JP2023117834A - Information processing device, program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method that improve usability for a user without assuming connection between a network such as the Internet and a settlement terminal when settlement of a commercial transaction is performed using a user medium and the settlement terminal.SOLUTION: In a settlement system, an information processing device 100 includes: a connection determination unit 111 that determines a connection state with a first device which is capable of communicating via a network and which reads a readable medium that records balances of a user's account and executes a subtraction process of subtracting a transaction amount of a first transaction from the balance; an acquisition unit 112 that acquires account balance information including the balance; a setting unit 113 that sets an offline limit for the account balance for securing a balance that can be used by the user regardless of the state of connection between the first device and the network; and a transmission unit 131 that transmits the offline-limit information to be written as a balance on the readable medium via the first device via the network based on the determined connection state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method.

Conventionally, media such as cards and terminals owned by users (hereinafter also referred to as “user media”) and payment terminals owned by businesses that provide services and products to the user (hereinafter also referred to as “payment terminals”) (for example, Patent Document 1). Such technology has become indispensable for M2M (Machine to Machine) services and IoT (Internet of Things) services.

JP 2020-119483 A

Here, even in the technology for settlement of commercial transactions by communication between the user medium and the settlement terminal, it is assumed that the settlement terminal is connected to a network such as the Internet, such as credit card settlement. be. Such settlement has a problem that it cannot be used in an environment in which connection with this network is not possible. On the other hand, in the case of prepaid card payment, etc., it may not be a prerequisite for payment to be made by connecting a payment terminal to such a network. However, in such settlement, there is room for improvement in usability for the user, such as the need for the user to charge in advance and appropriate the balance, and the upper limit of the charge is small compared to the credit card limit. .

Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention does not presuppose connection between a network such as the Internet and a payment terminal when making a payment for a commercial transaction through communication between a user medium and a payment terminal. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method that can improve usability for users.

An information processing device according to an aspect of the present invention is a first device that reads a readable medium that records a first balance of a user's account and executes subtraction processing of subtracting a first transaction amount of a first transaction from the first balance. a connection determination unit that determines a connection state with a first device that is communicable via a first network; an acquisition unit that acquires account balance information indicating the account balance of the account including the first balance; and an account balance , a setting unit that sets an offline frame for securing a balance that can be used by the user regardless of the connection state between the first device and the first network; a transmitting unit for transmitting the indicated offline slot information to the first device via the first network for writing as a first balance on a readable medium via the first device.

A program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to read a readable medium recording a first balance of an account of a user and execute a subtraction process of subtracting a first transaction amount of a first transaction from the first balance. A connection determination function for determining a connection state with a first device which is one device and can communicate via a first network; and an acquisition function for acquiring account balance information indicating the account balance of the account including the first balance. and a setting function of setting an offline limit for the account balance for securing a balance that can be used by the user regardless of the connection state between the first device and the first network;
the first device via the first network for writing offline slot information indicating the offline slot as the first balance to the readable medium via the first device based on the determined connection state; and a sending function to send to.

In an information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention, a computer reads a readable medium recording a first balance of a user's account and performs a subtraction process of subtracting a first transaction amount of a first transaction from the first balance. Determining a connection state with a first device which is a first device and is communicable via a first network, obtaining account balance information indicating an account balance of an account including the first balance, and obtaining account balance information, setting an offline limit for securing a balance that can be used by the user regardless of the state of connection between the first device and the first network; Sending over a first network to a first device for writing as a first balance on a readable medium via the first device.

According to the present invention, in making payments for commercial transactions through communication between a user medium and a payment terminal, the connection between a network such as the Internet and the payment terminal is not a precondition for payment, and the usability of the user can be improved. A processing device, a program, and an information processing method can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure for demonstrating the system configuration example of the settlement system which concerns on this embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure for demonstrating the outline|summary of the payment system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of functional composition of a settlement device concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the settlement system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the settlement system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the payment apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in each figure, the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

In the present embodiment, "part", "means", "apparatus", and "system" do not simply mean physical means; It also includes the case where the functions possessed by are realized by software. In addition, even if the function of one "part", "means", "apparatus", or "system" is realized by two or more physical means or devices, two or more "part", "means", "device", or "system" The functions of "apparatus" and "system" may be realized by one physical means or device.

<1. System configuration>
A system configuration example of a payment system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The payment system 1 is a system for providing payment services to businesses that provide services and products in transportation facilities, stores, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as "providers") and users who are their customers. Business operators that provide payment services are also referred to as “payment business operators”. Providers include a first provider and a second provider. As shown in FIG. 1, the payment system 1 includes a payment device 100 used by a payment business operator, a user medium 200 used by a user, a first device 300 used by a first business operator, and a second business operator. and a second device 400 used by a person.

The payment device 100, the first device 300, and the second device 400 can be connected via the first network N1 and are communicable. Also, the user medium 200 and the first device 300 or the second device 400 may be able to communicate via, for example, the second network N2. Also, the payment system 1 is connected to, for example, a distributed ledger 500, which is an external system, via the first network N1, and is capable of communication.

The first network N1 is a network of wide area communication networks, and includes the Internet, mobile communication networks, and telephone lines. In addition, the first network N1 uses a wireless communication scheme using, for example, 3G (3rd Generation), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), or LTE (registered trademark) (Long Term Evolution) lines. good too.

The second network N2 is a communication network for directly connecting the user medium 200 to the first device 300 and the second device 400. FIG. The second network N2 is, for example, wireless communication at a short distance of about 10 cm using electromagnetic induction such as NFC (Near Field Communication), short-range wireless communication at a distance of about 10 m such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared communication. Including the network that implements it.

The settlement device 100 is a device for providing settlement services, and is an information processing device capable of communicating between the first device 300 and the second device 400 . The payment device 100 cooperates with the user medium 200, the first device 300, and the second device 400 by executing a predetermined program. Through this cooperation, the settlement apparatus 100 realizes a server function that controls processing for settlement (hereinafter also simply referred to as “settlement”) of transactions in which a store or the like sells a product or provides a service to a user. In addition, in this settlement, the account such as a user's account (hereinafter simply referred to as "account") that can be used on the user medium 200 is previously allocated (charged) with the balance, and the transaction amount of the transaction is subtracted from the allocated balance. Adopt a prepayment method (prepaid).

User medium 200 is a readable medium that records a first balance. The “first balance” is the balance that can be used for settlement between the user medium 200 and the first device 300, and is the balance included in the account balance of the user's account. For example, the user medium 200 may manage the first balance. The user medium 200 is a medium carried by the user, and includes, for example, a one-dimensional code (barcode), a two-dimensional code (QR code (registered trademark)), an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag (NFC (Near Field Communication) including tags). As another example, the user medium 200 may be a terminal device such as a smart phone or a laptop capable of communicating with the first device 300 . In this embodiment, an example in which the user medium 200 is a card with an NFC tag will be described.

The account balance is typically, but not limited to, the total balance of the user's account, ie the total available balance of the account. The account balance may be, for example, the balance set by the user out of the total available balance of the account. In other words, the account balance may be an amount less than the total available balance of the account.

The first device 300 is a terminal device capable of communicating with the settlement device 100 via the first network N1. Also, the first device 300 is a terminal device for settlement installed in vehicles (for example, buses, taxis, etc.) for passenger transportation (including public transportation) owned by the first provider and in shops. The first device 300 may be any device as long as it can read a readable medium, such as a tablet terminal or a handy terminal having a barcode reader function, an NFC reader function, or the like. Also, although the first device 300 can communicate with the settlement device 100 via the first network N1, it is not assumed that the first device 300 is connected to the first network N1 for settlement. That is, even if the connection with the first network N1 is interrupted, the first device 300 can make payments as long as bilateral communication with the user medium 200 is possible. A transaction processed between the first device 300 and the user medium 200 is also referred to as a "first transaction". Further, the amount traded in the first transaction is also referred to as "first transaction amount".

The first device 300 reads the user medium 200 and performs a subtraction process of subtracting the first transaction amount of the first transaction from the first balance.

The second device 400 is a terminal device capable of communicating with the settlement device 100 via the first network N1. Also, the second device 400 is a terminal device for settlement installed in a store owned by the second provider. The second device 400 may be any device as long as it can read a readable medium, such as a POS register terminal, a tablet terminal, or a handy terminal having a barcode reader function, an NFC reader function, or the like. The second device 400 may have, for example, a POS cash register function such as receiving input of goods or services and calculating the total amount (second transaction amount) of the received goods or the like. In addition, the second device 400 may be connected to a POS system (not shown) that manages information on sales of commodities and the like in realizing the POS cash register function. A transaction processed between the second device 400 and the user medium 200 is referred to as a "second transaction." In addition, the amount traded in the second transaction is also referred to as "second transaction amount".

The distributed ledger 500 is a network system that allows a plurality of terminals to share transaction history and approval information (to be described later). In this embodiment, the distributed ledger 500 functions as a storage unit that stores history information indicating the history of transactions between the first device 300 or the second device 400 and the user medium 200 . Also, the distributed ledger 500 may function as a storage unit that stores approval information, for example. Note that this transaction includes the first transaction and the second transaction. Also, this history information includes first history information and second history information, which will be described later. The history information includes, for example, transaction histories (including first transaction history and second transaction history) and/or hash values (hash pointers) for preventing falsification of transaction histories. In addition, although this embodiment demonstrates using the distributed ledger 500 as an example of the memory|storage part which memorize|stores historical information, this memory|storage part is not limited to the distributed ledger 500. FIG. For example, this storage unit may be the storage unit 140 of the settlement apparatus 100 . Note that the distributed ledger 500 may include the first device 300 and the second device 400 .

<2. Overview>
An outline of the payment system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In this example, card settlement using a card equipped with an NFC tag as the user medium 200 is used as the transaction settlement method, but the settlement method according to the present invention is not limited to this. The payment system 1 can use various prepaid payment methods such as mobile payment using NFC and code payment using QR code or bar code.

(1) As shown in FIG. 2, the user applies to an account balance associated with user media 200; Specifically, information (for example, account identification information (hereinafter also referred to as “account ID”)) regarding the account of the fund transfer destination and the fund transfer source is sent from the user by a terminal device (not shown) capable of communicating with the payment device 100. , account authentication information, etc.) and the amount to be appropriated (transferred) from the user are input. The settlement apparatus 100 executes the funds transfer process for allocating based on the input contents, and updates the account balance information indicating the account balance managed in its own storage unit 140 .

(2) The payment apparatus 100 updates the account balance information indicating the account balance managed in its own storage unit 140 based on the transmitted balance allocation information.

(3) The payment apparatus 100 acquires the account balance information from the storage unit 140 at a predetermined time as a process (process executed cyclically) for each predetermined period, and stores the account balance of the account as an offline frame. Set each online frame. The “predetermined period” is a period during which the user uses the offline frame balance set once for payment. The predetermined period is, in other words, the period from when the offline frame is set by the payment apparatus 100 to when it is reset next time. The “predetermined period of time processing” is, for example, processing every several hours, daily processing, weekly processing, or the like. In this example, the processing for each predetermined period is set as the daily processing. For example, if the account balance is 50,000 yen, the settlement apparatus 100 can set the offline limit to 10,000 yen and the online limit to 40,000 yen out of 50,000 yen.

The “offline frame” is a frame for securing a balance that can be used by the user regardless of the connection state between the first device 300 and the first network N1. In other words, the offline frame is a frame that the user can use for payment even if the first device 300 is in a place where the communication environment is not good. For example, in a case where the radio wave condition is poor on the operation route of a local bus or the like and the connection between the first device 300 and the first network N1 is interrupted to some extent, the user uses the balance of the offline frame for payment. be able to.

The “online frame” is a frame for securing a usable balance by communicably connecting the second device 400 and the payment device 100 .

(4-1) to (10) explain the flow of using the offline frame payment. (4-1) The settlement apparatus 100 determines the connection state with the first apparatus 300.

(5-1) If the settlement apparatus 100 determines in (4-1) above that the connection status can be communicated with the first apparatus 300 without any problem, the offline frame information indicating the offline frame set in (3) above is sent to the first device 300. 1 to the device 300 . The offline quota information is associated with the set offline quota and the account ID. In addition, the payment apparatus 100 transmits restriction information to the first apparatus 300 when the offline limit cannot be set due to insufficient account balance or the like.

“Restriction information” is information for restricting use of an account (including suspension of use). In other words, the restriction information is also information for restricting the subtraction process of the first device 300 . The restriction information may include, for example, information on trading risks (hereinafter also referred to as “risk information”). Details of the risk information will be described later.

The processing of (6-1) to (8) is processing for settlement of transactions by communication between the user medium 200 and the first device 300, and processing between the first network N1 and the first device 300. This is a process that does not require a connection.

(6-1) When the user uses a service (transportation service in this example) provided by the first provider, the first device 300 receives the usage fee for the transportation service (first transaction) as the first transaction. The medium information of the user medium 200 is read through the second network N2 in order to settle the payment of the transaction amount).

“Medium information” is information about the user medium 200 and information recorded on the user medium 200 . The medium information includes, for example, an account ID, medium identification information for identifying the medium (for example, a product-specific ID such as the ID of the NFC tag itself), the date and time of last use, the first balance, transaction history (first transaction history and second transaction history), and a hash value (hash pointer) for preventing falsification of the transaction history.

(7-1) The first device 300 uses the account ID as a key to refer to the offline slot information corresponding to the read medium information. Similarly, the first device 300 uses the account ID as a key to refer to restriction information corresponding to the read medium information. Further, the first device 300 determines whether or not to approve the first transaction for paying the usage fee of the transportation service based on the referenced offline quota information and restriction information (hereinafter also referred to as “approval processing”). to run.

(8) The first device 300 uses the offline frame referred to via the second network N2 as the first balance of the medium information when the user medium 200 is used for the first time every day as daily processing. write to That is, when the set offline limit is 10,000 yen, the first balance is written to the user medium 200 as 10,000 yen. After that, if the first device 300 determines "approved" in (7-1) above, the first device 300 converts the first balance to the first transaction amount (in this example, 1,000 yen) for the first transaction. ) (hereinafter also referred to as “subtraction processing”). As another example, the first device 300 may subtract the first transaction amount from the first balance and write the subtracted first balance to the user medium 200 . When the first device 300 executes the subtraction process, it generates first history information indicating the history of this subtraction process. The first device 300 stores the generated first history information in the user medium 200 or the distributed ledger 500 as a first transaction history.

(9) The first device 300 transmits the first history information generated in (8) above to the payment device 100 . (10) The settlement apparatus 100 calculates the cumulative sum of the first transaction amount subtracted from the first balance for each day (for example, at 23:00 every day).

Next, (4-2) to (6-2) explain the flow of using the online frame payment.
The processes (4-2) to (6-2) are processes for settlement of transactions by communication between the user medium 200 and the second device 400, and the first network N1 and the second device 400 This is a process that requires a connection with

(4-2) When the user uses a service (eating and drinking service in this example) provided by the second provider, the second device 400 receives the usage fee for the eating and drinking service (second The medium information of the user medium 200 is read through the second network N2 in order to settle the payment of the transaction amount).

(5-2) The second device 400 connects to the settlement device 100 via the first network N1, and refers to the online slot information managed by the settlement device 100 corresponding to the read medium information, using the account ID as a key. do. Similarly, the second device 400 connects to the settlement device 100 via the first network N1, and refers to the restriction information managed by the settlement device 100 corresponding to the read medium information, using the account ID as a key. The second device 400 transmits to the payment device 100 a payment request including a second transaction amount that can be paid with the balance of the online frame. The settlement apparatus 100 accepts this settlement request and executes processing for subtracting the second transaction amount from the balance of the online frame. When executing the subtraction process, the settlement apparatus 100 generates second history information indicating the history of this subtraction process.

(6-2) The second device 400 may write the second history information generated in (5-2) above as the second transaction history to the user medium 200 via the second network N2.

(11) The settlement apparatus 100 subtracts the cumulative total calculated in (10) above from the balance of the offline frame on a daily basis, and updates the account balance based on the subtracted balance of the offline frame and the balance of the online frame. .

According to the above configuration, the payment device 100 can make payment using the user medium 200 using the offline frame regardless of the connection state between the first network N1 and the first device 300. FIG. In addition, according to the above configuration, since the offline frame is extracted from the account balance of the account every predetermined period, the user does not need to perform the procedure (charging) only for allocating the balance of the offline frame. For this reason, according to the above configuration, the settlement device 100 connects the network such as the Internet and the first device 300 to settlement in settlement of transactions by communication between the user medium 200 and the first device 300 . User-friendliness can be improved without presupposition.

<3. Functional configuration>
The functional configuration of the settlement apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 , the settlement apparatus 100 includes a control section 110 , a communication section 130 and a storage section 140 .

- Control part -
Control unit 110 includes connection determination unit 111 , acquisition unit 112 , and setting unit 113 . Further, the control unit 110 may include a calculation unit 114, an update unit 115, a reception unit 116, a payment processing unit 117, an approval determination unit 118, or a balance allocation unit 119, for example.

- Connection judgment part -
The connection determination unit 111 determines the connection state with the first device 300 . The connection determination unit 111 determines the state of connection with the first device 300 by, for example, determining whether communication with the first device 300 is possible or whether communication with the first device 300 can be established. You may The connection determination unit 111 may check the connection state, for example, using a ping command or a netstat command to determine whether communication with the first device 300 is possible. Further, the connection determining unit 111 determines whether or not communication with the first device 300 can be established, for example, whether or not 3-way handshake for establishing a TCP connection, that is, whether SYN has been transmitted and its ACK has been received. The connection status may be determined by

- Acquisition part -
Acquisition unit 112 acquires account balance information from storage unit 140 . As another example, the acquisition unit 112 may acquire account balance information from a storage unit (not shown) of an external device that manages account balance information. This "storage section of the external device" may be distributed to the storage sections of a plurality of devices, and may be, for example, one that utilizes distributed management ledger technology.

-Setting part-
The setting unit 113 sets an offline limit for the account balance of the account. Also, the setting unit 113 may set an online limit for the account balance of the account, for example. The setting unit 113 may, for example, set the amounts of the offline quota and the online quota respectively as fixed amounts, or may set the respective rates to the account balance. In addition, the setting unit 113, for example, first sets (secures) the offline frame based on the priority information, subtracts the balance of the set offline frame from the account balance, and assigns the remaining balance to the online frame. may be set.

The offline limit may be, for example, a fixed value common to the payment system 1 (for example, uniform 1,000 yen), or a fixed value that differs for each group of account IDs (for example, group A: 5,000 yen, group B: 3,000 yen, Group C: 1,000 yen, etc.), or a fixed value that differs for each account ID (for example, a value set by the first provider or user designation). .

The setting unit 113 may reset the offline limit for the account balance updated by the updating unit 115, for example. That is, the setting unit 113 may reset the offline limit for the updated account balance toward the next predetermined period. For example, if the account balance updated by the updating unit 115 is 22,000 yen, the setting unit 113 may reset the offline limit (for example, 10,000 yen) for 22,000 yen. good.

According to the above configuration, the setting unit 113 can automatically reset the offline frame every predetermined period or the like. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the setting unit 113 can reduce the burden of the user manually resetting the offline limit according to the fluctuation of the account balance.

For example, the setting unit 113 may set an online quota in addition to the offline quota for the account balance of the account.

The setting unit 113 may further reset the online limit for the account balance updated by the updating unit 115 . For example, if the account balance updated by the update unit 115 is 22,000 yen, the setting unit 113 resets the offline limit (for example, 10,000 yen) for 22,000 yen, and the remaining balance is 22,000 yen. You may reset the balance of 10,000 yen and 1,000 yen as an online limit.

According to the above configuration, the setting unit 113 can automatically reset the online frame every predetermined period. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the setting unit 113 can reduce the burden of the user manually resetting the online limit according to the fluctuation of the account balance.

- Calculation part -
Based on the first history information, the calculation unit 114 calculates the cumulative sum over the predetermined period of the first transaction amount subtracted from the first balance at the end (closing) of the predetermined period. The predetermined period may be, for example, a unit period such as every half day, every day, or every week. For example, if there are a plurality of first devices 300 that have traded with the user medium 200, such as the first device 300a and the first device 300b, during a predetermined period of time, the first balance is subtracted from the first balance based on the first history information obtained from each of the first devices 300a and 300b. It is also possible to calculate the sum of one transaction amount for a predetermined period. If the first transaction amount between the user medium 200 and the first device 300a is 5,000 yen, and the first transaction amount between the user medium 200 and the first device 300b is 4,000 yen, the cumulative total of the first transaction amounts is 9,000 yen. becomes a circle.

- Update part -
The update unit 115 subtracts the total calculated by the calculation unit 114 from the balance of the offline frame, and updates the account balance based on the subtracted balance of the offline frame. For example, if the balance before subtraction of the online frame is 10,000 yen and the total calculated by the calculation unit 114 is 8,000 yen, the update unit 115 updates the account balance with 2,000 yen as the balance of the offline frame after subtraction. You may

The updating unit 115 may update the account balance of the account, for example, based on the online slot balance. For example, if the subtracted balance of the offline frame is 2,000 yen and the balance of the online frame is 20,000 yen, the updating unit 115 updates the account balance with the sum of these balances of 22,000 yen. good too.

-Reception Department-
Accepting unit 116 accepts a payment request including a second transaction amount payable with the balance of the online frame set by setting unit 113 from second device 400 via communication unit 130 . For example, in the case of a payment request including a second transaction amount exceeding the balance of the online frame set by the setting unit 113, the reception unit 116 may refuse to accept the payment.

－Payment processing part－
The payment processing unit 117 executes processing for subtracting the second transaction amount from the balance of the online frame based on the payment request received by the reception unit 116 .

-Approval Judgment-
Approval determination unit 118 refers to approval storage unit 141 that stores approval information and determines whether the first transaction can be approved by the first device. For example, when the upper limit of the transaction amount is set as an approval item included in the approval information, the approval determination unit 118 determines that the first transaction with the first transaction amount exceeding the upper limit cannot be approved by the first device 300. You may That is, based on the approval information, the approval determination unit 118 may disallow approval by the first device 300 for the first transaction that needs to be approved by the central side of the payment device 100 or the like. Approval determination unit 118 may cause storage unit 140 to store the determination result as approval determination information.

“Approval information” is information for determining whether or not the first device 300 can approve the first transaction. The approval information may include, for example, the upper limit or lower limit of the transaction amount, the upper limit of the number of transactions, the location of the terminal device, or the host device as approval items. The approval information may also include information on the user who owns the device and risk information as other approval items. The approval information may include, as another approval item, a transaction type indicating that the transaction is conducted under specific conditions.

“Risk information” is information indicating the risk of trading. The risk information is, for example, negative information related to suspension of use used for negative checks, or information related to user evaluations based on past transaction history.

For example, when the approval determination unit 118 determines that the first transaction cannot be approved by the first device 300, the approval determination unit 118 refers to the higher-level approval storage unit 142 that stores higher-level approval information, and determines whether the first transaction is approved by the higher-level device. You may re-determine whether it is possible. Approval determination unit 118 may include the result of this re-determination in the approval determination information and store it in storage unit 140 .

The “upper approval information” is information for determining whether or not the upper device of the first device 300 can approve the first transaction. The superior approval information includes at least one transaction condition that can be approved by a third device (not shown) communicably connected to the first device 300 .

－Balance appropriation department－
The balance appropriation unit 119 performs processing for appropriating the balance to the account balance of the user account.
The balance appropriation unit 119 can be applied to any payment method for transferring funds to an account to appropriate the balance. The balance appropriation unit 119 transfers funds according to a payment method selected by the user or the payment business operator among payment methods such as card payment such as credit card payment and debit card payment, cardless payment payment, electronic money payment, and bank transfer payment. The balance may be appropriated by performing processing for

The balance allocation unit 119 may, for example, allocate only the balance of the offline frame or only the balance of the online frame from the account balance. The balance appropriation unit 119 may, for example, allocate and allocate the balance to the account balance to the balance of the offline frame and the balance of the online frame based on the set allocation.

-Communication part-
The communication unit 130 transmits and receives various information to and from the first device 300 and/or the second device 400 via the first network N1. The communication unit 130 has a transmission unit 131 and a reception unit 132 .

-Transmitter-
Based on the connection status determined by the connection determination unit 111, the transmission unit 131 transmits the offline limit information to the user medium 200 via the first device 300 as the first balance. Send to the first device 300 . The timing at which the transmission unit 131 transmits the offline frame information may be, for example, the first use of the user medium 200 during a predetermined period. Also, the first use of the user medium 200 may be the use in the first device 300 or the use in the second device 400 .

According to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 can make the payment by the user medium 200 using the offline frame regardless of the connection state between the first network N1 and the first device 300 . Further, according to the above configuration, since the offline frame can be cut out from the account balance of the account every predetermined period, it is possible to reduce the user's procedure (charging) only for allocating the balance of the offline frame. For this reason, according to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 connects a network such as the Internet and the first device 300 to settlement when performing settlement of transactions by communication between the user medium 200 and the first device 300 . User-friendliness can be improved without presupposition.

For example, when the setting unit 113 cannot set the offline limit for the account balance of the account, the transmission unit 131 refers to the storage unit 140 that stores the limit information, and transmits the limit information to the first network N1 via the first network N1. 1 device 300 . Further, the transmission unit 131 may transmit the restriction information to the first device 300 via the first network N1 based on the state of connection determined by the connection determination unit 111, for example.

According to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 can limit the use of the offline quota on the user medium 200 in situations such as when the account balance is insufficient for the offline quota. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 can accurately control the use of the offline frame on the user medium 200 .

The transmitting unit 131, for example, refers to the approval storage unit 141 that stores the approval information, and transmits the approval information to the first device 300 in order to determine whether the first transaction can be approved by the first device 300. You may

For example, depending on the content of the first transaction between the first device 300 and the user medium 200, there may be a case where approval from the central side such as the settlement company is required. For such a case, according to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 can limit the use of the offline frame to low-risk transactions that can be approved only by the first device 300 .

The transmitting unit 131 may transmit, for example, an instruction to enable execution of the subtraction process to the first device 300 based on the approval determination information. First device 300 may execute the subtraction process for a predetermined period of time regardless of the connection state with first network N1 on the condition that this instruction is received from settlement device 100 via first network N1.

According to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 can restrict the subtraction process for transactions that cannot be approved by the first device 300 . Therefore, according to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 restricts the first device 300 to, for example, high-risk transactions that require approval from the central side, and allows the first device 300 to communicate with the first network N1. The first transaction can be limited to low-risk transactions that can be traded regardless of the connection state.

For example, based on the approval determination information, the transmission unit 131 may transmit an instruction to the first device 300 to enable execution of the subtraction process when approval of the first transaction is obtained from the third device. good.

According to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 can limit the subtraction processing for transactions that cannot be approved by the first device 300, and enable execution of the subtraction processing for transactions that can be approved by the higher-level device. For this reason, according to the above configuration, the transmission unit 131 restricts, for example, high-risk transactions that require approval on the central side, to the first device 300, and, in a stepwise manner, according to the degree of risk. It is possible to limit the transactions that can be made regardless of the connection state of the first device 300 with the first network N1, and allow the first transaction to be made.

The receiving unit 132 receives the first history information from the first device 300 via the first network N1.

The storage unit 140 may store account balance information, offline quota information, online quota information, restriction information, history information, user information, or the like. The storage unit 140 may store these pieces of information in association with each other, for example. The storage unit 140 may store each information using a database management system (DBMS), or may store each information using a file system. When using a DBMS, a table may be provided for each piece of information described above, and each piece of information may be managed by associating the tables. Storage unit 140 includes approval storage unit 141 and upper approval storage unit 142 . Approval storage unit 141 stores approval information. The superior approval storage unit 142 stores superior approval information.

"User information" is information about the user. The user information includes, for example, identification information for identifying the user and an account ID of each account held by the user.

<4. Operation example>
An operation example of the settlement system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the order of the processes shown below is an example, and may be changed as appropriate. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing interactions from setting an online frame and an offline frame in the payment system 1 to making a payment using the online frame. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing interactions from settlement using the offline limit in the payment system 1, calculating the cumulative total of the first transaction amount for a predetermined period, and resetting the online limit and the offline limit. be.

As shown in FIG. 4, the settlement apparatus 100 acquires account balance information (S10). The settlement apparatus 100 sets the offline limit and the online limit based on the account balance information (S11).

The settlement device 100 transmits offline quota information indicating the set offline quota to the first device 300 (S12). The first device 300 and the like execute the processing in the area indicated by the composite fragment opt1 (option1) when using the payment by the user medium 200 for the first time in a predetermined period. Specifically, the first device 300 writes offline quota information indicating the offline quota to the user medium 200 as the first balance when using the user medium 200 for the first payment in a predetermined period (S13). The user medium 200 records the first balance (S14).

The second device 400 transmits a settlement request including the second transaction amount for the second transaction to the settlement device 100 (S15). If the second transaction amount included in the received payment request is within the balance of the online frame, the payment apparatus 100 executes the process within the area indicated by the composite fragment opt2 (option2). Specifically, the settlement apparatus 100 accepts a request for settlement (S16). The payment apparatus 100 executes a process of subtracting the second transaction amount from the balance of the online frame based on the accepted payment request (S17). The settlement apparatus 100 updates the balance of the online frame (S18).

As shown in FIG. 5, the first device 300 reads the first balance from the user medium 200 (S20). The first device 300 executes a subtraction process of subtracting the first transaction amount of the first transaction from the read first balance (S21). The first device 300 writes the first balance obtained by subtracting the first transaction amount to the user medium 200 (S22). User medium 200 updates the first balance (S23). The first device 300 generates first history information and stores it in the distributed ledger 500 .

The payment device 100 and the first device 300 execute the processing in the area indicated by the composite fragment opt3 (option3) when the current date and time is the end date and time (closing date and time) of the predetermined period. Specifically, the first device 300 (or the distributed ledger 500) transmits the first history information to the settlement device 100 (S25). Based on the first history information, the settlement apparatus 100 calculates the sum of the first transaction amount subtracted from the first balance over a predetermined period (S26). The settlement apparatus 100 subtracts the calculated total from the balance of the offline frame, and updates the account balance based on the subtracted balance of the offline frame and the balance of the online frame (S27). The settlement apparatus 100 resets the offline limit and the online limit for the updated account balance (S28).

<5. Hardware configuration>
With reference to FIG. 6, an example of a hardware configuration in which the payment apparatus 100 described above is implemented by a computer 800 will be described. It should be noted that the function of each device can also be implemented by being divided into a plurality of devices.

As shown in FIG. 6, the computer 800 includes a processor 801, a memory 803, a storage device 805, an input I/F section 807, a data I/F section 809, a communication I/F section 811, and a display device. 813 included.

Processor 801 controls various processes in computer 800 by executing programs stored in memory 803 . For example, each functional unit included in the control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 100 can be realized by the processor 801 executing a program temporarily stored in the memory 803 .

The memory 803 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 803 temporarily stores program codes of programs executed by the processor 801 and data necessary for executing the programs.

The storage device 805 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. A storage device 805 stores an operating system and various programs for realizing the above configurations. In addition, the storage device 805 may store a table for registering various information such as account balance information, offline quota information, online quota information, restriction information, history information, or user information, and a DB for managing the table. It is possible. Such programs and data are referred to by the processor 801 by being loaded into the memory 803 as necessary.

An input I/F unit 807 is a device for receiving input from the user. Specific examples of the input I/F unit 807 include a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, various sensors, and wearable devices. The input I/F unit 807 may be connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

A data I/F unit 809 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 800 . A specific example of the data I/F unit 809 is a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. Data I/F unit 809 may be provided outside computer 800 . In that case, the data I/F unit 809 is connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as USB.

The communication I/F unit 811 is a device for performing data communication with a device external to the computer 800 via the Internet N by wire or wirelessly. Communication I/F unit 811 may be provided outside computer 800 . In that case, the communication I/F unit 811 is connected to the computer 800 via an interface such as USB.

The display device 813 is a device for displaying various information. Specific examples of the display device 813 include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and a wearable device display. The display device 813 may be provided outside the computer 800 . In that case, the display device 813 is connected to the computer 800 via, for example, a display cable. Further, when a touch panel is adopted as the input I/F section 807 , the display device 813 can be integrated with the input I/F section 807 .

In addition, this embodiment is an illustration for demonstrating this invention, and is not the meaning which limits this invention only to the embodiment. Also, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each element described above is replaced with equivalents, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, the constituent elements of the payment apparatus described in the above embodiment are such that a program stored in the storage device 805 is executed by the processor 801, and predetermined processing is performed in cooperation with other hardware. shall be realized. Also, in other words, these components are envisioned as software or firmware as well as their corresponding hardware, and in both concepts are defined as "function", "means", "unit", "processing circuit", It is also described as a “unit” or a “module”, and can be read accordingly.

[Modification]
Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the following cases are also included in the present invention.

[Modification 1]
At least part of each configuration included in the payment apparatus 100 according to the above embodiment may be included in the user medium 200, the first device 300, or the second device 400. The user medium 200, the first device 300, or the second device 400, for example, may realize these configurations by executing an application program dedicated to the payment system 1 installed therein.

[Modification 2]
Although the receiving unit 116 of the settlement device 100 according to the above embodiment receives a request for settlement from the second device 400 including the second transaction amount that can be paid with the balance of the online frame set by the setting unit 113 has been described. , the present invention is not limited to this. A request for payment including a transaction amount may be accepted. When the accepting unit 116 accepts this payment request, the transmitting unit 131 sends a request for updating the first balance of the user medium 200 via the first device 300 based on the connection state determined by the connection determining unit 111. The information is transmitted to the first device 300 via the first network N1. This "information for updating the first balance" is information for subtracting from the first balance the amount by which the second transaction amount exceeds the balance of the online frame.

Reference Signs List 1 payment system 100 payment device 110 control unit 111 connection determination unit 112 acquisition unit 113 setting unit 114 calculation unit 115 update unit 116 reception unit 117 payment processing Unit 118 Approval determination unit 119 Balance appropriation unit 130 Communication unit 140 Storage unit 200 User medium 300 First device 400 Second device 800 Computer 801 Processor 803 Memory 805 Storage device 807 Input I/F section 809 Data I/F section 811 Communication I/F section 813 Display device.

Claims (9)

A first device communicable over a first network for reading a readable medium recording a first balance of a user's account and performing a subtraction process to subtract a first transaction amount of a first transaction from said first balance. a connection determination unit that determines the connection state with the first device;
an acquisition unit for acquiring account balance information indicating the account balance of the account including the first balance;
a setting unit that sets an offline limit for the account balance for securing a balance that can be used by the user regardless of a connection state between the first device and the first network;
the first device via the first network for writing offline slot information indicating the offline slot as the first balance to the readable medium via the first device based on the determined connection state; a transmitter for transmitting to
Information processing equipment. When the offline frame cannot be set for the account balance by the setting unit, the transmission unit transmits restriction information for restricting the subtraction process to the first device.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The information processing device is
a receiving unit that receives first history information indicating a history of the subtraction process from the first device via the first network;
a calculation unit that calculates, based on the first history information, the cumulative total of the first transaction amount subtracted from the first balance over the predetermined period for each predetermined period;
an updating unit that subtracts the cumulative total from the balance of the offline frame, and updates the account balance based on the subtracted balance of the offline frame;
The setting unit resets the offline limit for the updated account balance.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The setting unit, in addition to the offline limit, provides a balance that can be used by connecting a second device for settlement of a second transaction of the user and the information processing device in a communicable manner with respect to the account balance. set an online frame to secure
The information processing device is
a receiving unit that receives a payment request including a second transaction amount that can be paid with the balance of the online frame from the second device;
a payment processing unit that executes a process of subtracting the second transaction amount from the balance of the online frame based on the payment request,
The update unit updates the account balance based on the balance of the online slot,
the setting unit further resets the online quota for the updated account balance;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. The transmission unit refers to an approval storage unit that stores approval information including at least one condition of a first transaction that can be approved by the first device, so that the first transaction can be approved by the first device. Sending the approval information to the first device to determine whether
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The information processing device refers to an approval storage unit that stores approval information including at least one condition of a transaction that can be approved by the first device, and determines whether the first transaction can be approved by the first device. further comprising an approval determination unit that determines
The transmission unit transmits an instruction to enable execution of the subtraction process to the first device based on approval determination information including the determination result of the approval determination unit.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the approval determination unit determines that the first transaction cannot be approved by the first device, the approval determination unit sets at least one condition of a transaction that can be approved by a third device communicably connected to the first device. re-determining whether the first transaction can be approved by referring to a higher-level approval storage unit that stores higher-level approval information including
the approval determination information includes a re-determination result of the approval determination unit;
The transmitting unit transmits to the first device, based on the approval determination information, an instruction to enable execution of the subtraction process when approval of the first transaction is obtained from the third device. ,
The information processing device according to claim 6 . to the computer,
A first device communicable over a first network for reading a readable medium recording a first balance of a user's account and performing a subtraction process to subtract a first transaction amount of a first transaction from said first balance. a connection determination function for determining the connection state with the first device;
an acquisition function for acquiring account balance information indicating an account balance of the account including the first balance;
a setting function for setting an offline limit for the account balance for securing a balance that can be used by the user regardless of the state of connection between the first device and the first network;
the first device via the first network for writing offline slot information indicating the offline slot as the first balance to the readable medium via the first device based on the determined connection state; to achieve a transmission function that transmits to
program. the computer
A first device communicable over a first network for reading a readable medium recording a first balance of a user's account and performing a subtraction process to subtract a first transaction amount of a first transaction from said first balance. determining the connection state with the first device,
obtaining account balance information indicating an account balance of the account including the first balance;
setting an offline limit for the account balance for securing a balance that can be used by the user regardless of a connection state between the first device and the first network;
the first device via the first network for writing offline slot information indicating the offline slot as the first balance to the readable medium via the first device based on the determined connection state; send to
Information processing methods.

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