JP7642008B2 - Information processing device, information processing system, and fee payment method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, and a fee payment method.

The delivery destinations for items purchased on EC (Electronic Commerce) sites and other sites are becoming more diverse, and it is now possible to specify delivery destinations such as pickup lockers installed in train stations and public facilities, or convenience stores.

Patent document 1 discloses a system that allows a user to pay a fee and receive purchased items from a receiving locker at the site where the items have been delivered.

JP 2002-24709 A

In some cases, the cost of the item, as well as shipping fees to a specified delivery address and storage fees at the delivery address, are paid in advance when the item is purchased, but if the user receives the item after the due date, late fees and other charges may be paid at the delivery address (a receiving locker or convenience store). However, paying these fees is a hassle for the user, and if the user does not have the money to pay, there is a risk of problems such as not being able to receive the item from the delivery address.

The present invention proposes a technology that eliminates the hassle of paying the fees required for items delivered to the delivery destination, and allows payment to be made even if the person does not have the money on hand.

The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with a computer system at the delivery destination to which an item is delivered on condition that the user pays the fee, and with a computer system at the payment destination, and receives reception information issued to the user and received from the user who has come to receive the item at the delivery destination from the delivery destination computer system, identifies the fee required for the item delivered to the delivery destination and to be charged to the user based on the reception information, and requests the payment destination computer system to execute payment processing for the fee.

The information processing system of the present invention is an information processing system that includes a computer system at the delivery destination to which an item is delivered on condition that the user pays the fee, and an information processing device that can communicate with the delivery destination computer system and the payment destination computer system, in which the delivery destination computer system receives reception information from the user who has come to receive the item at the delivery destination, which is information issued to the user, and transmits the received reception information to the information processing device, and the information processing device identifies the fee required for the item delivered to the delivery destination, which is the fee to be charged to the user, based on the received reception information, and requests the payment destination computer system to execute payment processing for the fee.

The fee payment method of the present invention is a fee payment method for paying the fee required for an item delivered to a delivery destination on condition that the user pays the fee, and includes receiving reception information issued to the user and received from the user who has come to receive the item at the delivery destination from the delivery destination's computer system, identifying the fee required for the item delivered to the delivery destination and the fee to be charged to the user based on the reception information, and requesting the payment destination's computer system to execute payment processing for the fee.

This invention eliminates the hassle of paying the fees required for goods delivered to the delivery destination, and allows payment to be made even if the person does not have the money on hand.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a late fee payment system 100 according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the receiving locker 101 and the locker PF 106. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of a locker management DB 204. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram of the late fee payment system 100. FIG. 5 shows a consent screen 500 for consenting to the payment method of late fees. 11 is a flowchart showing a late fee payment process executed by the locker PF106. FIG. 7 shows a selection screen 700 for selecting a payment method for late fees. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing details of the system payment process. FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram of a late fee settlement system 900 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a consent screen 1000 for consenting to the payment method of late fees. FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a late fee settlement system 1100 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram of a modified example of a late fee settlement system 1200.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described here, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

(Late fee settlement system 100)
1 is an overall configuration diagram of a late fee payment system 100 of Example 1. The late fee payment system 100 of Example 1 is a system that, when a user does not pick up an item from a receiving locker 101 by the receiving deadline, settles the late fee for the use of the receiving locker 101 by using information on the user's payment method (hereinafter referred to as payment method information) registered in the seller's computer system 103.

A user can specify the receiving locker 101 as the delivery destination for an item purchased from a seller. The user receives the purchased item from the receiving locker 101, but if the date and time (acceptance date and time) at which the item is received from the receiving locker 101 has passed the receipt deadline, the user must pay a late fee for the use of the receiving locker 101. The user can pay the late fee at the receiving locker 101 using cash or a credit card, but this payment is time-consuming. In addition, there are cases where the user does not have cash or a credit card on hand. Therefore, the late fee payment system 100 of the first embodiment (hereinafter abbreviated as "system 100") is a system that eliminates the time-consuming process of paying the late fee and enables the payment of the late fee even if the user does not have the cash or credit card on hand to cover the late fee. This will be described in detail below.

The system 100 comprises a receiving locker 101, a user terminal 102, a seller's computer system 103 (hereinafter abbreviated as "seller system 103"), a delivery company's computer system 104 (hereinafter abbreviated as "delivery company system 104"), a payment service provider's computer system 105 (hereinafter abbreviated as "payment service provider system 105"), and a locker PF (platform) 106. The information processing system 107 includes the receiving locker 101 and the locker PF 106. The receiving locker 101, the user terminal 102, the seller system 103, the delivery company system 104, the payment service provider system 105, and the locker PF 106 are connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with each other.

(User terminal 102)
The user terminal 102 can browse an EC site provided by the seller system 103. For example, the user terminal 102 is a smartphone or a personal computer on which a web browser for browsing an EC site is installed. The user terminal 102 transmits to the seller system 103 a request for purchasing an item, a delivery request including a delivery destination and a receiving time of the purchased item, and payment method information for the price. The price includes the purchase price of the item and a delivery fee for the item. The purchase price of the item is paid to the seller, and the delivery fee is paid to a delivery company. The user can select a home, a home delivery box, a receiving locker 101, a convenience store, or the like as a delivery destination of the item. The payment method information for the price is, for example, a credit card number or a debit card number. In addition, when the payment method information is already registered in the seller system 103, the payment method information may be information for selecting the payment method information.

In addition, if the above-mentioned late fees occur, the user can consent to using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103 as the payment method for the late fees. The user terminal 102 transmits consent to the payment method for the late fees to the seller system 103 in accordance with the user's consent (for example, consent on the consent screen 500 in FIG. 5 described below).

(Distributor System 103)
The seller system 103 provides various information to the user terminal 102 so that the user can browse an EC site operated by a seller. For example, the seller system 103 transmits HTML data for displaying the EC site on the web browser of the user terminal 102. The seller system 103 also manages member information of the EC site and manages one or more payment method information for each user. The seller system 103 is, for example, a cloud server or an on-premise server.

In addition, when the delivery destination specified in the delivery request received from the user terminal 102 is the receiving locker 101, the seller system 103 checks whether the specified receiving locker 101 is available. Specifically, the seller system 103 transmits the receiving locker and receiving time specified by the user to the locker PF 106, which manages the availability of the receiving lockers 101, to reserve the use of the receiving locker 101. The locker PF 106 then checks whether there is an available box that can accommodate the item at the received receiving locker and receiving time, and if there is an available box, reserves the available box of the receiving locker 101 for use. As a result, the receiving locker 101 secures an available box for the item according to the reservation. The locker PF 106 then responds to the seller system 103 that the reservation of the receiving locker 101 has been completed. On the other hand, if there is no available box in the specified receiving locker 101, the seller system 103 responds to that effect, and the seller system 103 allows the user to re-specify the receiving locker and receiving time, or a different delivery destination.

The seller system 103 also requests payment of the price from the payment business system 105 (payment request) according to the payment method information received from the user terminal 102. For example, if the user specifies a credit card as the payment method, the seller, which is a credit card affiliate, requests payment from the payment business (card company). When the payment is completed, the payment business system 105 notifies the seller system 103 of the completion of the payment (payment completion).

In addition, the seller system 103 issues a delivery ID to the delivery company system 104 in accordance with the delivery request received from the user terminal 102. This delivery ID is also sent to the user terminal 102 and the locker PF 106. The delivery ID may be issued by the delivery company system 104 in accordance with the delivery request from the seller system 103. In this case, the delivery company system 104 sends the issued delivery ID to the seller system 103. The seller system 103 uses the delivery ID to identify payment method information for the overdue fee in response to an inquiry (delivery ID) from the locker PF 106 described below. The delivery ID sent to the user terminal 102 may be code information (e.g., a barcode, a two-dimensional code) in which the delivery ID is embedded. The seller system 103 may also issue an authentication code (e.g., a combination of numbers and English letters) to identify the purchased item instead of or in addition to the delivery ID.

(Payment service provider system 105)
For example, the payment business operator is a card company and the seller is an affiliated store. The payment business operator system 105 performs credit management of the user and executes payment processing to pay the price to the seller in accordance with a payment request from the seller system 103. The payment business operator system 105 is communicably connected to a financial institution's system and requests the financial institution's system to debit the price from the user's payment account. The payment business operator then collects the price from the user by automatic debit from the user's payment account at the financial institution.

(Delivery company system 104)
The delivery company receives the goods from the seller and delivers the goods to a specified delivery destination (e.g., the receiving locker 101). The delivery company system 104 is a system that manages the delivery of goods. First, the delivery company system 104 receives a delivery request and a delivery ID from the seller system 103. Then, the delivery company system 104 manages the logistics of the goods so that the goods are delivered from the seller (e.g., the seller's logistics center) to the delivery destination according to the delivery request and the delivery ID. The delivery company system 104 may notify the user terminal 102 that the delivery of the goods has been completed when the delivery of the goods is completed. If the delivery destination specified in the delivery request is the receiving locker 101, the delivery company stores the goods in an empty box in the receiving locker 101. The delivery company system 104 is, for example, a cloud server or an on-premise server.

(Receiving locker 101)
The receiving locker 101 is a locker installed at a receiving location such as a station, a convenience store, or a public facility. The receiving locker 101 may be a dedicated locker managed by a seller or a delivery company as a delivery destination of goods, or may be a coin locker generally used as a temporary storage of luggage. A user can specify the receiving locker 101 as a delivery destination of a purchased item. The user performs a receiving reception such as inputting a delivery ID or the like at the receiving locker 101, and receives the item from the receiving locker 101. The reception information input by the user at the receiving reception may be a delivery ID issued to the user by the seller system 103 when the item is purchased, or may be the above-mentioned code information or authentication code. When an authentication code is used, the seller system 103 needs to transmit the authentication code to the locker PF 106 in advance. The reception information may also be identification information for identifying a user, such as a user ID, a user email address, or a user name managed by the seller system 103. When a delivery ID is issued by the delivery company system 104, the user may input the delivery ID issued by the delivery company system 104 at the receiving reception. A user who has come to receive an item performs reception by inputting the above-mentioned delivery ID or authentication code using, for example, a software keyboard displayed on the display input unit 230 (see FIG. 2) at the receiving locker 101. The user also performs reception by having the code reader 241 (see FIG. 2) of the receiving locker 101 read the code information.

(Locker PF106)
The locker PF 106 (information processing device) collects and manages information on one or more receiving lockers 101 (the number of boxes in the receiving locker, the box size, the usage status of each box, etc.). The locker PF 106 is, for example, a cloud server or an on-premise server. The locker PF 106 is a system that can communicate with the computer system of the receiving locker 101 (for example, the control unit 210 in FIG. 2), the computer system of the payment destination (for example, the seller system 103), and the computer system that manages the delivery of the goods (for example, the delivery company system 104). The locker PF 106 also receives the date and time when the receipt acceptance was performed (hereinafter, the receipt date and time) from the receiving locker 101, and if the receipt date and time is before the receipt deadline, transmits an instruction (open instruction) to the receiving locker 101 to open the door of the box of the receiving locker 101 in which the goods are stored. In the receiving locker 101, the door of the box in which the goods are stored is unlocked according to the open instruction, and the user takes out the goods from the box. On the other hand, if the reception date and time is after the receipt deadline, a late fee has been incurred for the use of receiving locker 101, so the late fee to be charged to the user is identified and a payment process for the late fee is performed. In this embodiment, the user can pay this late fee by using the payment function of receiving locker 101, or by using the user's payment method information registered in seller system 103. The user can select whether to pay the late fee by using the payment function of receiving locker 101, or by using the user's payment method information registered in seller system 103.

The above-mentioned receipt deadline may be the receipt time specified by the user when purchasing the item, or it may be the receipt time plus a predetermined time (e.g., 24 hours).

(Method of paying using the payment function provided in the receiving locker 101)
The receiving locker 101 has a code payment function, a credit card payment function, a cash payment function, etc. If the receipt date and time passes the receipt deadline and an extension fee is incurred, the user can pay the late fee using the code payment function, the credit card payment function, the cash payment function, etc.

Locker PF 106 receives the reception information (e.g., delivery ID) and reception date and time entered by the reception from receiving locker 101, and determines whether or not a late fee has been incurred. Locker PF 106 then notifies the user that a late fee has been incurred via the display input unit 230 (see FIG. 2) of receiving locker 101.

Then, the user pays the overdue fee using the code payment function, credit card payment function, cash payment function, etc., of the receiving locker 101. For example, when the user pays the overdue fee using the credit card payment function, the user reads the credit card with the card reader 242 (see FIG. 2) of the receiving locker 101. The card information read by the card reader 242 is sent to the locker PF 106, and the locker PF 106 uses the card information to request the payment service provider system 105 to settle the overdue fee. As a result, the overdue fee is paid from the payment service provider to the management service provider of the receiving locker 101. When the locker PF 106 receives a notice of completion of the settlement from the payment service provider system 105, it sends an open instruction to the receiving locker 101 and unlocks the door of the box of the receiving locker 101 in which the item is stored. The user can pay the overdue fee using the settlement function of the receiving locker 101 and receive the item from the receiving locker 101.

(A method of making a payment using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103)
The user can pay the late fee using the user's payment method information (such as a credit card number) registered in the seller system 103. The payment method information used to pay the late fee may be the payment method information used when purchasing the item, or may be payment method information associated with the user and registered in the seller system 103. For example, the user may settle the late fee using the information of the credit card used when purchasing the item, or may settle the late fee using the information of the user's credit card registered in the seller system 103 that is different from the payment method used when purchasing the item (credit card, gift certificate, point payment).

If the user selects to pay the overdue fee using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103 at the receiving locker 101, the receiving locker 101 notifies the locker PF 106 of the payment method selected by the user. The locker PF 106, which receives the notification, makes a payment request for the overdue fee to the seller system 103. This payment request includes the specified overdue fee and information for specifying the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103 (e.g., user ID, delivery ID). In accordance with the received payment request for the overdue fee, the seller system 103 identifies the payment method information of the user registered in the seller system 103, and makes a payment request for the overdue fee to the payment business system 105 using the specified payment method information. As a result, the overdue fee is paid from the payment business to the management business of the receiving locker 101. The overdue fee paid to the management business may be an amount minus an agency fee for the seller system 103 acting as an agent for the payment request on behalf of the management business. When the seller system 103 receives a notice of payment completion from the payment operator system 105, it notifies the locker PF 106 of the payment completion. When the locker PF 106 receives the notice of payment completion, it sends an open instruction to the receiving locker 101 and unlocks the door of the box of the receiving locker 101 in which the item is stored. The user can pay the overdue fee using the payment method information registered in the seller system 103, and can receive the item from the receiving locker 101.

(Hardware configuration diagram of receiving locker 101 and locker PF 106)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the receiving locker 101 and the locker PF 106 (information processing device).

(Hardware configuration of locker PF106)
The locker PF106 includes a processor 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary memory unit 203, an input/output I/F 205, and a communication I/F 206. The processor 201 is a central processing unit that performs various calculations. The processor 201 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The main memory unit 202 stores a program executed by the processor 201, data required for executing the program, etc. The main memory unit 202 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, etc. The auxiliary memory unit 203 stores various programs (e.g., a late fee payment processing program) and various data. The auxiliary memory unit 203 in this embodiment stores a locker management DB 204. The auxiliary memory unit 203 is, for example, a solid state drive (SSD) device, a hard disk drive (HDD) device, or a combination thereof. The input/output I/F 205 is a device controller communicatively connected to a keyboard, mouse, display, etc. The communication I/F 206 is a network controller communicatively connected to a network. Details of the locker management DB 204 will be described later.

(Hardware configuration of receiving locker 101)
The receiving locker 101 includes a control unit 210, an item storage unit 220 having a plurality of boxes for storing items, and a display input unit 230 having a display unit such as a touch panel and a liquid crystal display. The receiving locker 101 also includes a code reader 241, a card reader 242, and a coin vendor 243 for collecting fees.

The control unit 210, like the locker PF 106 described above, comprises a processor 211, a main memory unit 212, an auxiliary memory unit 213, a communication I/F 214, and an input/output I/F 215. The processor 211 of the receiving locker 101 has an RTC (Real-Time Clock) function, and outputs the time when the reception information is received at the reception as the reception date and time. Note that in this embodiment, the receiving locker 101 outputs the reception date and time, but the reception date and time may be the date and time when the locker PF 106 receives the reception information from the receiving locker 101.

The input/output I/F 215 is connected to the peripheral devices of the control unit 210, namely, the item storage unit 220, the display input unit 230, the code reader 241, the card reader 242, and the coin vendor 243, so that they can communicate with each other. The control unit 210 unlocks the doors of each box in the item storage unit 220 in accordance with an open instruction received from the locker PF 106. The control unit 210 also transmits the reception information received by the display input unit 230 to the locker PF 106, and displays a screen on the display input unit 230 notifying the user of the overdue fee. The control unit 210 also transmits the payment method information read by the code reader 241 or the card reader 242 to the locker PF 106, and displays the amount of cash inserted into the coin vendor 243 on the display input unit 230.

(Locker management DB 204)
3 is a diagram showing details of the locker management DB 204. The locker PF 106 manages information on a plurality of receiving lockers 101 under the management of the locker PF 106 in the locker management DB 204. The locker management DB 204 stores a locker ID 301, an installation location 302, a box number 303, a usage fee 304, a usage status 305, a receiving deadline 306, a user ID 307, a delivery ID 308, an overdue flag 309, and a overdue fee 310.

Locker ID 301 is a unique identification number assigned to the receiving locker 101.

The installation location 302 is information indicating the location (address) where the receiving locker 101 is installed.

Box number 303 is a number assigned to multiple boxes provided in receiving locker 101.

The usage fee 304 is information indicating the usage fee per unit time. The usage fee does not have to be a flat rate, and may vary depending on the size that the box can accommodate.

Usage status 305 is information that indicates the usage status of the box, and if an item is stored in the box, it is "in use." On the other hand, if no item is stored in the box or if the delivery of an item has not been scheduled, it is "empty."

The receipt deadline 306 is information indicating the receipt deadline for the item contained in the box. The information stored in this receipt deadline 306 may be, for example, the receipt time specified by the user when purchasing the item, a predetermined time on the day including the receipt time (e.g., 24:00), or the receipt time plus a predetermined time (e.g., 24 hours).

The user ID 307 and delivery ID 308 are the user ID and delivery ID sent from the seller system 103 and the delivery company system 104.

The overdue flag 309 is a flag that is set when the user does not accept receipt by the receipt deadline stored in the receipt deadline 306.

Late fee 310 is information indicating the late fee charged to a user who accepts a receipt after the receipt deadline stored in receipt deadline 306. Late fee 310 is determined, for example, based on the usage time of the box used after the receipt deadline and the usage fee per unit time stored in usage fee 304.

(Sequence of the overdue fee settlement system 100)
Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram of the overdue fee settlement system 100. The process executed in the overdue fee settlement system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4.

First, the seller system 103 provides the user terminal 102 with a product purchase screen (S401). The seller system 103 (Web server) provides the product purchase screen to the user terminal 102, for example, by transmitting HTML data that causes the Web browser of the user terminal 102 to display an EC site.

The user terminal 102 displays a purchase screen for purchasing an item. The user selects the desired item on the purchase screen and sends a request to purchase the item to the seller system 103 (S402). The user terminal 102 sends the request to purchase the item, along with a delivery request, payment method information, and consent to the payment method for the late fee to the seller system 103 (S402). The delivery request includes the delivery destination (e.g., receiving locker 101) and the receiving time. The payment method information is, for example, a credit card number or a debit card number.

Here, we will explain the consent to the payment method of the late fee in S402. Figure 5 shows a consent screen 500 for consenting to the payment method of the late fee. On the consent screen 500, the user can consent to paying the late fee that will be incurred when the use of the receiving locker 101 is overdue using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103.

The consent screen 500 in FIG. 5 is a screen provided by the seller system 103 to the user terminal 102, and is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 102. By pressing the consent button 501 on the consent screen 500, the user agrees to settle the late fee using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103. The user may not agree by pressing the cancel button 502.

Next, the seller system 103 sends the receiving locker and receiving time included in the delivery request to the locker PF 106, and checks whether the specified receiving locker and receiving time are available (S403). Note that the delivery request may not include a receiving time. If the user does not specify a receiving time but simply specifies the desired receiving location (receiving locker 101), the seller system 103 sends the specified receiving locker to the locker PF 106 and checks whether the specified receiving locker is available. In this case, the locker PF 106 determines whether the specified receiving locker is available and responds to the seller system 103 with the available receiving time.

Locker PF 106 receives the receiving locker and the receiving time from the seller system 103, and collects locker information from the receiving locker 101 (S404). Locker PF 106 updates the locker management DB 204 using the collected locker information. Locker PF 106 refers to the locker management DB 204 to check whether there is an available box at the receiving time, and responds to the seller system 103 (available/not available). Note that in this sequence diagram, locker PF 106 collects locker information from the receiving locker 101 when it receives the receiving locker and the receiving time from the seller system 103, but locker PF 106 may periodically obtain the locker information of the receiving locker 101, or may collect locker information pushed from the receiving locker 101.

Next, the seller system 103 requests payment of the price from the payment business system 105 (payment request) according to the payment method information received from the user terminal 102. Then, when the payment business system 105 completes the payment, it notifies the seller system 103 of the completion of the payment (payment completion) (S405).

The seller system 103 transmits the delivery ID to the user terminal 102 (S406). The seller system 103 may transmit an email containing the delivery ID to the user terminal 102, or may transmit an email containing code information with the delivery ID embedded therein to the user terminal 102.

The seller system 103 also transmits the user ID and delivery ID to the locker PF 106 (S407). The locker PF 106 stores the received user ID and delivery ID in the user ID 307 and delivery ID 308 of the record of the empty box confirmed in S403 in the locker management DB 204.

The seller system 103 also transmits a delivery request and delivery ID to the delivery company system 104 (S408).

The delivery company delivers the item to the specified receiving locker 101 in accordance with the delivery request and places it in an empty box (S409). When the item is delivered to the receiving locker 101, the delivery company system 104 may transmit a notification of delivery completion to the user terminal 102.

A user who comes to receive an item from the receiving locker 101 performs a reception and inputs reception information (S410). For example, the user inputs the reception information (such as the delivery ID) by inputting the delivery ID written in the email into the display input unit 230 of the receiving locker 101, or by having the code reader 241 of the receiving locker 101 read the code information written in the email.

The receiving locker 101 transmits the reception information entered by the user and the date and time when the reception was carried out (reception date and time) to the locker PF 106 (S411).

Then, the locker PF 106 executes the overdue fee payment process based on the reception information and reception date and time received from the receiving locker 101 (S412).

(Late fee payment processing)
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the late fee payment process executed by the locker PF 106. Next, the details of the late fee payment process executed by the locker PF 106 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. For example, the processor 201 of the locker PF 106 reads out a late fee payment processing program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 203, expands it into the main memory unit 202, and executes it to execute each step of the following flowchart.

The locker PF 106 receives reception information (such as delivery ID) and reception date and time from the receiving locker 101 (S601).

The locker PF 106 references the record in the locker management DB 204 that matches the received delivery ID (S602).

Locker PF 106 then compares the date and time stored in receipt deadline 306 stored in the referenced record with the reception date and time received from receiving locker 101, and determines whether an extension fee for the use of receiving locker 101 has been incurred (S603). Specifically, locker PF 106 compares the date and time stored in receipt deadline 306 with the reception date and time received from receiving locker 101, and if the reception date and time exceeds the date and time stored in receipt deadline 306, it determines that a late fee has been incurred (S603: late fee applies), and if it does not exceed the date and time, it determines that no late fee has been incurred (S603: late fee not applied).

When it is determined that no overdue fee will be incurred, the locker PF 106 sends an open instruction to the receiving locker 101 to open the door of the box of the receiving locker 101 in which the item is stored (S604). This unlocks the door of the box of the receiving locker 101 in which the item is stored, and the user can receive the item from the receiving locker 101.

On the other hand, if it is determined that a late fee will be incurred, the locker PF 106 performs a process to determine the late fee (S605). Specifically, the locker PF 106 calculates the late time from the difference between the reception date and time and the date and time stored in the receipt deadline 306, and multiplies this late time by the usage fee per unit time stored in the usage fee 304 in the locker management DB 204 to determine the extension fee.

In this embodiment, the user can choose to pay the extension fee using the payment function provided in the receiving locker 101, or to pay using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103. Therefore, the locker PF 106 displays a selection screen on the display input unit 230 of the receiving locker 101 to select the payment method for the overdue fee (S606).

Figure 7 shows a selection screen 700 for selecting a payment method for the late fee. This selection screen 700 has a radio button 701 for making payment using the payment function provided by the receiving locker 101 ("Unregistered payment method" in the figure), and a radio button 702 for making payment using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103 ("Payment method registered on xxx site" in the figure). The selection screen 700 also has an OK button 703 for confirming the payment method selected using radio button 701 or 702, and a back button 704 for returning to the previous screen.

When radio button 701 is selected, the user can pay the late fee using a code payment function, credit card payment function, cash payment function, or the like provided by the receiving locker 101. When radio button 702 is selected, the user can pay the late fee using the payment method information associated with the user and registered in the retailer system 103 where the item was purchased.

The locker PF 106 receives the payment method for the overdue fee selected on the selection screen 700 from the receiving locker 101 (S607).

The locker PF 106 determines whether the received payment method is a payment method registered in the seller system 103 (hereinafter referred to as the system payment method) or a payment method provided in the receiving locker 101 (hereinafter referred to as the locker payment method) (S608).

If the received payment method is a locker payment method, locker PF106 executes the locker payment process described below (S609).

If the received payment method is a system payment method, locker PF106 executes the system payment process described below (S610).

(Locker payment processing)
The locker payment process includes conventional code payment using a barcode or two-dimensional code, a credit card payment function using a credit card, or cash payment by inserting cash into the coin vendor 243, so a description of these will be omitted.

(System payment processing)
8 is a sequence diagram showing details of the system payment process. The system payment process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The locker PF 106, which has received the system payment method, makes a payment request for the overdue fee to the merchant system 103 in which the user's payment method information is registered (S801).

When the seller system 103 receives a payment request from the locker PF 106, it makes a payment request for the overdue fee to the payment provider system 105 using the payment method information registered in association with the user, provided that consent has been obtained from the user (S802).

The payment service provider system 105 settles the overdue fee in accordance with the payment request from the seller system 103. The payment service provider system 105 then notifies the seller system 103 of the completion of the payment (S803). The seller system 103 then notifies the locker PF 106 of the completion of the payment in accordance with the receipt of the completion of the payment (S804).

This completes the system payment process.

In summary, the above-mentioned system payment method for paying late fees is as follows:
Delivering the item to the delivery destination (receiving locker 101) on condition that the user pays the price (S409);
Receiving reception information (delivery ID, user ID, etc.) from the user who has come to receive the item at the delivery destination, which is information issued to the user (S410);
The method includes identifying the fee (late fee) required for the item delivered to the delivery destination based on the received reception information (S605), and requesting the computer system (vendor system 103) of the payment destination to execute payment processing for the fee (late fee) required for the item (S801).

(Effects of Example 1)
In the first embodiment, by executing the system payment process, the hassle of paying late fees can be eliminated compared to paying the late fees using a credit card or cash at the receiving locker 101 site.

In addition, in Example 1, even if the customer does not have the necessary funds (credit card, cash, etc.) to cover the fee, the customer can make the payment using the payment method information registered in the seller system 103.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the request for payment of the price and the request for payment of the late fee are made collectively by the seller system 103, so the payment method information required for the payment request can be managed by the seller system 103. This allows secure information such as credit card numbers to be managed in one place, reducing the risk of leaking secure information.

In addition, in Example 1, since the seller system 103 makes a request for payment of the late fee, the late fee can be paid even if the locker PF 106 does not have the authority to make a request for payment of the late fee.

In the first embodiment, the method of payment of the late fee was agreed upon at the time of purchasing the item on the user terminal 102, but the method of agreement is not limited to this. FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram of a late fee payment system 900 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be explained, and explanations that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

In the late fee payment system 900 of the second embodiment, the user who comes to receive the item from the receiving locker 101 agrees to the payment method of the late fee. The agreement is transmitted from the receiving locker 101 to the locker PF 106, and the locker PF 106 receives the agreement. In order to obtain payment method information for the late fee, the locker PF 106 transmits the agreement and reception information (such as a delivery ID and a user ID) received from the receiving locker 101 to the seller system 103. The seller system 103 receives the agreement and reception information from the locker PF 106, identifies the payment method information corresponding to the received reception information, and requests that the late fee be paid using the identified payment method information. The locker PF 106 may request the seller system 103 to pay the late fee on the condition that the agreement has been received, or may request the seller system 103 to pay the late fee regardless of whether or not the agreement has been given, and may determine whether or not to request the payment of the late fee based on the agreement on the seller system 103 side. If the user does not agree at the receiving locker 101, the user may pay the overdue fee using the payment function provided by the receiving locker 101.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing a consent screen 1000 for agreeing to the payment method of the late fee. The consent screen 1000 in Figure 10 is a screen provided by the locker PF 106 to the receiving locker 101, and is displayed on the display input unit 230 of the receiving locker 101. The consent screen 1000 includes a consent button 1001 for agreeing to the payment method of the late fee. When the consent button 1001 is selected by the user, for example, the consent screen 500 in Figure 5 may be displayed. In addition, the radio button 702 may not be selectable until consent is given using the consent button 1001.

(Effects of Example 2)
In the second embodiment, the user can agree on the method of payment of the overdue fee at the receiving locker 101. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In Examples 1 and 2, an example was described in which an item is delivered to a receiving locker 101, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the item may be delivered to a convenience store 1101 (hereinafter, abbreviated as "convenience store" as appropriate). Figure 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a late fee payment system 1100 in Example 3. In Example 3, differences from Example 1 will be explained, and explanations that overlap with Example 1 will be omitted as appropriate.

The user can specify a convenience store 1101 as the delivery destination for an item purchased from a retailer. The user terminal 102 transmits a delivery request to the retailer system 103, including the delivery destination (convenience store 1101) and pick-up time for the purchased item.

When the delivery destination specified in the delivery request received from the user terminal 102 is a convenience store 1101, the seller system 103 transmits the specified convenience store and collection time to the POS terminal management PF 1106 (information processing device) to check whether the item can be delivered. The POS terminal management PF 1106 is connected to be able to communicate with the POS terminals of the convenience stores 1101, and manages various information about multiple convenience stores 1101.

The delivery company system 104 manages the logistics of the goods so that the goods are delivered from the retailer (e.g., the retailer's logistics center) to the delivery destination (convenience store 1101) according to the delivery request and delivery ID.

The user performs receipt reception, such as inputting receipt information such as a delivery ID, at the POS terminal of the convenience store 1101, and receives the item stored at the convenience store 1101 from a clerk at the convenience store 1101. If the receipt date and time is after the receipt deadline, a late fee for storing the item at the convenience store 1101 will be incurred, and a payment process for the late fee will be performed. The user can pay this late fee not only using the payment function (code payment, card payment, cash payment, etc.) provided by the POS terminal, but also using the user's payment method information registered in the retailer system 103 described above. When the payment of the late fee is completed, the POS terminal management PF 1106 notifies the POS terminal of the convenience store 1101 of the delivery of the item, and the clerk at the convenience store 1101 follows the notification to hand over the stored item to the user.

(Effects of Example 3)
Even if the delivery destination is a convenience store 1101, the overdue storage charge for the article at the convenience store 1101 can be paid without the trouble of payment and even if the user does not have the money on hand.

(Modification)
Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the specific examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

For example, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, a case was described in which a late fee for the use of the receiving locker 101 was paid using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103. Also, in the above-mentioned third embodiment, a case was described in which a late fee for the storage fee at the convenience store 1101 was paid using the user's payment method information registered in the seller system 103. The fee required for the item paid for using the payment method of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned late fee, and may be, for example, a redelivery fee incurred when a delivery company redelivers an item that was taken back from the receiving locker 101 or the convenience store 1101 after the receipt deadline.

In the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, an example has been described in which an item purchased at an EC site provided by the seller system 103 is delivered to the receiving locker 101 or the convenience store 1101, but the item to be delivered in the present invention is not limited to a purchased item. For example, an item owned by a user may be brought to a delivery company's office and delivered to the receiving locker 101 or the convenience store 1101. In this case, the computer system to which the payment is made is the delivery company system 104, and the locker PF 106 requests the delivery company system 104 to settle the overdue fee and the like. Below, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 12 when the payment is made to the delivery company system 104.
In the modified example of the late fee settlement system 1200 of FIG.
The user uses the user terminal 102 to transmit a delivery request including the delivery destination and receiving time of the goods, payment method information for the price (delivery fee), and consent to the payment method for the late fee to the delivery company system 104. The user may also use a terminal installed at the delivery company's office to transmit a delivery request including the delivery destination and receiving time of the goods, payment method information for the price (delivery fee), and consent to the payment method for the late fee to the delivery company system 104.
When the delivery destination specified in the delivery request is the receiving locker 101, the delivery company system 104 checks whether there is a vacant space in the specified receiving locker 101. In addition, the delivery company system 104 requests the payment operator system 105 to settle the price (payment request) in accordance with the payment method information.
When the delivery company receives a notification of completion of payment from the payment service provider system 105, the delivery company delivers the item to the specified delivery destination (e.g., receiving locker 101).
A user who comes to receive an item from the receiving locker 101 performs reception at the receiving locker 101, such as entering reception information such as a delivery ID, and the receiving locker 101 transmits the reception information and reception date and time received from the user to the locker PF 106.
If the reception date and time is after the receipt deadline, a late fee has been incurred for the usage fee of the receiving locker 101, so the locker PF 106 identifies the late fee to be charged to the user and requests the delivery company system 104 to process the payment of the late fee. The delivery company system 104 identifies the payment method information of the user registered in the delivery company system 104 according to the request (delivery ID, etc.) received from the locker PF 106, and makes a payment request for the late fee to the payment operator system 105 using the identified payment method information.

In addition, in the above-mentioned Example 1, the user selected the payment method for the late fee on the selection screen 700, but instead of allowing the user to select the payment method for the late fee, the seller system 103 may be requested to automatically settle the late fee using the payment method information associated with the user and registered in the seller system 103, provided that the user agrees. In this case, if the payment process for the late fee is not completed, payment using another payment method may be accepted from the user.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3, the door of the box of the receiving locker 101 is unlocked on the condition that the payment of the late fee is completed, but the timing of unlocking the door of the box is not limited to this. For example, the door of the box may be unlocked when the user accepts the receipt. In this case, after unlocking the door of the box, the locker PF 106 requests the seller system 103 to settle the late fee, and the seller system 103 requests the payment business operator to settle the late fee according to the settlement request. However, if the payment of the late fee is impossible due to, for example, the expiration date of the credit card or the limit being exceeded, a notice of the payment impossibility is notified to the locker PF 106 from the payment business operator system 105 via the seller system 103. In accordance with the notice, the locker PF 106 separately requests the user to pay the late fee. For example, if the payment of the late fee is impossible, the receiving locker 101 may accept payment from the user by other payment methods (such as a code payment function, a credit card payment function, or a cash payment function provided in the receiving locker 101). For users who are unable to pay the late fee at the time of receiving the item, the locker PF 106 may obtain the user's address from the seller system 103, subject to the user's consent as described above, and execute a sending process to send a payment slip for the late fee to that address, or the locker PF 106 may request the seller system 103 to send the payment slip. The user takes the payment slip to a convenience store, bank, or the like and pays the late fee.

100, 900, 1100, 1200: Late fee payment system, 101: Receiving locker, 102: User terminal, 103: Retailer system, 104: Delivery company system, 105: Payment service provider system, 106: Locker PF, 107: Information processing system, 1101: Convenience store, 1106: POS terminal management PF

Claims (13)

An information processing device capable of communicating with a computer system of a delivery destination to which an item is delivered on condition that a user pays for the item, and with a computer system of a payment destination of the item,
(i) a reception information matching process for matching reception information received by the information processing device from the computer system of the payment destination, which is the same as the reception information issued to the user by the computer system of the payment destination at the time of the payment procedure for the item and transmitted to the user terminal of the user, with (ii) reception information received by the information processing device from the computer system of the delivery destination from the user who has come to receive the item at the delivery destination, which is reception information received by the computer system of the delivery destination;
a late fee specification process for specifying a late fee to be charged to the user, which is a late fee for storage at the delivery destination of the item delivered to the delivery destination, based on the reception information matched by the reception information matching process;
a late fee payment request process for requesting a computer system of the payment destination to execute a late fee payment process;
An information processing device that executes the above. In claim 1,
storing a deadline for receiving the item;
If the date and time of receipt of the receipt information is beyond the receipt deadline, a late fee for storage of the item is specified;
an information processing device that requests a computer system of the payment destination to execute payment processing of the overdue fee to the management company of the delivery destination; In claim 2,
An information processing device in which the late fee is determined based on the difference between the reception date and time and the receipt deadline. In claim 1,
The delivery destination is a locker installed at a receiving location,
The information processing device manages the usage status of the lockers. In claim 4,
The information processing device unlocks the locker on condition that a notice of completion of the payment process for the overdue fee is received from the computer system of the payee of the fee. In claim 1,
The price includes the purchase price of the item,
The information processing device includes a payment destination of the item, the seller of the item. In claim 1,
The price includes a shipping fee for the item to the delivery destination,
An information processing device, wherein the payment destination of the price includes a delivery company of the item. In claim 1,
An information processing device that requests a computer system of the payment destination to execute a settlement process for the overdue fee, subject to the consent of the user. In claim 8,
An information processing device, wherein the consent is given when the user makes a payment procedure for the item. In claim 8,
An information processing device, wherein the consent is given by a user who comes to receive the item at the delivery destination. In claim 1,
An information processing device that accepts payment by another payment method if the execution of the overdue fee settlement process is not completed. An information processing system including a computer system of a delivery destination to which an item is delivered on condition that a user pays for the item, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the delivery destination computer system and the payment destination computer system,
The destination computer system
a process of receiving reception information from a user who has come to receive the item at the delivery destination, the reception information being issued to the user by a computer system of a payee of the item when the payment procedure for the item is performed and transmitted to a user terminal of the user;
and transmitting the received reception information to the information processing device.
The information processing device includes:
receiving, from the computer of the payment destination, acceptance information that is the same as the acceptance information issued to the user from the computer system of the payment destination and transmitted to the user terminal;
a reception information matching process for matching the reception information received from the computer system of the delivery destination with the reception information received from the computer system of the payment destination of the fee;
A process of identifying a late fee for storage at the delivery destination of the item delivered to the delivery destination, based on the reception information matched by the reception information matching process, to be charged to the user;
a process of requesting a computer system of the payment destination to execute a process for settling the overdue fee;
An information processing system that executes the above. A fee payment method for performing a process for paying a fee required for a delivered item on the condition that a user pays the price, in an information processing device , comprising:
(i) comparing reception information received by the information processing device from the computer system of the payment destination, which is the same as the reception information issued to the user by the computer system of the payment destination at the time of the payment procedure for the item and transmitted to the user terminal of the user, with (ii) reception information received by the computer system of the delivery destination from the user who has come to receive the item at the delivery destination, which is the reception information received by the information processing device from the computer system of the delivery destination;
Based on a result of the comparison of the reception information, and based on a match between the two reception information, specifying a late fee for storage at the delivery destination of the item delivered to the delivery destination, which is a late fee to be charged to the user;
requesting a computer system of the payment destination to execute a settlement process for the overdue fee;
Payment methods, including:

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