Service delivery system, service delivery device, service delivery method, and program

Abstract

To provide a service providing apparatus capable of improving usability of points offered to a user in accordance with the use of electronic settlement, a service providing method, a program, and an electronic settlement system.SOLUTION: A service providing apparatus configured to provide a settlement service through electronic settlement includes: a balance management unit which manages the balance of an account of a user of the settlement service; a point management unit which manages points to be offered to the user, regarding the settlement service; and a settlement processing unit which executes settlement processing to settle a payment of the user by combining one or more payment methods selected by the user from among a plurality of payment methods including deferred payment, the payment methods using the balance of the account or the points of the user. The settlement processing unit appropriates, when the user selects the deferred payment as a payment method, the points of the user for a part or all of the amount to be paid by the deferred payment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Service delivery system, a service providing device, a service providing method, and program Mu .

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, payments using electronic money have become widespread. Regarding such payments using electronic money, technologies that enable multiple payment methods have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a technology that enables selection of immediate payment or deferred payment according to the situation of the user has been proposed. Also, for example, Patent Document 2 proposes a technology that enables the combined use of multiple payment methods in a single payment. Further, for example, Patent Document 3 proposes a technology that proposes a payment method according to the benefits obtained by the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in conventional payment methods, the convenience of points given to users according to the use of electronic payment may not be high.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and can improve the convenience of points given to users according to the use of electronic payment Service delivery system, a service providing device, a service providing method, and Professional Mu One of the purposes is to provide it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a service provision system comprising: a service provision device that provides payment services by electronic payment; a user terminal device used by a user of the payment service; and a store terminal device on the merchant side of the payment service, wherein the service provision device comprises: a balance management unit that manages the account balance of a user of the payment service; a point management unit that manages points awarded to the user in relation to the payment service; a settlement processing unit that executes settlement processing to settle the user's payment using the user's account balance or the user's points; and a content provision unit that provides content related to the payment service to the user terminal device, wherein the settlement processing unit determines whether or not to use the user's points for part or all of the amount to be paid by the user, based on a pre-set point usage policy, the point usage policy includes a first policy of using points for payment, and the content provision unit provides content that displays the sum of the account balance and the points as the user's available amount when the point usage policy is set to the first policy. One aspect of the present invention is a service provider that provides electronic payment services, comprising: a balance management unit that manages the account balance of a user of the payment service; a point management unit that manages points awarded to the user in relation to the payment service; and a settlement processing unit that performs settlement processing to settle the user's payment by combining one or more payment methods selected by the user from a plurality of payment methods, including deferred payment, using the user's account balance or the points, wherein the settlement processing unit awards the user an amount of points corresponding to the payment method selected by the user, proposes to the user the selection of a payment method that maximizes the amount of points the user receives according to the payment method selected by the user, and proposes to the user the selection of a payment method that maximizes the amount of points awarded to the user within a range where the usage fee paid by the merchant of the payment service in relation to deferred payment is less than a predetermined upper limit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, A service provision system that can improve the convenience of points awarded to users in accordance with the use of electronic payments. Service provision equipment, service provision method, and Professional Mu It can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example configuration of an electronic payment system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of a payment server configuration. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the content of user information. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the general outline of the payment processing. [Figure 6] This is a sequence chart illustrating an example of the payment processing flow when points are selected as the payment method. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example of screen transitions related to point-based deferred payment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of how the amount available for electronic payment is displayed to change according to the points usage policy. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Service delivery system, Service provision equipment, service provision method, and Professional MuThis will be described below. The service providing apparatus is realized by one or more processors.

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

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

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

[0013] The settlement server 100 realizes electronic settlement based on the settlement information received from the user terminal device 10 or the store terminal device 50. The settlement server 100 performs electronic settlement, for example, by increasing or decreasing the remaining charge amount managed in association with the user ID (in other words, making deposits and withdrawals of electronic money). Electronic settlement may include methods that enable purchases of amounts greater than the remaining charge amount at the time of purchase, such as ribo payments and credit card payments. The settlement server 100 is an example of a "service providing device" that provides a settlement service by electronic settlement.

[0014] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a rough flow of electronic settlement. There may be two patterns in electronic settlement: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2. In the case of Pattern 1, first, the settlement application 20 is launched on the user terminal device 10, and a code image such as a QR code or barcode is displayed. The user shields (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 against the store terminal device 50. The store terminal device 50 decodes the code image by an optical reading function and acquires information such as an account ID. Then, the store terminal device 50 generates settlement information including the account ID, settlement amount, store ID, etc., and transmits it to the settlement server 100. The information on the settlement amount has been acquired in advance by barcode reading, manual input, etc. The settlement server 100 moves the settlement amount from the user's electronic settlement account to the store's electronic settlement account based on the received information and completes the settlement process.

[0015] In the case of Pattern 2, the user terminal device 10 in a state where the settlement application 20 is launched decodes the store code image 60 by an optical reading function. The store code image 60 contains information such as the store name. The user inputs the settlement amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen where the store name, etc. is displayed. Then, the user terminal device 10 generates settlement information including the account ID, settlement amount, store ID, etc., and transmits it to the settlement server 100. The settlement server 100 performs settlement processing based on the received information. Note that electronic settlement may be performed only in any of the above patterns. Also, the "account ID" described in Figure 2 may be other information (for example, a telephone number) that can be used as the user's identification information.

[0016] [Payment Server] Figure 3 is a diagram of the configuration of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a payment content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, a balance management unit 150, a point management unit 160, and a storage unit 170. Components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance on a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored on a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed on the storage device when the storage medium is inserted into the drive device.

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

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

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

[0020] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0021] Figure 4 shows an example of the contents of User Information 172. User Information 172 is an example of user registration information. User Information 172 associates information such as the Account ID (which may be omitted) with the minimum required phone number and password at the time of new registration, as well as email address, User ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, bank account, credit card number, other service linkage information, radio wave authentication settings, carrier payment settings, chat friend list, charge history information, payment history information, and chat history information. Information other than the phone number, password, registration date, charge balance, charge history information, and payment history information is optional. Hereinafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account. The registration date is the date on which the user registered with the electronic payment service (the date the account was created).

[0022] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money set up by the user by sending money to their account in advance. Methods of sending money include transfers from ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) of designated providers (banks) and transfers from registered bank accounts. The bank account and credit card number information, respectively, are details of bank accounts or credit card numbers (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. Other service linkage information is login IDs for other services that link with the electronic payment service (for example, services operated by operators belonging to the same business group). Radio wave authentication settings are settings for authentication performed through communication with a specific telecommunications carrier. Carrier payment settings are settings for transferring at least a portion of payments made using the electronic payment service to the telecommunications carrier. The chat friends list is a list of other users with whom the user can chat using the chat function provided by the electronic payment service. Charge history information is a history of when the user has sent money to the electronic payment service in advance to increase their charge balance. Payment history information shows the details of each payment made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, etc.). Chat history information is a history of the content of chats that the user has had.

[0023] Furthermore, the settlement processing unit 130 manages multiple payment methods, including balance payment. Balance payment is a method of paying the amount from the charged balance. In addition to balance payment, the multiple payment methods include point payment, deferred payment, and credit card payment. Point payment is a payment method in which some or all of the points awarded to the user are used to cover some or all of the payment amount. Deferred payment is a payment method in which the payment amount is settled on a predetermined date after the time when deferred payment was confirmed as the payment method. When the settlement processing unit 130 receives a payment request from the user terminal device 10 or the store terminal device 50, it executes the payment using the specified payment method.

[0024] Furthermore, in the payment server 100 of this embodiment, the payment processing unit 130 manages multiple payment methods so that it can settle a user's payment by combining one or more payment methods selected by the user from among multiple payment methods. In this case, if the user selects deferred payment as a payment method, the payment processing unit 130 manages deferred payments so that the user's points can be used to cover part or all of the deferred payment amount. More specifically, the payment processing unit 130 determines whether or not to cover part or all of the amount the user pays with the user's points, based on pre-registered settings information regarding the use of points or the user's operations regarding payment settlement.

[0025] The information management unit 140 creates new records of user information 172 or updates each data item in existing records based on the information obtained from the user terminal device 10.

[0026] The balance management unit 150 manages the balance of the user's account (hereinafter referred to as the "settlement account") in the payment service. For example, the balance management unit 150 deposits funds from a designated source into the settlement account based on the user's operation of the payment app or the content of pre-configured settings, and withdraws the necessary amount from the settlement account when a payment is executed.

[0027] The points management unit 160 manages the points awarded to users in the payment service. For example, the points management unit 160 awards points to users when they make a payment using the payment service, and deducts a specified amount of points from the number of points held when a user chooses to use points.

[0028] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the settlement processing unit 130. The settlement processing unit 130 includes, for example, a balance payment management unit 132, a deferred payment management unit 134, a point payment management unit 136, and a card payment management unit 138. The balance payment management unit 132 executes processing to settle the user's payment using the balance. If the charge balance is insufficient at the time of balance payment settlement, the balance payment management unit 132 may cooperate with the balance management unit 150 to charge the settlement account. Figure 5 shows a typical charging method in which the balance management unit 150 cooperates with the bank BK to charge the settlement account from the user's bank account AC.

[0029] The deferred payment management unit 134 executes the process for settling the user's payment on a deferred payment basis. As described above, deferred payment is a payment method in which the payment amount is settled on a predetermined date after the time when deferred payment was confirmed as the payment method. When deferred payment is selected as the payment method, the source of funds at the time of settlement may be the balance of the settlement account, points, or a credit card. In other words, in the electronic payment system 1 of this embodiment, points can be used as the payment method at the time of settlement, and / or as the settlement method at the time of deferred payment settlement. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish between points as a payment method at the time of settlement and points as a settlement method at the time of deferred payment settlement, the latter will be specifically referred to as "point deferred payment."

[0030] The points payment management unit 136 executes the process for settling the user's payment using points. The card payment management unit 138 executes the process for settling the user's payment using a credit card. Specifically, when the card payment management unit 138 sends a payment request for the user's payment to the credit card company CC, the credit card company settles the payment and sends a completion notification to the payment server 100.

[0031] The settlement processing unit 130 settles the user's payment by combining one or more payment methods selected by the user from among the balance payment management unit 132, the deferred payment management unit 134, the point payment management unit 136, and the card payment management unit 138.

[0032] In this explanation, we have described the case where the payment request is received from the user terminal device 10, which assumes Pattern 2 of electronic payment where the payment information is transmitted from the user terminal device 10. In contrast, in Pattern 1 of electronic payment, the payment information is transmitted from the store terminal device 50, so in this case, the source of the payment request and the recipient of the payment completion notification may be the store terminal device 50.

[0033] Furthermore, any account other than a bank account AC may be used to top up the balance, as long as it is an asset account of the user that can transfer funds to the settlement account (i.e., can be used to top up the balance). For example, an investment account that has funds available for buying and selling investment assets that can be traded on an exchange may be used to top up the balance. For example, investment accounts include securities accounts as well as accounts opened by the user at a cryptocurrency exchange. Top-ups from an investment account may be made using cash managed in the account, or using investment profits obtained from the sale of assets, etc. Investment profits may be secured by the immediate sale of assets, or by a sale in which the business operator (securities company or exchange) related to the investment account guarantees the risk until the sale is completed. Also, top-ups from a bank account or investment account to the settlement account may be performed in response to user operations, or may be performed automatically according to settings set in advance by the user (so-called auto-charge). Points may also be used to top up the settlement account.

[0034] Furthermore, while the example in Figure 5 describes a case where the balance management unit 150 charges the insufficient amount from bank account AC, the balance may be charged by other methods. For example, the balance management unit 150 may request the withdrawal from bank account AC not directly from bank BK, but through credit card company CC. In other words, the balance management unit 150 may charge the balance in the form of a credit card payment.

[0035] Figure 6 is a sequence chart showing an example of the payment processing flow when point deferred payment is selected as the payment method. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the screen transitions of the payment application in the payment processing example in Figure 6. The payment processing flow in Figure 6 will be explained below, with reference to the screen transition example in Figure 7 as appropriate. Here, as an example, the case of making a payment using the payment pattern 1 will be explained, but point deferred payment can also be applied to the payment pattern 2 by having the user terminal device 10 generate the payment information. First, the user terminal device 10 performs an operation to present a payment code image to the payment application for the store terminal device 50 (step S101). In response to this code image presentation operation, the payment application then displays a payment method selection screen to allow the user to select the payment method to be used for the payment related to the code image (step S102).

[0036] Next, the user selects the payment method by selecting "points deferred payment" on the payment method selection screen (step S103, see screen G11 in Figure 7, for example), and also enters the number of points to be used in combination with balance payment and points deferred payment (hereinafter referred to as "point usage amount") (step S104, see screen G12 in Figure 7, for example). In step S104, the payment application displays a payment execution confirmation screen in response to the input of the points usage amount for deferred payment (here, "1000" points) (see screen G13 in Figure 7, for example), and proceeds to step S105 if the payment execution instruction is entered. The display of the payment screen as shown in Figure 7 is controlled by the payment content provided by the payment content provision unit 120 to the user terminal device 10.

[0037] Next, the payment app displays a code image (step S105). At the same time, it transmits payment information regarding the payment method specified by the user to the store terminal device 50 (step S106). Here, the payment information includes the user's selection of a payment method (in this case, point deferred payment selected in step S103) and the amount of points to be used specified by the user for point deferred payment in step S104 (in this case, "1000 points").

[0038] Furthermore, the code image displayed in step S105 is presented to the reader of the store terminal device 50 by the user and read by the store terminal device 50 (step S107). In Figure 6, the dashed line in step S107 indicates that the process is realized by the user's actions.

[0039] Next, the store terminal device 50 decodes the code image read in step S107, generates payment information necessary for electronic payment based on the information obtained by decoding and the payment information received in step S106 (step S108), and transmits the generated payment information to the payment server 100 (step S109).

[0040] Next, in the payment server 100, the payment processing unit 130 executes payment processing based on the payment information received from the store terminal device 50 in step S109 (step S110). More specifically, based on the payment information received in step S108, the payment processing unit 130 can recognize that the payment to be performed is by point deferred payment and that 1,000 points should be used for the deferred payment. If the total payment amount for the user is 10,000 yen, the payment processing unit 130 decides to settle 1,000 yen by point deferred payment and the remaining 9,000 yen by balance payment. That is, in this case, in the payment processing of step S110, the payment processing unit 130 executes a balance payment process for 9,000 yen by the balance payment management unit 132 (step S111), and also executes a point deferred payment process for 1,000 yen by the deferred payment management unit 134 (step S112).

[0041] The processing described so far is the processing at the time of payment execution. After the payment is executed, when the predetermined settlement date arrives, the payment processing unit 130 completes the settlement by having the deferred payment unit 134 deduct the 1,000 yen worth of points processed in step S112 from the user's points at that time (step S113).

[0042] The above describes the case where the user specifies the amount of points to use for deferred payment at the time of payment execution. However, the deferred payment management unit 134 may be configured to calculate the amount of points to use for deferred payment based on point usage rules set in advance by the user. For example, the following are some examples of point usage rules for deferred payment. Even when the deferred payment management unit 134 calculates the amount of points to use based on usage rules, it is preferable to have the user confirm whether or not to actually use the calculated amount of points for deferred payment.

[0043] [Rules for using points with deferred payment] (1) A predetermined number of points will be used for deferred payment for each transaction. In this case, for example, it would be possible to use 100 points each time for deferred payment, regardless of the number of points held at the time of payment. (2) For each payment, a predetermined percentage of the points held will be used for point deferred payment. In this case, for example, if you have 10,000 points at the time of payment and the percentage is set to 10%, you can use 1,000 points for point-based deferred payment. Also, in this case, since the amount of points used is calculated based on the number of points you have at the time of payment, the possibility of a situation where you don't have enough points left to use at the time of settlement can be reduced. (3) Use all points you have for point-based deferred payment for each transaction. (4) If the user is likely to exceed the deferred payment limit, the system will calculate the amount that can be paid immediately by combining the user's points with other pre-designated payment methods, and the remaining amount (assuming a shortfall that does not exceed the deferred payment limit) will be paid via deferred payment. (5) If there are any campaigns that allow for deferred payment, the number of points to be used will be calculated taking into account the details of those campaigns.

[0044] Furthermore, the deferred payment management unit 134 may be configured to determine whether or not to apply such point usage rules based on a pre-set point usage policy. For example, possible point usage policies include "use" for actively using points, "save" for not using points, and "use points for other services." An example of other services would be a service that allows points to be used for investment as equivalent to cash. In this case, for example, if the point usage policy is set to "use" and the user has pre-set the point usage rules for deferred payments, the deferred payment management unit 134 may calculate the amount of points used based on those rules. In any case, the point usage policy and usage rules are pre-set by the user, and this setting information is stored in the payment server 100 and the user terminal device 10 by the payment application.

[0045] [Recommended payment methods] The payment processing unit 130 may be configured to recommend (suggest) a combination of multiple payment methods to the user when a payment is executed. For example, the payment processing unit 130 may decide which combination of payment methods to recommend, or whether or not to recommend any, based on information about ongoing campaigns and user information (including registration information, payment history, and settlement history).

[0046] For example, the payment processing unit 130 may recommend deferred payment to users who have not registered a bank account (an example of registered information) as a payment method. Also, for example, the payment processing unit 130 may not recommend deferred payment to users who have defaulted on payments in the past (an example of payment history), or may prevent them from using deferred payment. Also, for example, the payment processing unit 130 may not recommend deferred payment to users whose total payment amount using deferred payment exceeds a predetermined limit (an example of payment history), or may prevent them from using deferred payment.

[0047] Furthermore, the payment processing unit 130 may determine a combination of payment methods to maximize the user's benefit. For example, payment methods have factors that affect the user's benefit, such as those that incur fees (e.g., revolving credit or installment payments), those that do not incur fees (e.g., monthly clear payments), and those that offer point rewards through campaigns. The payment processing unit 130 may take these factors into consideration when determining the combination of payment methods that the user can choose from, and then determine a combination of payment methods that maximizes the user's benefit.

[0048] Furthermore, the payment processing unit 130 may determine the combination of payment methods in a way that maximizes benefits for both the user and the merchant participating in the payment service. Benefits for the user could include, as mentioned above, the absence of fees and point rewards. Benefits for the merchant could include a reduction in the usage fees that the merchant pays to the service vendor of the payment service, increased sales due to increased user purchases, and reduced inventory. For example, for merchants who hold a large amount of inventory (especially inventory with a high transaction value), the payment processing unit 130 may increase the merchant's usage fee in exchange for making it easier for users to choose deferred payment (for example, a combination in which the point reward rate increases to compensate for the increase in the merchant's usage fee).

[0049] Furthermore, the payment processing unit 130 may determine a combination of payment methods that maximizes the benefits for the user while ensuring the benefits for the merchant. More specifically, the payment processing unit 130 may propose to the user a combination of payment methods that maximizes the amount of points awarded to the user while keeping the usage fee paid by the merchant for deferred payment below a predetermined upper limit.

[0050] [How to display the available balance] Furthermore, the payment content provider 120 may be configured to change the display of the amount that can be used for payment (available amount) according to the point usage policy for the deferred payment described above. For example, Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of how the display of the amount available for electronic payment is changed according to the point usage policy. For example, Figure 8 shows an example of the display when the balance is 7,240 yen and the number of points held is 260 points. For example, if the usage policy is set to "use" (see, for example, display example G21), the payment content provider 120 may be configured to display a larger available amount by using the sum of the balance and points as the available amount. Also, for example, if the usage policy is set to something other than "use," such as "save" (see, for example, display example G22) or "points are being used" (see, for example, display example G23), the payment content provider 120 may be configured to display a smaller available amount by using the balance as the available amount. In this case, the payment content provider 120 may be configured to display the number of points held separately from the available amount.

[0051] According to the electronic payment system 1 of the embodiment described above, the payment server 100 that provides payment services by electronic payment includes a balance management unit 150 that manages the account balance of users of the payment service, a point management unit 160 that manages points awarded to users in relation to the payment service, and a payment processing unit 130 that performs payment processing to settle the user's payment by combining one or more payment methods selected by the user from a plurality of payment methods, including deferred payment, using the user's account balance or points. If the user selects deferred payment as the payment method, the payment processing unit 130 can improve the convenience of points awarded to users in accordance with the use of electronic payment by applying the user's points to part or all of the deferred payment amount.

[0052] <Variation> In the above embodiment, it was assumed that the payment server 100 provides electronic payment functions using payment patterns 1 and 2 in a physical store. However, the payment server 100 may also provide electronic payment functions using a payment pattern 3, which enables electronic payment in e-commerce transactions on e-commerce sites, in addition to these two payment patterns. For example, in electronic payment using pattern 3, the user accesses the e-commerce site using the user terminal device 10 and selects the product to be purchased. Subsequently, when the user selects a payment method, the user terminal device 10 works in cooperation with the payment server 100 to authenticate the user. If the user authentication is successful, the payment server 100 performs electronic payment for the purchased product. The electronic payment system 1 of this embodiment can also improve the convenience of points awarded to the user in accordance with the use of electronic payment, even in such electronic payment using pattern 3.

[0053] 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]

[0054] 1…Electronic payment system, 10…User terminal device, 20…Payment app, 50…Store terminal device, 60…Store code image, 100…Payment server, 110…Communication unit, 120…Payment content provision unit, 130…Payment processing unit, 132…Balance payment management unit, 134…Post-payment management unit, 136…Point payment management unit, 138…Card payment management unit, 140…Information management unit, 150…Balance management unit, 160…Point management unit, 170…Storage unit, 172…User information, 174…Payment content information

Claims

1. A service provision system comprising: a service provision device that provides payment services by electronic payment; a user terminal device used by users of the payment service; and a store terminal device on the merchant side of the payment service, The aforementioned service provider is A balance management unit manages the account balances of users of the aforementioned payment service, A point management unit that manages the points awarded to the user in relation to the payment service, A settlement processing unit that performs settlement processing to settle the user's payment using the user's account balance or the user's points, A content provision unit that provides content related to the payment service to the user terminal device, Equipped with, The payment processing unit determines whether or not to use the user's points to cover part or all of the amount to be paid by the user, based on a pre-set point usage policy, and the point usage policy includes a first policy of using points for payment. The content provider provides content that displays the sum of the account balance and the points as the amount available to the user when the point usage policy is set to the first policy, and provides content that displays the account balance as the amount available to the user when the point usage policy is set to a policy other than the first policy. Service delivery system.

2. A service provider device that provides payment services using electronic payment, A balance management unit manages the account balances of users of the aforementioned payment service, A point management unit that manages the points awarded to the user in relation to the payment service, A payment method using the user's account balance or points, which involves a payment processing unit that performs a settlement process to settle the user's payment by combining one or more payment methods selected by the user from a plurality of payment methods, including deferred payment; Equipped with, The aforementioned settlement processing unit, The system awards the user an amount of points corresponding to the payment method selected by the user, and also proposes to the user the payment method that maximizes the amount of points the user receives according to the payment method selected by the user. Regarding deferred payment, within the limits where the usage fee paid by the merchant of the aforementioned payment service is below a predetermined upper limit, the aforementioned payment method will be proposed to the user. Service provision device.

3. A service provision method comprising a service provision system comprising a service provision device that provides payment services by electronic payment, a user terminal device used by users of the payment service, and a store terminal device on the merchant side of the payment service, The service provision device, To manage the account balance of users of the aforementioned payment service, To manage the points awarded to the user in relation to the aforementioned payment service, To perform a settlement process to settle the user's payment using the user's account balance or points, To provide the user terminal device with content related to the aforementioned payment service, Includes, In the aforementioned payment processing, whether or not to use the user's points to cover part or all of the amount to be paid by the user is determined based on a pre-established point usage policy, and the point usage policy includes a first policy of using points for payment. In providing the aforementioned content, if the point usage policy is set to the first policy, content is provided that displays the sum of the account balance and the points as the amount available to the user; if the point usage policy is set to something other than the first policy, content is provided that displays the account balance as the amount available to the user. Service delivery method.

4. A service provider device that provides payment services using electronic payment, To manage the account balance of users of the aforementioned payment service, To manage the points awarded to the user in relation to the aforementioned payment service, A payment method using the user's account balance or points, which involves executing a settlement process to settle the user's payment by combining one or more payment methods selected by the user from a plurality of payment methods, including deferred payment. A service provision method that includes, In the aforementioned payment processing, the system awards the user an amount of points corresponding to the payment method selected by the user, and also proposes to the user the payment method that maximizes the amount of points the user receives according to the payment method selected by the user. Regarding deferred payment, within the limits where the usage fee paid by the merchant of the aforementioned payment service is below a predetermined upper limit, the aforementioned payment method will be proposed to the user. Service delivery method.

5. In a service provision system comprising a service provision device that provides payment services via electronic payment, a user terminal device used by users of the payment service, and a store terminal device on the merchant side of the payment service, The service provision device, A process for managing the account balance of users of the aforementioned payment service, A process for managing points awarded to the user in relation to the aforementioned payment service, A settlement process that settles the user's payment using the user's account balance or the user's points, Content provision process that provides content related to the payment service to the user terminal device, A program to execute, The payment processing includes determining, based on a pre-established point usage policy, whether or not to use the user's points to cover part or all of the amount the user pays. The aforementioned point usage policy includes the first policy of using points for payment, The content provision process provides content that displays the sum of the account balance and the points as the amount available to the user if the point usage policy is set to the first policy, and provides content that displays the account balance as the amount available to the user if the point usage policy is set to a policy other than the first policy. program.

6. A service provider device that provides payment services using electronic payment, A process for managing the account balance of users of the aforementioned payment service, A process for managing points awarded to the user in relation to the aforementioned payment service, A payment method using the user's account balance or points, which involves a settlement process that settles the user's payment by combining one or more payment methods selected by the user from a plurality of payment methods, including deferred payment; A program to execute, The aforementioned payment process is, The system awards the user an amount of points corresponding to the payment method selected by the user, and also proposes to the user the payment method that maximizes the amount of points the user receives according to the payment method selected by the user. Regarding deferred payment, within the limits where the usage fee paid by the merchant of the aforementioned payment service is below a predetermined upper limit, the aforementioned payment method will be proposed to the user. program.

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