be withdrawn, it is preferable to use it for payments at merchants that do not accept electronic money that cannot be withdrawn for electronic payments as described above.

[0082] [Electronic payment using a dedicated cash advance card] In this embodiment, the payment server 100 receives an operation to perform an electronic payment using a cash advance card (cash advance service) in the electronic payment service via the reception unit 150. If the determination unit 160 determines that it is possible to lend electronic money to the user, the payment processing unit 132 performs the payment using the electronic money lent to the user identification information.

[0083] Figure 14 shows an example of the top screen IM3 of the payment app 20. The top screen IM3 displays a code image CI. The code image CI includes, for example, barcodes and QR codes. Next to the code image CI, a toggle switch SW is displayed for setting the payment method (settings information). The toggle switch SW is used to switch between electronic payment using the charged balance, electronic payment using credit, or electronic payment using a dedicated cash advance card. In Figure 14, "dedicated cash advance card" is displayed, which means that the setting is to use a dedicated cash advance card for electronic payment. The user can switch between electronic payment using the charged balance, electronic payment using credit, or electronic payment using a dedicated cash advance card by, for example, swiping the toggle switch SW.

[0084] Furthermore, the top screen IM3 includes areas A2 and A3, and a payment button B2. Area A2 contains buttons that instruct users to perform key electronic payment operations, such as a button to initiate scanning (start user scanning), a button to send the balance to other users, and a button to display the history of electronic payments performed by the user.

[0085] Area A3 is provided with buttons for launching various mini-applications that can be executed on the payment application 20. 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, for example, 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-applications may be installed, or some or all of the mini-applications may be installed from the service server corresponding to the mini-applications. For example, when a mini-application is launched, the mini-application accesses an external service server that provides the service corresponding to that mini-application, and the mini-application and the external service server cooperate to provide services to the user. In this case, the external service server may be the payment server 100. In Figure 14, as an example, buttons M1 for a mini-app that provides functions related to a bank account linked to an electronic payment service, buttons M2 for a mini-app that provides functions related to a cash advance card linked to an electronic payment service, and buttons M3 for a mini-app that provides functions related to coupons usable with the electronic payment service provided by merchants are displayed. However, buttons for launching various types of mini-apps may be displayed, such as reservation apps for amusement facilities like movie theaters, or payment apps for paying public transportation fares.

[0086] When the payment button B2 is pressed, the system transitions to a payment screen displaying a code image used for electronic payment. The first store terminal device 50 reads the code image, such as a QR code or barcode, displayed on the payment screen, and the electronic payment is made using a dedicated cash advance card. When the reception unit 150 receives information regarding the reading operation by the first store terminal device 50, the determination unit 160 acquires the payment information. In this case, the setting information is set to "dedicated cash advance card payment". If the setting information is set to "dedicated cash advance card payment", the determination unit 160 sends a loan request to the determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200 and determines whether or not it can lend the user electronic money for the payment amount based on the determination result obtained from the determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200. If it is determined that it can lend electronic money, the payment processing unit 132 performs the electronic payment using the electronic money to be lent. When the electronic payment is made, the payment completion screen IM4 is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. If it is determined that the electronic money loan cannot be made, a screen notifying the user that the payment could not be completed may be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0087] Figure 15 shows an example of the payment completion screen IM4 when using a cash advance card. As shown in Figure 15, the payment completion screen IM4 displays the name of the merchant where the payment was made (e.g., XX Convenience Store), the date and time of payment (February 21, 2025, 14:48:21), the payment amount (160 yen), the payment number (12345…), and the payment method (cash advance card).

[0088] Figure 16 is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the flow of electronic payment using a cash advance card. Figure 16 shows the flow when a store scan is performed and electronic payment is made using a cash advance card. The processing flow shown in Figure 16 is executed, for example, when a user operates the payment button B2 on the top screen IM3 in Figure 14 mentioned above.

[0089] First, the payment application 20 sends the payment method set by the user and a request for the issuance of a one-time code to the payment server 100 (S300). Based on the received payment method, the payment server 100 sets the setting information to "cash advance card payment" and generates a one-time code (S302). Specifically, the information management unit 250 refers to the user information 192 and changes the setting information corresponding to the user identification information to "cash advance card payment". For example, if the user changes the payment method to "make an electronic payment using a cash advance card" by operating the changeover switch SW (for example, before the request for the issuance of a one-time code), the setting information may be changed to "cash advance card payment".

[0090] The payment server 100 sends a one-time code to the payment app 20 (S304). The payment app 20 displays a code image, such as a QR code or barcode, generated based on the one-time code (S306). When the first store terminal device 50 performs a code image reading operation, the payment server 100 obtains payment information from the first store terminal device 50 (S308). The payment server 100 obtains the payment information and identifies the setting information corresponding to the user identification information included in the payment information (S310). If the setting information is "cash advance only card payment", the determination unit 160 sends a loan request based on the payment information to the cash advance server 200 (S312). The loan request includes user identification information (e.g., user ID) and the payment amount (loan request amount).

[0091] The determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200 refers to the cash advance information 264 and determines whether or not it is possible to lend electronic money for the settlement amount (S314). Specifically, the determination unit 230 refers to the cash advance information 264, compares the amount that the user can borrow, which is linked to the user identification information, with the settlement amount (loan request amount), and determines whether or not it is possible to lend electronic money to the user. If it is determined that it is possible to lend electronic money, the information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 (S316). After the cash advance information 264 is updated, the determination unit 230 sends the determination result to the settlement server 100 (S318). If it is determined that it is possible to lend electronic money, the determination unit 230 may send an information update completion notification at the same time as the determination result.

[0092] The determination unit 160 determines whether or not it can provide electronic money to the user based on the determination result transmitted from the cash advance server 200 (S320). If it is determined that electronic money can be provided, the settlement processing unit 132 adds the settlement amount (loan request amount) to the charge balance and uses the added charge balance to perform the electronic payment (S322). After the electronic payment is completed, the settlement processing unit 132 sends a payment completion notification to the payment application 20 (S324). Based on the received payment completion notification, the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen IM4 (S326).

[0093] If it is determined in the S314 process that electronic money cannot be lent, the S316 process may be omitted. Also, if it is determined in the S320 process that electronic money cannot be lent, the determination unit 160 may send a loan denial notification to the payment application 20, and the payment application 20 may display a screen notifying the user that the payment was not completed. The loan denial notification contains information that a loan cannot be made using the cash advance card and that the payment was not completed.

[0094] In the above explanation, the settlement server 100 requested a loan for the settlement amount, but it may also request a loan for the amount of the insufficient balance in the charge relative to the settlement amount. In this case, in the process of S312, the determination unit 160 calculates the insufficient amount based on the user information 192 and sends the user identification information and the insufficient amount to the caching server 200.

[0095] Figure 17 is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the flow of electronic payment using a cash advance card. Figure 17 shows the flow when a user scan is performed and electronic payment is made using a cash advance card. The process shown in Figure 17 is executed, for example, when a user operates the toggle switch SW on the top screen IM3 to change the payment method to "make an electronic payment using a cash advance card".

[0096] First, the payment app 20 transmits the payment method set by the user (S400). Based on the received payment method, the payment server 100 sets the setting information to "cash advance card payment" (S402).

[0097] The following processing is performed when electronic payment is made using user scanning after the configuration information has been set. For example, it is performed when the user operates the button to instruct scanning (start user scanning) on ​​the top screen IM3, and the user terminal device 10, with the payment application 20 running, decodes the store code image 60. The payment application 20 sends first payment information, including the store URL and account ID, to the payment server 100 (S404). The payment server 100 searches for store information from the merchant ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, obtains the merchant name and store name information (S406), and sends it to the payment application 20 (S408). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen displaying the merchant name and store name (S410). Then, the payment application 20 generates second payment information, including at least the payment amount, and sends it to the payment server 100 (S412).

[0098] When the reception unit 150 receives information regarding the operation to determine the settlement amount, the determination unit 160 sends a loan request based on the received second settlement information to the cash advance server 200 (S414). The loan request includes user identification information (e.g., user ID) and the settlement amount (loan request amount). The processing in S416 to S428 is the same as the processing in S314 to S326 shown in Figure 16.

[0099] The above describes the case where the setting information is pre-configured to "cash advance card payment" and a user scan is performed. However, the setting information may also be configured at the time the electronic payment is made via user scan. Specifically, if the processing in S400 and S402 is not performed, and the payment method on the top screen IM3 is set to "cash advance card", and the store code image 60 is decoded by the user terminal device 10, the payment application 20 sends the first payment information and payment method to the payment server 100. Based on the received payment method, the payment server 100 sets the setting information to "cash advance card payment", searches for store information from the merchant ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, and obtains the merchant name and store name information. Subsequent processing is the same as the processing shown in Figure 17 (S408~428).

[0100] [Money transfer using a cash advance card] In this embodiment, the settlement server 100 receives an operation to make a remittance using a cash advance card (cash advance service) in the electronic payment service via the reception unit 150, and if the determination unit 160 determines that it can lend electronic money to the user, the remittance processing unit 134 sends the electronic money to be lent to another user designated by the user as the recipient.

[0101] Figure 18 shows an example of the remittance confirmation screen IM5. The remittance confirmation screen IM5 is displayed when a user makes a remittance and specifies the recipient user and the remittance amount. As shown in Figure 18, the remittance confirmation screen IM5 displays the recipient user's identification information (sending to △△), the remittance amount (10,000 yen), the charge balance (5,000 yen), a checkbox C to select whether or not to use a cash advance card, and a remittance button B3. If the remittance confirmation screen IM5 is operated with checkbox C selected, a remittance using a cash advance card will be performed. When the reception unit 150 receives information regarding the operation of the remittance button B3 with checkbox C selected, the determination unit 160 acquires the remittance information. In this case, the remittance method included in the remittance information is set to "cash advance card". If the remittance method is set to "cash advance only card," the determination unit 160 sends a loan request to the determination unit 230 and determines whether or not it can lend the user electronic money for the amount to be remitted based on the determination result obtained from the determination unit 230. If it is determined that it is possible to lend electronic money, the remittance processing unit 134 performs the remittance by adding the amount to the charge balance corresponding to the user identification information of the other specified user. When the remittance is completed, a remittance completion screen is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 to notify the user that the remittance has been completed. If it is determined that it is not possible to lend electronic money, a screen notifying the user that the remittance was not completed may be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0102] Figure 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of a money transfer using a cash advance card. The process shown in Figure 19 is executed, for example, when the user selects the transfer button B3 on the transfer confirmation screen IM5.

[0103] First, the payment application 20 sends remittance information using a dedicated cash advance card to the payment server 100 (S500). When the reception unit 150 receives information regarding the operation to make a remittance using a dedicated cash advance card, the determination unit 160 sends a loan request based on the remittance information to the cash advance server 200 (S502). The loan request includes user identification information (e.g., account ID) and the remittance amount (loan request amount).

[0104] The determination unit 230 refers to the cash advance information 264 and determines whether or not it is possible to provide an electronic money loan for the amount of the transfer (S504). Specifically, the determination unit 230 refers to the cash advance information 264, compares the amount of money the user can borrow, which is linked to the user's identification information, with the transfer amount (loan request amount), and determines whether or not it is possible to provide an electronic money loan to the user. If it is determined that an electronic money loan can be provided, the information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 (S506). After the cash advance information 264 is updated, the determination unit 230 sends the determination result to the settlement server 100 (S508). If it is determined that an electronic money loan can be provided, the determination unit 230 may also send an information update completion notification at the same time as the determination result.

[0105] The determination unit 160 determines whether or not it can provide electronic money to the user based on the determination result transmitted from the cash advance server 200 (S510). If it is determined that electronic money can be provided, the remittance processing unit 134 adds the remittance amount (loan request amount) to the charge balance corresponding to the user identification information of the recipient user included in the remittance information and performs the remittance (S512). At this time, the remittance processing unit 134 may, for example, charge the loan amount to the account of the user who requested the remittance and then perform the remittance. After the remittance is completed, the remittance processing unit 134 sends a remittance completion notification to the payment application 20 (S514). Based on the received remittance completion notification, the payment application 20 displays a remittance completion screen (S516).

[0106] If it is determined in the S504 process that electronic money cannot be lent, the S506 process may be omitted. Also, if it is determined in the S510 process that electronic money cannot be lent, the determination unit 160 may send a loan denial notice to the payment application 20, and the payment application 20 may display a screen notifying the user that the transfer was not completed. The loan denial notice includes information that a loan cannot be made using the cash advance card and that the transfer was not completed.

[0107] [Bank transfer using a dedicated cash advance card] In this embodiment, the payment server 100 receives an operation via the reception unit 150 to transfer funds to a user's account registered in the electronic payment service using a cash advance card (cash advance service) in the electronic payment service. If the determination unit 160 determines that it is possible to lend electronic money to the user, the processing unit 130 associates the electronic money to be lent with the user identification information and performs the transfer by disbursing the electronic money to the user's account.

[0108] Figure 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of a transfer using a cash advance card. The process shown in Figure 20 is executed, for example, when a user performs an operation to instruct a transfer using a cash advance card on a screen provided by the payment application 20.

[0109] First, the payment application 20 sends transfer information using a dedicated cash advance card to the payment server 100 (S600). When the reception unit 150 receives information regarding the operation to instruct a transfer using a dedicated cash advance card, the determination unit 160 sends a loan request based on the transfer information to the cash advance server 200 (S602). The loan request includes user identification information (e.g., user ID) and the transfer amount (loan request amount).

[0110] The determination unit 230 refers to the cash advance information 264 and determines whether or not it is possible to lend electronic money for the amount of the transfer (S604). Specifically, the determination unit 230 refers to the cash advance information 264, compares the amount of money the user can borrow, which is linked to the user's identification information, with the transfer amount (loan request amount), and determines whether or not it is possible to lend electronic money to the user. If it is determined that it is possible to lend electronic money, the information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 (S606). After the cash advance information 264 has been updated, the determination unit 230 transmits the determination result to the settlement server 100 (S608). If it is determined that it is possible to lend electronic money, the determination unit 230 may also transmit an information update completion notification indicating that the update of the cash advance information has been completed at the same time as the determination result.

[0111] The determination unit 160 determines whether or not it can provide electronic money to the user based on the determination result transmitted from the cash advance server 200 (S610). If it is determined that electronic money can be provided, the charge unit 136 adds the transfer amount (loan request amount) to the charge balance and performs the charge (S612). After the charge balance has been added, the transfer processing unit 138 subtracts the transfer amount (loan request amount) from the charge balance (S614) and sends a withdrawal request to a bank server that has a bank account associated with the user identification information (S616). The withdrawal request includes, for example, account information and the amount to be withdrawn (transfer amount). The bank account is a bank account specified in advance by the user or a bank account registered in the user information 192. For example, the bank account is a bank account registered in the electronic payment service for use in charging. The account from which the withdrawal will be made may be selected by the user. The bank server managing the above bank accounts increases the user's account balance by the transfer amount based on the received withdrawal request (S618) and sends a transfer completion notification to the settlement server 100 (S620). The settlement server 100 sends the received transfer completion notification to the settlement application 20 (S622). Based on the received transfer completion notification, the settlement application 20 displays a transfer completion screen to notify the user that the transfer has been completed (S624).

[0112] Furthermore, the transfer process using the dedicated cash advance card described above may only be performed if the type of electronic money being lent is electronic money that can be withdrawn. This is because electronic money that cannot be withdrawn cannot be sent (withdrawn) to a bank account.

[0113] [Repayment of loans using a dedicated cash advance card] Next, the repayment of loans using a cash advance card will be explained. In this embodiment, the settlement server 100 repays the loan using the cash advance card by having the repayment processing unit 170 subtract the electronic money in the charge balance associated with the user identification information in response to the repayment operation received by the reception unit 150. The electronic money used for loan repayment is electronic money that can be withdrawn to an account and points that can be used in the electronic payment service. The repayment processing unit 170 uses either or both of the withdrawable electronic money and / or points to make the loan repayment. Electronic money that cannot be withdrawn cannot be used for loan repayment. Loan repayments are made in accordance with the law and predetermined rules. For example, if an arbitrary amount is repaid for a loan, the order in which the repayment amount is applied to the loan amount, interest, late payment interest, fees, etc., is set in accordance with the law and predetermined rules.

[0114] Furthermore, the repayment processing unit 170 may automatically repay a loan using points awarded to a user who has made a loan using a dedicated cash advance card. For example, when linking a dedicated cash advance card with an electronic payment service, the repayment processing unit 170 obtains approval from the user to automatically repay the loan using points. If this approval is obtained, the repayment processing unit 170 will repay the loan by subtracting the points that have been added to the user information.

[0115] The repayment processing unit 170 may repay the loan by subtracting the electronic money balance associated with the user identification information at predetermined intervals, regardless of the user's repayment operation. The predetermined interval is a set interval, such as one week or one month. For example, the repayment processing unit 170 repays the loan by subtracting the electronic money balance associated with the user identification information on the predetermined monthly repayment due date. In this case, the monthly repayment amount may be set based on the user's instructions or based on user information 192, etc. In this way, defaults can be suppressed by making a predetermined amount of repayment at predetermined intervals, regardless of the user's repayment operation. Repayment of loans made with a cash advance card may be made automatically on the predetermined repayment due date (contract date) without the user's repayment operation, or it may be made earlier than the repayment due date in response to the user's repayment operation. By making an early repayment earlier than the repayment due date, the user can reduce the interest.

[0116] Furthermore, if repayment of a loan is made without the user's repayment operation, more detailed conditions may be set. For example, the repayment processing unit 170 may be configured to make repayments using the amount of the charge balance that exceeds a predetermined amount. Specifically, if the user's charge balance (for example, 80,000 yen) exceeds a predetermined amount (for example, 50,000 yen), the repayment processing unit 170 will make repayments of the loan using the excess amount of the charge balance (for example, 30,000 yen).

[0117] Repayment of a loan may be made when the charge balance reaches a predetermined amount set by the user. For example, the repayment processing unit 170 may be configured to make a repayment using part (for example, 10,000 yen) or all of the charge balance when the charge balance exceeds (or reaches) a predetermined amount (for example, 50,000 yen). When the charge balance exceeds (or reaches) a predetermined amount, the repayment processing unit 170 may automatically make a repayment of the predetermined amount, or it may notify the user to make a repayment and make a repayment of the predetermined amount based on the user's instructions. The charge balance may be the balance of electronic money, or it may be the sum of points and the balance of electronic money.

[0118] The repayment processing unit 170 may automatically repay the loan when the user receives electronic money corresponding to their salary, if the user receives part or all of their salary as electronic money. In this case, a predetermined amount, such as a predetermined amount or a predetermined percentage of the salary, may be used for repayment.

[0119] Figure 21 shows an example of the loan confirmation screen IM6, which allows users to check the details of loans made using a dedicated cash advance card. As shown in Figure 21, the loan confirmation screen IM6 has area A4 and a repayment button B4. Area A4 is the area that displays the status of loans made using the dedicated cash advance card. Area A4 displays, for example, the total loan amount, which is the sum of the amount currently lent to the user (loan amount) and the interest on the loan, as well as the loan amount, the current interest on the loan, and the transition of the interest amount on the loan. The interest-related information displayed in area A4 is based on interest information acquired by the interest acquisition unit 175. Displaying the transition of the interest amount on an hourly basis can encourage users to repay the loan early. In addition, the increase in interest on an hourly basis improves user convenience compared to when the interest increases on a daily basis. When the user operates the repayment button B4, the screen transitions to the screen for making a repayment. The repayment button B4 and loan information indicating that a loan exists may be displayed on the top screen of the payment app 20 or on a designated screen. When the repayment button B4 or the loan information area is operated, the loan confirmation screen IM6 or the repayment screen IM7 (described later) may be displayed. This allows the user to easily recognize that a repayment is required and to easily make a repayment at the time of recognition.

[0120] Figure 22 shows an example of the IM7 repayment screen for making loan repayments using a dedicated cash advance card. The IM7 repayment screen is used by users to make repayments on their loans. As shown in Figure 22, the IM7 repayment screen comprises areas A5 to A6. Area A5 is where the user inputs instructions for loan repayment. Area A5 includes, for example, an input form to specify the desired repayment amount, a checkbox to indicate whether or not to use points the user has for repayment, and an input form to specify the amount of points to use if points are used. The electronic money to be used for repayment is selected by the user after they input the repayment amount, select whether or not to use points, and input the points to be used. Area A6 is where information is displayed to confirm the details of the repayment instructed by the user. Area A6 displays, for example, the total amount of the user's interest and loan amount, the repayment amount instructed by the user and its breakdown, and the remaining loan amount after the repayment of the repayment amount.

[0121] The user can make a repayment by entering and selecting instructions regarding the repayment amount and point usage in area A5 of the repayment screen IM7, confirming in area A6, and operating the repayment application button B5 if there are no problems with the repayment details. When the reception unit 150 receives information regarding the operation of the repayment application button B5, the repayment processing unit 170 subtracts the electronic money from the charge balance associated with the user identification information, and the repayment for the loan is made. If the user repays a portion of the loan amount, the display on the user terminal device 10 may transition to the loan confirmation screen IM6 when the repayment application button B5 is operated. In this case, the loan confirmation screen IM6 may display the total loan amount, loan amount, interest amount, and the transition of the interest amount, reflecting the amount that has been repaid (for example, reflected in real time).

[0122] Furthermore, if a user has a bank account registered with the electronic payment service, they may use the balance in their bank account to repay the loan. For example, the loan confirmation screen IM6 may have an account repayment button for making repayments from the account, and when the user operates the account repayment button, the payment server 100 will send a repayment instruction to the bank server that holds the registered bank account. The repayment instruction is, for example, an instruction to transfer the amount of the repayment or an amount specified by the user from the user's bank account to the repayment bank account, thereby making a repayment of the loan.

[0123] If an early repayment is made ahead of the due date in response to user actions, information regarding the benefits of early repayment may be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. Benefits of early repayment include, for example, a lower interest amount compared to repayment on the due date. When an early repayment is made, information comparing the interest amount obtained by the interest acquisition unit 175 for repayment on the due date with the actual interest paid may be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. Specifically, when an early repayment is made, the amount saved by the user through early repayment may be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. Displaying such information can encourage users to repay their loans early. Furthermore, information regarding the benefits of early repayment may also be displayed on screens used when using a cash advance card (for example, the charge screen IM2A). For example, if an early repayment has been made in the past, the charge screen IM2A may display the total amount saved by the user through one or more past early repayments, or the amount saved by the user during the previous early repayment.

[0124] Figure 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating the repayment process for a loan. The process shown in Figure 23 is executed, for example, when a user operates a button on the payment application 20 screen to transition to the repayment screen IM7.

[0125] First, the payment application 20 sends a request to the payment server 100 to display the repayment screen IM7 (S700). The payment server 100 sends a loan information request to the cash advance server 200 in response to the display request (S702). The display request and the loan information request include user identification information. The cash advance server 200 refers to the cash advance information 264 and sends the loan amount and interest information, which is managed in association with the user identification information, to the payment server 100 as loan information (S704). The payment server 100 sends the received loan information to the payment application 20 (S706). The payment application 20 generates and displays the repayment screen IM7 based on the received loan information and user information 192 (S708). The user enters the repayment details on the repayment screen IM7 (S710). The repayment details include, for example, the repayment amount and information regarding the use of points. When the repayment request button B5 is pressed, the payment application 20 sends the repayment details to the payment server 100 (S712). The payment server 100 sends a repayment request to the cash advance server 200, associating the user identification information with the repayment amount (S714). The determination unit 230 determines whether to accept the user's repayment request based on the repayment request and the cash advance information 264 (S716), and sends the determination result to the payment server 100 (S718). For example, the determination unit 160 determines that it will not accept the repayment request if the repayment amount is less than a standard amount (for example, less than the total amount of interest and fees), and it determines that it will accept the repayment request if the repayment amount is equal to or greater than the standard amount. If it is determined that the repayment request will not be accepted, the payment server 100 sends a repayment failure notification to the payment application 20, and the payment application 20 displays a screen notifying the user that the repayment was not made. If it is determined that the repayment application is approved, the repayment processing unit 170 deducts the repayment amount from the charge balance (S720) and sends a deduction completion notice to the cash advance server 200, associating the user identification information with the repayment amount (S722). The information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 based on the received deduction completion notice (S724). Specifically, the information management unit 250 deducts the repayment amount from the loan amount, adds the available loan amount, and stores the repayment history.After the cash advance information 264 is updated, the cash advance server 200 sends a repayment completion notification to the settlement server 100 (S726). The settlement server 100 sends the received repayment completion notification to the settlement application 20 (S728). Based on the received repayment completion notification, the settlement application 20 displays a repayment completion screen to notify the user that the repayment of the instructed repayment amount has been completed (S730).

[0126] According to the embodiment described above, the payment server 100 (information processing device) comprises a reception unit 150, a determination unit 160, and a processing unit 130. The reception unit 150 receives information regarding the operation of the cash advance service registered by the user in the electronic payment service on the interface screen of the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit of the user's user terminal device. The determination unit 160 determines whether or not the user can be lent electronic money of the electronic payment service using the cash advance service, based on user identification information for identifying the user in the electronic payment service in response to the operation. If it is determined that a loan can be made, the processing unit 130 performs the loan by associating the electronic money with the user identification information. This improves the convenience of the user.

[0127] <Variation> In this embodiment, loans and repayments were made using the payment application 20. However, loans and repayments may also be made using a dedicated cash advance card via a cash advance mini-application for making loans or repayments. The cash advance mini-application is provided by the cash advance server 200.

[0128] Figure 24 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process of charging a dedicated cash advance card using the cash advance mini-app. The process shown in Figure 24 is executed, for example, when the user selects the button to charge, similar to the sequence diagram shown in Figure 12.

[0129] First, the cash advance mini-app sends a charge request to the cash advance server 200 (S800). The determination unit 230 of the cash advance server 200 determines whether or not it is possible to lend electronic money for the amount of the charge based on the received charge information and cash advance information 264 (S802). If it is determined that it is possible to lend electronic money, the information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 by adding the loan amount by the loan request amount to the loan amount, subtracting the loan amount by the loan request amount from the available loan amount, and storing the loan history (S804). After the cash advance information 264 is updated, the determination unit 230 sends the determination result and charge information to the settlement server 100 (S806). If the determination result is "it is possible to lend electronic money", the charge unit 136 adds the charge amount to the charge balance based on the received charge information and performs the charge (S08), and sends a charge completion notification to the cash advance server 200 (S810). The cash advance server 200 sends the received charge completion notification to the cash advance mini-app (S812). Based on the received charge completion notification, the cash advance mini-app displays the charge completion screen (S814).

[0130] Furthermore, if it is determined in the S802 process that electronic money cannot be lent, the S804 process may be omitted, and the determination unit 230 does not need to send charge information to the settlement server 100 in the S806 process.

[0131] Figure 25 is a sequence diagram illustrating the repayment process using the cash advance mini-app. The processing flow shown in Figure 24 is executed, for example, when the user operates the button on the cash advance mini-app screen to transition to the repayment screen IM7 shown in Figure 22, similar to the sequence diagram shown in Figure 23.

[0132] First, the cash advance mini-app sends a request to display the repayment screen IM7 and user identification information to the cash advance server 200 (S900). The cash advance server 200 requests the settlement server 100 to send electronic money information corresponding to the user identification information (S902). The settlement server 100 sends the electronic money information based on the request from the cash advance server 200 to the cash advance server 200 (S904). The electronic money information is information such as the charge balance and points associated with the user identification information. The cash advance server 200 sends the loan information and the received electronic money information to the cash advance mini-app (S906). Based on the received loan information and electronic money information, the cash advance mini-app generates and displays the repayment screen IM7 (S908). The user enters the repayment details on the repayment screen IM7 (S910). If the repayment application button B5 is pressed, the cash advance mini-app sends the repayment details to the cash advance server 200 (S912). The determination unit 230 determines whether to accept the user's repayment application based on the repayment details and electronic money information (S914), and transmits the determination result to the settlement server 100 (S916). If it is determined that the repayment application is accepted, the repayment processing unit 170 deducts the amount of electronic money to be repaid from the charge balance (S918), and transmits a deduction completion notice to the cash advance server 200, associating the user identification information with the repayment amount (S920). The information management unit 250 updates the cash advance information 264 based on the received deduction completion notice (S922), and transmits a repayment completion notice to the cash advance mini-app (S924). Based on the received repayment completion notice, the cash advance mini-app displays a repayment completion screen to notify the user that the repayment of the instructed repayment amount has been completed (S926).

[0133] As described above, by using the cash advance mini-app for the cash advance service, users can make loans or repayments on loans, thus improving user convenience.

[0134] 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]

[0135] 100... Payment Server 130... Processing Unit 150... Reception Department 160…Judgment section 170…Repayment Processing Department 175…Interest acquisition department 180...Display Control Unit

Claims

1. A reception unit that receives information regarding operations related to charging electronic money using a cash advance service registered by the user in the electronic payment service, on the interface screen of the electronic payment service displayed on the display unit of the user's user terminal device, A determination unit determines, based on user identification information for identifying the user in the electronic payment service in response to the charge operation, whether or not it is possible to lend the user electronic money of the electronic payment service using the cash advance service for the amount of the loan request set by the charge operation, The system includes a processing unit that, when it is determined that the loan can be made, adds the loan request amount to the charge balance associated with the user identification information to perform the charge by the loan, The determination unit determines whether, when the user's charge balance for the electronic payment service falls below a predetermined amount, it can automatically lend the user electronic money for the electronic payment service without requiring any charge operations. When the processing unit determines that it can make the loan, it makes the loan by associating the electronic money with the user's charge balance, up to an upper limit calculated based on the repayment plan previously set by the user in the cash advance service, so that the repayment amount on the next repayment due date does not exceed a predetermined amount, using the user identification information. Information processing device.

2. The reception unit receives information regarding operations such as charging electronic money using the cash advance service, making payments with the electronic money, and sending electronic money. The determination unit determines, based on user identification information for identifying the user in the electronic payment service in response to the operation, whether or not it can provide the user with a loan of electronic money from the electronic payment service using the cash advance service for the amount of the loan request, which is the amount to be charged, paid, or sent. If the processing unit determines that it can make the loan, it will make the loan by adding the loan request amount to the charge balance associated with the user identification information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The electronic money to be lent through the aforementioned cash advance service is electronic money that can be sent to other users and withdrawn to bank accounts in the aforementioned electronic payment service. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The determination unit provides the user identification information or information for identifying a user based on the user identification information to the determination server that determines the loan, and performs the determination based on the determination result obtained from the determination server. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned electronic money is electronic money that can be withdrawn. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The operation described above is an operation to perform an electronic payment using the cash advance service in the electronic payment service, If the determination unit determines that it can lend electronic money for the electronic payment service to the user, the processing unit performs the electronic payment using the lent electronic money. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The operation described above is an operation to make a transfer using the cash advance service in the electronic payment service, If the determination unit determines that it can lend the user the electronic money of the electronic payment service, the processing unit transfers the lent electronic money to another user designated by the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The determination unit determines, without relying on the aforementioned operation, whether or not it can automatically lend the user electronic money of the electronic payment service if the user's charge balance for the electronic payment service is insufficient to cover the payment amount of the electronic payment service. When the processing unit determines that it can make the loan, it makes the loan by associating the electronic money to be lent with the user identification information, and uses the amount lent to settle the outstanding payment amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The operation described above is an operation relating to the repayment of the loan for the cash advance service using the electronic money which is the charge balance associated with the user identification information, The system further includes a repayment processing unit that performs a repayment for the loan from the cash advance service by subtracting the electronic money from the charge balance in response to the aforementioned operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. The aforementioned electronic money includes electronic money that can be withdrawn and points that can be used in the aforementioned electronic payment service. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The repayment processing unit makes repayments to the loan for the cash advance service by subtracting the electronic money at predetermined intervals, regardless of the operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9.

12. The aforementioned operation includes an operation relating to the repayment amount, which is the amount that the user will repay. The repayment processing unit makes a repayment to the loan for the cash advance service by subtracting the repayment amount specified by the operation from the electronic money balance of the charge. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9.

13. An interest acquisition unit that acquires interest information relating to the interest that increases on an hourly basis for the loan of the cash advance service, The system further comprises a display control unit that causes the user terminal device to display loan information, including the amount of the loan and the interest information of the user, on the display unit of the user terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

14. The aforementioned operation is an operation to transfer funds to the user's account registered in the electronic payment service using the cash advance service, The determination unit determines, based on the user identification information, whether or not it can lend the user the electronic money of the electronic payment service in response to the transfer operation. When the processing unit determines that the loan can be made, it associates the electronic money with the user identification information and performs the transfer by disbursing the electronic money to the user's account. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

15. Computers The interface screen of the electronic payment service displayed on the user's terminal device receives information regarding the operation of charging electronic money using the cash advance service registered by the user in the said electronic payment service. Based on user identification information for identifying the user in the electronic payment service in response to the charge operation, it is determined whether or not the user can be provided with a loan of electronic money from the electronic payment service using the cash advance service for the amount of the loan request set by the charge operation. If it is determined that the loan can be made, the loan is made by adding the loan request amount to the charge balance associated with the user identification information. When the user's balance in the electronic payment service falls below a predetermined amount, it is determined whether or not the electronic money of the electronic payment service can be automatically lent to the user without requiring any charging operations. If it is determined that the aforementioned loan can be made, the loan is made by associating the electronic money with the user's charge balance, up to an upper limit calculated based on the repayment plan previously set by the user in the cash advance service, so that the repayment amount on the next repayment due date does not exceed a predetermined amount, using the user identification information. Information processing methods.

16. On the computer, The interface screen of the electronic payment service displayed on the user's terminal device receives information regarding the operation of charging electronic money using the cash advance service registered with the electronic payment service. Based on user identification information for identifying the user in the electronic payment service in response to the charge operation, the system determines whether the user can borrow electronic money from the electronic payment service using the cash advance service for the amount of the loan request set by the charge operation. If it is determined that the loan can be made, the loan request amount is added to the charge balance associated with the user identification information, thereby making the loan. When the user's balance in the electronic payment service falls below a predetermined amount, the system will automatically determine whether or not it can lend the user electronic money from the electronic payment service, without requiring any charging operations. If it is determined that the aforementioned loan can be made, the user identification information is used to make the loan, by associating the electronic money with the user's charge balance, up to an upper limit calculated based on the repayment plan previously set by the user in the cash advance service, within the limits that the repayment amount on the next repayment due date does not exceed a predetermined amount. program.

Images