JP2022015736A - Information processing system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow payment using desired payment means to be performed by using user identification information associated with another payment means.SOLUTION: An information processing system comprises: an accepting unit 21a which accepts user identification information for a user to use a first value to perform payment and an amount of an object value of payment; and a second value application unit 23a which applies a second value of a type different from that of the first value, which is associated with the user relating to the user identification information, to a part or the whole of the object value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a technique for identifying a user using user identification information and providing a payment service.

Conventionally, when the payment process is performed by subtracting the prepaid value stored in the card, it is determined whether or not the payment amount exceeds the balance of the prepaid value, and if the payment amount exceeds the balance of the prepaid value, the card It is determined whether or not the data associated with is satisfied with a predetermined condition, and if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the settlement amount is subtracted from the prepaid value and the settlement process is performed while the prepaid value is a negative value. A processing apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, as an electronic payment server that settles commercial transactions using at least the user identification information, the balance of the user's electronic money, and the user's credit amount, the step of acquiring the user identification information, the purchase amount, and the payee information from the terminal. And the step to acquire the user's balance and credit amount based on the user identification information acquired from the terminal, and when the purchase amount acquired from the terminal is larger than the user's balance and less than or equal to the total of the user's balance and credit amount. An electronic payment server has been proposed that updates the balance of the user to a value obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the total of the user's balance and credit amount, and also performs a step of sending the purchase amount to the payee using the payee information. (See Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-125308 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-17171

Conventionally, various payment methods such as point services, electronic money services, and credit card services have been provided by various businesses. However, because there are many payment methods to choose from for the user making the payment and the person receiving the payment, even if the user tries to make a payment with the desired payment method, the system of the receiving side corresponds to the payment method. In some cases, even if the payment receiving side supports the payment method, the operations of the user side and the payment receiving side for using the payment method may be complicated.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present disclosure to make payment using a desired payment means possible by using user identification information related to another payment means.

An example of the present disclosure is for a reception means that accepts user identification information for a user to make a payment using the first value, an amount of the target value for payment, and a part or all of the target value. It is an information processing system including a second value appropriation means for appropriating a second value of a type different from the first value, which is associated with the user related to the user identification information.

The present disclosure can be understood as an information processing device, a system, a method executed by a computer, or a program executed by a computer. Further, the present disclosure can be grasped as if such a program is recorded on a recording medium that can be read by a computer or other device, a machine, or the like. Here, a recording medium that can be read by a computer or the like is a recording medium that can be read from a computer or the like by accumulating information such as data or programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical or chemical action. say.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to make a payment using a desired payment means by using user identification information related to another payment means.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the functional structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the value appropriation processing which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the hardware structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the functional structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the pre-authentication process which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and communication sequence (1) which shows the outline of the payment flow which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and a communication sequence (2) which show the outline of the payment flow which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and communication sequence (3) which shows the outline of the payment flow which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and communication sequence (4) which show the outline of the payment flow which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and communication sequence (1) which show the outline of the simple payment processing which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and communication sequence (2) which show the outline of the simple payment processing which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the credit line balance recovery processing which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the functional structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and communication sequence (1) which shows the outline of the simple payment processing (charge before allocation method) which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and communication sequence (2) which show the outline of the simple payment processing (charge before allocation method) which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart and communication sequence (3) which show the outline of the simple payment processing (charge before allocation method) which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing system, information processing apparatus, method, and program according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are examples of the embodiments, and the information processing system, information processing apparatus, method, and program according to the present disclosure are not limited to the specific configurations described below. .. In the implementation, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted, and various improvements and modifications may be made.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a functional configuration of the information processing system 1a according to the present embodiment. In the information processing system 1a according to the present embodiment, one or a plurality of processors interpret and execute various programs expanded in various memories, so that the reception unit 21a, the first value allocation unit 22a, and the second value allocation unit It functions as an information processing system including a 23a and a charging unit 43a. In this embodiment, an example in which all of these functions are executed by a general-purpose processor will be described, but some or all of these functions may be realized by one or more dedicated processors. Further, each functional unit included in the information processing system 1a may be mounted remotely and / or distributed (for example, on the cloud). Further, these functional units may be realized by a plurality of software modules instead of a single software module.

The reception unit 21a receives the user identification information for the user to make a payment using the first value and the amount of the target value for the payment.

The first value appropriation unit 22a allocates the first value associated with the user identification information to a part or all of the target value.

The second value appropriation unit 23a allocates a second value of a type different from the first value, which is associated with the user related to the user identification information, to a part or all of the target value. Here, a part or all of the target value is a part of the target value to which the first value is not applied. In addition, when the balance of the account having the balance information of the second value is insufficient for a part or all of the target value, the second value appropriation unit 23a covers a part or all of the target value. Then, the second value of the amount exceeding the balance at the time when the shortage is confirmed is applied.

The charging unit 43a charges the second value to the account associated with the user.

<Processing flow>
Next, the flow of processing executed in this embodiment will be described. The specific contents and processing order of the processing shown in the flowchart of the embodiment are examples for implementing the present disclosure. The specific processing content and processing order may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the value appropriation process according to the first embodiment. In the payment target value appropriation process according to the first embodiment, the reception unit 21a receives the user identification information and the amount of the payment target value (step S1), and the first value appropriation unit 22a is one of the payment target values. The first value associated with the user is applied to the part or all (step S2), and the second value allocation unit 23a is associated with the user for the part to which the first value is not applied. The attached second value is applied (step S3), and the charging unit 43a charges the user account with the second value (step S4).

[Second embodiment]
In this embodiment, an embodiment when the information processing system, information processing device, method and program according to the present disclosure are implemented in a payment system connected to a POS terminal installed in a store will be described. However, the information processing system, information processing device, method and program according to the present disclosure can be widely used for the technology for identifying the user by using the user identification information and providing the payment service, and the present disclosure The application target is not limited to the example shown in the embodiment.

<System configuration>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the system according to the present embodiment. The system according to the present embodiment includes a point processing server 1, a payment processing server 3, one or a plurality of POS (point of sale) terminals 5, and an account management server 7 that can communicate with each other by being connected to a network. It includes one or a plurality of user terminals 9. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the point processing and the payment processing are processed in different servers will be described as an example, but the configuration of the network and the device is not limited to the examples in the present embodiment. For example, the point processing and the payment processing may be processed by a single server, and the point processing and the payment processing may be further distributed to a plurality of servers.

The system according to the present embodiment is a system capable of executing payment processing using the first value (points in the present embodiment) and the second value (electronic money in the present embodiment) that can be used by the user. be. In the present embodiment, the process of acquiring the usable amount of the first value associated with the user's account, the usable amount of the first value is the source of the user identification information (POS terminal 5 in the present embodiment). The processing of notifying to and the payment processing using the first value are mainly processed by the point processing server 1. Further, in the present embodiment, the payment process using the second value and the charge process of the second value are mainly processed by the payment processing server 3.

Here, the first value and the second value can be used independently for payment, but in the present embodiment, the point service as a service for the first value is used. An example of paying with electronic money, which is the second value, will be described. Hereinafter, the electronic money payment via the point service in the present embodiment will be referred to as "simple payment". A user who wants to make a payment using simple payment will "pay with points" when the operator (store staff, etc.) asks whether to use the point service or when asked whether to use the points. I tell you that.

However, the specific contents of the first value and the second value described in the present embodiment are examples in the case of applying the technology according to the present disclosure, and are not limited to the specific examples disclosed in the present embodiment. .. For example, the first value may be a value other than points (for example, currency, miles, coupons, etc.), and the second value may be a value other than currency (points, miles, coupons, etc.). May be good. In addition, the technology according to the present disclosure can be applied to various systems in which a plurality of types of values are used for payment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the system according to the present embodiment. The point processing server 1 is a server for providing a point service to a user. The point processing server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable And Program) Memory Storage, and an HDD Memory Read It is a computer including a device 14, a communication unit 15 such as an NIC (Network Interface Card), and the like. However, the specific hardware configuration of the point processing server 1 can be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate depending on the embodiment. Further, the point processing server 1 is not limited to a device composed of a single housing. The point processing server 1 may be realized by a plurality of devices using so-called cloud or distributed computing technology.

The payment processing server 3 is a server for providing a payment service to a user. Like the point processing server 1, the payment processing server 3 is a computer including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a storage device 34, a communication unit 35, and the like. However, the specific hardware configuration of the payment processing server 3 can be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate depending on the embodiment. Further, the payment processing server 3 is not limited to the device having a single housing. The payment processing server 33 may be realized by a plurality of devices using so-called cloud or distributed computing technology.

The POS terminal 5 is a terminal device set in a place where a user purchases a product or service, such as a store, for making payment when the product / service is purchased. The POS terminal 5 is a computer including a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a storage device 54, a communication unit 55, an input device 56, an output device 57, and the like. Here, the POS terminal 5 includes, as an input device 36, a device for reading user identification information, such as an optical code reader and an RFID reader, in addition to a keyboard and a touch panel. However, the specific hardware configuration of the POS terminal 5 can be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate depending on the embodiment. For example, as the POS terminal 5, a so-called smartphone having a touch panel display as an input / output device and capable of installing and executing a desired application by a user may be used instead of the conventional POS register terminal, and is used as the POS terminal 5. The types of equipment that can be used are not limited. Further, the POS terminal 5 is not limited to a device composed of a single housing. The POS terminal 5 may be realized by a plurality of devices using so-called cloud or distributed computing technology.

The account management server 7 is a server for managing user accounts. The account management server 7 is a computer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, a storage device, a communication unit, and the like (not shown). Further, the account management server 7 is not limited to a device having a single housing. The account management server 7 may be realized by a plurality of devices using so-called cloud or distributed computing technology. By accessing the account management server 7, the point processing server 1 and the payment processing server 3 acquire information about the user, such as the user's membership status, point balance, and electronic money balance.

The user terminal 9 is a terminal device used by the user. The user terminal 9 is a computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, a communication unit, an input device, an output device, and the like (not shown). Further, the user terminal 9 is not limited to a device including a single housing. The user terminal 9 may be realized by a plurality of devices using so-called cloud or distributed computing technology. The user uses various services provided by the point processing server 1 and the payment processing server 3 via these user terminals 9.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of the functional configuration of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In the POS terminal 5, the program recorded in the storage device 54 is read into the RAM 53, executed by the CPU 51, and each hardware provided in the POS terminal 5 is controlled, so that the identification information reading unit 61 And functions as an information processing device including an information transmission unit 62. In this embodiment and other embodiments described later, each function provided in the POS terminal 5 is executed by the CPU 51 which is a general-purpose processor, but some or all of these functions are one or a plurality of dedicated processors. May be performed by.

The identification information reading unit 61 reads the user identification information presented by the user for the processing related to the first value (in the present embodiment, the point-related processing such as acquisition, notification, and use of the usable point amount).

The information transmission unit 62 transmits the user identification information read by the identification information reading unit 61 to the point processing server 1 that performs point-related processing.

In the point processing server 1, the program recorded in the storage device 14 is read out into the RAM 13, executed by the CPU 11, and each hardware provided in the point processing server 1 is controlled, so that the reception unit 21 , A first value appropriation unit 22, a second value appropriation unit 23, a usable amount notification unit 24, a completion notification unit 25, a point user identification information generation unit 26, and a point user identification information storage unit 27. .. In this embodiment and other embodiments described later, each function provided in the point processing server 1 is executed by the CPU 11 which is a general-purpose processor, but some or all of these functions are dedicated to one or more. It may be executed by the processor.

The reception unit 21 receives the user identification information presented by the user for the user to make a payment using the first value, and the amount of the target value for the payment. In the present embodiment, the amount of the target value to be paid is the amount of payment by the user input in the POS terminal 5. However, the types of payment target values to which the technology according to the present disclosure can be applied are not limited to general currencies. The technology according to the present disclosure can also be applied to payment target values other than general currencies, such as product exchange using points and so-called miles. In addition, payments to which the technology according to the present disclosure can be applied are not limited to payments for goods and services. The technology according to the present disclosure can be widely applied to a system in which the target value can be transferred from one user to another.

The first value appropriation unit 22 allocates the first value associated with the user identification information to a part or all of the target value. As described above, the first value in the present embodiment is a point, and the first value appropriation unit 22 performs point-related processing on the user related to the received user identification information.

The second value appropriation unit 23 allocates a second value of a type different from the first value, which is associated with the user related to the user identification information, to a part or all of the target value. Here, a part or all of the target value is a part of the target value to which the first value is not applied.

In addition, when the balance of the account having the balance information of the second value is insufficient for a part or all of the target value, the second value appropriation unit 23 for a part or all of the target value. Then, the second value of the amount exceeding the balance at the time when the shortage is confirmed is applied. At this time, the second value appropriation unit 23 records the shortfall and allocates it to the target value within the range in which the total of the recorded shortages does not reach the preset upper limit. However, an upper limit may not be set for the amount of the second value allocated by the second value appropriation unit 23.

The usable amount notification unit 24 is the first value that the first value appropriation unit 22 can allocate as the amount of the first value (points in this embodiment) that the user can allocate to the target value (payment amount) of payment. (In this embodiment, the point balance) and the amount of the second value that can be allocated by the second value allocation unit 23 (in this embodiment, the electronic money balance and the credit line) are notified.

When the completion notification unit 25 completes the allocation of the entire amount of the target value received by the reception unit 21, the completion notification unit 25 notifies the sender of the amount of the target value of the completion of payment.

The point user identification information generation unit 26 generates point user identification information for point-related processing in response to a request from the user terminal 9. In the present embodiment, the point user identification information is the identification information generated by the point processing server 1 in order to access the user's account. In the present embodiment, an example in which a vendor user identification information in which a different value is generated each time it is generated and is invalidated according to a predetermined condition is used as the point user identification information will be described. However, the point user identification information includes the point user identification information. Other embodiments may be adopted. For example, the point user identification information may be fixed information rather than temporary information. At this time, the fixed user identification information may be displayed on the application for the point service or may be recorded on the card medium.

The point user identification information storage unit 27 stores the generated point user identification information in association with the user ID.

Here, the user ID is an ID managed by an account management system accessible from both the point processing server 1 and the payment processing server 3. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the point processing server 1 and the payment processing server 3 can confirm the identity of the user to which different user identification information is attached via the user ID managed by the account management system.

In the payment processing server 3, the program recorded in the storage device 34 is read out into the RAM 33, executed by the CPU 31, and each hardware provided in the payment processing server 3 is controlled, so that the pre-authentication unit 3 It functions as an information processing device including 41, an authentication result holding unit 42, a charging unit 43, a paying user identification information generating unit 44, and a paying user identification information storage unit 45. In this embodiment and other embodiments described later, each function provided in the payment processing server 3 is executed by the CPU 31, which is a general-purpose processor, but some or all of these functions are dedicated to one or more. It may be executed by the processor.

The pre-authentication unit 41 executes authentication for determining whether or not to allow the user to be charged by the charge unit 43 before the amount of the target value is received by the reception unit 21.

The authentication result holding unit 42 holds information that can identify a user who is determined by the pre-authentication unit 41 not to allow charging by the charging unit 43.

The charging unit 43 charges the second value to the account associated with the user. In the present embodiment, the charging unit 43 charges the account with the second value in an amount equal to or more than the recorded shortage after the completion of the allocation to the target value by the second value allocation unit 23. The amount of the second value charged here may be the same amount as the shortage amount, or may be a fixed amount equal to or larger than the shortage amount. Whether the amount of the second value to be charged is the same as the shortage or the fixed amount can be selected in advance by the user and set in the user setting information.

The payment user identification information generation unit 44 generates payment user identification information for payment processing in response to a request from the user terminal 9. In the present embodiment, the payment user identification information is identification information generated by the payment processing server 3 in order to access the payment means of the user. In this embodiment, an example in which one-time user identification information, in which a different value is generated each time it is generated and is invalidated by being used once, is used as the payment user identification information will be described. Other aspects may be adopted for the information. For example, the paying user identification information may be fixed information rather than variable. At this time, the fixed user identification information may be displayed in the application for the payment service or may be recorded in the card medium.

The payment user identification information storage unit 45 stores the generated payment user identification information in association with the user ID.

<Processing flow>
Next, the flow of processing executed by the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. The specific contents and processing order of the processing described below are examples for carrying out the present disclosure. The specific processing content and processing order may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the pre-authentication process according to the present embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is periodically executed for the list of users who have applied for the use of the simple payment service. However, the timing at which the processing shown in this flowchart is executed is not limited to the example described here. For example, the pre-authentication process may be executed at the timing when the user operates the user terminal 9 to apply for the use of the simple payment service. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the payment processing server 3 executes the pre-authentication processing will be described, but the pre-authentication processing may be executed by another execution subject (for example, the point processing server 1 or the like).

The pre-authentication unit 41 of the payment processing server 3 extracts the user ID of the user who has applied for the use of the simple payment service according to the present embodiment from the simple payment service use user list (step S301), and the extracted user ID. The credit card information associated with is acquired from the user setting information or the account management server (step S302), and the acquired credit card information is transmitted to the credit processing system to authenticate (authorize) the credit card information. ) (Step S303). When the authentication result (success / failure of credit card authentication) is obtained from the credit processing system, the authentication result holding unit 42 of the payment processing server 3 records information that can confirm the authentication result (step S304). After that, the process shown in this flowchart ends. However, the credit card information pre-authenticated in the pre-authentication process is not limited to the credit card information associated with the user ID described in the present embodiment. For example, the pre-authentication unit 41 may target the credit card information associated with the user terminal 9 for pre-authentication.

The method of pre-authentication is not limited to the example shown in the present embodiment, but for example, the extracted credit card information and the credit charge amount of 0 (zero) yen are transmitted to the credit processing system (not shown). By making a request for credit processing and referring to the response content (whether or not credit payment is possible) by the credit processing system to the request, the extracted credit card information can be authenticated without actually making a claim. .. In the present embodiment, when a response (credit payment not possible) indicating that the credit card authentication has failed is obtained from the credit processing system, the authentication result holding unit 42 of the payment processing server 3 blacklists the corresponding user. to register.

In the present embodiment, the blacklist method is adopted in the pre-authentication process, but the method of retaining the result in the pre-authentication process is not limited to the blacklist method. A whitelist method may be adopted for recording the authentication result, or the authentication result may be held for each user as information that can confirm the membership status of the user. The confirmation result by the pre-authentication process is referred to in the payment flow described later, and is used for confirming the availability of the simple payment service.

7 to 10 are a flowchart and a communication sequence showing an outline of the payment flow according to the present embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is performed after the barcode attached to the product or service is scanned on the POS terminal 5 or the price of the product / service is input by the clerk (operator), and then the customer (user). It is executed when an operation for confirming the payment amount by (for example, pressing the "subtotal" button, etc.) is performed.

In steps S101 to S107, the payment amount of the user is fixed, and the user identification information for using the point service is read. When the POS terminal 5 accepts the payment amount confirmation operation by the operator, the payment amount (amount of value to be paid) by the user is confirmed (step S101), and the input reception screen for confirming to the user whether or not the point service is used. (For example, a screen for accepting an operation of instructing the operator or the user to use or not, or a standby screen for reading the user identification information) is output (step S102). At this time, the operator asks the user whether or not to use the point service, and requests that the user identification information for using the point service be presented.

In this embodiment, an example of using the simple payment service via the point service will be described. When the user wishes to use the simple payment service, the user informs the operator that "pay with points". This is a simple payment service in which the payment method actually used by the user is a simple payment service in which payment is made using points, electronic money, and a credit line via point user identification information, but the operator and the POS terminal 5 have conventionally used this. This is to recognize and process the point payment. In addition, the user conveys that "pay with points", and at the same time, causes the operator to read the user identification information (a user terminal 9 on which the code is displayed or a card on which the code is printed). , RFID tag with code recorded, etc.) is presented. Here, the code indicating the user identification information may have a one-dimensional code (so-called bar code) or a two-dimensional code (so-called two-dimensional bar code).

The point user identification information generation unit 26 of the point processing server 1 or the payment user identification information generation unit 44 of the payment processing server 3 transmits by a point / payment processing application activated on a user terminal 9 such as a smartphone used by the user. (Step S103) The request for issuing the user identification information is received via the Internet, and the point user identification information for point processing or the payment user identification information for payment processing is generated and issued (step S105). The user identification information generated here is recorded in association with the user ID in the point user identification information storage unit 27 of the point processing server 1 or the payment user identification information storage unit 45 of the payment processing server 3. Further, the point processing server 1 acquires the point balance and the electronic money balance of the target user's account by inquiring to the account management server 7, and notifies the application of the payment processing server 3 and the user terminal 9 (step S104).

The point service application and the payment processing application executed on the user terminal 9 may be implemented as one application having both functions. In this embodiment, the application is collectively referred to as a point / payment processing application. The point / payment processing application of the user terminal 9 receives the issued point user identification information or the payment user identification information, and the code (one-dimensional / two-dimensional code) based on the received user identification information is transmitted to the user terminal 9. It is displayed on the display (step S106). The user presents the displayed code to the operator, and the identification information reading unit 61 of the POS terminal 5 reads the user identification information from the displayed code via the code reader of the POS terminal 5 operated by the operator ( Step S107). After that, the process proceeds to step S109.

In steps S109 and S110, an inquiry request for the amount of available points and the user identification information associated therewith are transmitted and received. When the user identification information is read from the code presented by the user by the operation of the operator, the information transmission unit 62 of the POS terminal 5 determines that the user wants to use the point service, and determines that the user wants to use the point service, and the user identification information read from the code and the user identification information. The store ID set in the POS terminal 5 is transmitted to the point processing server 1 (step S109). The point processing server 1 receives the user identification information and the store ID transmitted from the POS terminal 5 (step S110). After that, the process proceeds to step S111.

From step S111 to step S113, the user ID, point balance, electronic money balance, and credit line balance of the target user are acquired. The point processing server 1 acquires the user ID of the target user and confirms the membership status by inquiring to the point user identification information storage unit 27 or the payment user identification information storage unit 45 based on the user identification information (step S111). ). Further, the point processing server 1 acquires the point balance and the electronic money balance of the target user account by inquiring to the account management server 7 based on the user identification information (step S112). Further, the point processing server 1 acquires the credit line balance for simple payment (step S113).

Here, the credit line balance is the current balance of the credit line for the user, which is prepared in addition to the point balance and the electronic money balance in the simple payment. In this disclosure, the credit line balance of electronic commerce (the balance of electronic commerce is temporarily negative, and the negative amount is charged after the fact to offset the negative amount) and the automatic flat-rate charge amount of electronic money (electronic). An example will be described in which a fixed amount is automatically charged to a money account) and an automatic charge upper limit for electronic commerce (a required amount is automatically charged to an electronic money account). However, other means may be adopted for the credit line. After that, the process proceeds to step S114.

In steps S114 and S115, various restrictions relating to simple payment are acquired. The point processing server 1 makes a simple payment by the user from the user setting information preset and associated with the user and the pre-authentication result (blacklist in this embodiment) held by the authentication result holding unit 42. The restriction information (for example, the upper limit of the number of times the simple payment can be used per month and the presence / absence of registration in the blacklist) is acquired (step S114). Further, the point processing server 1 specifies the store setting information preset and associated with the store ID based on the store ID received in step S110, and points payment at the store from the specified store setting information. (For example, the upper limit of usable points per purchase) is acquired (step S115). After that, the process proceeds to step S117.

In steps S117 and S118, the amount of usable points is calculated and transmitted. The usable amount notification unit 24 of the point processing server 1 determines that the target user can use this payment based on the information acquired in the processes from step S111 to step S115 (usable point amount). ) Is calculated (step S117). In the present embodiment, the usable point amount is specifically calculated by the procedure described below.

(1) First, it is determined whether or not the target user can use the simple payment. For example, if it is confirmed that the user cannot use simple payment based on the membership status or restriction information of the user (for example, the user is registered on the blacklist and the eligibility for simple payment is suspended, or the user is suspended from using simple payment. The number of times the simple payment can be used per month exceeds the upper limit, etc.), and the amount of usable points is calculated as "0 (zero)".

(2) When it is confirmed that the user is in a status where simple payment can be used, the amount of usable points is then calculated based on the point balance, the electronic money balance, and the credit line balance. In this case, "usable point amount = point balance + electronic money balance + credit line balance". For example, if the point balance is 500 points, the electronic money balance is 500 yen, and the credit limit balance is 1000 yen, and 1 point = 1 yen can be used, the total of 2000 points is calculated as the usable point amount.

(3) Finally, it is confirmed whether the calculated usable point amount does not exceed some preset limit. The calculated amount of usable points is a preset upper limit (for example, the upper limit of usable points per purchase set by the payee store or the usage per month set by the user). If the upper limit of possible points) is exceeded, the lowest upper limit value among the corresponding upper limit values of one or more is calculated as the amount of usable points.

When the usable point amount of the target user in this payment is calculated, the usable amount notification unit 24 of the point processing server 1 transfers the point user identification information and the usable point amount of the target user to the POS terminal 5. Transmit (step S118). The transmitted information is received by the POS terminal 5, and then the process proceeds to step S119.

In the present embodiment, the POS terminal 5 recognizes the inquiry request for the amount of usable points transmitted in step S109 as a conventional point balance introduction, and uses the amount of usable points transmitted in step S118 as the point balance. There is no problem even if it is received and the subsequent processing is performed. By adopting such a method, the system on the POS terminal 5 side can use the simple payment service according to the present disclosure by the same processing as the conventional point use, and the system on the POS terminal 5 side is modified. The simple payment service according to the present disclosure can be used without doing so or by minimizing the modification of the system on the POS terminal 5 side.

In steps S119 to S123, the payment amount is allocated by simple payment according to the user's request. The POS terminal 5 displays the amount of usable points of the target user account received in step S118, and receives an instruction as to whether or not all or part of these usable points should be applied to this payment. Screen is displayed (step S119). If the user has already informed the operator that "pay with points" when reading the user identification information in step S107, the operator does not have to confirm the user's intention to use the points again. May be good. However, if the amount of points that can be used is insufficient for the payment amount, the user either pays a part of the payment amount by simple payment, or cancels the use of simple payment and pays by other payment means. May be selected.

When the instruction that the usable points are not applied to the payment is received (NO in step S120), the point use process is skipped and the process proceeds to step S131. On the other hand, when the instruction to use the available points (apply to payment) and the instruction to specify the amount of points to be used are received (YES in step S120), the POS terminal 5 receives the used points. A point allocation instruction including the amount is transmitted to the point processing server 1 (step S121). If the payment amount is less than the usable point amount, the same amount of points used as the payment amount confirmed in step S101 is transmitted to the point processing server 1 unless the user changes the intention of simple payment here. Will be done.

The reception unit 21 of the point processing server 1 receives the point allocation instruction including the amount of points used (step S122) transmitted from the POS terminal 5, and the first value allocation unit 22 and the second value allocation of the point processing server 1 are received. The unit 23 executes the simple payment process (step S123). Details of the simple payment process will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. When the simple payment process is completed, the point processing server 1 completion notification unit 25 transmits a point allocation completion notification to the payment processing server 3 and the POS terminal 5 (step S124).

From step S125 to step S127, the user is notified of the completion of the simple payment. At least during the simple payment process, the application of the user terminal 9 inquires about the payment status from the point processing server 1 or the payment processing server 3 (step S125). More specifically, in the present embodiment, the application of the user terminal 9 sets the payment status at regular intervals during activation (for example, every second) without notification and within a fixed period (for example, within the last 5 minutes). Contact the server. However, other methods may be adopted as the method for the application of the user terminal 9 to acquire the payment status. When the simple payment process is completed, the point processing server 1 or the payment processing server 3 generates a payment completion screen and transmits it to the application of the user terminal 9 (step S126). The application of the user terminal 9 that has received the payment completion screen displays the payment completion screen on the display of the user terminal 9 to notify the user that the point allocation by the simple payment is completed (step S127).

In step S128, various information is updated upon completion of the simple payment process. When the point allocation to the payment is completed, the point processing server 1 updates the payment history data of the target user, and further updates the point balance and the electronic money balance of the target user managed by the account management server 7. Specifically, the point processing server 1 adds a new record to the payment history of the target user, and adds the user identification information, the user ID, the payment amount (use point amount) of the target user, and the payment date / time information to the record. Record in association. Further, the point processing server 1 notifies the account management server 7 of the amount of points used and the amount of electronic money used this time together with information that can identify the target user (user ID and user identification information), and the amount used. The point balance and / or the electronic money balance is updated by reducing the points and / or the electronic money of the target user account from the point balance and / or the electronic money balance of the target user account.

From step S130 to step S132, the payment is completed. When the POS terminal 5 receives the point allocation completion notification transmitted by the point processing server 1 in step S124, the POS terminal 5 allocates the points to a part or all of the payment by subtracting the amount corresponding to the used points from the payment amount. Then, it is determined whether or not all of the payment amount has been applied by the point allocation notified of the completion (step S130). Here, when it is determined that the payment amount has an unallocated portion (NO in step S130), the POS terminal 5 is a payment method other than the simple payment / point payment desired by the user (for example, cash payment or cash payment). Credit card payment, electronic money payment, etc.) are accepted, and payment processing is executed using the instructed payment means (step S131). The details of the processing by other payment methods will be omitted. When the appropriation of all the payment amounts is completed, the POS terminal 5 completes the payment and issues a receipt (step S132). After that, the process shown in this flowchart ends.

11 and 12 are a flowchart and a communication sequence showing an outline of the simple payment process according to the present embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is executed when the point processing server 1 receives the information transmitted from the POS terminal 5 in step S122 of FIG.

In step S201, the content of the priority setting is confirmed. When the first value appropriation unit 22 of the point processing server 1 receives the point appropriation instruction including the amount of points used (hereinafter referred to as "point settlement amount") transmitted from the POS terminal 5, the user setting information of the target user is received. Refer to, and determine whether the simple payment setting for the target user is point priority (first value priority) or electronic money priority (second value priority). Here, the point priority is an option for preferentially using the point balance held by the target user for payment, and the electronic money priority is the electronic money balance held by the target user. This is an option for preferential use and payment. If the simple payment setting for the target user has priority on electronic money, the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when the setting of the simple payment related to the target user has priority on points, the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S202, a simple payment process that does not use the point balance owned by the user is requested. When the simple payment setting for the target user is electronic money priority, the second value appropriation unit 23 uses the point amount (point settlement amount) received in step S122 as the payment processing server without checking the point balance. Notify 3 and request the appropriation for the entire point payment amount. After that, the process proceeds to step S212.

In steps S203 and S204, when the point balance held by the user is equal to or greater than the point settlement amount, a simple payment process using only the point balance is performed. The first value allocation unit 22 of the point processing server 1 compares the amount of points used (point settlement amount) received in step S122 with the point balance of the target user (step S203). When the point balance is equal to or greater than the point settlement amount, in other words, when the "point balance-point settlement amount" is 0 or more (YES in step S203), the first value appropriation unit 22 determines the point settlement amount from the point balance. Settlement is made using the corresponding points (step S204), and the process shown in this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when the point balance is less than the point settlement amount, in other words, when the "point balance-point settlement amount" is less than 0 (NO in step S203), the process proceeds to step S211.

In steps S211 to S213, when the total of the point balance and the electronic money balance held by the user is equal to or greater than the point settlement amount, a simple payment process using the point balance and the electronic money balance is performed. When the point balance for point settlement is insufficient, the second value allocation unit 23 notifies the payment processing server 3 of the insufficient point amount (= point settlement amount-point balance), and allocates the insufficient point amount. Request (step S211). When the payment processing server 3 receives the request for appropriation of the shortage point amount, the payment processing server 3 compares the received shortage point amount with the electronic money balance of the target user (step S212). When the amount of insufficient points is less than or equal to the electronic money balance, in other words, when "electronic money balance-insufficient points amount" is 0 or more (YES in step S212), the payment processing server 3 corresponds to the insufficient points amount. The point processing server 1 is notified that the electronic money of the target user may be used for payment instead of the points of the target user (step S213), and the process proceeds to step S231. On the other hand, when the amount of insufficient points exceeds the electronic money balance, in other words, when "electronic money balance-insufficient points amount" is less than 0 (NO in step S212), the electronic money balance is insufficient. , The process proceeds to step S221.

In steps S221 to S225, when the total of the point balance, the electronic money balance, and the credit limit balance held by the user is equal to or more than the point settlement amount, a simple payment process using the point balance, the electronic money balance, and the credit limit balance is performed. Will be. When the electronic money balance is insufficient, the payment processing server 3 calculates the insufficient electronic money amount (= insufficient point amount-electronic money balance) (step S221), and acquires the credit limit balance of the target user (step). S222), the amount of insufficient electronic money and the credit limit balance are compared (step S223). When "credit line balance-insufficient electronic money amount" is less than 0 (NO in step S223), points cannot be applied to the current payment amount in the credit line balance of the target user, so this flowchart shows. The processed process ends with an error (step S224). Specifically, the payment processing server 3 returns an error to the point processing server 1, the point processing server 1 returns an error (point payment error) to the POS terminal 5, and the processing ends. On the other hand, when the "credit limit balance-insufficient electronic money amount" is 0 or more (YES in step S223), the payment processing server 3 receives the electronic money equivalent to the shortage point amount from the electronic money balance and the credit limit balance of the target user. Notifying the point processing server 1 that the payment is to be applied instead of the points (step S225), the processing proceeds to step S231.

In step S231, points (including points regarded as electronic money / credit line) for the settlement amount are applied. The second value allocation unit 23 uses all the point balances, and for the shortage points amount, the electronic money (including the credit limit balance) equivalent to the shortage points amount notified from the payment processing server 3 is used as the target user's points. Instead, the payment is made and the processing shown in this flowchart is terminated. In the present embodiment, the payment processing server 3 pays the electronic money allocated to the shortage points by reducing the electronic money balance of the target user. When the processing shown in this flowchart is completed, the processing by the point processing server 1 returns to the payment flow, and the processing after step S124 in FIG. 9 is executed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of the credit line balance recovery process according to the present embodiment. In the process shown in this flowchart, the payment processing server 3 that has performed point allocation using the credit line balance in the simple payment process has received the point allocation completion notification (step S124) transmitted from the point processing server 1. Is executed as an opportunity. However, the credit line balance recovery process may be, for example, a monthly batch process. By setting the execution timing in this way, it is possible to provide a service form such that the credit line balance is restored at the beginning of the month.

When the payment processing server 3 allocates points using the credit line balance in the simple payment processing, the payment processing server 3 waits for receiving the point allocation completion notification (step S124) transmitted from the point processing server 1 (step S241). ), The credit line balance is updated according to the amount of points allocated (step S242). Specifically, the payment processing server 3 has a credit line upper limit (for example, 5000 yen) set for the target user, and the insufficient electronic money amount (for example, 1000 yen) is applied using the credit line. , The credit line balance is renewed by reducing the amount of insufficient electronic money used for allocation (for example, 4000 yen = 5000 yen-1000 yen). After that, the payment processing server 3 transmits the credit card information of the target user and the credit billing amount of at least the amount equivalent to "the upper limit of the credit line-the current credit line balance" (1000 yen in the above example) to the credit processing system. Then, a credit processing request is made (step S243), and the credit line balance is restored to the credit line upper limit (step S244). After that, the process shown in this flowchart ends.

Traditionally, the user can use the points issued by each company for part or all of the payment for goods and services, but if the point balance is insufficient for the payment amount, the user changes to another payment method. It was necessary to interrupt the accounting once and charge it separately, which was troublesome.

On the other hand, according to the system according to the present embodiment, when the point balance is less than the payment amount, electronic money equivalent to the shortfall is issued and applied to the payment, so that the accounting is interrupted and the charge etc. Is not required, and seamless payment is possible. Further, according to the system according to the present embodiment, when the user has set in advance, even if the user has a point balance, the electronic money equivalent to the payment amount can be applied to the payment. Points can be paid without compromising the needs of users who want to use them for other purposes.

[Third embodiment]
In the second embodiment described above, by using the credit line balance, the second value is applied to the payment target before the second value (electronic money) is charged, and the second value is charged after the allocation. An example of adopting a method of recovering the credit line balance (hereinafter referred to as "charge method after appropriation") has been described. However, the timing for charging the second value is not limited to the example described in the second embodiment. In the third embodiment described below, a method of charging the second value before applying the second value to the payment target and applying the charged second value to the payment target ( Hereinafter, an example of adopting (referred to as “pre-allocation charge method”) will be described. The configurations and processing contents described in the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

<System configuration>
Since the network configuration and the hardware configuration of the system according to the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an outline of the functional configuration of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the functions of the second value allocation unit 23b of the point processing server 1b and the charge unit 43b of the payment processing server 3b are the second value allocation unit 23 of the point processing server 1 described in the second embodiment. And the function of the charge unit 43 of the payment processing server 3 is different. Since the other functional parts are substantially the same as those in the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, when the balance of the account is insufficient for a part or all of the target value, the charge unit 43b is at least a shortage before the second value allocation unit 23b allocates the target value. Charge your account with the above amount of secondary value. The amount of the second value charged here may be the same amount as the shortage amount, or may be a fixed amount equal to or larger than the shortage amount. Whether the amount of the second value to be charged is the same as the shortage or the fixed amount can be selected in advance by the user and set in the user setting information.

In the present embodiment, the second value appropriation unit 23b uses the second value charged by the charging unit 43b after the second value of the shortage or more is charged by the charging unit 43b to the target value. Perform the allocation.

<Processing flow>
Next, the flow of processing executed by the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. The specific contents and processing order of the processing described below are examples for carrying out the present disclosure. The specific processing content and processing order may be appropriately selected according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Since the pre-authentication process and the payment flow according to the present embodiment are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10 in the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, as described above, since the pre-allocation charge method is adopted in the present embodiment, the second value described in the second embodiment with reference to FIG. 13 is applied to the payment target. There is no need to charge the value of the credit line and recover the credit line balance.

15 to 17 are a flowchart and a communication sequence showing an outline of a simple payment process (charge method before appropriation) according to the present embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is executed when the point processing server 1 receives the information transmitted from the POS terminal 5 in step S122 of the payment flow.

Since the processes of steps S401 to 413 and S431 are substantially the same as those of steps S201 to S213 and S231 of the simple payment process described in the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the processes of steps S421 to S427 will be described.

In steps S421 to S427, when the total of the point balance, the electronic money balance, and the credit line of the user is equal to or more than the point settlement amount, a simple payment process using the point balance, the electronic money balance, and the credit line is performed. When the electronic money balance is insufficient, the payment processing server 3 calculates the insufficient electronic money amount (= insufficient point amount-electronic money balance) (step S421), acquires the credit line of the target user (step S422). ), The amount of insufficient electronic money and the credit line are compared (step S423).

In the present embodiment, the credit line is an automatic fixed charge amount of electronic money preset for the target user (a fixed amount is automatically charged for the electronic money account), or for the target user. It is one of the preset automatic charge upper limit of electronic money (the required amount is automatically charged if it is less than or equal to the upper limit for the electronic money account).

When the "credit line-insufficient electronic money amount" is less than 0 (NO in step S423), points cannot be applied to the current payment amount in the credit line of the target user, which is shown in this flowchart. The process ends with an error (step S424). Specifically, the payment processing server 3 returns an error to the point processing server 1, the point processing server 1 returns an error (point payment error) to the POS terminal 5, and the processing ends.

On the other hand, when the "credit line-insufficient electronic money amount" is 0 or more (YES in step S423), the payment processing server 3 charges the electronic money balance of the target user according to the credit line (step S425). ), Update the user's electronic money balance (step S426). Specifically, the payment processing server 3 sends the credit card information of the target user and the credit billing amount equivalent to at least the "insufficient electronic money amount" to the credit processing system to request credit processing, and credit processing is performed. Upon receiving the completion notification of, the electronic money for the credit charge amount is added to the balance. For example, when the amount of insufficient electronic money is 1000 yen and the automatic fixed charge amount of the target user is 3000 yen, the electronic money balance of the user can be made larger than the insufficient electronic money amount with the fixed charge of 3000 yen. Further, for example, when the insufficient electronic money amount is 1000 yen and the automatic charge upper limit of the target user is 3000 yen, the user's electronic money balance is set to the same amount as the insufficient electronic money amount with a charge of 1000 yen which does not exceed the upper limit. Can be done.

When the user's electronic money balance exceeds the insufficient electronic money amount, the payment processing server 3 allocates the electronic money equivalent to the insufficient point amount from the electronic money balance to the payment instead of the target user's points. (Step S427), and the process proceeds to step S431.

<Variations>
In the second embodiment and the third embodiment described above, the point balance, the electronic money balance, and the credit line are preferentially used in the case of the point priority setting, and the electronic money is used in the case of the electronic money priority setting. An example of preferentially using the balance and the credit line in this order has been described, but a "charge priority setting" that uses only the credit line without using the electronic money balance may be possible. In this case, since the electronic money balance is regarded as 0, when the amount of the value to be paid (point settlement amount) is received by the reception unit 21 and the charge priority processing is selected, the electronic money priority setting step S202 Similarly, after the point settlement amount is notified to the payment processing server, the processing of steps S212 to S222 (or steps S412 to S422) is skipped, and in step S223 (or step S423), "credit frame-point settlement". It is determined whether or not the "amount" is 0 or more. Then, the charging unit 43 (or the charging unit 43b) charges a second value (electronic money) in an amount corresponding to at least the payment target value (point settlement amount). By doing so, it is possible to further increase the choice of values to be applied to payment via the user identification information for point processing, and the user only presents the user identification information for point processing and sets it in advance. It is possible to apply the desired kind of value to the payment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the one-dimensional / two-dimensional code and the optical code reader are mainly described as means for acquiring the user identification information, but the means for acquiring the user identification information is other than those described in the present embodiment. (For example, RFID and IC reader, character string and OCR, etc.) may be adopted.

1 Point processing server 3 Payment processing server 5 POS terminal 9 User terminal

Claims (13)

A reception means for receiving user identification information for a user to make a payment using the first value and an amount of the value to be paid.
A second value appropriation means that allocates a second value of a type different from the first value, which is associated with the user related to the user identification information, for a part or all of the target value.
Information processing system equipped with. Further provided with a first value appropriation means for applicating the first value associated with the user identification information to a part or all of the target value.
The second value appropriation means allocates the second value to the portion of the target value to which the first value is not applied.
The information processing system according to claim 1. Further provided with a charging means for charging the second value to the account associated with the user,
The account has the balance information of the second value and
The second value appropriation means is when the balance of the account is insufficient for a part or all of the target value, and the shortage is confirmed for a part or all of the target value. Appropriate the amount of the second value that exceeds the balance in
The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. When the balance of the account is insufficient for a part or all of the target value, the charging means charges the account with a second value in an amount equal to or more than the insufficient amount.
The second value appropriation means executes appropriation to the target value after the second value equal to or more than the shortage is charged by the charging means.
The information processing system according to claim 3. When the balance of the account is insufficient for a part or all of the target value, the second value appropriation means records the shortage and executes the appropriation to the target value.
The charging means charges the account with a second value in an amount equal to or more than the recorded shortage after the completion of the allocation to the target value by the second value appropriation means.
The information processing system according to claim 3. The second value appropriation means records the shortfall and executes appropriation to the target value within a range in which the total of the recorded shortages does not reach a preset upper limit.
The information processing system according to claim 5. Further provided with a charging means for charging the second value to the account associated with the user,
After the amount of the target value is received by the receiving means, the charging means charges the second value in an amount corresponding to at least the target value.
The second value appropriation means uses the second value charged by the charging means to execute appropriation to the target value.
The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. As the amount of the first value that can be applied to the value to be paid by the user, the amount of the first value that can be applied by the first value appropriation means and the amount of the first value that can be applied by the second value appropriation means. Further provided with a usable amount notification means for notifying the total with the amount of the second value,
The information processing system according to any one of claims 2 to 7. A pre-authentication means is further provided that performs authentication for determining whether or not to allow the user to be charged by the charging means before the amount of the target value is received by the receiving means.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 3 to 8. Further provided with an authentication result holding means for holding information that can identify a user who has been determined by the pre-authentication means to disallow charging by the charging means.
The charging means charges the second value for a user whose information identifiable by the authentication result holding means is not held.
The information processing system according to claim 9. Further provided with a completion notification means for notifying the sender of the amount of the target value of the completion of payment when the appropriation of the entire amount of the target value received by the reception means is completed.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The computer
A reception step that accepts the user identification information for the user to make a payment using the first value and the amount of the value to be paid.
A second value appropriation step that allocates a second value of a type different from the first value, which is associated with the user related to the user identification information, for a part or all of the target value.
How to run. Computer,
A reception means for receiving user identification information for a user to make a payment using the first value and an amount of the value to be paid.
A second value appropriation means that allocates a second value of a type different from the first value, which is associated with the user related to the user identification information, for a part or all of the target value.
A program to function as.

Images