JP7622119B2 - Information processing system and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method.

Traditionally, cashless payment methods have been widely recognized by consumers, mainly in commercial transactions between companies and individuals. However, electronic payment services that are carried out online using personal devices such as smartphones are becoming more and more popular among consumers due to their convenience.

In addition, the government has recently been considering introducing so-called "digital salary payments" to such electronic payment services, in which salary payments would be made using digital money such as electronic money or virtual currency.

JP 2007-328549 A

However, there is room for improvement in conventional technology in terms of increasing the advantages of digital money as a means of receiving salary. For example, if users are not dissatisfied with their current means of receiving salary, it is expected that the psychological hurdle for users to change their current means of receiving salary to digital money will generally be high. For this reason, there is a need to create user benefits that will lower the psychological hurdle for users to change their current means of receiving salary to digital money.

The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing system and an information processing method that can enhance the superiority of digital money as a means of receiving salary.

The information processing device according to the present application has a request receiving unit and an agency processing unit. The request receiving unit receives an agency request from a user of the electronic payment service to change a designated account designated as an account from which a usage fee is to be debited to a payment method using an electronic payment service. The agency processing unit executes agency processing to change the designated account to the payment method in response to the agency request received by the request receiving unit.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to enhance the superiority of digital money as a means of receiving wages.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a management process that is a prerequisite for information processing according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of electronic payment processing that is a premise of information processing according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a payment history according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the payment server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of user information according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overview of account information according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the payment server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the payment server according to this embodiment.

Hereinafter, an information processing system and an information processing method according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing system and the information processing method according to the present application are not limited to the embodiments. In addition, the same components in the following embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[1. Premise]
[1-1. Management process]
As a premise of the information processing according to the present embodiment, a management process executed by an information processing device or the like according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the management process that is a premise of the information processing according to the present embodiment. Below, a case where the management process according to the present embodiment is realized by a payment server 100, which is an example of an information processing device according to the present embodiment, will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a payment server 100, a user terminal 200, a payment source server 300, a bank server 400, and an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) 500. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, and more payment servers 100, user terminals 200, payment source servers 300, bank servers 400, and ATMs 500 may be included than in the example shown in FIG. 1.

The payment server 100, the user terminal 200, the payment source server 300, and the bank server 400 are connected to a network N-1 (see, for example, FIG. 6) by wire or wirelessly. The payment server 100, the user terminal 200, the payment source server 300, and the bank server 400 can communicate with each other through the network N-1. The network N-1 is, for example, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. The bank server 400 and the ATM 500 are connected to a network N-2 (see, for example, FIG. 6) by wire or wirelessly. The bank server 400 and the ATM 500 can communicate with each other through the network N-2. The network N-2 is a predetermined network including MICS (Multi Integrated Cash Service) and the like.

The payment server 100 is an information processing device that executes the management process according to this embodiment. The payment server 100 is realized by a single server device, a cloud system in which multiple server devices and multiple storage devices operate in cooperation, or the like.

For example, the payment server 100 provides an electronic payment service related to electronic payments made online by displaying or reading a specific identification code using the user terminal 200. For example, the payment server 100 manages payment accounts for digital money owned by the provider of the transaction object and the user to whom the transaction object is provided. The payment server 100 also realizes various payments by transferring digital money between payment accounts according to payment information from the user. Note that digital money may be, for example, points or currency used independently by various companies, or it may be electronically tradable currency provided by a country, such as Japanese yen or dollars. The processing content of the electronic payment service performed via the payment server 100 will be described later.

The user terminal 200 is an information processing device used by a user of the electronic payment service (e.g., user U1). The user terminal 200 is realized, for example, by a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a wearable terminal, etc. Note that FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the user terminal 200 is a smartphone.

The payment source server 300 is an information processing device used by a business that pays salaries to users of the electronic payment service. The payment source server 300 is realized by a server device, a cloud system, or the like. For example, the payment source server 300 is typically a server device that belongs to the business that employs the user (hereinafter referred to as the "payer" as appropriate). Note that the business that is the payment source is not limited to a business (such as a company or corporation), but may also be a local government such as a country, prefecture, city, town, or village.

The user terminal 200 and the payment source server 300 display the information delivered by the payment server 100 using a web browser or application.

When the user terminal 200 and the payment source server 300 receive control information for implementing a specified information processing from the payment server 100, they implement the information processing in accordance with the control information. Here, the control information is described, for example, in a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark), a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), a programming language such as Java (registered trademark), or a markup language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language). Note that in this embodiment, the specified application itself delivered from the payment server 100 may be regarded as the control information.

The bank server 400 is an information processing device belonging to a bank that manages the bank accounts of users of electronic payment services. The bank server 400 is realized by a server device, a cloud system, etc. For example, the bank server 400 manages information on withdrawals from bank accounts by each card company and various service providers (such as the amount withdrawn and the date and time of withdrawal) and current account information (such as account balance) as a usage history of the bank account, in association with the user.

The bank server 400 is also connected to the ATM 500 via a specific network such as MICS, either wired or wirelessly, so that they can communicate with each other. The ATM 500 dispenses cash in accordance with operations by the user.

The payer, who is the employer of the user of the electronic payment service, pays the user's salary on a regular basis (for example, once a month). The information processing system 1 according to this embodiment can realize management processing for handling "digital payment of salary," in which the salary is paid in digital money.

First, the payment server 100 receives a deposit request from the payment source server 300 (step S1). The deposit request includes identification information of the user (payee) receiving the digital money deposit (payee identification information, hereinafter referred to as "payee ID" where appropriate), the deposit amount, and the deposit name. Note that Figure 1 shows an example of a deposit request that includes the payee ID "U#001", the deposit amount "300,000 yen", and the name "salary".

Note that the payment destination ID "U#001" is the identification information of user U1 (user identification information, hereafter referred to as "user ID" where appropriate). The user ID can be any information that can identify user U1, and can be numbers, letters, symbols, etc. or a combination of these, as well as, for example, a telephone number and email address, or a combination of a telephone number, email address, etc. and a name. The name can be in kanji, hiragana, katakana, or the alphabet. The deposit request can also include identification information that identifies the source of payment (payment source identification information, hereafter referred to as "payment source ID" where appropriate).

Then, the payment server 100 determines whether the item included in the deposit request is salary. If the item included in the deposit request is salary, the payment server 100 performs a deposit process on the salary balance of the total balance linked to the user ID included in the deposit request.

For example, the payment server 100 stores account information that associates an "Owner ID" item, a "Total Balance" item, and a "Details" item. The "Owner ID" item stores identification information (owner identification information, hereinafter referred to as "owner ID" as appropriate) that identifies the owner who owns the digital money account (payment account). Here, an example is shown in which the "Owner ID" item stores user ID "U#001" that identifies user U1, but the "Owner ID" item may store, in addition to the user ID, a payment source ID, identification information that identifies the provider that provides the transaction object (provider identification information, hereinafter referred to as "provider ID" as appropriate), and the like. The "Total Balance" item stores information indicating the total balance of digital money owned by the owner identified by the owner ID.

The "Breakdown" item stores information indicating the breakdown of the total balance stored in the "Total Balance" item. Specifically, the "Breakdown" item includes a "Salary" item and a "Non-Salary" item. The "Salary" item stores information indicating the balance of digital money deposited (charged) as salary, out of the total balance stored in the "Total Balance" item. The "Non-Salary" item stores information indicating the balance of digital money deposited under a name other than salary, out of the total balance stored in the "Total Balance" item.

For example, FIG. 1 shows an example of account information including user ID "U#001", total balance "1,000,000 yen", salary "700,000 yen", and non-salary "300,000 yen". In this case, when the deposit request shown in FIG. 1 is received, the payment server 100 changes the "total balance" item associated with user ID "U#001" from "1,000,000 yen" to "1,300,000 yen". The payment server 10 also changes the "salary" item associated with user ID "U#001" from "700,000 yen" to "1,000,000 yen" (step S2). Note that the information stored in the "non-salary" item is not changed.

On the other hand, when the payment server 100 receives a deposit request that includes an item other than salary, it changes the "total balance" item in the corresponding account information and also changes the "other than salary" item. In this case, the information stored in the "salary" item is not changed. The "other than salary" item may be subdivided into multiple items. In other words, there may be multiple items other than salary, and in this case, the "other than salary" item may be subdivided to correspond to the multiple items that exist.

In this way, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, at least the salary balance of the total balance of digital money is managed separately. As a result, for example, the payment server 100 can display on the user terminal 200 of user U1, by dividing balance information indicating the total balance (e.g., total balance "1,300,000 yen") into salary balance information indicating the salary balance (e.g., total balance "1,000,000 yen") and non-salary balance information indicating the non-salary balance (e.g., total balance "300,000 yen") (step S3).

Therefore, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment can handle so-called digital payment of wages and can properly manage balances including wages.

Incidentally, in the digital payment of wages, convenience for users can be ensured by making it possible to convert the digital money paid as wages into cash. Specifically, it is necessary to make it possible to withdraw the digital money paid as wages from an ATM. Thus, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment is configured to make it possible to withdraw the digital money paid as wages from an ATM 500.

For example, the ATM 500 transmits a withdrawal request including a user ID and the withdrawal amount to the bank server 400 in accordance with an operation by user U1 (step S4). The operation by user U1 on the ATM 500 may be, for example, an input operation on a touch panel or physical buttons on the ATM 500, or an operation in which the ATM 500 reads a QR code (registered trademark) or the like displayed by the user terminal 200. The information input to the ATM 500 needs to include at least the user ID and the withdrawal amount.

Next, the bank server 400 transmits the withdrawal request received from the ATM 500 to the payment server 100 (step S5).

Based on the withdrawal request received from the bank server 400, the payment server 100 changes the "salary" item in the corresponding balance information. For example, assume that the withdrawal request includes user ID "U#001" and withdrawal amount "100,000 yen." In this case, the payment server 100 changes the "total balance" item linked to user ID "U#001" from "1,300,000 yen" to "1,200,000 yen," and changes the "salary" item from "1,000,000 yen" to "900,000 yen" (step S6).

Then, the payment server 100 sends a withdrawal instruction including the user ID and the withdrawal amount to the bank server 400 (step S7). When the bank server 400 accepts the withdrawal instruction, it debits the withdrawal amount included in the withdrawal instruction from the bank account of the business entity to which the payment server 100 belongs, i.e., the company that provides the electronic payment service (step S8). This process may be performed when the withdrawal instruction is accepted from the payment server 100, or may be performed at a predetermined time, for example once a month.

The bank server 400 also sends a withdrawal instruction, including the withdrawal amount, to the ATM 500 (step S9). The ATM 500 then dispenses cash in an amount equal to the withdrawal amount included in the withdrawal instruction (step S10).

In this way, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the user U1 can withdraw the digital money equivalent to his/her salary balance from the total balance of the digital money he/she owns as cash from the ATM 500.

The above-mentioned cash conversion mechanism applies to digital money paid as salary, and may not apply to digital money paid under other names than salary. If digital money paid under other names than salary could be converted into cash, there is a concern that it could become a breeding ground for money laundering, for example. For this reason, the payment server 100 may prohibit the withdrawal of the non-salary balance from the ATM 500. However, if the non-salary balance is subdivided into multiple items, the withdrawal of any of the multiple subdivided items from the ATM 500 may be permitted.

1-2. Payment using the user terminal 200
An example of payment (electronic payment) using the user terminal 200 executed by the information processing device or the like according to this embodiment will be described below as a premise for the information processing according to this embodiment with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of electronic payment processing that is a premise for the information processing according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 according to this embodiment can use both the salary balance and the non-salary balance of the total balance of the above-mentioned digital money for electronic payment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system 1 may further include a store terminal 600. The store terminal 600 is an information processing device used by a provider that provides a transaction object to a user. The store terminal 600 is realized, for example, by a POS (Point of Sales) terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like. The store terminal 600 also displays information distributed by the payment server 100 using a web browser or an application. The store terminal 600 is connected to a network N-3 (for example, see FIG. 6) by wire or wirelessly. The payment server 100 and the store terminal 600 can communicate with each other through the network N-3. The network N-3 is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. The network N-3 may be a network different from the network N-1. The store terminal 600 may be a terminal managed by a business operator to which the affiliated store server 700, which will be described later, belongs. In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the store terminal 600 is a POS terminal.

In the following explanation, an example is described in which user U1 makes a payment using a user terminal 200, using a two-dimensional code (QR code (registered trademark)) placed at store A, which indicates identification information (hereinafter referred to as "store code") C1 that identifies store A, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The example of payment described below is also applicable to the case where any user makes a payment at any store using any user terminal 200. Furthermore, the store code C1 may be not only a QR code (registered trademark), but also a barcode, a specified mark, a number, etc. (i.e., a specified code).

For example, when user U1 makes a payment for the use or purchase of a payment object (transaction object) such as various products or services at store A, user U1 launches a payment app pre-installed on user terminal 200. User U1 then photographs and reads store code C1 installed at store A via the payment app (step S11). In such a case, user terminal 200 displays a screen for inputting the price of the payment object and accepts input of the payment amount from user U1 or a store clerk at store A. User terminal 200 then transmits payment information indicating the user ID that identifies user U1, store code C1 (or information indicated by store code C1, i.e., information indicating store A (e.g., provider ID)), and the payment amount to payment server 100 (step S12).

Based on the payment information received from the user terminal 200, the payment server 100 transfers digital money in the amount indicated by the payment amount from the payment account of user U1 indicated by the user ID to the payment account of store A indicated by store code C1 (step S13). The payment server 100 then sends a notification to the user terminal 200 that the payment has been completed (step S14). In such a case, the user terminal 200 notifies the user that the payment has been made with digital money by displaying a screen or outputting a specified sound indicating that the payment has been completed.

Note that the payment using the user terminal 200 is not limited to the above-mentioned process. For example, the payment using the user terminal 200 may be made using the store terminal 600 installed in store A. For example, the user terminal 200 displays a user ID for identifying user U1 on the screen. In such a case, the store terminal 600 installed in store A reads the user ID displayed on the user terminal 200 and transmits payment information indicating the user ID, the payment amount, and information for identifying store A to the payment server 100. Based on the payment information received from the store terminal 600, the payment server 100 may transfer digital money in an amount indicated by the payment amount from the payment account of user U1 indicated by the user ID to the payment account of store A, and notify the store terminal 600 or the user terminal 200 of store A that the payment has been completed by outputting a screen or a predetermined sound indicating that the payment has been completed.

Furthermore, payment using user terminal 200 may not only be a process of transferring digital money from a payment account to which user U1 has previously charged digital money to store A's payment account, but may also be, for example, a payment using a credit card that user U1 has previously registered. In such a case, for example, user terminal 200 may transfer digital money of the payment amount to store A's payment account, and bill the management company (card company) of user U1's credit card for the payment amount.

Furthermore, payments using the user terminal 200 are not limited to payments made to physical stores, and may be payments for a transaction object in an electronic commerce service (i.e., online payments). In such a case, for example, the user terminal 200 transmits payment information indicating a user ID that identifies user U1, a provider ID, and the price of the transaction object (payment amount) to the payment server 100. The payment server 100 then transfers digital money in the amount indicated by the payment amount from the payment account of user U1 indicated by the user ID to the payment account of the provider indicated by the provider ID, and notifies the user terminal 200 that the payment has been completed by outputting a screen or a specified sound indicating that the payment has been completed.

2. An example of information processing according to this embodiment
An example of information processing according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to this embodiment. For example, as information processing according to this embodiment, the payment server 100 executes, on behalf of the user U1, a proxy process for a procedure to change a designated account designated as an account from which the usage fee is to be debited to a payment account for digital money used in the electronic payment service.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment further includes an affiliated store server 700. The affiliated store server 700 is an information processing device belonging to an affiliated store that introduces the electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100. The affiliated store server 700 is operated and managed by a business that provides products, services, etc. to the user U1 of the user terminal 200. The business that operates and manages the affiliated store server 700 is not limited to a business (a company, a corporation, etc.), but may also be a local government such as a country, a prefecture, or a city, ward, town, or village. The affiliated store server 700 is realized by a server device, a cloud system, or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the affiliated store server 700 includes an affiliated store server 701, an affiliated store server 702, an affiliated store server 703, etc.

The affiliated store server 700 is connected to the network N-1 (see FIG. 5, for example) via a wired or wireless connection. The affiliated store server 700 can communicate with the payment server 100 via the network N-1.

In the information processing according to this embodiment, first, the user terminal 200 transmits to the payment server 100 a proxy request for a change procedure to change the designated account designated as the account from which the usage fee is to be debited to a payment account for digital money used in the electronic payment service (step S21). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 200 launches a payment app in accordance with the operation of user U1, displays an operation screen 201 for transmitting a proxy request, and transmits the proxy request to the payment server 100 in response to the operation of user U1 on the operation screen 201.

The proxy request includes requester identification information (hereinafter, "requester ID") indicating the requester of the change procedure, and a power of attorney for the change procedure. The requester ID is typically a user ID. The power of attorney is a document that certifies that the change procedure to change the designated account designated as the account from which the usage fee is to be debited to a digital money payment account used in the electronic payment service is entrusted to the payment server 100. The power of attorney can be attached to the proxy request using the operation screen 201 described below.

The operation screen 201 shown in FIG. 3 includes a send button 202 for instructing the sending of a proxy request, a check box 203 for attaching a power of attorney to the proxy request, a deep link 204 for confirming the details of the proxy request, and a deep link 205 for launching a power of attorney creation tool. The configuration of the operation screen 201 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3 and may be other configurations.

In the operation screen 201, the send button 202 may be controlled to be enabled in conjunction with the input of a check in the check box 203. This makes it possible to reliably attach a power of attorney (an example of document data) indicating that the proxy process for the account change is to be delegated before the proxy request is sent. Furthermore, the operation screen 201 can allow the user U1 to easily check the contents of the process to be executed by the change request and disclaimers, etc., via a website accessible from the deep link 204. Furthermore, the operation screen 201 can provide the user U1 with a function for creating a power of attorney on the user terminal 200, via a creation tool that can be activated by the deep link 205.

The function for displaying the operation screen 201 on the user terminal 200 and sending a change request can be provided as an add-on to the payment app, but may also be provided to the user U1 as an application separate from the payment app. In addition, the payment server 100 may accept the change request from a web page that the payment server 100 makes public to the user U1.

When the payment server 100 receives the proxy request from the user terminal 200, it executes the proxy process (step S22). Specifically, the payment server 100 sends a designated account change notification to the affiliated store of the electronic payment service that receives payment of the fee by debit from the designated account. At this time, the payment server 100 first accesses the system of the financial institution that manages the designated account linked to the proxy request, references the payment history of the designated account, and automatically identifies the affiliated store to which the change notification is to be sent. In this way, the payment server 100 can reduce the procedural burden on the user when changing the account used to pay the usage fee to a digital money payment account.

For example, the payment server 100 accesses the system of the financial institution that manages the designated account through a bank API that is publicly available as an open API (Application Programming Interface). The payment server 100 also identifies personal information associated with a user ID that matches the requester ID, and acquires information necessary for the account inquiry. The payment server 100 also identifies account information linked to the requester ID in the financial institution's system based on the acquired personal information. The payment server 100 also refers to the payment history of the identified account information, and identifies the affiliated store that receives payment by debiting the designated account through an account transfer service. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a payment history according to this embodiment. Figure 4 shows, for example, account information of financial institution Z linked to user U1.

The payment server 100 identifies, from the payment history of user U1, payment histories in which payments are made periodically. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a payment is made to affiliated store B on the 27th of each month. Therefore, the payment server 100 identifies affiliated store B as the affiliated store that receives payment via an account transfer service in which the designated account is an account at the financial institution used by user U1. In the same manner, the payment server 100 identifies other affiliated stores that pay usage fees for user U1 by debiting the designated account. After identifying the affiliated stores, the payment server 100 creates a change notification to notify that the designated account will be changed to a digital money payment account.

Then, the payment server 100 transmits the above-mentioned change notification to the affiliated store that has received payment of the fee by debiting the designated account (step S23). In this way, the payment server 100 can reduce the procedural burden on user U1 associated with the account change by transmitting a change notification to each affiliated store with an attached power of attorney (an example of document data) indicating that the proxy processing is to be delegated.

When the affiliated store server 700 receives the above-mentioned change notification from the payment server 100, it processes the change procedure based on the change notification and sends a result notification indicating the processing result of the change procedure to the payment server 100 (step S24).

When the payment server 100 receives the result notification from the affiliated store server 700, it executes a notification process (step S25). For example, the payment server 100 generates notification information for notifying the user terminal 200 of the result of the request to change the withdrawal account by any method that can notify the user terminal 200, such as push notification or email. The payment server 100 then transmits a request result notification based on the notification information to the user terminal 200 (step S26). In the example shown in FIG. 3, a notification that the procedure has been successfully completed is displayed on the user terminal 200 as the request result notification for the change of the withdrawal account.

The payment server 100 may process various procedures related to account changes on behalf of user U1 within the scope of the delegation stated in the power of attorney. For example, the various procedures related to account changes that the payment server 100 can perform on behalf of user U1 include collecting information such as documents required for the account transfer service and requesting the sending of a cancellation request form for the account transfer service.

3. Device configuration example
The configuration of the payment server 100 according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the payment server according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the payment server 100 has a communication unit 110, a memory unit 120, and a control unit 130.

(Regarding communication unit 110)
The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N-1 or the network N-3 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 110 transmits and receives information to and from the user terminal 200, the payment source server 300, the bank server 400, the store terminal 600, the affiliated store server 700, etc., via the network N-1 or the network N-3. The communication unit 110 is realized, for example, by a network interface card (NIC) or the like.

(Regarding the storage unit 120)
The storage unit 120 stores programs and data used for control and calculation by the control unit 130. The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 120 has a user information storage unit 121 and an account information storage unit 122.

(Regarding the user information storage unit 121)
The user information storage unit 121 stores user information on a user (e.g., user U1) who uses the electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the user information according to this embodiment. Note that Fig. 6 shows an example of the user information according to this embodiment, and the user information may be configured in a form different from the example shown in Fig. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, the user information stored in the user information storage unit 121 has multiple items such as a "user ID," a "name," a "date of birth," an "address," a "telephone number," and an "account ID." Each item in the user information is associated with another.

The "User ID" field stores a user ID, which is identification information assigned individually to each user (e.g., user U1, the payment source, the provider, etc.) who uses the electronic payment service provided by the payment server 100.

In addition, the "Name" field stores information about the user's name. The "Date of Birth" field stores information about the user's date of birth. The "Address" field stores information about the user's address. The "Telephone Number" field stores information about the telephone number assigned to the user's telephone. This personal information is used by the payment server 100 when identifying information about the designated account designated by the user, who is the requester of the proxy service, as the transfer account for the direct debit service.

The "Account ID" field stores account identification information (hereinafter referred to as "account ID" where appropriate) for identifying the payment account.

(Regarding the account information storage unit 122)
The account information storage unit 122 stores various information (an example of the balance information described above) related to accounts (payment accounts) held by users, payers, providers, etc. in electronic payment services. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an overview of the account information according to this embodiment. Note that Fig. 7 shows an example of the account information according to this embodiment, and the account information may be configured in a form different from the example shown in Fig. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the account information stored in the account information storage unit 122 has multiple items such as "account ID," "owner ID," "total balance," and "details." Each item in the account information is associated with each other.

The "Account ID" field stores an account ID for identifying a payment account. The account ID information stored in the "Account ID" field of the account information corresponds to the account ID information stored in the "Account ID" field of the user information described above. The "Owner ID" field stores identification information for identifying the owner of the payment account linked to the account ID. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the "Owner ID" field stores the user ID of user U1, "U#001", the payer ID of the payer who pays the salary, "U#002", the provider ID of the provider who provides the transaction target, and the like.

The "Total balance" item stores information showing the total balance of the payment account. The "Breakdown" item stores information showing the breakdown of the total balance. Specifically, the "Breakdown" item includes a "Salary" item and a "Non-Salary" item, and the "Non-Salary" item is subdivided into smaller items such as a "Regular" item and a "Profit" item.

The "Salary" field stores information indicating the balance of digital money deposited as salary out of the total balance stored in the "Total Balance" field. The "Non-Salary" field stores information indicating the balance of digital money deposited under a name other than salary out of the total balance stored in the "Total Balance" field.

Among the "non-salary" items, the "regular" item stores information indicating the balance of digital money charged by the owner of the payment account himself/herself. As an example, the "regular" item stores information indicating the balance of digital money deposited from a credit card or bank account linked to the payment account. The "profit" item stores information indicating, for example, the balance of digital money cashed back against the payment amount when using an electronic payment service provided by information processing system 1.

(Regarding the control unit 130)
The control unit 130 is a controller that controls and performs calculations on the payment server 100. Each unit of the control unit 130 is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the payment server 100 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 130 has a reception unit 131 and an agent processing unit 132. The control unit 130 realizes or executes the information processing functions and actions described below using the units shown in FIG. 5. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the units shown in FIG. 5, and may have units that realize or execute the information processing functions and actions for managing at least the salary balance separately from the total balance of digital money.

(Regarding the Reception Unit 131)
The reception unit 131 (an example of a request reception unit) receives, from a user of the electronic payment service, a request for proxy execution of a change procedure to change a designated account designated as an account for withdrawing a usage fee to a payment account for digital money used in the electronic payment service. The reception unit 131 receives the proxy request via the communication unit 110. The proxy request includes a requester ID indicating the requester and a power of attorney for the change procedure.

(Regarding the proxy processing unit 132)
The agency processing unit 132 executes agency processing to change the designated account to a payment account in response to the agency request accepted by the acceptance unit 131. Specifically, the agency processing unit 132 sends a change notice of the designated account to the affiliated store server 700 belonging to the affiliated store of the electronic payment service that receives payment of the fee by debit from the designated account. When sending the change notice, the agency processing unit 132 encloses a power of attorney included in the agency request. At this time, the agency processing unit 132 can access the system of the financial institution that manages the designated account linked to the agency request, refer to the payment history of the designated account, and identify the affiliated store.

For example, the agency processing unit 132 accesses the financial institution's system through a bank API that is publicly available as an open API. The agency processing unit 132 also identifies personal information associated with the user ID that matches the requester ID from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 121, and acquires information necessary for account inquiry. The agency processing unit 132 also identifies account information linked to the requester ID in the financial institution's system based on the acquired personal information. The agency processing unit 132 also refers to the payment history of the identified account information, and identifies payment history in which periodic payments are made from the payment history of user U1. The payment server 100 also identifies the affiliated store that receives payment by debiting the designated account from the transaction details of the identified payment history.

The proxy processing unit 132 can also refer to the credit card usage history to identify affiliated stores of electronic payment services that accept payments by credit card.

The proxy processing unit 132 may process various procedures related to account changes on behalf of user U1 within the scope of the entrustment stated in the power of attorney. For example, the proxy processing unit 132 may perform various procedures related to account changes on behalf of user U1, such as collecting information such as documents required for the account transfer service and requesting the sending of a cancellation request form for the account transfer service.

The above-mentioned reception unit 131 may also realize or execute at least a part of the information processing functions and actions for separately managing at least the salary balance of the total digital money balance. The control unit 130 may further have a deposit processing unit, a withdrawal processing unit, and a display control unit as units that realize or execute the information processing functions and actions for separately managing at least the salary balance of the total digital money balance. Note that the information processing functions and actions for separately managing at least the salary balance of the total digital money balance described below may be realized by another server device that cooperates with the payment server 100.

For example, the reception unit 131 receives a request to deposit digital money. The reception unit 131 also receives a request to withdraw digital money to the ATM 500. The reception unit 131 may also receive payment information related to payment for a transaction object in an electronic commerce service. For example, the reception unit 131 receives payment information from the user terminal 200 indicating a user ID that identifies the user, a provider ID that identifies the provider that provides the transaction object, and the price (payment amount) of the transaction object.

The reception unit 131 may also receive payment information from a store terminal 600 installed in a store. For example, the reception unit 131 receives payment information indicating the user ID read by the store terminal 600 and displayed on the user terminal 200, the payment amount, and information identifying the store.

The reception unit 131 may also receive a request to confirm the total balance of digital money from the user terminal 200. In this case, the confirmation request needs to include at least the user ID.

The deposit processing unit performs a deposit process on the account information storage unit 122 based on a deposit request accepted by the acceptance unit 131. Specifically, the deposit processing unit transfers digital money equivalent to the deposit amount included in the deposit request from a payment account linked to the payment source ID included in the deposit request to a payment account linked to the payment destination ID included in the deposit request. In other words, the deposit processing unit subtracts the deposit amount from the total balance of the payment account linked to the payment source ID, and adds the deposit amount to the total balance of the payment account linked to the payment destination ID.

Furthermore, if the nominal item included in the deposit request is "salary", the deposit processing unit adds the deposit amount to the "salary" item in the total balance of the payment account linked to the payee ID. On the other hand, if the nominal item included in the deposit request is "other than salary", the deposit processing unit adds the deposit amount to the "other than salary" item in the total balance of the payment account linked to the payee ID. For example, if the nominal item included in the deposit request is "normal", the deposit processing unit adds the deposit amount to the "normal" item in the total balance of the payment account linked to the payee ID. Furthermore, if the nominal item included in the deposit request is "profit", the deposit processing unit adds the deposit amount to the "profit" item in the total balance of the payment account linked to the payee ID.

The withdrawal processing unit performs a withdrawal process on the account information storage unit 122 based on the withdrawal request accepted by the acceptance unit 131. Specifically, the withdrawal processing unit subtracts digital money equivalent to the withdrawal amount included in the withdrawal request from the settlement account linked to the withdrawal source ID included in the withdrawal request. The withdrawal processing unit then transmits a withdrawal instruction to the bank server 400 linked to the bank ID included in the withdrawal request via the communication unit 110 and network N-1. The withdrawal instruction may include information such as the withdrawal source ID and the withdrawal amount.

Furthermore, if the withdrawal destination included in the withdrawal request is "ATM", the withdrawal processing unit subtracts the withdrawal amount from the "salary" item in the total balance of the payment account linked to the withdrawal source ID. On the other hand, if the withdrawal destination included in the withdrawal request is other than "ATM", for example, if the withdrawal destination is a "bank account", the withdrawal processing unit may subtract the withdrawal amount from the "salary" item and "regular" item in the payment account linked to the withdrawal source ID, whichever is selected by the user. The selection of the balance item to be used as the withdrawal source (here, the "salary" item and the "regular" item) may be performed by operating the ATM 500. It may also be set in advance by the user.

The display control unit causes content relating to the electronic payment service provided by the information processing system 1 to be displayed on the user terminal 200 used by the user. For example, when a total balance confirmation request is received from the user terminal 200 by the reception unit 131, the display control unit transmits balance information indicating the total balance of the payment account owned by the user to the user terminal 200 of the user identified by the user ID included in the confirmation request. At this time, the display control unit, for example, obtains information on the "total balance", "salary" and "non-salary" items from the payment account linked to the user ID, and causes the obtained information to be displayed on the user terminal 200 via a payment app pre-installed on the user terminal 200.

4. Processing Procedure
Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the payment server 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the payment server according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing procedure shown below is repeatedly executed by the control unit 130 of the payment server 100.

As shown in FIG. 8, the reception unit 131 receives, via the communication unit 110, a request from the user terminal 200 to perform a procedure to change a designated account designated as an account from which the usage fee is to be debited to a payment account for digital money used in an electronic payment service (step S101).

The agency processing unit 132 identifies the affiliated store using the account transfer service from the payment history linked to the requester of the agency request (step S102). For example, the agency processing unit 132 accesses the financial institution's system through a bank API that is published as an open API. The agency processing unit 132 also identifies personal information associated with the user ID that matches the requester ID from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 121, and acquires information necessary for account inquiries. The agency processing unit 132 also identifies account information linked to the requester ID in the financial institution's system based on the acquired personal information. The agency processing unit 132 also refers to the payment history of the identified account information, and identifies payment history in which periodic payments are made from the payment history of user U1.

After identifying the affiliated store, the proxy processing unit 132 creates a change notification to change the designated account to a payment account (step S103). The proxy processing unit 132 encloses the power of attorney included in the proxy request received in step S101 in the created change notification.

Then, the proxy processing unit 132 sends the change notification created in step S103 to the affiliated store server 700 belonging to the affiliated store identified in step S102 (step S104).

5. Modifications
The above-described embodiment shows an example of the information processing according to the embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, the payment server 100 may have a support function such as providing guide information showing how to obtain necessary information when there is information to be submitted to the affiliated store during the procedure of changing the designated account to the payment account. For example, the payment server 100 needs to transmit the meter number of the smart meter to the affiliated store that receives the payment for electricity through the account transfer service. In this case, in response to the acceptance of the proxy request, the payment server 100 transmits information such as the installation location of the smart meter, the location of the meter number of the smart meter, or the location of the meter number on the invoice to the user terminal 200 to provide the information to the user.

6. Hardware Configuration
The payment server 100 according to the present embodiment described above is realized, for example, by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 9. The following description will be given taking the payment server 100 as an example. Fig. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the payment server according to the present embodiment. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a ROM 1200, a RAM 1300, a HDD 1400, a communication interface (I/F) 1500, an input/output interface (I/F) 1600, and a media interface (I/F) 1700.

The CPU 1100 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 1200 or the HDD 1400, and controls each component. The ROM 1200 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started, and programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000.

HDD 1400 stores programs executed by CPU 1100 and data used by such programs. Communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via network N and sends it to CPU 1100, and also transmits data generated by CPU 1100 to other devices via network N.

The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input/output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input/output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs data generated via the input/output interface 1600 to the output devices.

The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides it to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1300. The CPU 1100 loads the program from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1300 via the media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the payment server 100, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes a program loaded onto the RAM 1300 to realize the functions of the control unit 130. In addition, the HDD 1400 stores each piece of data in the storage device of the payment server 100. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 may obtain these programs from another device via the network N.

7. Effects
As described above, the payment server 100 according to the embodiment includes the reception unit 131 and the proxy processing unit 132. The reception unit 131 receives a proxy request from a user of the electronic payment service for a procedure to change a designated account designated as an account for withdrawing a usage fee to a payment account for digital money used in the electronic payment service. In response to the proxy request received by the reception unit 131, the proxy processing unit 132 executes proxy processing to change the designated account to a payment account.

This allows the payment server 100 to reduce the burden on users when changing the account used to pay usage fees to a digital money payment account, thereby improving usability. As a result, the payment server 100 can increase the superiority of digital money as a means of receiving wages.

The agency processing unit 132 also sends a notification of the change in the designated account to the affiliated store of the electronic payment service that receives payment of the fee by debit from the designated account. This allows the payment server 100 to eliminate the need for the user to notify the affiliated store of the change in account, reducing the burden on the user of the procedures associated with the change in account. As a result, the payment server 100 can increase the advantage of digital money as a means of receiving wages.

The agency processing unit 132 also accesses the system of the financial institution that manages the designated account linked to the agency request, references the payment history of the designated account, and identifies the affiliated store. This eliminates the need for the payment server 100 to obtain from the user information about the affiliated point that receives the fee using the account transfer service, and reduces the burden on the user of procedures associated with changing the account. As a result, the payment server 100 can enhance the advantages of digital money as a means of receiving wages.

The proxy processing unit 132 also obtains a power of attorney from the user indicating that the proxy processing is to be delegated, and transmits the obtained power of attorney to the affiliated store along with a change notification. This eliminates the need for the user to submit a power of attorney to the affiliated store even when a power of attorney is required in conjunction with a change to an account, thereby reducing the burden on the user of procedures associated with changing an account. As a result, it is possible to promote the use of electronic payment services while enhancing the superiority of digital money as a means of receiving wages.

The reception unit 131 may also function as accepting a deposit request including the identification information of the user receiving the digital money deposit and the name of the deposit. The payment server 100 may further have a deposit processing unit. If the name included in the deposit request accepted by the reception unit 131 functioning as a deposit reception unit is salary, the deposit processing unit performs a deposit process for the salary balance of the total balance linked to the identification information included in the deposit request, and if the name included in the deposit request accepted by the reception unit 131 is a name other than salary, the deposit processing unit performs a deposit process for the non-salary balance of the total balance linked to the identification information included in the deposit request. This allows balances including salary to be properly managed in the electronic payment service.

The payment server 100 may further include a withdrawal acceptance unit and a withdrawal processing unit. The withdrawal acceptance unit accepts a withdrawal request to an ATM, which includes the identification information. When the withdrawal acceptance unit accepts a withdrawal request, the withdrawal processing unit performs a withdrawal process from the salary balance of the total balance linked to the identification information included in the withdrawal request. In this way, the payment server 100 enables a user to withdraw digital money directly from an ATM when cashing the salary received in digital money without going through a bank account (i.e., without first transferring the digital money to a bank account).

The payment server 100 may further have a display control unit that displays the total balance on the terminal device used by the user, separated into a salary balance and a non-salary balance. This enables the payment server 100 to allow the user to easily check the salary balance deposited into his/her payment account. The payment server 100 also enables the user to easily grasp the balance of digital money that can be cashed at an ATM out of the total balance of digital money that the user owns.

[8. Other]
Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the Disclosure of the Invention section.

In addition, the configuration of the payment server 10 described above can be flexibly changed, for example by calling external platforms, etc., via APIs or network computing, depending on the functions.

In addition, the word "unit" in the claims can be read as "means" or "circuit." For example, a control unit can be read as a control means or a control circuit.

Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present application are merely descriptive or exemplary and are not limiting. In other words, the embodiments of the present application may achieve other effects that are apparent to a person skilled in the art from the description of the embodiments, in addition to or in place of the above effects.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Payment server 110 Communication unit 120 Storage unit 121 User information storage unit 122 Account information storage unit 130 Control unit 131 Reception unit 132 Substitute processing unit 200 User terminal 300 Payment source server 400 Bank server 500 ATM
600 Store terminal 700 Member store server 1000 Computer 1100 CPU
1200 ROM
1300 RAM
1400 HDD
1500 Communication interface (I/F)
1600 Input/Output Interface (I/F)
1700 Media Interface (I/F)

Claims (8)

An information processing system including a user terminal used by a user of an electronic payment service and an information processing device that executes processing related to the electronic payment service,
The user terminal includes:
launching a payment application in accordance with an operation by the user, and displaying, by a function of the payment application, an operation screen for sending a proxy request for a procedure to change a designated account designated as a debit account for the usage fee paid by the user to the affiliated store of the electronic payment service to a payment method using the electronic payment service, and sending the proxy request to the information processing device via the displayed operation screen;
The information processing device includes:
a request receiving unit that receives the proxy request from a user of the electronic payment service;
and an agency processing unit that executes agency processing to change the designated account to a payment method that utilizes the electronic payment service in response to the agency request accepted by the request accepting unit. The proxy processing unit is
2. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification of change to the designated account being sent to a store affiliated with the electronic payment service that receives payment of fees by debit from the designated account. The proxy processing unit is
The information processing system according to claim 2 , further comprising: accessing a system of a financial institution that manages a designated account linked to the proxy request, referencing a payment history of the designated account, and identifying the affiliated store. The proxy processing unit is
4. The information processing system according to claim 2, further comprising: acquiring document data indicating that the proxy process is to be delegated from the user; and transmitting the acquired document data together with the change notification to the affiliated store . a deposit receiving unit that receives a deposit request including identification information of the user who receives the digital money deposit and a name of the deposit;
The information processing system of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a deposit processing unit that, when the nominal item included in the deposit request accepted by the deposit accepting unit is salary, performs a deposit process on the salary balance of the total balance linked to the identification information included in the deposit request, and, when the nominal item included in the deposit request accepted by the deposit accepting unit is a nominal item other than salary, performs a deposit process on the non-salary balance of the total balance linked to the identification information included in the deposit request. a withdrawal receiving unit that receives a withdrawal request to an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) including the identification information;
The information processing system according to claim 5, further comprising a withdrawal processing unit which, when the withdrawal request is accepted by the withdrawal accepting unit, performs a withdrawal process from the salary balance of the total balance linked to the identification information included in the withdrawal request. 7. The information processing system according to claim 5, further comprising a display control unit for dividing the total balance into the salary balance and the non-salary balance and displaying the divided balance on a terminal device used by the user. An information processing method executed by an information processing system including a user terminal used by a user of an electronic payment service and an information processing device that executes processing related to the electronic payment service ,
The user terminal includes:
launching a payment application in accordance with an operation by the user, and displaying, by a function of the payment application, an operation screen for sending a proxy request for a procedure to change a designated account designated as a debit account for the usage fee paid by the user to the affiliated store of the electronic payment service to a payment method using the electronic payment service, and sending the proxy request to the information processing device via the displayed operation screen;
The information processing device includes:
a request receiving step of receiving the proxy request from a user of the electronic payment service;
and a proxy processing step of executing, in response to the proxy request accepted by the request accepting step, a proxy processing step for changing the designated account to a payment method using the electronic payment service .

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