JP7553528B2 - Information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, there are known technologies that allow deferred payment in electronic payment services. For example, Patent Document 1 describes determining a limit for deferred payment based on a user's usage history of electronic payment services.

Patent No. 6951602

However, conventional technology does not improve the convenience of repaying deferred payments incurred through deferred payment transactions.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve the convenience of repaying deferred usage amounts.

One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that includes a repayment reception unit that receives, via a financial institution linked to the electronic payment service, a designated deposit amount for repaying at least a portion of the deferred payment usage amount generated by the execution of a deferred payment in an electronic payment service, and a repayment processing unit that, in response to receiving the designated deposit amount, settles the at least a portion of the amount, and adds the surplus amount obtained by subtracting the at least a portion of the amount from the deposit amount to a charge balance that can be used for payment in the electronic payment service.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve the convenience of repaying deferred usage amounts.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the electronic payment service according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a general flow of electronic payment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. A figure showing an example of the contents of BNPL setting information 176. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of repaying the remaining balance of a BNPL settlement at an ATM. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the flow of the process executed by the payment server 100. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information proposed by the repayment acceptance unit 126. FIG.

The information processing device, information processing method, and program of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The information processing device is realized by one or more processors. The information processing device is a device that provides services such as electronic payment services, and will be referred to as a "payment server" in the following description. Electronic payment services are services that support payments related to the purchase of goods and services at stores. A store is, for example, a physical store (real-world store) that exists in real space.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the electronic payment service according to the first embodiment. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. The payment server 100 communicates with, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more store terminal devices 50, and a bank server 70 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, etc.

The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least an optical reading function, a communication function, a display function, an input acceptance function, and a program execution function. In the following description, the components for realizing these functions are referred to as a camera, a communication device, a touch panel, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, a processor such as a CPU executes a payment app 20, and the user terminal device 10 operates to provide electronic payment services to users in cooperation with the payment server 100. The payment app 20 controls the camera, the communication device, the touch panel, etc. In the following description, a process executed with the user terminal device 10 as the subject can also be interpreted as a process executed with the payment app 20 as the subject.

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

The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the store terminal device 50. The payment server 100 performs electronic payment, for example, by increasing or decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID (in other words, depositing and withdrawing electronic money). The payment server 100 further provides the user terminal device 10 with a buy now pay later (BNPL; sometimes referred to as "BNPL payment") function, which allows the user to postpone payment of the price for a predetermined period (e.g., one month) when performing electronic payment, and settles the payment by receiving the payment amount from the user after the predetermined period. In this case, the operator of the electronic payment service pays the payment amount in advance to the store where the electronic payment was performed, and after a predetermined period, the operator performs final settlement by receiving the payment amount from the user by a method such as debit from the charge balance, account transfer, or bill payment. Also, for example, a user can settle a payment by inputting the company number of the operator of the electronic payment service at an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a bank affiliated with the electronic payment service and transferring an amount equivalent to the remaining balance. In this case, the payment server 100 can settle the BNPL payment by receiving the transfer information from the server operated by the bank. Compared to conventional postpaid payment methods such as credit card payments, BNPL payments have simplified identity verification and screening procedures for use. For example, unlike credit card payments, which require a credit check by an external credit agency, BNPL payments may provide credit to users without conducting a credit check. In this embodiment, identity verification is not required for use of BNPL payments.

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two types of electronic payment: pattern 1 and pattern 2. In the case of pattern 1, the payment app 20 is first launched on the user terminal device 10, and a code image such as a QR code or a barcode is displayed. The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the store terminal device 50. The store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using an optical reading function and acquires information such as an account ID. The store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the account ID, payment amount, store ID, etc., and transmits it to the payment server 100. Information on the payment amount has been acquired in advance by reading a barcode or manually entering the information. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 transfers the payment amount from the user's electronic payment account to the store's electronic payment account, completing the payment process.

In the case of pattern 2, the user terminal device 10 with the payment app 20 running decodes the store code image 60 using an optical reading function. The store code image 60 includes information such as the store name. The user inputs the payment amount and payment method (e.g., charge balance payment or BNPL payment) into the user terminal device 10 on the screen displaying the store name, etc. When the user presses the payment button after inputting the payment amount and payment method, the user terminal device 10 generates payment information including the account ID, payment amount, payment method, store ID, etc., and transmits it to the payment server 100. The payment server 100 performs payment processing based on the received information. In this embodiment, electronic payment is performed at least by the method of pattern 2. In addition, the "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information.

[Payment server]
3 is a configuration diagram of the payment server 100 according to the first embodiment. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a payment content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 122, a BNPL processing unit 124, a repayment acceptance unit 126, a repayment processing unit 128, and a storage unit 170. The payment content providing unit 120, the payment processing unit 122, the BNPL processing unit 124, the repayment acceptance unit 126, and the repayment processing unit 128 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory (a storage device with a non-transient storage medium), or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transient storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive device.

The storage unit 170 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, payment content information 174, and BNPL setting information 176.

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

The payment content providing unit 120 has, for example, a web server function, and provides the user terminal device 10 with information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service. The payment content providing unit 120 reads out the necessary content from the payment content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs by the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20, and transmits the above-mentioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100. Note that the content based on the payment content information 174 includes content provided in a logged-in state to the electronic payment service and content provided in a non-logged-in state. In the content in the non-logged-in state, the payment server 100 provides various guidance information and accepts applications for new registrations and changes to phone numbers.

The payment processing unit 122 performs payment processing based on the payment information sent by the user terminal device 10 or the store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 122 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172 and BNPL setting information 176 described below.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 172. User information 172 is, for example, an account ID associated with information such as a phone number and password, which are the minimum required when registering for an electronic payment service, as well as an email address, name, address, date of birth, registration date, first charge balance, second charge balance, bank account, credit card number, whether or not identity verification has been performed, charge history information, and payment history information. Information other than the phone number, password, registration date, second charge balance, charge history information, and payment history information is optional information. Hereinafter, a user instance (electronic payment account) associated with this information will be referred to as an account. The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created).

The first charge balance and the second charge balance are information indicating the balance of electronic money that is set by the user in advance by transferring money to an account. The first charge balance is a charge balance that is permitted for use in the electronic payment service when the user has completed identity authentication and registered a bank account, while the second charge balance is a charge balance that is permitted for use in the electronic payment service regardless of the user completing identity authentication. In other words, the balance amount charged to the first charge balance can be withdrawn to a bank account at the user's request, while the balance amount charged to the second charge balance is used only for payments in the electronic payment service. The second charge balance is permitted for use by all users when registering for the electronic payment service.

Methods of remittance include remittance from an ATM of a designated business (bank) and remittance from a registered bank account (in the case of the first charge balance). The bank account and credit card number are bank account or credit card number information (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into the electronic payment service. Identity verification is information indicating whether the user has confirmed their identity by uploading an image of an identity document such as a driver's license to the electronic payment service. Recharge history information is a history of the user transferring money to the electronic payment service in advance to increase the first charge balance or second charge balance. The payment history information is information indicating the details of payments made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, etc.) for each payment.

The BNPL processing unit 124 executes various server-side processes required to realize BNPL payment in the electronic payment service. For example, the BNPL processing unit 124 performs settings for using BNPL payment in response to a request from the payment app 20, and notifies the user of the available amount for making BNPL payments in response to the start of the payment app 20 (or in response to the selection of BNPL payment). The BNPL processing unit 124 executes such server-side processes related to BNPL payment while referring to the BNPL setting information 176 described below.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of BNPL setting information 176. BNPL setting information 176 associates, for example, information such as BNPL payment usage settings, usage limit, usage balance, repayment settings, and repayment history information with an account ID. BNPL payment usage settings are information that indicates whether or not the use of BNPL payment has been enabled as a result of a user of an electronic payment service applying to use BNPL payment.

The usage limit is information indicating the maximum amount a user can use for BNPL payments per specified period (e.g., one month). The usage balance is information indicating the (unrepaid) deferred usage amount used by the user for BNPL payments during the specified period. The available amount is information indicating the amount obtained by subtracting the usage balance from the usage limit, and means the amount a user can use for BNPL payments during the current period.

The repayment setting is information indicating the method of repayment of the remaining balance when the user uses BNPL payment. The repayment setting includes, for example, a balance settlement in which the amount of the remaining balance is deducted from the charge balance on a specified day of each month (for example, the 27th of each month), an account transfer in which the amount of the remaining balance is deducted from a bank account registered in the user information 172, and an invoice payment in which the amount of the remaining balance stated in an invoice sent to the address registered in the user information 172 is paid, for example, at a convenience store. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user can also settle the balance by inputting the company number of the operator of the electronic payment service at an ATM of a bank affiliated with the electronic payment service and transferring the amount equivalent to the remaining balance. The repayment history information is information indicating whether or not the user has repaid the remaining balance for each specified period (and/or the repayment amount). In addition, the repayment history information may also store information indicating that the user has not repaid the remaining balance for a certain period within the deadline if the user has not repaid the remaining balance for BNPL payment within the deadline.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of repaying the usage balance of BNPL payment at an ATM. First, in the first step, the user visits an ATM of a bank affiliated with the electronic payment service and inputs information indicating that a transaction (deposit) will be made on a smartphone. Next, in the second step, the user starts the payment app 20 and presses the repayment button displayed on the screen of the payment app 20. Next, in the third step, the user presses a button indicating that an ATM repayment will be made on the screen of the payment app 20 to which the user transitions after pressing the repayment button, and at the same time, inputs the repayment amount to be repaid this time. The repayment amount input at this time may always be set to the full amount of the usage balance of BNPL payment due to the mechanism of the payment app 20, or the user may be able to input any amount within the usage balance. The payment app 20 links the input repayment amount to the account ID and transmits it to the payment server 100, and the repayment acceptance unit 126 temporarily stores the received account ID and repayment amount in association with each other. The repayment amount is an example of "at least a portion of the deferred payment amount."

Next, in the fourth step, the user reads the code image displayed on the ATM with the scanner of the payment application 20. Next, in the fifth step, the user inputs the company number of the operator of the electronic payment service on the company number input screen displayed on the ATM. This links the user who repays the remaining balance to the operator of the electronic payment service. Next, in the sixth step, the user deposits the repayment amount entered in the third step (more precisely, an amount equal to or greater than the repayment amount) into the ATM. When the repayment amount is deposited into the ATM, the bank notifies the payment server 100 of the fact that the repayment amount has been deposited. Note that, due to the structure of a typical ATM, the amount deposited is in bills (e.g., 1,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen). Furthermore, the repayment amount may include a deposit fee charged by the bank to the user.

The repayment reception unit 126 receives information (including the amount of the deposit, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "deposit information") via the bank that the user has deposited funds into the ATM. When the repayment reception unit 126 receives the information, the repayment processing unit 128 settles (i.e., subtracts) the remaining balance generated by the BNPL payment by an amount equivalent to the repayment amount. At the same time, the repayment reception unit 126 adds the remainder, obtained by subtracting the repayment amount from the deposit amount, to the second charge balance. As described above, the second charge balance is permitted for use by all users when registering for the electronic payment service. In other words, the above process makes it possible to use electronic payment for an amount equivalent to the remainder, even if a fraction occurs when repaying the remaining balance of the BNPL payment. This can improve the convenience of repaying deferred amounts.

In another aspect, when the repayment information is accepted by the repayment acceptance unit 126, the repayment processing unit 128 refers to the user information 172 to determine whether the user for whom the deposit information is accepted is permitted to use the first charge balance, and for users who are permitted to use the first charge balance, may add an amount equivalent to the fractional part to the first charge balance. This allows users who are permitted to use the first charge balance to withdraw an amount equivalent to the fractional part to their bank account, further enhancing the convenience of repaying the deferred amount.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. First, the repayment reception unit 126 determines whether or not deposit information including the deposit amount has been received from a bank with which the electronic payment service is linked (step S100). If it is determined that deposit information has been received, the repayment processing unit 128 subtracts an amount equivalent to the repayment amount from the usage balance of the BNPL setting information 176 (step S102). Next, the repayment processing unit 128 adds the remainder obtained by subtracting the repayment amount from the deposit amount to the second charge balance (step S104). This ends the processing of this flowchart.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing another example of the flow of processing executed by the payment server 100. First, the repayment reception unit 126 determines whether or not deposit information including the deposit amount has been received from the bank with which the electronic payment service is linked (step S200). If it is determined that deposit information has been received, the repayment processing unit 128 subtracts the amount equivalent to the repayment amount from the usage balance in the BNPL setting information 176 (step S202).

Next, the repayment processing unit 128 determines whether the user who made the repayment is permitted to use the first charge balance (step S204). If it is determined that the user who made the repayment is permitted to use the first charge balance, the repayment processing unit 128 adds the fractional amount obtained by subtracting the repayment amount from the deposit amount to the first charge balance (step S206). On the other hand, if it is determined that the user who made the repayment is not permitted to use the first charge balance, the repayment processing unit 128 adds the fractional amount obtained by subtracting the repayment amount from the deposit amount to the second charge balance (step S208). This ends the processing of this flowchart.

By processing the flowchart as described above, even if a fraction occurs when repaying the remaining balance of a BNPL settlement, it is possible to use electronic payment for the amount equivalent to the fraction. This makes it more convenient to repay deferred amounts.

As described above, when repaying the remaining balance of a BNPL payment, a user who is permitted to use the first charge balance will enjoy greater convenience than a user who is not permitted to do so. Therefore, the repayment acceptance unit 126 may suggest that a user who is not permitted to use the first charge balance perform identity authentication and register a bank account when repaying the remaining balance of a BNPL payment at an ATM.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of information proposed by the repayment acceptance unit 126. Figure 9 shows the status of the third step shown in Figure 6. When the user presses the repayment button in the second step shown in Figure 6, the repayment acceptance unit 126 receives information indicating that the user has pressed the repayment button from the payment app 20, and determines whether the user is permitted to use the first charge balance. If the repayment acceptance unit 126 determines that the user is not permitted to use the first charge balance, it causes the payment app 20 to display information recommending the user to perform identity authentication and register a bank account.

As an example, in FIG. 9, message M1 represents suggested information that fractional amounts can be withdrawn by registering a bank account. At this time, if the user presses identity authentication button B1, payment app 20 proceeds with normal identity authentication procedures. In another aspect, if the user has already completed identity authentication but has not registered a bank account, repayment acceptance unit 126 may cause payment app 20 to display suggested information to register a bank account.

According to the present embodiment described above, even if a fraction occurs when repaying the remaining balance of a BNPL settlement, it is possible to use electronic settlement for the amount equivalent to the fraction. This makes it possible to increase the convenience of repaying deferred amounts.

The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10 User terminal device 20 Payment application 22 Display control function 24 Deferred payment determination function 26 Repayment acceptance function 50 Shop terminal device 60 Shop code image 100 Payment server 110 Communication unit 120 Payment content provision unit 122 Payment processing unit 124 BNPL processing unit 126 Repayment acceptance unit 128 Repayment processing unit 170 Storage unit 172 User information 174 Payment content information 176 BNPL setting information

Claims (4)

a repayment reception unit that receives a deposit amount in the form of paper money for repaying at least a portion of a deferred payment amount generated by the execution of a deferred payment in an electronic payment service via an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a financial institution associated with the electronic payment service, and receives account information of a user of the electronic payment service who makes the repayment from a user terminal device of the user before the deposit ;
a repayment processing unit that settles at least a portion of the amount in response to receiving the deposit amount via the ATM , and adds a surplus amount obtained by subtracting the at least a portion of the amount from the deposit amount to a charge balance that can be used for payment in the electronic payment service and is linked to the account information;
Information processing device. when it is determined that the user's identity authentication has not been completed when the user uses the user terminal device to repay at least a portion of the amount, the repayment reception unit causes the user terminal device to display proposal information proposing the execution of the identity authentication.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The computer
a deposit amount deposited in the form of paper money in order to repay at least a portion of a deferred payment amount generated by the execution of a deferred payment in an electronic payment service, is accepted via an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a financial institution associated with the electronic payment service, and account information of a user of the electronic payment service who makes the repayment is accepted from a user terminal device of the user prior to the deposit ;
in response to receiving the deposit amount via the ATM, liquidating the at least a portion of the amount, and adding a surplus amount obtained by subtracting the at least a portion of the amount from the deposit amount to a charge balance that is usable for payment in the electronic payment service and is linked to the account information;
Information processing methods. On the computer,
a deposit amount deposited in the form of paper money in order to repay at least a portion of a deferred payment amount generated by the execution of a deferred payment in an electronic payment service is accepted via an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a financial institution associated with the electronic payment service, and account information of a user of the electronic payment service who is to make the repayment is accepted from a user terminal device of the user prior to the deposit ;
in response to receiving the deposit amount via the ATM, liquidating the at least a portion of the amount, and adding a surplus amount obtained by subtracting the at least a portion of the amount from the deposit amount to a charge balance that is usable for payment in the electronic payment service and is linked to the account information;
program.

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