JP7547589B1 - SERVICE PROVIDING APPARATUS, SERVICE PROVIDING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To enhance services related to the granting of benefits. [Solution] A service providing device that provides an electronic payment service includes an acquisition unit that acquires from a first terminal device of a member store of the electronic payment service first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user that is issued by the electronic payment service and obtained by the second terminal device, and information regarding a first benefit granted to a user by an administrator of a second terminal device that acts as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device, and an assignment unit that associates a first benefit granted by the member store that can be used in the electronic payment service with an account of the code information that is managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a service providing device, a service providing system, a service providing method, and a program.

Conventionally, there is known a technology for providing coupons that can be used for a limited period in electronic commerce. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for providing a time-limited coupon for a product when a start condition set in advance for the product is satisfied.

JP 2015-179364 A

Conventional technology sometimes did not provide sufficient services regarding the granting of rewards.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a service providing device, a service providing system, a service providing method, and a program that can enhance services related to the granting of benefits.

One aspect of the present invention is a service providing device that provides an electronic payment service, the service providing device including: an acquisition unit that acquires from a first terminal device of a member store of the electronic payment service, first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user that is issued by the electronic payment service and obtained by the second terminal device; and information regarding a first benefit that is granted to a user by an administrator of a second terminal device that mediates between the first terminal device and the service providing device; and an assignment unit that associates a first benefit granted by the member store that can be used in the electronic payment service with an account of the code information that is managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a service providing device, a service providing system, a service providing method, and a program that can enhance services related to the granting of benefits.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a general flow of electronic payment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of a general flow of electronic payment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a payment server 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of user information 202. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store/store information 206. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of bonus information 208. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a process when electronic payment is made using an electronic payment service. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a process when electronic payment is made using an electronic payment service. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a process for generating bonus information 208. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a payment process and a bonus process. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram relating to a bonus process. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the provision of benefits and electronic payment in a comparative example. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the provision of benefits and electronic payment in this embodiment. A figure showing an example of payment completion content including information on electronic payment service points and affiliated store points. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining resources. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of point settlement information 210.

The following describes the embodiments of the service providing device, the service providing system, the service providing method, and the program of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Various devices for providing services to users and performing internal analysis, such as the "affiliated store server" and the "payment server" that will appear below, may be realized by a group of distributed devices, and the business operators who operate each device may be different. In addition, the owner of the hardware of the device (the cloud server provider) and the business operator who actually operates it may also be different. The application program and the payment server work together to provide the electronic payment service. In the following description, the application program is referred to as a payment app. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payments related to the purchase of goods and services at a store. The store is, for example, a physical store (real store) that exists in the real world, but may also include a virtual store for electronic commerce. The virtual store may include one provided by an entity other than the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when making a payment for shopping at the virtual store, the screen is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, the store is treated as belonging to, for example, an affiliated store (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at the store is mainly performed between the user and the affiliated store. Alternatively, payment and other transactions may be handled between the user and the store.

[Electronic payment service]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing an electronic payment service. The electronic payment service is realized mainly by a payment server 100. The payment server 100 communicates with, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, and an affiliated store server 80 via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, a provider device, and the like. The first store terminal device 50 is an example of a "first terminal device," and the affiliated store server 80 is an example of a "second terminal device."

The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or 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, which operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to users. The payment app 20 is installed in the user terminal device 10 from, for example, an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

The first store terminal device 50 is installed, for example, in a store. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 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 (which may be the display of a terminal device such as a smartphone).

The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the affiliated store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. An interface 72 for affiliated stores runs on the second store terminal device 70. The interface 72 for affiliated stores may be an app for affiliated stores or a browser. The interface 72 for affiliated stores accepts coupon settings and the like made by the operator of the affiliated store and transmits them to the payment server 100. The second store terminal device 70, which is a smartphone, has the function of displaying a code image equivalent to a store code image and reading a code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing the app for affiliated stores.

The affiliated store server 80 communicates with the first store terminal device 50, manages information acquired from the first store terminal device 50, and transmits the acquired information to the payment server 100. The above-mentioned first store terminal device 50 is, for example, a POS (Point of Sale) register, and the affiliated store server 80 is, for example, a POS server that manages the POS register. A configuration including the affiliated store server 80 and the first store terminal device 50 is sometimes referred to as a store system.

The payment server 100 realizes electronic payment based on payment information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and an affiliated store server, in which case the payment information is sent from the POS device to the payment server 100 via the affiliated store server.

Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payment. There may be two patterns for electronic payment: pattern 1 and pattern 2.

In the case of pattern 1 (hereinafter referred to as user scan) shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 10 with the payment application 20 activated decodes the store code image 60 by the optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 includes store URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information. This store URL is the domain of the electronic payment service to which information capable of identifying the store is added, and is associated with the affiliated store ID, store ID, etc. in the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 transmits the first payment information including the store URL and the account ID to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the affiliated store ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, acquires the affiliated store name and store name information (S3), and transmits it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user inputs the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen on which the affiliated store name and store name are displayed (S5). Then, the user terminal device 10 generates second payment information including at least the payment amount and transmits it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notice (information for displaying a payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). Note that when the store code image 60 is displayed on a display installed in the store, the store code image 60 may include not only the store URL but also information on the payment amount. In this case, the procedure in which the user inputs the payment amount is omitted, and the first payment information is transmitted to the payment server 100 with the information on the payment amount included. Information on the affiliated store name and store name may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

In the case of pattern 2 (hereinafter referred to as store scan) shown in FIG. 3, when the payment app 20 is started, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, when the automatic update timing (e.g., every minute) occurs, and at other timings, the payment app 20 sends a request to issue a one-time code to the payment server 100 (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image such as a QR code or a barcode generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds (presents) the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50 of the store system, and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using an optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, which is code information (S15). The first store terminal device 50 then generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, etc., and transmits the payment information to the payment server 100 via the affiliated store server 80 (S16). The payment amount information is acquired in advance by reading a barcode or by manual input, etc. The payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code based on the received information, and performs electronic payment (S17A). Next, the payment server 100 grants a benefit to the user in accordance with the electronic payment (S17B). The payment server 100 then transmits a payment completion notification to the payment application 20 (S18), and the payment application 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

Benefits include, for example, points, coupons, vouchers, discount tickets, etc. that can be used in electronic payment services. Granting a benefit to a user means performing a process to associate the benefit with the user's account (details will be described later).

Note that electronic payment may be made using only one of the above patterns. The "account ID" described in FIG. 2 may be other information (e.g., a phone number) that can be used as user identification information. Issuance of a one-time code may be omitted in the store scan, and the payment app 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID or information that can identify other users. In this case, instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the account ID or information that can identify other users. In the above process, instead of the code image, code information may be obtained from a printed material on which a code is displayed, etc.

[Payment server]
FIG. 4 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 content providing unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, an assignment unit 150, a setting unit 160, an information processing unit 170, and a storage unit 200. The components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 200 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 information management unit 140 is an example of an "acquisition unit", the assignment unit 150 is an example of an "assignment unit", and the setting unit 160 is an example of a "setting unit 160".

The storage unit 200 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 200 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via a network. The storage unit 200 stores information such as user information 202, content information 204, and affiliated store/shop information 206.

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 content providing unit 120 has, for example, a web server function, and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The content providing unit 120 reads out the necessary content from the content information 204 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 aforementioned payment information and the like to the payment server 100.

The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on the payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 202.

5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the user information 202. The user information 202 is an example of the user's registration information. The user information 202 is, for example, a user URL, an account ID, a telephone number, a password, as well as an email address, a user ID, a name, an address, a date of birth, a registration date, a charge balance, a deferred payment setting, a deferred payment limit, a deferred payment amount, a deferred payment available amount, a payment method setting, a bank account, a credit card number, charge history information, payment history information, electronic payment service points, and affiliated store points, which are associated with the information. The user URL is used for remittance processing between users. When registering for the electronic payment service, it is necessary to register a telephone number and a password. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). The email address, and the name, address, and date of birth are also information that can be set by the user at will (does not have to be set). The registration date is the date on which the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date on which the account was created). Hereinafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money that is set by the user by transferring money to the account in advance. The means of transfer include transfer from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated company (bank) and transfer from a registered bank account. The deferred payment setting is information indicating whether or not the setting for enabling electronic payment by deferred payment has been completed, and is set to either "completed" or "not completed." The deferred payment limit is the limit of deferred payment that can be used each month, the deferred payment usage amount is the amount of deferred payment that has already been used in the current month, and the available deferred payment amount is the amount of deferred payment that can be used in the current month, which is calculated by subtracting the deferred payment usage amount from the deferred payment limit. In the figure, only one deferred payment limit is shown, but in reality, there is also a daily upper limit, and the lower of these may be set as the deferred payment limit. Further details of deferred payment will be described later. The payment method setting is setting information indicating whether the user will make electronic payment using the charge balance or payment by deferred payment at that time. The bank account and credit card number are information on a bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) that can be used to deposit funds into an electronic payment service. The charge history information is a history of the user transferring funds to the electronic payment service in advance to increase the charge balance. The payment history information is information that indicates the details of payments made by the user for each payment (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.).

Electronic payment service points are a benefit (second benefit) provided in response to electronic payment of an electronic payment service. Electronic payment service points are points provided from the funds borne by the electronic payment service. Affiliated store points are a benefit (first benefit) provided upon payment at an affiliated store, regardless of electronic payment of an electronic payment service. Affiliated store points are points provided from the funds borne by the affiliated store.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of affiliated store/store information 206. Affiliated store/store information 206 includes, for example, a first table 206A in which affiliated store IDs and store IDs are associated with store URLs, a second table 206B in which affiliated store names and sales amounts (described above) are associated with affiliated store IDs, and a third table 206C in which store names are associated with store IDs. In addition to this information, affiliated store/store information 206 may also include information such as the affiliated store or store category, store location, and payment patterns.

The information management unit 140 manages the user information 202 and the affiliated store/store information 206 based on information acquired from the user terminal device 10, the first store terminal device 50, and the second store terminal device 70. The information management unit 140 adds new records to, edits, and deletes the user information 202 and the affiliated store/store information 206.

[Electronic Payment]
When payment information is acquired from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, the payment processing unit 130 refers to the user information 202 to acquire the "payment method setting" of the user. For a user whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows. For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance managed in association with the user ID and increasing the item value of the affiliated store's sales. The item value of the affiliated store's sales is not used as electronic money itself, for example, but an amount corresponding to the item value of the sales is transferred to a bank account in a cycle according to an agreement between the affiliated store and the electronic payment service.

The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment for users whose "setting information" is set to "deferred payment" as follows. Deferred payment is set separately from "credit payment" in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service, and the operator of the electronic payment service acts as the creditor and allows electronic payment that is not dependent on the charge balance within the deferred payment limit. In order to receive the deferred payment service, it may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The amount used for deferred payment is settled on the payment date of the following month in a lump sum for one month, for example, by debiting from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs provisional payment by adding the payment amount to the deferred payment amount and subtracting the same amount from the available deferred payment amount, and when the closing date comes, it performs processing to debit the payment for the current month on the payment date of the following month as described above, or requests the operator of the credit card company to perform such processing. In addition, if the payment amount exceeds the available deferred payment amount at the time of provisional payment, an error notification is returned to the payment application 20.

[Granting of Benefits]
The information management unit 140 obtains information (first processing information) including code information capable of identifying a user and processing information obtained by the first store terminal device 50 of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service from the affiliated store server 80 that mediates between the first store terminal device 50 and the payment server 100. The code information is, for example, code information capable of identifying a user (e.g., a one-time passcode) obtained by reading a code image and issued by the electronic payment service. The processing information is, for example, the payment amount and the contents of the benefit. The processing information is, for example, "information regarding the first benefit" granted to the user by the administrator of the affiliated store.

The granting unit 150 associates a first benefit granted by an affiliated store that can be used with the electronic payment service with an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in the memory unit 200. The first benefit is a benefit different from the second benefit provided by the electronic payment service. The second benefit is a benefit granted in response to an electronic payment being made with the electronic payment service. The first benefit may be granted when an electronic payment is made with the electronic payment service, or may be granted when a payment different from the electronic payment of the electronic payment service is made. The different payment method is a payment different from the electronic payment service, such as a credit card payment, a payment by voucher, or cash.

Specifically, the granting unit 150 grants electronic payment service points to the user in response to the electronic payment. The granting unit 150 grants affiliated store points to the user based on the electronic payment of the electronic payment service or the payment of another payment method. The granting unit 150 derives affiliated store points (first benefit) based on the payment amount and a predetermined criterion corresponding to the affiliated store, and associates the derived affiliated store points with the user's account. The payment amount is, for example, the payment amount of a payment using electronic payment or the payment amount using a payment method different from the electronic payment of the electronic payment service. Note that the granting unit 150 may obtain information on the benefit to be granted (information indicating the content of the benefit) from the affiliated store server 80 instead of the payment amount, and grant the benefit (for example, XX points, etc.) to the user.

The awarding unit 150 awards affiliated store points to the user, for example, based on the bonus information acquired from the affiliated store server 80 and the bonus information 208. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the bonus information 208. The bonus information 208 is, for example, information in which an affiliated store ID (or store ID) is associated with a bonus awarding criterion. In the example of FIG. 7, the bonus awarding criterion is to return 1% of the payment amount as points, but instead of this, the bonus awarding rules or the bonus itself, such as a specified point or a specified coupon, may be used. First, an overview of the bonus awarding process will be explained, and the details of the bonus awarding process will be described later.

(Scenes where electronic payment is used through electronic payment services)
When electronic payment is made using an electronic payment service, the payment server 100 gives the user electronic payment service points and affiliated store points. In this case, if the first store terminal device 50 scans the user's code image once, two types of points are given to the user. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an overview of the process when electronic payment is made using an electronic payment service.

(Scenes where electronic payment services are not used)
When an electronic payment is made using a payment method different from the electronic payment service, the payment server 100 gives the member store points to the user. In this case, the first store terminal device 50 scans the user's code image, and if the user makes a payment using the different payment method, the member store points are given to the user. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an overview of the process when an electronic payment is made using an electronic payment service.

As described above, the payment server 100 can use the code image to grant the user affiliated store points that are different from electronic payment service points. This allows the payment server 100 to enhance services related to the granting of benefits. These processes are described in detail below.

[Process for generating bonus information]
The setting unit 160 cooperates with the affiliated store server 80 to generate the reward information 208. The setting unit 160 accepts the setting of the criteria for granting a reward from the first store terminal device 50 or the affiliated store server 80, and sets the accepted criteria as the criteria for granting a reward corresponding to the affiliated store. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating the reward information 208. The setting unit 160 is a functional unit that functions as, for example, an API (Application Programming Interface).

(1) When the affiliated store server 80 transmits information indicating the affiliated store ID and criteria (e.g., a rebate rate for a payment amount) to the setting unit 160, (2) the setting unit 160 sets the criteria for the affiliated store ID and generates bonus information 208. The criteria are determined by the affiliated store staff and are provided to the affiliated store server 80 by the staff operating a terminal device. (3) The setting unit 160 transmits a notification of completion of setting to the affiliated store server 80. As described above, the affiliated store can easily set the criteria in cooperation with the setting unit 160.

[Payment and rewards processing]
The payment processing unit 130 executes payment processing in cooperation with the affiliated store server 80. The granting unit 150 executes reward processing in cooperation with the affiliated store server 80. The payment processing unit 130 or the granting unit 150 may execute payment processing or reward processing in cooperation with the first store terminal device 50 without going through the affiliated store server 80.

When the granting unit 150 acquires information (first processing information) in which the information relating to the first benefit is the payment amount at the affiliated store and includes code information and the payment amount at the affiliated store, the granting unit 150 determines whether or not electronic payment of the electronic payment service should be made for the acquired information. When the granting unit 150 determines that electronic payment of the electronic payment service should be made for the acquired information, it causes the payment processing unit 130 to make the electronic payment, and associates the electronic payment service points and affiliated store points with the account of the code information.

When the granting unit 150 determines that electronic payment of the electronic payment service should not be performed for the acquired information, it does not perform electronic payment of the electronic payment service, and associates the first benefit granted by the affiliated store that can be used with the electronic payment service with the account of the code information. The granting unit 150 determines that electronic payment of the electronic payment service should not be performed for the acquired information, for example, based on the type of flag included in the acquired information or the characteristics of the acquired information (type of data format, transmission method, etc.). For example, if the acquired information includes a flag related to the granting of the first benefit or has a predetermined characteristic, the granting unit 150 determines that electronic payment of the electronic payment service should not be performed for the acquired information. In this case, electronic payment of the electronic payment service is not performed, and a process of granting the first benefit is performed.

Figure 11 is a diagram for explaining the payment process and the bonus process. The payment process and the bonus process for granting a bonus may be carried out as follows. (11) The affiliated store server 80 acquires code information. Specifically, the first store terminal device 50 acquires a one-time code, which is code information capable of identifying the user from the code image presented by the user. The one-time code is provided from the first store terminal device 50 to the affiliated store server 80. The first store terminal device 50 also transmits the store ID, the payment amount, and the like to the affiliated store server 80. (12) and (13) are payment processes, and (14) and (15) are bonus processes.

(12) The affiliated store server 80 generates payment information (second processing information) including the code information, the affiliated store ID, the payment amount, and payment instructions, and transmits the generated payment information to the payment server 100. (13) The payment server 100 performs payment processing based on the payment information. As a result, the payment server 100 performs electronic payment for the electronic payment service using the payment method set by the user. At this time, the granting unit 150 grants electronic payment service points to the user based on the payment information. For example, points are granted according to the payment amount. Other benefits (coupons, vouchers, discount tickets, etc.) may be granted instead of (or in addition to) points.

(14) The affiliated store server 80 generates bonus information (first processing information) including the code information, the affiliated store ID, the payment amount, and bonus granting instructions, and transmits the generated bonus information to the payment server 100. (15) The payment server 100 performs bonus processing based on the bonus information. The payment server 100 refers to the bonus information 208 described above and grants affiliated store points to the user's account.

The electronic payment service points may be awarded during the payment process, or may be awarded by the awarding unit 150 as a process separate from the payment process. For example, when the awarding unit 150 receives a notification of the completion of a payment from the payment processing unit 130, the awarding unit 150 may award electronic payment service points to the account of the user involved in the payment according to the payment amount. The electronic payment service points are also awarded based on criteria previously defined in the electronic payment service.

As described above, the payment server 100 performs payment processing and bonus processing separately. For example, when an electronic payment is made using an electronic payment service, the payment server 100 performs payment processing and bonus processing separately to perform the electronic payment and award affiliated store points. For example, when a payment is made using a payment method other than the electronic payment service and the user wishes to acquire affiliated store points, the payment server 100 performs bonus processing and awards affiliated store points.

In the above example, when electronic payment is made for an electronic payment service, the payment information and the bonus information are sent separately. Alternatively, information including the payment information and the bonus information may be provided to the payment server 100. In this case, the payment server 100 executes the payment process and the bonus process based on the acquired information.

[Sequence]
Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram of the bonus process. Some of the processes in Fig. 12 may be omitted. The first store terminal device 50 reads and decodes the code image displayed by the payment app on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 to obtain code information and the like (S50). The first store terminal device 50 generates bonus information including the code information, payment amount, affiliated store ID, store ID, and the like, and transmits the generated bonus information to the affiliated store server 80 (S52). The affiliated store ID may be omitted from the bonus information.

When the affiliated store server 80 acquires the bonus information, it makes a decision as to whether or not to grant a bonus (S54). If it is decided that a bonus should be granted, the affiliated store server 80 transmits the bonus information to the payment server 100 (S56). The decision as to whether or not to grant a specific bonus is made based on conditions set by the affiliated store. The conditions may be any conditions such as a period or a payment amount.

Next, the payment server 100 determines the point redemption rate (S58) based on the bonus information and bonus information 208, derives the points (S60), and further grants the points to the user's account (S62). Next, the payment server 100 sends a notification that the points have been granted to the payment app (S64). The payment app 20 displays a points grant completion screen on the display unit (S66). Note that when the payment process is performed based on the code image of S50, the payment completion screen includes information on the points grant, and the processes of S64 and S66 are omitted.

As described above, the payment server 100 can use the code information to cooperate with the affiliated store server 80 to provide benefits to users regardless of whether electronic payment is used or not.

The payment information and the reward information may include a transaction ID for identifying the transaction related to the payment. The transaction ID is, for example, identification information issued and managed by the affiliated store for each payment. For example, in the above reward process ((14) in FIG. 11 or step S56 in FIG. 12), instead of (in addition to) the code information being provided to the payment server 100, the transaction ID may be provided to the payment server 100. When the payment server 100 has granted a reward to a user, the payment server 100 may provide the affiliated store server 80 with information indicating that the reward related to the transaction ID has been granted to the corresponding user, and information associating the transaction ID with the reward. This allows the affiliated store server 80 to easily recognize that a reward has been granted to the user for a payment at the affiliated store corresponding to the transaction ID.

[Comparative Example]
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the provision of benefits and electronic payment in a comparative example. The process when a user wants to obtain affiliated store points in electronic payment using service A will be described. This process is performed at a self-checkout. First, the user selects the points he or she wants to obtain on the points selection screen and has the self-checkout cancel the code image. The user then selects a payment method. For example, if the user selects electronic payment using service A, the user has the self-checkout scan the same code image as before. The payment is made and points are provided by the above two scans. Instead of a self-checkout, at a manned checkout, the points and payment method are selected by a store staff member, and payment is made and points are provided.

As described above, in the comparative example, by scanning twice, the user can make a payment and earn affiliated store points.

[Present embodiment]
Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining the provision of benefits and electronic payment in this embodiment. The differences from the process in Fig. 13 are explained. First, the user selects the points he/she wants to obtain on the points selection screen and has the self-checkout cancel the code image. The user then selects a payment method. The above scan information is sent to the affiliated store server and the payment server 100, and payment is made and points are provided.

As described above, in this embodiment, a user can make a payment and earn affiliated store points with just one scan.

As described above, in this embodiment, one scan of the code image is enough to perform either or both of the payment process and the bonus process, reducing the workload of the user or store staff.

[Content provided]
Furthermore, as described above, for example, when the payment process and the reward process are executed and the payment is completed, the payment server 100 displays a payment completion content including information on the electronic payment service points and the affiliated store points on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a payment completion content including information on the electronic payment service points and the affiliated store points.

This allows users to easily check the various points they have earned when making a payment.

Here, if the bonus information (first processing information) and payment information (second processing information) acquired by the information management unit 140 have a specified relationship, the content providing unit 120 causes the display unit of the user terminal device 10 of the user to display content including information indicating a first bonus based on the bonus information (e.g., affiliated store points) and information indicating a second bonus based on the payment information (e.g., electronic payment service points), as shown in FIG. 15. If the bonus information and payment information acquired by the information management unit 140 do not have a specified relationship, the content providing unit 120 causes the display unit of the user terminal device 10 of the user to display content including information indicating a first bonus based on the bonus information and content including information indicating a second bonus based on the payment information separately.

Having a specified relationship means a relationship in which it is presumed that the user or the affiliated store desires to make an electronic payment through the electronic payment service and to grant the first benefit to the user by having the first store terminal device 50 of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service read a code image once, and where one or both of the conditions (A) and (B) are satisfied.

(A) is when the information management unit 140 acquires the code information of the payment information or the code information of the bonus information within a predetermined time from when the information management unit 140 first acquires one of the pieces of information. In this case, it is presumed that the payment process and the bonus process are performed by presenting the code image once, as shown in FIG. 8 described above.

(B) is that the code information of the payment information and the code information of the bonus information are similar. As described above, the code information is a one-time code that is updated depending on a user operation (e.g., a refresh operation or a restart of the payment application 20) or time. For this reason, if the code information is the same, it is presumed that the payment process and the bonus process are performed by presenting the code image once, as shown in Figure 8 described above.

The affiliated store server 80 may also include information indicating the presence or absence of a payment process corresponding to the bonus process or a bonus process corresponding to the payment process in the payment information or bonus information and transmit it to the payment server 100. The payment server 100, for example, determines whether or not there is a bonus process related to the payment process or a payment process related to the bonus process based on the information included in the payment information or bonus information, and generates content based on the result of the determination. For example, if there is a related process, the payment server 100 displays content including information indicating a first bonus based on the bonus information and content including information indicating a second bonus based on the payment information on the display unit of the user terminal device 10. For example, if there is no related process, the payment server 100 displays content including information indicating a first bonus based on the bonus information and content including information indicating a second bonus based on the payment information separately on the display unit of the user terminal device 10.

As described above, the payment server 100 displays content on the display unit of the user terminal device 10 based on the association between the payment process and the bonus process. This allows the user to be provided with appropriate content according to the process.

[About the funds]
The source of the affiliated store points is provided by the affiliated store. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the source of funds. The affiliated store provides the payment fee for the sales of electronic payments using the electronic payment service to the administrator of the electronic payment service. For example, the information processing unit 170 of the payment server 100 offsets the payment fee from the sales of the affiliated store and provides the affiliated store server 80 with information on the sales after offset. The affiliated store provides the source of points and the point fee to the administrator of the electronic payment service. The point fee is either a fixed fee or a fee based on a rate of sales, or both.

The information processing unit 170 manages the information on sales, fees, and funds described in FIG. 16, and generates the point settlement information 210. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the point settlement information 210. The point settlement information 210 is information in which, for example, the affiliated store ID is associated with information such as the affiliated store's sales, settlement fees, affiliated store's point allocation funds, point fees (fixed, rate), and the amount after offset. The amount after offset is the amount after offsetting the settlement fees from the sales. Note that the point allocation funds may be omitted and the point fees may be offset from the sales. The information processing unit 170 calculates various fees for each settlement or point allocation, and manages the calculated fees. At a predetermined time, the information processing unit 170 integrates various fees and points up to now to calculate the sales, settlement fees, point fees, and the amount after offset for a predetermined period, and generates the point settlement information 210. This point settlement information 210 may be provided to the affiliated store server 80.

As described above, the information processing unit 170 manages information such as sales and fees, reducing the management burden on the administrator of the electronic payment service or the affiliated store.

According to the embodiment described above, the payment server 100 can enhance services related to the granting of benefits by associating the first benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service provided by the affiliated store with the account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in the memory unit 200.

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.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 User terminal device 20 Payment application 50 First store terminal device 80 Member store server 100 Payment server 120 Content provider 130 Payment processor 140 Information manager 150 Granter 160 Setting unit 170 Information processor 208 Benefit information 210 Point settlement information

Claims (17)

A service providing device for providing an electronic payment service,
an acquisition unit that acquires from a second terminal device first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by a first terminal device of an affiliated store of the electronic payment service and which is issued by the electronic payment service, and information regarding a first benefit granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device that acts as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device;
In either case where a payment is made using the electronic payment service or a payment method other than the electronic payment service, the first terminal device uses the code information obtained from the image presented by the user,
an awarding unit that associates a first benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service and is awarded by the affiliated store with an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit;
A service providing device comprising: A service providing device for providing an electronic payment service,
an acquisition unit that acquires from a second terminal device first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by a first terminal device of an affiliated store of the electronic payment service and which is issued by the electronic payment service, and information regarding a first benefit granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device that acts as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device;
an awarding unit that associates a first benefit that is provided by the affiliated store and that can be used in the electronic payment service with an account of the code information that is managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit;
When the acquisition unit acquires the first processing information and further acquires second processing information including the code information and information indicating a payment amount for making an electronic payment of the electronic payment service,
the granting unit grants, to the account, in addition to the first benefit, a second benefit based on the electronic payment service by performing electronic payment of the second processing information;
The first benefit is provided by funds borne by the affiliated store,
The second benefit is provided by funds provided by the electronic payment service.
Service providing device. A service providing device for providing an electronic payment service,
an acquisition unit that acquires from a second terminal device first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by a first terminal device of an affiliated store of the electronic payment service and which is issued by the electronic payment service, and information regarding a first benefit granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device that acts as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device;
an awarding unit that associates a first benefit that is available in the electronic payment service and that is awarded by the affiliated store with an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit;
A content providing unit,
When the acquisition unit acquires the first processing information and further acquires second processing information including the code information and information indicating a payment amount for making an electronic payment of the electronic payment service,
the granting unit grants, to the account, in addition to the first benefit, a second benefit based on the electronic payment service by performing electronic payment of the second processing information;
The content providing unit,
When the first processing information and the second processing information acquired by the acquisition unit have a predetermined relationship, content including information indicating a first benefit based on the first processing information and information indicating a second benefit based on the second processing information is displayed on a display unit of a terminal device of the user;
when the first processing information and the second processing information acquired by the acquisition unit do not have a predetermined relationship, displaying a content including information indicating a first benefit based on the first processing information and a content including information indicating a second benefit based on the second processing information separately on a display unit of a terminal device of the user;
The term "having a predetermined relationship" means that
A relationship in which it is presumed that the user or the affiliated store desires electronic payment through the electronic payment service and granting the first benefit to the user by a first terminal device of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service reading code information once, and the relationship satisfies one or both of conditions (A) and (B);
(A) is that the acquisition unit acquires one of the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information within a predetermined time from when the acquisition unit first acquires one of the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information,
(B) The code information is one-time code information that is updated according to an operation of the user or time, and the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information are similar to each other.
Service providing device. The information about the first benefit is a payment amount at the affiliated store,
the awarding unit determines the content of the first benefit based on the payment amount and a predetermined criterion corresponding to the affiliated store;
The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. the information about the first benefit is information indicating a content of the first benefit,
The granting unit associates a benefit corresponding to the content of the first benefit with the account of the code information.
The service providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The payment amount at the affiliated store is the payment amount using the electronic payment of the electronic payment service.
The service providing device according to claim 4. The payment amount at the affiliated store is a payment amount using a payment method different from the electronic payment of the electronic payment service.
The service providing device according to claim 4. a setting unit that receives a setting of the criterion from the first terminal device or the second terminal device and sets the received criterion as a criterion for determining the content of the first benefit,
The service providing device according to claim 4. The information about the first benefit is a payment amount at the affiliated store,
when the granting unit acquires the first processing information including the code information and the payment amount at the affiliated store, the granting unit determines whether or not electronic payment of the electronic payment service should be performed for the acquired information based on one or both of a type of flag included in the first processing information and information indicating characteristics of the first processing information;
The service providing device according to claim 4. The applying unit is
when it is determined that the electronic payment of the electronic payment service should not be performed for the acquired information, the electronic payment of the electronic payment service is not performed, and a first benefit that is granted by the affiliated store and that can be used in the electronic payment service is associated with the account of the code information;
The service providing device according to claim 9. When the acquisition unit acquires the first processing information and further acquires second processing information including the code information and information indicating a payment amount for making an electronic payment of the electronic payment service,
the granting unit grants, to the account, in addition to the first benefit, a second benefit based on the electronic payment service by performing electronic payment of the second processing information.
The service providing device according to claim 1 . A computer of a service provider that provides an electronic payment service,
acquiring, from a first terminal device of an affiliated store of an electronic payment service, first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by the first terminal device of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service, and information regarding a first benefit to be granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device acting as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device, from the second terminal device;
In either case where a payment is made using the electronic payment service or a payment method other than the electronic payment service, the first terminal device uses the code information obtained from the image presented by the user,
Corresponding to an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit, a first benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service and is provided by the affiliated store;
How we provide services. A computer of a service providing device that provides an electronic payment service,
acquires from a second terminal device first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by a first terminal device of an affiliated store of an electronic payment service and information regarding a first benefit to be granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device acting as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device;
In either case where a payment is made using the electronic payment service or a payment method other than the electronic payment service, the first terminal device uses the code information obtained from the image presented by the user,
Correlating a first benefit provided by the affiliated store, which can be used in the electronic payment service, with an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit;
program. A computer of a service provider that provides an electronic payment service,
acquiring, from a first terminal device of an affiliated store of an electronic payment service, first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by the first terminal device of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service, and information regarding a first benefit to be granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device acting as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device, from the second terminal device;
Associating a first benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service and is granted by the affiliated store with an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit;
When the first processing information is acquired and second processing information including the code information and information indicating a payment amount for making an electronic payment of the electronic payment service is acquired,
performing electronic payment of the electronic payment service of the second processing information in addition to the first benefit to grant a second benefit based on the electronic payment service to the account;
The first benefit is provided by funds borne by the affiliated store,
The second benefit is provided by funds provided by the electronic payment service.
How we provide services. A computer of a service providing device that provides an electronic payment service,
acquiring, from a first terminal device of an affiliated store of an electronic payment service, first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by the first terminal device of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service, and information regarding a first benefit to be granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device acting as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device, from the second terminal device;
Correlating a first benefit provided by the affiliated store, which can be used in the electronic payment service, with an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit;
When the first processing information is acquired and second processing information including the code information and information indicating a payment amount for making an electronic payment of the electronic payment service is acquired,
performing electronic payment of the electronic payment service of the second processing information in addition to the first benefit, to grant a second benefit based on the electronic payment service to the account;
The first benefit is provided by funds borne by the affiliated store,
The second benefit is provided by funds provided by the electronic payment service.
program. A computer of a service provider that provides an electronic payment service,
acquiring, from a first terminal device of an affiliated store of an electronic payment service, first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by the first terminal device of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service, and information regarding a first benefit to be granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device acting as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device, from the second terminal device;
Associating a first benefit that can be used in the electronic payment service and is granted by the affiliated store with an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit;
When the first processing information is acquired and second processing information including the code information and information indicating a payment amount for making an electronic payment of the electronic payment service is acquired,
performing electronic payment of the electronic payment service of the second processing information in addition to the first benefit to grant a second benefit based on the electronic payment service to the account;
When the acquired first processing information and the acquired second processing information have a predetermined relationship, displaying content including information indicating a first benefit based on the first processing information and information indicating a second benefit based on the second processing information on a display unit of the terminal device of the user;
when the acquired first processing information and the acquired second processing information do not have a predetermined relationship, displaying a content including information indicating a first benefit based on the first processing information and a content including information indicating a second benefit based on the second processing information separately on a display unit of the terminal device of the user;
The term "having a predetermined relationship" means that
A relationship in which it is presumed that the user or the affiliated store desires electronic payment through the electronic payment service and granting the first benefit to the user by a first terminal device of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service reading code information once, and the relationship satisfies one or both of conditions (A) and (B);
(A) is that one of the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information is acquired within a predetermined time from when the other of the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information is acquired for the first time,
(B) The code information is one-time code information that is updated according to an operation of the user or time, and the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information are similar to each other.
How we provide services. A computer of a service providing device that provides an electronic payment service,
acquiring, from a first terminal device of an affiliated store of an electronic payment service, first processing information including code information capable of identifying a user, which is obtained by the first terminal device of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service, and information regarding a first benefit to be granted to the user by an administrator of a second terminal device acting as an intermediary between the first terminal device and the service providing device, from the second terminal device;
Correlating a first benefit provided by the affiliated store, which can be used in the electronic payment service, with an account of the code information managed in the electronic payment service and stored in a storage unit;
When the first processing information is acquired and second processing information including the code information and information indicating a payment amount for making an electronic payment of the electronic payment service is acquired,
performing electronic payment of the electronic payment service of the second processing information in addition to the first benefit, to grant a second benefit based on the electronic payment service to the account;
When the acquired first processing information and the acquired second processing information have a predetermined relationship, displaying content including information indicating a first benefit based on the first processing information and information indicating a second benefit based on the second processing information on a display unit of the terminal device of the user;
when the acquired first processing information and the acquired second processing information do not have a predetermined relationship, displaying a content including information indicating a first benefit based on the first processing information and a content including information indicating a second benefit based on the second processing information separately on a display unit of the terminal device of the user;
The term "having a predetermined relationship" means that
A relationship in which it is presumed that the user or the affiliated store desires electronic payment through the electronic payment service and granting the first benefit to the user by a first terminal device of the affiliated store of the electronic payment service reading code information once, and the relationship satisfies one or both of conditions (A) and (B);
(A) is that one of the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information is acquired within a predetermined time from when the other of the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information is acquired for the first time,
(B) The code information is one-time code information that is updated according to an operation of the user or time, and the code information of the first processing information and the code information of the second processing information are similar to each other.
program.

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