U.S. patent application number 09/072455 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for electronic money card, electronic money receiving/paying machine, and electronic money card editing device..
Invention is credited to HAYAMI, CHIE, YANAGIHARA, YASUSHI.
Application Number | 20010011249 09/072455 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 14837742 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010011249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YANAGIHARA, YASUSHI ; et
al. |
August 2, 2001 |
ELECTRONIC MONEY CARD, ELECTRONIC MONEY RECEIVING/PAYING MACHINE,
AND ELECTRONIC MONEY CARD EDITING DEVICE.
Abstract
An electronic money card includes a memory built in an IC chip
of an IC card and reads and writes electronic money to and from the
memory. The electronic money card allows conditions restricting an
electronic money reading process to be written in a storage area
excluding an electronic money storage area set for each user or
usage of the electronic money.
Inventors: |
YANAGIHARA, YASUSHI;
(OWARIASAHI-SHI, JP) ; HAYAMI, CHIE;
(OWARIASAHI-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
50
104 EAST HUME AVENUE
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22301
|
Family ID: |
14837742 |
Appl. No.: |
09/072455 |
Filed: |
May 5, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/41 ; 235/379;
235/380; 705/40; 705/42; 705/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/108 20130101;
G06Q 20/1085 20130101; G07F 7/0866 20130101; G06Q 20/105 20130101;
G06Q 20/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/41 ; 705/40;
705/42; 705/43; 235/379; 235/380 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 1997 |
JP |
09-122514 |
Claims
1. An electronic money card for transacting electronic money,
comprising: a control section and a storage section, wherein the
storage section stores data of the electronic money, a plurality of
pieces of identification data for identifying usages to be
specified when the electronic money card is used, and usable limit
data for limiting an amount of electronic money to be used in
correspondence with each piece of identification data, and wherein
the control section compares a piece of identification data
received from outside the electronic money card with each of the
pieces of identification data stored in the storage section upon
request for payment and permits the payment in electronic money
within the usable limit of the electronic money limited by the
piece of identification data when the compared pieces of
identification data coincide with each other.
2. An electronic money card according to claim 1, wherein the
storage section stores a password set to correspond to a piece of
identification data, and the control section permits payment in
electronic money when a password received from outside the
electronic money card coincides with the password stored in the
storage section.
3. An electronic money card according to claim 1, wherein the
storage section stores an aggregate amount obtained by the control
section adding up a total amount of electronic money paid every
time the electronic money is paid.
4. An electronic money card according to claim 1, wherein the
storage section stores a transaction record in which transaction
data are recorded when the control section performs an electronic
money transaction.
5. An electronic money card according to claim 1, wherein the
control section updates the piece of identification data when
instructed to update the piece of identification data stored in the
storage section.
6. An electronic money card according to claim 5, wherein the
storage section stores a master password for giving permission to
alter data stored in the storage section, and the control section
updates the piece of identification data when a password to be
entered coincides with the master password.
7. An electronic money transaction apparatus for performing an
electronic money transaction with an electronic money card for
storing electronic money therein, comprising: a CPU, an input
section, and a display section, wherein the CPU displays a message
prompting a user to enter a usage of the electronic money card on
the display section upon request for a transaction using the
electronic money and performs an electronic money transaction with
the electronic money card based on the usage entered from the input
section.
8. An electronic money transaction apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the CPU displays a message prompting a user to enter a
password set in accordance with a usage on the display section and
permits a transaction with the electronic money card when the
password entered from the input section coincides with a password
set in the electronic money card.
9. An electronic money transaction apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the CPU stops a transaction with the electronic money card
when an amount of electronic money for payment to be entered from
the input section is greater than an electronic money balance in
the electronic money card.
10. An electronic money transaction apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the CPU stops a transaction with the electronic money card
when an amount of electronic money for payment to be entered from
the input section is greater than a usable limit set in the
electronic money card.
11. An electronic money transaction apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the CPU sums an amount of electronic money transacted in
the electronic money card as an aggregate amount every time an
electronic money transaction is performed with the electronic money
card.
12. An electronic money transaction apparatus according to claim
11, wherein the CPU stops a transaction with the electronic money
card when a sum of an amount of electronic money for payment to be
entered from the input section and the aggregate amount in the
electronic money card is greater than an electronic money balance
in the electronic money card.
13. An electronic money transaction apparatus according to claim
11, wherein the CPU stops a transaction with the electronic money
card when a sum of an amount of electronic money for payment to be
entered from the input section and the aggregate amount in the
electronic money card is greater than a usable limit set in the
electronic money card.
14. An electronic money card editing device for editing an
electronic money card, comprising: a display section for displaying
a message prompting a user to select a service from a plurality of
services; an input section for detecting selection of the service
in accordance with the message displayed on the display section; a
reading/writing section for reading and writing data of the
electronic money card; and a CPU, wherein the CPU detects selection
of a service for editing data in the electronic money card made
from the input section and, when the service is for altering a
usage of the electronic money card, updates data indicating the
usage stored in the electronic money card through the
reading/writing section.
15. An electronic money card editing device according to claim 14,
wherein when the service is for altering a usable limit of the
electronic money card, the CPU updates the usable limit set in the
electronic money card through the reading/writing section.
16. An electronic money card editing device according to claim 14,
wherein the CPU displays a message prompting a user to select a
service from a plurality of services on the display section,
displays on the display section a password for permitting the user
to edit data in the electronic money card when an instruction for
editing the data in the electronic money card is received from the
input section, and permits the user to edit the data in the
electronic money card when a password entered from the input
section coincides with a master password obtained through the
reading/writing section.
17. An electronic money card editing device according to claim 14,
wherein when the service is for referring to a transaction record
in the electronic money card, the CPU reads the transaction record
in the electronic money card through the reading/writing section
and displays data of the read transaction record on the display
section.
18. An electronic money card editing device according to claim 14,
wherein when the service is for initializing the aggregate amounts
of electronic money summed up in the electronic money card, the CPU
resets the aggregate amounts stored in the electronic money card to
zero through the reading/writing section.
19. A method of performing an electronic money transaction using an
electronic money card, comprising the steps of: storing electronic
money data in the electronic money card, a plurality of pieces of
identification data for identifying usages to be specified when the
electronic money card is used, and usable limit data for limiting
an amount of electronic money to be used in correspondence with
each piece of identification data; comparing a piece of
identification data received from outside the electronic money card
with each of the pieces of identification data stored in the
storage section upon request for payment; and permitting the
payment in electronic money within the usable limit of electronic
money limited in correspondence with the piece of identification
data when the compared pieces of data coincide with each other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic money card
for dealing with money electronically, an electronic money
receiving/paying machine for reading and writing electronic money
from and to the electronic money card, and an electronic money card
editing device for allowing a user, e.g, to refer to information
stored in the electronic money card.
[0002] An electronic money card has a recording of money in the
form of electronic cash in a memory built in an IC chip of an IC
card. When a user stores electronic money in a recording area of a
memory or withdraws the electronic money from the recording area, a
certification number specific to the IC card or a password the user
has for his account in a banking organ is used as a condition for
payment with the card.
[0003] However, the aforementioned electronic money card certifies
the user with a single password, and under this procedure, any user
who knows the password can withdraw the total amount of electronic
money stored in the electronic money card at once. Thus, when the
user lends his electronic money card to or shares it with other
people, the users must use the electronic money within the portions
of a usable limit they mutually agreed upon, respectively. In
addition, it is necessary to prepare a management ledger such as an
account book to keep a record of used electronic money data.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an
electronic money card capable of storing usable limits of
electronic money and passwords on a user or a usage basis and
storing a transaction record including items indicating users and
usages, an electronic money receiving/paying machine capable of
receiving and paying electronic money to and from the electronic
money card, and an electronic money card editing device allowing a
user to refer to the transaction record stored in the electronic
money card and to alter identifiers, usable limits of electronic
money and passwords set on a usage basis.
[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides
an electronic money card, in which a storage section of the card
has an area for storing a restricting condition for the withdrawal
of electronic money and in which a logic is provided so that a user
is allowed to read or write the electronic money stored in the
electronic money card based on such condition.
[0006] The present invention further provides an electronic money
receiving/paying machine that allows a user to receive or pay
electronic money based on a restricting condition set in an
electronic money card when the machine performs a receiving and
paying process with the electronic money card in accordance with a
message displayed on a display section of the machine.
[0007] The present invention still provides an electronic money
card editing device that allows a user to refer to a transaction
record in the electronic money card and to alter passwords, usages
and usable limits in accordance with a message displayed on a
display section of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary organization of an
electronic money system using an electronic money card, an
electronic money receiving/paying machine and an electronic money
card editing device;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary structure of an
electronic money card for storing electronic money;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of an
electronic money receiving/paying machine installed in a shop for
performing the receiving and paying operation with respect to the
electronic money card;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart showing an electronic money
transaction provided by a transaction application program of the
electronic money receiving/paying machine;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of an
electronic money card editing device which is possessed by a user
and allows the user to refer to a transaction record stored in the
electronic money card and by which the user can update a payment
condition; and
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing a process provided
by a transaction application program of the electronic money card
editing device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the drawings.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exemplary organization of an electronic money
system using an electronic money card, an electronic money
receiving/paying machine using the electronic money card, and an
electronic money card editing device for editing conditions and the
like which are set for using the electronic money card.
[0016] When a user 107 uses an electronic money card 106 in order
to pay the price for a service received at a shop 102 (among a
plurality of shops A, B and so on), the user 107 inserts the
electronic money card 106 into an electronic money receiving/paying
machine 108 installed at the shop 102 to read electronic money
stored in the card 106. The electronic money receiving/paying
machine 108 then writes the read electronic money into a shop's
electronic money card (not shown) that has already been inserted
into the machine 108. A transaction is established between the user
107 and the shop 102 in this way.
[0017] Further, when the shop 102 deposits the electronic money
accumulated in the shop's electronic money card to an account the
shop 102 has with a banking organ 101, the electronic money
receiving/paying machine 108 reads the electronic money stored in
the shop's electronic money card and transmits the read electronic
money to an electronic money management server 104 installed at the
banking organ 101. The electronic money management server 104
requests an accounting system 105 installed at the banking organ
101 to follow a procedure for depositing an amount of money
equivalent to the received electronic money into the account of the
shop 102. When the accounting system 105 completes the depositing
procedure, the electronic money receiving process is complete.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the
electronic money card 106 shown in FIG. 1. When the electronic
money card 106 is inserted into the electronic money
receiving/paying machine 108 or an electronic money card editing
device 109 (hereinafter referred to as the "control unit"), the
electronic money card 106 is activated in response to an electronic
signal supplied through an interface control section 201. With the
electronic money card 106 activated, an OS (operating system) 206
and an electronic money program 207 that are stored in a ROM 203
are loaded to a RAM 204. As a result, a CPU 202 is allowed to read
and write the data in the RAM 204 and a nonvolatile memory 205 in
accordance with a command from the control unit received through
the interface control section 201. For example, when a command for
withdrawing or storing electronic money 208 is received from the
interface control section 201, the CPU 202 rewrites data of the
electronic money 208 recorded in the nonvolatile memory 205 in
accordance with a logic described in the electronic money program
207.
[0019] The nonvolatile memory 205 has a storage area 209
(hereinafter referred to as the "payment condition 209") for
recording a personal ID 211 set on a user basis, usage
identification codes 215 and 219, passwords 212, 216 and 220 set on
a usage basis, usable limits 213, 217 and 221, and aggregate
amounts 214, 218 and 222. The usage identification code indicates
what purpose a user uses the electronic money card 106 for. The
usable limit indicates the maximum limit of electronic money the
user can withdraw. The aggregate amount indicates a total sum of
electronic money read from the electronic money card. Further, the
electronic money program 207 has logics that allow the user to
perform processes such as withdrawing electronic money and editing
the electronic money card using the payment condition 209 and a
master password 228 as permitting conditions. That is, one of the
logics requires the payment condition 209 as permission to allow
the user to read the electronic money, and the other logic requires
the master password 228 as permission to allow the user to rewrite
the payment condition 209.
[0020] Further, the nonvolatile memory 205 additionally includes a
storage area 210 (hereinafter referred to as the "transaction
record 210") for recording a user's personal ID 223, a transaction
date 224, a transaction category 225, an amount transacted 226, and
a usage category 227. The transaction date 224 indicates the year,
month and day in which the electronic money is read and written.
The transaction category 225 indicates the reading or writing of
electronic money. The amount transacted 226 indicates a volume of
electronic money read or written. The usage category 227 indicates
the purpose for which the electronic money is used. The nonvolatile
memory 205 stores a record of electronic money and the like therein
in accordance with a logic given to the electronic money program
207. That is, the logic causes the program 207 to record
transaction data in the transaction record 210 after the program
207 has read or written the electronic money.
[0021] As described above, the condition of usable limit is defined
for each usage in the electronic money card. Therefore, even if
there is a positive balance in the user's electronic money account,
the user is prohibited from performing a payment process, such as
in purchasing an article, using the electronic money 208 exceeding
the usable limit. Hence, even if a third party happens to know a
password corresponding to a usage, such third party, not knowing
passwords corresponding to other usages, can use the electronic
money for only one usage, and this means that the damage suffered
by the user could be minimized with only a minimum amount of money
illegally used by the third party. In other words, the electronic
money card of the present invention provides the advantage of
minimizing illegal use of electronic money.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary configuration of the electronic
money receiving/paying machine 108 shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] A process for receiving or paying electronic money involves
the step of transferring the electronic money from the electronic
money card 106 possessed by the user 107 to the electronic money
card possessed by the shop 102 or vice versa. First, a transaction
application program 308 that controls electronic money receiving
and paying transactions displays on a display section 305 an
instruction prompting the user 107 to insert the user's electronic
money card 106 into an electronic money card reading/writing
section 301 on the user side and an instruction prompting the shop
102 to insert the shop's electronic money card into an electronic
money card reading/writing section 302 on the shop side. After the
user 107 and the shop 102 finish inserting their electronic money
cards, the transaction application program 308 displays on the
display section 305 an instruction prompting the user 107 to enter
a group of data which includes an amount of money equivalent to a
service the user received from the shop, a password certifying that
the user 107 is a legitimate user of the electronic money card 106,
a personal ID identifying the user 107 and an identification code
specifying a usage of the electronic money. As a result, the
program 308 receives such group of data from the user 107 via an
input section 304. Then, the transaction application program 308
gives an electronic money program 309 a command and the group of
data received from the input section 304. The command causes the
program 309 to transfer electronic money equivalent to the amount
of money received from the input section 304 from the user's
electronic money card 106 to the shop's electronic money card.
Successively, in response to the command from the transaction
application program 308, the electronic money program 309 transfers
the electronic money to the shop's electronic money card from the
user's electronic money card 106. The group of data transferred at
this time is delivered to the electronic money program 207 stored
in the user's electronic money card 106 and used as permission to
perform the electronic money payment process described with
reference to FIG. 2, i.e., as the condition set by the usage
identification code 215, the password 216 and the like.
[0024] In a process through which the shop deposits the electronic
money stored in the shop's electronic money card in an account the
shop 102 has with the banking organ 101, the transaction
application program 308 gives the electronic money program 309 a
command for withdrawing the electronic money from the shop's
electronic money card, and the electronic money program 309
transfers the withdrawn electronic money to the electronic money
management server 104 from a communication control section 303.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary electronic money
payment transaction provided by the transaction application program
308 of the electronic money receiving/paying machine 108. A CPU 306
controls the transaction.
[0026] First, the user 107 enters a personal ID that identifies the
user 107 and a usage of electronic money from the input section 304
(Step 401). The transaction application program 308 checks the
validity of the entered data (Step 402). The checking process is
performed when the electronic money program 309 of the electronic
money receiving/paying machine 108 gives the electronic money
program 207 of the electronic money card 106 an instruction for
checking the entered data. On the other hand, the electronic money
program 207 of the electronic money card 106 determines the
validity of the received input data by comparing such received
input data with the personal ID 211 and the usage-based
identification codes 215 and 219 which are defined as the payment
condition 209 in the nonvolatile memory 205.
[0027] Next, the program 308 asks the input section 304 of the
electronic money receiving/paying machine 108 if the user has
entered the usage (Step 403). If the answer is affirmative, the
program 308 prompts the user to enter a usage-based password (Step
404), whereas if the answer is negative, the program 308 prompts
the user to enter a regular password (Step 405). Then, the validity
of the entered password is checked in accordance with the type of
password, either usage-based or regular (Step 406). The electronic
money program 207 of the electronic money card 106 makes the
validity check by comparing the entered password with the passwords
212, 216 and 220 defined as the payment condition 209.
[0028] If the entered password is found to be correct, an amount of
electronic money 208 withdrawable from the electronic money card
106 within the usable limit 213, 217 or 221 corresponding to the
entered usage is obtained (Step 407). Then, the amount of money
withdrawn is added to the aggregate amount of electronic money so
far paid 214, 218 or 222 (Step 408), and the obtained sum is
compared with both the electronic money balance and the usable
limit 213, 217 or 221 in the electronic money card (Step 409). If
the sum is equal to or smaller than the balance and the usable
limit 213, 217 or 221, the user is permitted to make payment in
electronic money, so that the electronic money is withdrawn, and
the payment transaction is terminated after a recording of
transaction data is made (Step 410). The transaction data includes
the personal ID 223, the date 224 in which the transaction is
performed, the transaction category 225 that specifies the type of
transaction, either receipt or payment, the amount of money
transacted 226, and the usage category 227 that indicates
identification codes defined on a usage basis. When such
transaction data is written into the transaction record 210 of the
electronic money card 106, a payment transaction is terminated.
[0029] The comparison process in Step 409 will be described more
specifically. That is, the following describes in more detail the
process of comparing the amount of money withdrawn to be added (or
the amount of money to be paid which is to be added to the
aggregate amount of electronic money paid shown in FIG. 2) with the
electronic money balance in the electronic money card 106 and the
usable limit 213, 217 or 221 defined as the payment condition 209.
The usable limit means the maximum limit of electronic money set
for each usage as described above. For example, if a user withdraws
electronic money many times, the amount of money withdrawn is added
up every time the withdrawing operation is performed. That is,
under this procedure, the user is required to receive and pay the
electronic money within a usable limit. Thus, not only the amounts
of money withdrawn by the user is compared with the usable limit,
but also the sum of the amount of money currently withdrawn and the
aggregate amount of money so far paid is compared with the usable
limit. On the other hand, in case the electronic money balance is
insufficient, the amount of money to be added is compared with the
current electronic money balance so that the user can perform
transactions within the electronic money currently available as the
balance. Thus, whether the user can withdraw the electronic money
from his electronic money card or not is determined by making these
comparisons.
[0030] Further, the steps described with reference to FIG. 4 are
not necessarily taken in the order they are mentioned. For example,
the object of the present invention can be achieved by executing
the usage-related steps (Steps 401 to 403) after checking the
balance in the electronic money card (Step 409). The same applies
to the flow of steps shown in FIG. 6.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the
electronic money card editing device 109.
[0032] A transaction application program 506 of the electronic
money card editing device 109 provides a reference service and two
types of rewriting services. The reference service allows a user to
refer to the transaction record 210 stored in the electronic money
card 106. One of the rewriting services allows the user to rewrite
the passwords 212, 216 and 220 set on a usage basis, and the usage
identification codes 215 and 219 and usable limits 213, 217 and 221
recorded in the electronic money card 106. The other rewriting
service allows the user to reset to zero the aggregate amounts of
electronic money paid 214, 218 and 222 recorded in the electronic
money card 106 on a user and a usage basis. An electronic money
program 507 executes a process for reading and writing the payment
condition 209 recorded in the electronic money card 106 and a
process for reading the transaction record 210 stored in the card
106. The user 107 inserts the electronic money card 106 to an
electronic money card reading section 501 and enters data necessary
for receiving desired services from an input section 502 in
accordance with instructions displayed on a display section
503.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing how the services are provided
by the transaction application program 506 of the electronic money
card editing device 109. A CPU 504 mainly controls the following
processes.
[0034] First, the transaction application program 506 of the
electronic money card editing device 109 displays on the display
section 503 a message instructing the user 107 to select a service
(Step 601).
[0035] If the service for referring to the transaction record is
selected from the input section 502, the process for reading the
transaction record is executed (Step 608). The transaction record
is read when the electronic money program 507 applies to the
electronic money program 207 stored in the electronic money card
106 a command for reading the transaction record 210 stored in the
nonvolatile memory 205. In response to the command, the electronic
money program 207 of the electronic money card 106 reads a data
table of the transaction record 210 and delivers the read data
table to the transaction application program 506 through the
electronic money program 507. Then, the data table of the
transaction record 210 is displayed on the display section 503
(Step 609).
[0036] On the other hand, if the service for rewriting a password,
a usage, and a usable limit of money is selected from the input
section 502, the user is requested to enter a personal ID and a
usage (Step 602). The entered data are delivered to the electronic
money program 207 of the electronic money card 106 and used to
select items to be rewritten from a data table of the payment
condition 209. Upon detection of the data that coincides with the
entered data (Step 603), the user 107 is requested to enter a
master password given to a manager of the electronic money card 106
(the manager is one of the users 107 who is authorized to rewrite
the payment condition 209) (Step 604). This step is effective in
prohibiting a current possessor of the electronic money card 106
from altering any part of the payment condition 209 specified by
others when the electronic money card 106 is lent to or shared
among a plurality of people. The entered password is compared with
the master password 228 of the electronic money card 106 (Step
605). When both passwords coincide with each other, the user 107 is
permitted to enter new data (updated data) (Step 606). Then, the
entered new data is delivered to the electronic money program 207
so that the data is rewritten (Step 607). If the passwords do not
coincide in Step 605, the user cannot alter data (various
conditions) in the electronic money card 106.
[0037] On the other hand, when the user selects the service for
resetting the aggregate amounts of money paid to zero, the user is
requested to enter a usage, a password and the like as the user is
so requested in the process described with respect to receiving the
service for rewriting a password, a usage and a usable limit (Steps
610, 611, 612 and 613). When the rewriting of the payment condition
209 recorded in the nonvolatile memory 205 of the electronic money
card 106 is permitted, the aggregate amounts of money paid 214, 218
and 222 are reset to zero (Step 614). The reason why the aggregate
amounts of money paid in the electronic money card are reset to
zero is to avoid the inconvenience of prohibiting a legitimate user
from legally using the electronic money card. That is, the
legitimate user is no longer permitted to use the electronic money
card if his electronic money payments exceed the usable limits as
each payment is accumulated in the aggregate amounts in the
electronic money card.
[0038] The present invention will be described more specifically.
Let us take an example in which a plurality of people share a
single card in common: e.g., family members such as the farther,
the mother, an elder brother, a younger sister share a card, and
company staff members such as a general manger, a manager,
employees share a card. In these cases, the card can be used
flexibly by setting on an individual member basis such usage-based
conditions as passwords and identification codes defined in the
payment condition 209 which is described with reference to FIG. 2.
In addition, the card allows each member user to set conditions on
a usage basis, such as the purchasing of books, foods or
clothes.
[0039] While the processes (described especially with reference to
FIGS. 4 and 6) of the electronic money card, the electronic money
receiving/paying machine and the electronic money card editing
device are performed chiefly under the control of the CPUs
respectively equipped with the electronic money receiving/paying
machine and the electronic money card editing device, it goes
without saying that the CPU arranged in the electronic money card
can control these processes. It may be noted that each of these
CPUs is termed a "control section."
[0040] According to the present invention, an electronic money card
allows a plurality of users to record their individual usable
limits and passwords of electronic money on a usage basis, and the
electronic money card prohibits the use of the electronic money in
amounts exceeding the usable limits unless the manager of the
electronic money card who has the master password is asked to reset
the aggregate amounts of electronic money paid to zero. As a result
of the present invention, a single electronic money card can be
shared in common among a plurality of people, and thus the
invention contributes to the promotion of a planned use of the
electronic money card among family members or in corporate
organizations.
[0041] Furthermore, the electronic money stored in the electronic
money card is managed on the basis of a plurality of usable limits
and passwords. Therefore, even if a certain password is leaked to a
third party, the advantage of improving safety is provided in the
sense that the third party cannot withdraw all the electronic money
available in the card at once.
* * * * *