U.S. patent application number 11/877346 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-01 for optical payment transceiver and system using the same.
Invention is credited to Kwang Su Chang, Eun Sang Cho, Oue Min Hwang, Bong Sung Jung, Hoon Joon Jung, Bog Heui Kang, Chul Ki Kim, Dae Yeon Kim, Do Ha Kim, Won Dong Kim, Kyung Yang Park, Kwang Hyun Sung, Heo Gu Woo.
Application Number | 20080103981 11/877346 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37036812 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080103981 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Kyung Yang ; et
al. |
May 1, 2008 |
OPTICAL PAYMENT TRANSCEIVER AND SYSTEM USING THE SAME
Abstract
An optical payment transceiver and an optical settlement system
using the same uses a personal portable terminal incorporated with
an optical transceiver as a card substitute payment unit for
settlement. Here, card information is incorporated in a personal
portable terminal incorporated with an optical transceiver such as
a portable phone or a PDA and the optical transceiver is connected
to a card inquiry machine to thereby optically transmit and receive
card information. The card inquiry machine recognizes the received
card information in the same manner as that of the card reader
reading a magnetic card, and transmits the card information to a
VAN company server or a card company server, to then request for an
approval and settle transactions. The present invention is applied
to most fields where financial transactions are performed as in a
general commerce, a toll gate fee or tunnel passage fee collection
system, a subway or bus fare levying system, a gas station, a
department store, a drive-thru ordering system, a vending machine,
and a fee payment system of kiosks. Also, the present invention can
be applied to an entrance/exit security system requiring personal
identification. Thus, the present invention can use a portable
terminal as a payment unit without carrying a cash or cards, to
thereby provide an effect of performing a safer and more reliable
credit transaction.
Inventors: |
Park; Kyung Yang; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kim; Chul Ki; (Songnam-city, KR) ;
Hwang; Oue Min; (Seoul, KR) ; Jung; Bong Sung;
(Seoul, KR) ; Sung; Kwang Hyun; (Seoul, KR)
; Kim; Do Ha; (Seoul, KR) ; Jung; Hoon Joon;
(Gunpo-city, KR) ; Kang; Bog Heui; (Dobong-gu,
KR) ; Cho; Eun Sang; (Hyehwa-dong, KR) ; Kim;
Won Dong; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Dae Yeon; (Seoul,
KR) ; Chang; Kwang Su; (Seoul, KR) ; Woo; Heo
Gu; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
F. CHAU & ASSOCIATES, LLC
130 WOODBURY ROAD
WOODBURY
NY
11797
US
|
Family ID: |
37036812 |
Appl. No.: |
11/877346 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10148326 |
May 29, 2002 |
|
|
|
PCT/KR01/00428 |
Mar 16, 2001 |
|
|
|
11877346 |
Oct 23, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/64 ; 705/1.1;
705/14.23; 705/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/20 20130101;
G06Q 20/327 20130101; G06Q 20/351 20130101; G07F 7/1008 20130101;
G06Q 20/102 20130101; G07F 7/025 20130101; G06Q 20/325 20130101;
G06Q 20/10 20130101; G06Q 20/355 20130101; G06Q 40/00 20130101;
G07F 7/0866 20130101; G06Q 30/0213 20130101; G06Q 20/322 20130101;
G06Q 20/341 20130101; G06Q 20/32 20130101; G06Q 30/0222 20130101;
G06Q 20/4014 20130101; G06Q 20/382 20130101; G06Q 20/40 20130101;
G06Q 20/342 20130101; G06Q 20/367 20130101; G06Q 20/3672 20130101;
G06Q 20/363 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/064 ;
705/001; 705/014; 705/035 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; G06Q 40/00 20060101 G06Q040/00; H04L 9/00 20060101
H04L009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2000 |
KR |
2000-13426 |
May 18, 2000 |
KR |
2000-26621 |
Jun 9, 2000 |
KR |
2000-31567 |
Jun 9, 2000 |
KR |
2000-16328 |
Jun 13, 2000 |
KR |
2000-32454 |
Jun 13, 2000 |
KR |
2000-32455 |
Jun 16, 2000 |
KR |
2000-33198 |
Jul 28, 2000 |
KR |
2000-21614 |
Dec 6, 2000 |
KR |
2000-73716 |
Dec 6, 2000 |
KR |
2000-73717 |
Dec 6, 2000 |
KR |
2000-73718 |
Dec 6, 2000 |
KR |
2000-73719 |
Jan 11, 2001 |
KR |
2001-1540 |
Claims
1. A method of programming a personal trusted device comprising:
providing a microadapter device having a wireless transceiver and
configured to communicate with a merchant; communicating an
identity signal from a user's personal trusted device to the
microadapter device; communicating the identity signal from the
microadapter device to a remote location; communicating data from
the remote location to the microadapter upon authenticating the
identity signal; and communicating the data from the microadapter
to the wireless transceiver of the personal trusted device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote location comprises a
server hosting a financial management application, and
communication of the data comprises communicating at least one of a
user preference and an updated user financial account status.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote location comprises a
server in communication with a purchase incentive program, and
communication of the data comprises communicating a purchase
incentive.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote location comprises an
account validity monitor, and communication of the data causes
inactivation of at least one of a financial account number stored
on the PTD, and a software code of a software application stored on
the PTD.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote location comprises a
token issuer, and communication of the data comprises communicating
a token to the PTD.
6. A method for enhancing security in a payment settlement system
using a portable terminal, the security enhancement method
comprising the steps of: inputting charge number information into
the portable terminal and encrypting the charge number information
using secret number; wirelessly transmitting both the charge number
information and the secret number from the portable terminal;
receiving the charge number information and the secret number and
decrypting the charge number information using the received secret
number; and performing a settlement operation with the decrypted
charge number information.
7. An automatic vending system comprising: a payment unit for
wirelessly transmitting charge card information; an automatic
vendor including a wireless transceiver for receiving the charge
card information and recording particulars of products which are
sold; a storage device for storing the details of sales of the
automatic vendor; and a transmission terminal for transmitting the
details of sales stored in the storage device.
8. The automatic vending system of claim 7, wherein said automatic
vendor comprises: a vendor controller for controlling sales of
products; and an optical payment receiver for monitoring the vendor
controller, recording the sales of products, performing wireless
communications with the storage device, and transmitting the
recorded details of sales.
9. The automatic vending system of claim 8, wherein said storage
device is a PDA.
10. The automatic vending system of claim 9, wherein said PDA
comprises: an Ir transceiver for performing wireless
communications; a memory for recording particular of sales; a
controller for controlling the particular of sales received from
the Ir transceiver; a display for displaying a storage status; and
a serial port for transmitting the stored details of sales.
11. The automatic vending system of claim 8, wherein said storage
device is a memory pack.
12. The automatic vending system of claim 11, wherein said memory
pack is a non-volatile memory.
13. The automatic vending system of claim 7, wherein said
transmission terminal is a power line modem connection device.
14. The automatic vending system of claim 13, wherein said
automatic vendor comprises: a converter for modulating the recorded
details of sales; and a power line mixer for loading and the
modulated details of sales on a power line and sending the loaded
result.
15. The automatic vending system of claim 14, wherein said power
line modem connection device is connected to a power source
terminal.
16. The automatic vending system of claim 7, wherein said
transmission terminal comprises: a keypad for setting a settlement
mode; an Ir interfacer for performing infrared communications with
the storage device and receiving the stored details of sales; a
serial interfacer connected to the storage device by ports; a
memory storing the details of sales; a transmission/reception
portion for transmitting the details of sales wirelessly; a display
displaying the transmission result; and a microprocessor for
controlling each component and requesting for an approval of the
stored details of sales in package at a settlement mode.
17. The automatic vending system of claim 7, wherein said
transmission terminal is a portable phone connection device.
18. The automatic vending system of claim 17, wherein said portable
phone connection device comprises: an I/F portion for monitoring
the automatic vendor and detecting generation of details of sales;
a memory for receiving and storing the details of sales; a cable
connector for connecting a portable phone external connection port
by cable; a UART portion for detecting whether a portable phone is
connected and notifying the controller that the portable phone is
connected; and said controller for controlling the details of sales
stored in the memory to be transmitted.
19. The automatic vending system of claim 7, wherein said
transmission terminal is an internet connection device.
20. The automatic vending system of claim 19, wherein said internet
connection device comprises: a memory connector for receiving
details of sales stored in the storage device; an infrared I/F
portion for performing infrared communications with the storage
device and receiving the stored details of sales; a serial port;
and a controller for controlling the details of sales to be
transmitted via the serial port.
21. The automatic vending system of claim 7, wherein said
transmission terminal is a dial-up VAN connection device.
22. The automatic vending system of claim 21, wherein said dial-up
VAN connection device comprises a modem for loading the collected
details of sales in a phone line and sending the loaded result.
23. A settlement system comprising: a portable terminal for
wirelessly transmitting charge number information; an RF terminal
including an optical transceiver receiving the charge number
information from the portable terminal, levying fares and recording
levied details; and a transmission terminal connected to the RF
terminal, for transmitting and settling the recorded levied details
in package.
24. The settlement system of claim 23, wherein said RF terminal
comprises: an optical transceiver for receiving the charge number
information from the portable terminal; a recorder for recording
the levied details; a controller for ascertaining whether the
received charge number information is valid and levying the fare if
the charge number information is valid and recording the levied
details in the recorder; and a display for displaying a levying
fare and a cumulative amount of money.
25. The settlement system of claim 24, wherein said recorder is a
separable pack-type memory.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/148,326 filed on May 29, 2002, which claims priority to
PCT/KR01/00428 filed Mar. 16, 2001. The disclosure of the U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/148,326 is incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an optical payment
transceiver and an optical settlement system using the same, and
more particularly, to a system for settling an expense of various
transactions through a portable terminal in which payment
information is contained in the portable terminal to which an
optical payment transceiver is attached.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0003] Recently, cards convenient to use and handy to carry are
widely being used compared with cash. The cards are classified into
a credit card, a cash card, a direct payment card, an advance
payment card, a traffic card and so on according to a settlement
method. For example, cards are frequently used to settle accounts
for purchase of products in general shops or department stores.
Also, cards are used to pay for filling gas in gas stations or
having food in restaurants. Recently, cards are being used for
traffic fare in taxis, subways or buses. In addition, cards are
being used for electronic commerce transactions or automatic
transfer machines (ATMs)/CDs. As such, card affiliated stores
continue to increase and card settlement items become diverse.
However, cards are not still sufficiently applied to toll gates,
tunnel passage, vending machines, and self-service kiosks.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a general credit card settlement system,
which shows the case of paying for an article purchased in a
shop.
[0005] In FIG. 1, a purchaser gives his or her own credit card 11
to a seller. The credit card 11 is a magnetic card in which an
inherent number and a user name are engraved. The seller inserts
the credit card into a magnetic card reader in a credit card
inquiry machine 12, so that credit card information is recognized
via the magnetic card reader. Then, the credit card inquiry machine
12 transmits the recognized credit card information to a VAN
(Value-Added Network) company server 13, to thereby send an
approval request. The credit card inquiry machine 12 and the VAN
company server 13 are connected through a dedicated line. The VAN
company server 13 applies for an approval to a corresponding card
company server 14 according to the received approval request. The
card company server 14 having received the approval application
from the VAN company server 13 confirms whether the corresponding
credit card is black-listed, how is the credit standing of the
credit card holder, how is the credit limit of the credit card, and
so on, and then transmits an approval result to the VAN company
server 13. The VAN company server 13 having received the approval
result from the card company server 14 notifies the approval result
to the credit card inquiry machine 12 in the store having received
the initial approval application. The seller in the store confirms
the approval result and then notifies the purchaser of the
confirmed approval result. In the case that the credit card proves
normal according to the approval result, the seller gives the
purchaser a sales check and then receives a signature from the
purchaser. Accordingly, a settlement of payment using such a credit
card is completed.
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a credit card settlement system in a
general electronic commerce, which includes a cyber shopping mall
system 23 providing products or services, and a customer terminal
22 which accesses the shopping mall system 23 via the Internet in
order to purchase articles or services. The credit card settlement
system also includes a payment gateway company server 24, and a VAN
company server 25 and a card company server 26, which are involved
in payment for products such as the articles or services.
[0007] In FIG. 2, a customer accesses the cyber shopping mall
system 23 with a computer, that is, the Internet-accessible
terminal 22, in order to perform a shopping. If the customer finds
out an article desired to be purchased, he or she transmits a
purchase intention to the shopping mall system 23. The customer
inputs information of the possessed credit card 21, that is, the
customer name, the card number, the secret number, the valid date,
etc., on a screen provided by the shopping mall system 23. The
shopping mall system 23 transmits the card information provided by
the customer to the payment gateway company server 24. The payment
gateway company server 24 requests for an approval for the
transmitted card information to the card company server 26 or the
VAN company server 25, and then confirms an approval result, and
transmits the approval result to the shopping mall system 23 where
transactions took place. If the shopping mall system 23 is notified
that a normal settlement processing has been made from the payment
gateway company server 24, the article purchased by the
corresponding customer is delivered to the customer to complete the
transaction.
[0008] Meanwhile, an electronic money is used as a new payment
means in addition to cashes or cards. The electronic money may be
classified into a network-type electronic money, an IC card-type
electronic money and a petty sum electronic money using a phone
number. The network-type electronic money adopts a method of
storing a substantial monetary value in a particular database on a
network and transmits a requested value at a needed time on an
on-line, which cannot be used on an off-line. The IC card-type
electronic money is represented by a Mondex card as an example. The
petty sum electronic money using a phone number adopts a method of
inputting a phone number such as a portable phone number instead of
payment information such as credit card information when goods or
services are purchased on the Internet after registration with
respect to corresponding electronic money dealing stores, to
thereby allow a phone number inputter to purchase his or her
desired goods or services, and charging the amount summed in a
following month bill for phone charges to him or her.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] By the way, the above-described credit card holder should
always possess it in order to pay for charges. If the credit card
is lost, it may be unduly used. Also, personal credit information
of a credit card holder can be unduly exposed through use of the
credit card. Also, in the case that a credit card is handed over to
a seller for inquiry of the credit card, the credit card may be
easily illegally copied. For this reason, a dispute between a card
holder and a card company is frequently raised. However, all
responsibilities are taken to a card holder.
[0010] Also, in the case that a credit card is a magnetic card,
such a credit card can be easily read-out by an unauthorized person
and damaged by a careless use and treatment. Also, since a valid
data of use is determined, a new credit card should be re-issued
for even a member having a normal credit standing every three or
five years, and delivered again. Accordingly, a business cost
increases. Also, a card is usually kept in custody in a wallet.
Thus, in the case that a card is lost, it is difficult to recognize
that the card has been lost until it is time when the card is used
again or it is found that the wallet has been lost. Thus, an
illegal use may be aggravated due to a theft or loss. In addition,
since an existing magnetic card can contain only a small amount of
information, it cannot be applied to a variety of application
fields. Further, since card issuance responsibilities of each card
such as entrance cards, security cards, service cards and so on are
diverse, persons who wish to receive diverse services provided from
the various card issuing authorities should possess a plurality of
cards.
[0011] Meanwhile, since the number of possessed cards increases and
use of cards is frequently made, loss or theft of cards frequently
occurs, which increases a burden to suspend dealings on a credit
card. Also, if a card holder is registered as a poor credit
standing due to a unpaid card dealing amount, it is necessary to
suspend such a card dealing. For suspending such a card dealing, a
card company server keeps black list (B/L) information with respect
to poor credit standing cards and checks whether a card dealing
should be suspended if a card dealing approval request is received
from a card dealing store. Otherwise, a card reader installed in a
bus or subway entrance gate downloads B/L information by wire from
a card company server, and compares input card information with the
stored B/L information during using of cards in a bus or subway, to
thereby check whether such a card is black-listed.
[0012] However, the above card dealing suspension methods have the
difficulty that a massive amount of information should be stored in
each card company server or card reader, which causes an operation
of systems difficult. Further, as an amount of information to be
processed increases, it becomes longer to check a B/L card and thus
a reaction time of the card company server or card reader becomes
later, which may cause complaint or dissatisfaction due to inferior
services.
[0013] To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a card issuance system for enabling a card
applicant to use a portable device as a substituted card, in which
card information is input into the portable device such as a
wireless communications terminal including a cellular phone, a PCS,
a portable mobile phone, a PDA, an IMT-2000 device and so on,
instead of a magnetic card.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new settlement system for optically transmitting and receiving card
information for paying for an expense and settling the expense
payment.
[0015] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a settlement system in which an optical transmitter
containing card information is rent and all purchased amount bills
can be settled.
[0016] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a card information reception combining apparatus for use in a
credit card inquiry machine, which receives optically transmitted
card information to thereby perform a successful transaction, in
which an existing credit card inquiry machine is used as it is
without purchasing a credit card inquiry machine attached with an
optical receiver receiving optically transmitted card
information.
[0017] It is a still yet another object of the present invention to
provide an authentication system enhancing a reliability with
respect to user authentication in the above settlement system.
[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
portable device which has a larger information storage capability
to thereby provide a variety of services which are not limited in
payment of banking or financing transactions.
[0019] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide a portable device including information on various cards
thereby enhancing user conveniences in which a user possesses a
single portable device instead of a plurality of cards.
[0020] It is a yet further object of the present invention to
provide an optical payment transceiver which is manufactured easily
to hand, contains payment information, and transmits the stored
payment information by infra-red communications upon manipulation
of user buttons, to thereby settle the payment securely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The above objects and other advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred
embodiments thereof in more detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a general credit card settlement
system;
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a credit card settlement system in a
general electronic commerce;
[0024] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an optical settlement
system according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a card issuance system according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a flowchart view for explaining a card issuance
operation of the FIG. 4 system;
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a card issuance system according to,
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flowchart view for explaining a card issuance
operation of the FIG. 6 system;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an optical payment unit
according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 9 shows an external appearance of an optical payment
unit fabricated in a portable phone shape;
[0031] FIG. 10A is a block diagram showing an optical payment unit
fabricated in a key chain shape;
[0032] FIG. 10B shows an external appearance of the FIG. 10A
optical payment unit fabricated in a key chain shape;
[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a portable terminal
battery pack including an optical transceiver according to the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an optical transmission
circuit included in a battery pack;
[0035] FIG. 13A is a front-end bottom view showing a connection
state between an optical transceiver plug device and a portable
phone device;
[0036] FIG. 13B is a rear view showing a connection state between
an optical transceiver plug device and a portable phone device;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a detailed configuration view showing an optical
transceiver plug device;
[0038] FIG. 15A is a block diagram showing an optical receiver
incorporated credit card inquiry machine according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 15B shows an external appearance of the FIG. 15A
optical receiver incorporated credit card inquiry machine;
[0040] FIG. 16A is a block diagram showing an optical receiver
externally installed credit card inquiry machine according to
another embodiment of the present invention, in which the optical
receiver is connected to the credit card inquiry machine by
cable;
[0041] FIG. 17A is a block diagram showing an adapter in a credit
card inquiry machine according to still another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0042] FIG. 17B is a block diagram showing a magnetic interface
card of FIG. 17A;
[0043] FIG. 17C is a connection state between the adapter of FIG.
17A and the credit card inquiry machine;
[0044] FIG. 18A is a block diagram showing an adapter having a card
reader in a credit card inquiry machine according to yet another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 18B is a connection state between the adapter of FIG.
18A and the credit card inquiry machine;
[0046] FIG. 19A is a block diagram showing a mobile optical relayer
according to the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 19B is a block diagram showing a mobile optical relayer
base device according to the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 19C is a connection state of the mobile optical relayer
of FIG. 19A;
[0049] FIG. 19D is a connection state of the mobile optical relayer
base device of FIG. 19B;
[0050] FIGS. 20A through 20D show a clip-type optical relayer,
respectively;
[0051] FIG. 21 illustrates an adapter-type optical relay base
device;
[0052] FIG. 22 is a block diagram for explaining a card information
encryption method according to the present invention;
[0053] FIGS. 23A through 23C show a structure of storing a
plurality of kinds of payment information, respectively;
[0054] FIG. 24 illustrates a communications procedure between the
optical payment transceivers;
[0055] FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a communications protocol applied
to a settlement method using an optical payment according to the
present invention, respectively;
[0056] FIG. 27 is a flowchart view for explaining a security
enhancement method in a settlement system using a card information
contained portable terminal according to the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram showing a commerce system
using an optical payment transceiver according to the present
invention;
[0058] FIG. 29 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation with
respect to an optical settlement in a general commerce system of
FIG. 28;
[0059] FIG. 30 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation in
the case that the settlement system of FIG. 28 is applied to a
counter calculation-type restaurant;
[0060] FIG. 31 is a conceptual view of a settlement system adopting
an optical payment using a phone number as an ID
(IDentification);
[0061] FIG. 32 is a view showing a data flow of a settlement system
adopting an optical payment using a phone number as an ID
(IDentification);
[0062] FIG. 33 is a configuration view showing a toll gate fee
settlement system adopting an optical payment settlement system
according to the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 34 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation with
respect to settlement of a toll gate fee of a vehicle which passes
an entrance gate in a toll gate;
[0064] FIG. 35 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation with
respect to settlement of a toll gate fee of a vehicle which passes
an exit gate in a toll gate;
[0065] FIG. 36 is a configuration view showing a drive-thru order
system adopting an optical payment settlement system according to
the present invention;
[0066] FIG. 37 is a configuration view showing an optical payment
settlement system in the FIG. 36 system;
[0067] FIG. 38 shows a display state with respect to an order
details display board in the FIG. 36 system;
[0068] FIG. 39 is a flowchart view for explaining an
order/settlement operation in the FIG. 36 system;
[0069] FIG. 40 is a configuration view showing a gas station fee
collection system adopting an optical payment settlement system
according to the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 41 is a flowchart view for explaining a settlement
operation in the FIG. 40 gas station fee collection system;
[0071] FIG. 42 is a configuration view showing a department store
settlement system adopting an optical payment settlement system
according to the present invention;
[0072] FIG. 43 is a configuration view showing an unmanned
automatic vending system adopting an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention;
[0073] FIG. 44 is a detailed block diagram showing the automatic
vending system of FIG. 43;
[0074] FIG. 45 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation of
settlement of payment in the FIG. 43 unmanned automatic vending
system;
[0075] FIG. 46 is a configuration view showing a kiosk fee payment
system adopting an optical payment settlement system according to
the present invention;
[0076] FIG. 47 is a detailed block diagram showing the kiosk fee
payment system of FIG. 46;
[0077] FIG. 48 is a flowchart view for explaining a fee payment
operation in the FIG. 46 fee payment system;
[0078] FIG. 49A is a block diagram showing an automatic vending
system adopting a mobile collection device using a PDA;
[0079] FIG. 49B shows an example of the PDA applied in the FIG. 49A
system;
[0080] FIG. 50A is a block diagram showing a mobile collection
device using a memory pack;
[0081] FIG. 50B shows a connection state of the memory pack of FIG.
50A;
[0082] FIG. 51A is a block diagram showing an automatic vending
system adopting a power line modem connection device;
[0083] FIG. 51B shows connection states of the automatic vendors
applied in the FIG. 51A system in a building;
[0084] FIG. 52A is a block diagram showing a mobile communications
modem incorporated transmission terminal;
[0085] FIG. 52B shows an external appearance of the FIG. 52A mobile
communications modem incorporated transmission terminal;
[0086] FIG. 53A is a block diagram showing an automatic vending
system adopting a portable phone connection device;
[0087] FIG. 53B shows an example of connection of the portable
phone to the vending system;
[0088] FIG. 54A is a block diagram showing an Internet accessible
device;
[0089] FIG. 54B shows an external connection state with respect to
a PC;
[0090] FIG. 55A is a block diagram showing a dial-up VAN accessible
device;
[0091] FIG. 55B shows an external connection state of the FIG. 55A
dial-up VAN accessible device;
[0092] FIG. 56 is a configuration view showing a bus/taxi fare
automatic collection system adopting an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention;
[0093] FIG. 57 is a detailed block diagram showing a RF terminal
for collecting bus fares;
[0094] FIG. 58 is a configuration view showing a subway fare
automatic collection system adopting an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention;
[0095] FIG. 59 is a detailed block diagram showing a RF terminal
for collecting subway fares;
[0096] FIG. 60 is a conceptual view showing an optical payment
batch processing settlement system using a phone number as an
ID;
[0097] FIG. 61 is a configuration view showing an embodiment of an
electronic commerce system adopting an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention;
[0098] FIG. 62 is a flowchart view for explaining a settlement
operation in the FIG. 61 electronic commerce system;
[0099] FIG. 63 is a configuration view showing another embodiment
of an electronic commerce system adopting an optical payment
settlement system according to the present invention;
[0100] FIG. 64 is a flowchart view for explaining a settlement
operation in the FIG. 63 electronic commerce system;
[0101] FIG. 65 is a flowchart view in the case that the FIG. 61
electronic commerce system is applied in a general store;
[0102] FIG. 66 is a diagram for explaining an authentication system
according to the present invention;
[0103] FIGS. 67A and 67B are views for explaining a process of
registering user facial data in a portable terminal initially,
respectively;
[0104] FIG. 68A is a view for explaining a user authentication
process in the facial data contained portable terminal;
[0105] FIG. 68B is a flowchart view for explaining a user
authentication process in the facial data contained portable
terminal;
[0106] FIG. 69 shows a card information change service system
provided in an optical payment settlement system according to the
present invention;
[0107] FIG. 70 is a flowchart view in the FIG. 69 card information
change service system provided in an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention;
[0108] FIG. 71 shows a card dealing suspension system according to
the present invention;
[0109] FIG. 72 is a flowchart view for explaining a card B/L
registration method in the FIG. 71 system;
[0110] FIG. 73 is a flowchart view for explaining a card dealing
suspension method in the FIG. 71 system;
[0111] FIG. 74 is a configuration view showing a card loss service
system provided in an optical payment settlement system according
to the present invention;
[0112] FIG. 75 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation in
the FIG. 74 card loss service system;
[0113] FIG. 76 is a configuration view showing a use details
wireless transfer system provided in an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention;
[0114] FIG. 77 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation in
the FIG. 76 use details wireless transfer system;
[0115] FIG. 78 is a block diagram showing a settlement system using
a rental type optical payment unit according to the present
invention;
[0116] FIG. 79 is a flowchart view for explaining a rental process
of an optical transmitter;
[0117] FIG. 80 is a flowchart view for explaining a settlement
process in the FIG. 78 system;
[0118] FIG. 81 is a flowchart view for explaining a return process
of an optical transmitter;
[0119] FIG. 82 is a flowchart view for explaining a non-return
process of an optical transmitter;
[0120] FIG. 83 is a configuration view showing an entrance/exit
security system using an optical transceiver according to the
present invention;
[0121] FIGS. 84 and 85 arc flowchart views for explaining an
entrance/exit control process in the FIG. 83 system,
respectively;
[0122] FIG. 86 is a configuration view showing a real-time value
transferable electronic money system according to the present
invention;
[0123] FIG. 87 shows configuration of display screens when an
electronic money is withdrawn in an ATM;
[0124] FIG. 88 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation when
an electronic money is withdrawn in an ATM;
[0125] FIG. 89 shows configuration of display screens when an
electronic money is exchanged between portable terminals;
[0126] FIG. 90 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation when
an electronic money is exchanged between portable terminals;
[0127] FIG. 91 shows configuration of display screens in the case
of payment of an electronic money using a portable terminal;
and
[0128] FIG. 92 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation in
the case of payment of an electronic money using a portable
terminal.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0129] To accomplish the above object of the present invention,
there is provided a card issuance method comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a card issuance application; (b) examining an
issuance qualification with respect to the received card issuance
application; (c) encrypting card information if the issuance
qualification is met; (d) transferring the encrypted card
information to an applicant designating portable terminal so as to
be stored therein; and (e) if the encrypted card information has
been completely stored, check a normal operation state and approve
the card information stored portable terminal to be used as a
substitute card.
[0130] To accomplish the above object of the present invention,
there is also provided a card issuance system comprising: a card
company server receiving a card issuance application, examining an
issuance qualification encrypting card information if the issuance
qualification is met, and encrypting the card information and
transferring the encrypted card information to an applicant
designating portable terminal; and said portable terminal receiving
and storing the transmitted card information, and displaying the
received card information on a screen in order to inform the card
issuance applicant that the card issuance has been made.
[0131] To accomplish the above object of the present invention,
there is also provided an optical payment transmitter for use in an
optical transceiver apparatus for payment of expenses, the optical
payment transmitter comprising: a memory storing user card
information therein; an optical transceiver for optically
transmitting and receiving card information; a button for
commanding an optical payment operation; a controller for optically
transmitting card information according to user button manipulation
so that a settlement is completed; and a display displaying an
optical payment operation state, in which the optical payment
transmitter is fabricated as a compact portable device.
[0132] To accomplish the above object of the present invention,
there is also provided an optical payment receiver for use in a
credit card inquiry machine for receiving card information
transmitted from a portable terminal and performing a settlement
operation, the optical payment receiver comprising: an optical
reception unit for receiving the card information as an optical
signal and performing a settlement according to the received card
information.
[0133] To accomplish the above object of the present invention,
there is also provided an optical payment system for paying for
fees using an optical signal, the optical payment system
comprising: a mobile optical relayer for receiving a card
information contained optical signal from a user terminal,
temporarily storing corresponding card information, and outputting
the stored card information one time; and an optical relay base
device for receiving the card information from the mobile optical
relayer and transmitting the received card information to a credit
card inquiry machine.
[0134] To accomplish the above object of the present invention,
there is also provided an optical settlement system for use in a
commerce system, the optical settlement system comprising: an
optical payment transmitter for optically transmitting card
information; an optical payment receiver for optically receiving
the transmitted card information; a credit card inquiry machine for
transferring the received card information and requesting a
transaction approval; and a settlement authority server for
notifying an approval result with respect to the received approval
request to the credit card inquiry machine.
[0135] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0136] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an optical payment
settlement system according to the present invention, which
includes a card issuance system and a card dealing settlement
system. The card issuance system issues a card according to a
method of inputting credit card information to a portable terminal
of a card applicant by a data optical transmission and reception
method in which an optical transceiver is attached in a card
issuance terminal of a card company, a method of inputting card
information in a battery pack of a portable terminal, or a method
of downloading card information into a portable terminal by wire or
wireless network. The card issuance system includes a card issuance
applicant 31, a card company 36 issuing the card, and a relayer 37
for transferring the issued card information to a portable terminal
possessed by the applicant 31 using the above-described methods. Of
course, the card company 36 can directly perform the role of the
relayer 37. Between the relayer 37 and the applicant 31 is
connected a communications network 38 of a mobile communications
company to which the portable terminal has been subscribed, in
order to transmit the card information to the portable terminal
possessed by the applicant 31 by a radio frequency (RF)
transmission and reception method. Between the card company 36 and
the relayer 37 is connected a phone network (X.25). The settlement
system includes the portable terminal 31 for optically transmitting
and receiving the issued credit standing information, a credit
inquiry terminal 33 attached in a card dealing store, for receiving
a transmitted customer credit information signal using an attached
optical receiver 32, and a settlement authority 36 such as a card
company for performing credit transaction confirmation and
transaction approval. The settlement authority 36 is a bank or card
company. A transaction approval request is made via a VAN company
35. The relayer 34 is selectively connected between the credit
inquiry terminal 33 of the card dealing subscriber and the VAN
company 35.
[0137] First, a card issuance system which issues payment
information such as a credit card, a payment card, an electronic
money, a merchandise coupon and so on, which is contained in a
personal portable information device such as a portable phone or a
PDA, will be described below.
[0138] FIG. 4 illustrates a card issuance system according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 4
includes a card applicant 41, and a card company 42 for performing
qualification examination and identification of an authorized
person, to thereby issue a card. A relayer 44 transmits the
information of the issued card to the card applicant's designating
portable terminal via a mobile communications network. Also, the
FIG. 4 system includes a mobile communications company 43 which
authenticates that the card issuance applicant 41 is same as the
portable terminal possessor, and a mobile communications agency 45
which sells portable terminals and recommends subscription of the
portable terminals. An operation of the card issuance of the FIG. 4
system having the above structure will be described in detail with
reference to FIG. 5.
[0139] The card applicant 41 purchases a portable terminal such as
a portable phone and a PDA which can be used as an optical payment
unit, in the mobile communications company agency 45 (step 51). The
cars used in the present embodiment is a mobile communications
terminal having a portable phone or a PDA form incorporated with an
optical transceiver which can transmit and receive card
information. The mobile communications company agency 45 transmits
the received card issuance application to the card company 42 via a
card recruiter 46. The card company 42 ascertains whether the card
applicant is the same person as that which is filled in the card
issuance application and examines a card issuance qualification
(step 52). In the case that the card issuance application proved to
be submitted by a person who lost a card issuance qualification in
the result of examination of step 52, the card issuance application
is returned to the card recruiter 46 or the card applicant 41 or
card issuance is rejected. In the case that the card issuance
application has been passed through the card issuance examination,
a person in charge enters the card applicant information filled in
the card issuance application in a server in the card company 42,
to then let the server to produce a card number by a card number
generation program (step 53). The card company 42 requests a
computer server in the mobile communications company 43 to
ascertain whether a portable terminal in which the residence number
and card information of the card issuance applicant are stored is
possessed by the card applicant via a dedicated line which has been
already installed according to the contract (step 54). If the
residence numbers do not match between the possessor of the
portable terminal and the card applicant in the result of
ascertainment of step 54, the card issuance application is
returned. If it is ascertained that the portable terminal is
possessed by the card applicant 41, the server in the card company
42 encrypts the credit card information including the generated
card number and transmits the encrypted credit card information to
the relayer 44 via the dedicated line together with the portable
terminal number (step 55). The relayer 44 receives the encrypted
card information together with the portable terminal number. The
relayer 44 calls the portable terminal having the same number as
the received portable terminal number via the mobile communications
network and transmits the credit card information at the connected
state where the relayer 44 is connected to the portable terminal
(step 56). The portable terminal stores the received credit card
information in a memory region which is not accessible by a user,
and displays a message for user confirmation on a screen (step 57).
On the portable terminal screen, is displayed a message "Dear Mr.
Kim, congratulate on your card subscription. Your credit limit is
one million U.S. dollars." Thus, the user can ascertain his or her
own name and credit limit and so on, and check whether or not error
information has been input (step 58). Upon confirmation, the
portable terminal returns to step 56 so that the relayer 44 can
re-transmit the card information in order to perform the operations
of steps 56-58 again, if the received information has not been
normally input.
[0140] Here, the above card issuance system is called a push
system. According to the push system, a portable terminal
designated at the time when a card issuance application has been
submitted is called if a card applicant is a person who meets a
card issuance qualification condition and stores card information
transmitted from a card company therein, and then notifies the card
applicant that a card has been issued, irrespective of connection
of the card applicant to the card company. However, a card can be
also issued at the state where a user gains access to the relayer
44 via the Internet. Briefly, the relayer 44 transmits the card
issuance notification to the portable terminal via a mobile
communications network at the state where the card information is
received from the card company 42. A customer who confirms the card
issuance notification via the portable terminal manipulates the
keypad on the portable terminal to gain access to the relayer 44
and wireless internet. The relayer 44 transmits a message for
requesting a personal identification data to a customer in a
wireless internet connection state. The customer who receives the
message for requesting the personal identification data manipulates
the keypad on the portable terminal and transmits the personal
identification data to the relayer 44. The relayer 44 which
receives the personal identification data judges whether or not the
customer to be in connection is an authorized person. If the
customer is an authorized person, the relayer 44 transmits the
credit card information to the portable terminal. The portable
terminal stores the received credit card information in a memory
incorporated therein, displays a message "normally received" on a
screen, and ends its operations, to enable a user to confirm the
normal input. Meanwhile, if the customer is not an authorized
person, the relayer 44 make the portable terminal display a message
"You are not an authorized person, and card information can not be
issued." on a screen, and end its operations. Like this, in the
case of the card issuance via the Internet, card issuance is not
notified to the card applicant after issuance of the card but card
reception intention is asked and then a card is issued to the card
applicant only in the case that the card applicant acknowledges the
card reception.
[0141] Besides, a detachable IC card using methods such as
subscriber identity module (SIM), universal subscriber identity
module (USIM) and user identity module (UIM) is mounted on the
portable terminal, to be used for downloading and storing the card
information.
[0142] In addition, a card applicant can visit a card company and
directly input card information into a portable terminal. This is
called a keypad system. A card issuance system using the keypad
system is shown in FIG. 6.
[0143] FIG. 6 illustrates a card issuance system according to
another embodiment of the present invention. The system shown in
FIG. 6 includes a portable terminal 61 in which an optical
transceiver 62 is attached, which receives issued card information
and functions as an optical payment unit. A card issuance terminal
64 in which an optical transceiver 63 is attached, inputs the
issued card information into the portable terminal 61 possessed by
a card applicant. The portable terminal 61 is connected to the card
issuance terminal 64 via wire or wirelessly. The FIG. 6 system
includes a computer network 65 and a main computer 66 of a
card-issuance-related banking authority. An operation of the card
issuance of the FIG. 6 system having the above configuration will
be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.
[0144] A card applicant pays a visit to a card issuance company,
holding his or her own portable terminal in person, and fills in a
card issuance application and submits the same to the company (step
71). A card issuing person inputs contents filled in the submitted
application in a computer via the card issuance terminal 64 (step
72). The contents stored in the computer is transmitted to the main
computer via the computer network 65. Also, the card issuing person
identifies whether the card applicant is the same person as one
whose information has been filled in the card issuance application,
through an identification card such as a residence card, a
passport, and a driving license (step 73). After identification,
the card issuing person converts the card issuance terminal 64 into
an input mode (step 74), and then ascertains whether the number of
the portable terminal 61 being an input object is identifies with
that of the submitted portable terminal (step 75). In this case,
the portable terminal is identified by asking or calling a mobile
communications company if the number of the portable terminal 61 is
identifies with that of the submitted portable terminal. Then, the
submitted portable terminal 61 is converted into a card input mode
(step 76). If the card issuance terminal 64 and the portable
terminal 61 have been converted into the input mode, respectively
through steps 74 and 76, the optical transceiver 62 attached to the
portable terminal 61 and the optical transceiver 63 attached to the
card issuance terminal 64 are positioned to face each other so that
the one can optically transmit and receive card information to and
from the other. Of course, the card issuance terminal 64 and the
portable terminal 61 can be directly connected by cable, to thereby
transmit and received card information. The card issuing person
presses predetermined input buttons on a keyboard of the card
issuance terminal 64 to thereby transmit personal card information,
a name, and other information required by a banking authority (step
77). Here, the transmitted information is input to the main
computer 66 through the computer network 65 as well as the portable
terminal 61 and then recorded therein. The portable terminal 61
receives the information transmitted from the optical transceiver
63 of the card issuance terminal 64 via the optical transceiver 62
and records the received information therein (step 78). When the
card information has been completely input, the optical transceiver
62 is positioned to face the optical transceiver 63 at a normal
operational state confirmation mode of the card issuance terminal
64, and then the predetermined buttons are pressed to ascertain an
operational state (step 79). If it is confirmed that there is no
abnormality, the personal card information entry is finally
approved (step 80).
[0145] Other than the optical transmission and reception, the
portable terminal can be connected to the card issuance terminal by
cable via an external communications port provided in the portable
terminal, so that card information can be stored in the portable
terminal. A variety of information can be stored in the portable
terminal by means of the previously described optical payment
device other than the card information. That is, existing ticket-
or coupon-fashioned premium information and respective service card
information is stored and then transmitted via an optical
transceiver.
[0146] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an optical payment unit
according to the present invention. The FIG. 8 optical payment unit
includes an optical transmitter 81 for converting an electrical
signal into an optical signal, an optical receiver 82 for
converting an optical signal into an electrical signal and a memory
83 storing various information including input card information. A
controller 84 stores the input information and controls respective
elements so that the stored information can be used as payment
information. The optical transmitter 81 is connected to a modulator
85 for modulating a signal to be transmitted and the optical
receiver 82 is connected to a demodulator 86 for demodulating a
received signal. Interfacers 87 and 88 perform an interfacing
operation between the modulator 85 and the controller 84, and
between the demodulator 86 and the controller 84, respectively.
[0147] The optical payment unit according to the present invention
is not limited to a portable terminal being a mobile communications
terminal in which an optical transceiver is attached, and is
applied to a key-chain, a watch, an electronic notebook, a PDA, and
so on, which enables fabrication of a variety of mobile units (MUs)
which can be selectively used according to users' needs.
[0148] FIG. 9 shows an external appearance of an optical payment
unit fabricated in a portable phone shape. An optical transceiver
121 for optically transmitting and receiving card information is
attached to the portable phone shown in FIG. 9. Also, buttons for
commanding optical transmission operations of the card information
are provided on a keypad 124 additionally. Of course, existing keys
on the keypad can be used. A button 122 for commanding an optical
transmission operation of a traffic card function is provided in a
proper position of the portable phone, in the case of a portable
phone shaped optical payment unit. An optical payment operation is
displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 123. Also, a signature
tag 125 for showing a card membership signature is attached to a
proper position at which the portion is not easily worn during use
of the portable phone, which can satisfy a signature confirmation
request as in the case of using a magnetic card.
[0149] FIG. 10A is a block diagram showing an optical payment unit
fabricated in a key chain shape, and FIG. 10B shows an external
appearance of the FIG. 10A optical payment unit fabricated in a key
chain shape. The key chain internal configuration shown in FIG. 10A
includes an infrared receiver 91A for receiving credit card
information of an infrared signal and converting the infrared
signal into an electrical signal and an infrared decoder 92A for
altering the converted electrical signal into a UART standard
signal. A UART portion 93 transforms a UART standard serial
electrical signal into an 8-bit parallel signal. Also, the key
chain shaped optical payment unit includes a memory 95 storing the
received credit card information, a petty money button 96 and a
credit button 97 both for commanding an optical transmission
payment operation. A display 98 is formed of light emitting diodes
(LEDs) and displays an operational state. Meanwhile, the key chain
optical payment unit includes a CPU 94 for transferring credit
information of infrared signals according to a user's button
manipulation and performing a control operation to be settled, an
infrared encoder 92B for altering a UART standard electrical signal
into an infrared standard signal, and an infrared light emitting
portion 91B for converting and transmitting an electrical signal
into an infrared signal. The key chain shaped optical payment unit
90 having the above configuration is fabricated into a compact key
ring to be conveniently hand-held as shown in FIG. 10B. Here, a
ring 99 is provided to be conveniently combined with other
keys.
[0150] When a user presses the petty cash button 96 for credit
dealing or the credit button 97 for petty money dealing, the CPU 94
receiving button inputs reads credit card information from the
memory 95 in which payment information is stored. The UART portion
93 converts the credit card information read via the CPU 94 into a
serial patterned UART standard signal and transmits the converted
result to the infrared encoder 92B. The infrared encoder 92B
converts the UART standard serial signal into the infrared standard
signal, and transmits the converted result via the infrared light
emitting portion 91B. The infrared credit card information is
transmitted to a credit card inquiry terminal, that is a base unit
(BU) in which an optical transceiver is attached, so as to be
settled. Usually, if credit information is normally received, the
base unit responds to the received credit information in an
infrared signal. The infrared signal is received in the infrared
receiver 91A of the optical payment unit 90 and converted into an
electrical signal. The infrared decoder 92A changes the converted
electrical signal to the UART standard signal. The UART portion 93
converts the UART standard signal into the 8-bit unit parallel
signal and transmits the converted result to the CPU 94. The CPU 94
performs a communications operation according to a protocol
determined by an internal program and controls the display 98 to
display the communications success or failure thereon.
[0151] Here, additional buttons for performing credit dealing and
petty money dealing are provided, so that a respectively different
operation is performed during a petty money dealing and a large sum
dealing. First, in the case of a petty settlement such as a traffic
fare, a secret input is not needed. Thus, a simple settlement can
be performed with only one touch of the petty money button 96.
However, in the case of a large sum settlement, a settlement is
usually performed by confirmation of a secret number. Thus, in the
case that the credit button 97 is pressed, a credit card inquiry
machine (not shown) at a reception end requests a secret number,
and then a user inputs a secret number using a keypad at the
reception end in which a personal identification number (PIN) input
keypad is provided, to thereby perform a business transaction.
[0152] In the case that a secret number input means such as a
keypad is installed for a large sum settlement which requires a
secret number input, a production cost increases and a volume of
the device is enlarged. Thus, the present invention incorporates a
tone recognition module of a portable phone keypad in the
above-described optical payment unit, so that a secret number can
be input using the portable phone keypad. That is, in the case of a
large sum settlement, the tone recognition module is positioned to
be close to the speaker of the portable phone. In this state, a
secret number is pressed using the portable phone keypad. Then, the
portable phone speaker outputs a dial tone signal corresponding to
the corresponding number of the pressed buttons. Then, the tone
recognition module receives a tone signal corresponding to the
corresponding secret number and recognizes the secret number from
the received tone signal. If the large sum settlement button is
pressed in this state, the CPU 94 transmits the secret number
recognized in the tone recognition module externally. Here, since
the transmitted secret number is not stored in the optical payment
unit but output externally, there is no concern about an exposure
of the secret number even in the case of loss or theft of the
optical payment unit.
[0153] Portable phones possessed by most people can be used as the
above-described optical payment unit. In this case, it is
preferable that an optical transmission circuit is integrated and
incorporated into a portable phone circuit. However, it takes much
time and requires much cost to design and fabricate a new portable
phone incorporated with the optical transmission circuit. Thus, an
optical transmitter is incorporated into a battery of the portable
terminal such as the portable phone, so that a currently available
portable terminal is used as it is while performing the function of
an optical payment settlement system.
[0154] FIG. 11 illustrates an external appearance of a portable
terminal battery pack including an optical transceiver according to
the present invention.
[0155] A portable terminal 100 is a terminal which is carried and
movable by a user, including a portable phone, a wireless Internet
communications terminal and a PDA. A pack-type battery 101 includes
a rechargeable battery 105 for supplying power to the portable
terminal 100, a charging circuit and charging taps 107. Also, the
battery 101 includes an optical transmitter for enabling an optical
payment credit dealing as in a credit card. The optical transmitter
is incorporated into the battery 101, which includes the optical
transmission circuit 102 for generating an optical signal, a light
emitting element 103 for emitting an optical signal from the
optical transmission circuit 102 externally, and a settlement
switch 104 for approving a settlement of the optical payment
according to the emitted optical signal.
[0156] The optical transmission circuit 102 is incorporated using
an internal clearance space in the battery pack 101. The light
emitting element 103 is attached near the charging taps 107. Of
course, the light emitting element 103 can be attached in a proper
place of the battery pack 101 so as to perform an optical
transmission easily. In the case that the light emitting element
103 is attached in the periphery of the charging taps 107 as in
this embodiment, the light emitting element 103 should be attached
so that it is not protruded from an external surface of the battery
pack 101. Also, the settlement switch 104 is attached
unprotrudingly on the rear surface of the battery pack 101 in order
to prevent an unwanted settlement optical signal from be emitted
due to an external contact.
[0157] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an optical transmission
circuit included in a battery pack 101.
[0158] A power circuit 111 is a circuit for supplying power to an
optical transmission unit, in which power is obtained from a
rechargeable battery in the battery pack. The memory 113 stores
user credit dealing information and an optical transmitter 114
converts credit dealing information into an optical signal so as to
be externally emitted. A controller 112 transmits information from
the memory 113 to the optical transmitter 114, and controls the
operation of a circuit 112.
[0159] If a user presses a settlement switch 104 attached in the
battery pack 101, the power circuit 111 supplies power to the whole
parts of the optical transmission circuit 102. Then, the controller
112 reads information from the memory 113 and transmits the read
information to the optical transmitter 114. The optical transmitter
114 converts the received information into an optical signal such
as an infrared signal. That is, received digital information is
converted into an optical signal using a light intensity. In the
case that a longer transmission distance is needed, a
communications distance can be increased using an additional
modulation/demodulation unit. The converted optical signal is
emitted via the light emitting element 103 externally. Here, an IC
chip such as an IC card can be used as the memory 113. The IC chip
has a single unique recognition number, to thereby prevent personal
information from being leaked due to an illegal reproduction of the
IC chip.
[0160] As another embodiment, the optical transmission circuit 102
can be incorporated in the portable terminal 100 not in the battery
pack 101. In this case, a connection means is needed for connecting
the optical transmission circuit 102 incorporated in the portable
terminal 100 to the light emitting element 103 and the settlement
switch both of which are attached in the battery pack 101. Such a
connection means is formed by using a power supply terminal for
supplying power to the portable terminal 100 or an additional
terminal.
[0161] FIG. 13A is a front-end bottom view showing a connection
state between an optical transceiver plug device and a portable
phone device, and FIG. 13B is a rear view showing a connection
state between an optical transceiver plug device and a portable
phone device. FIG. 14 is a detailed configuration view showing an
optical transceiver plug device.
[0162] As shown in FIG. 14, the optical transceiver plug device
includes a circuit 131 provided in a case 130 and an optical
transceiver 132 for optically transmitting and receiving data. A
connection cable 133 is formed on one side of the circuit 131 to
connect with a plug 134. The plug 134 is connected to an external
communications port provided on the bottom of the portable phone as
shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Also, the optical transceiver plug
device includes optical transmission and reception windows 135
formed on one surface of the case 130, to thereby form an entrance
and exit portion of an optical signal transmitted to and received
from the optical transceiver 132. As shown in FIG. 13B, the optical
transceiver plug device is connected so that the optical
transmission and reception windows 135 face the rear surface of the
portable phone. Thus, the user connects the plug device with the
portable phone without changing a basic design and structure of the
portable phone, and then performs an optical transmission and
reception function conveniently at the state where the user opposes
the portable phone.
[0163] A conventional credit card inquiry machine adopts a method
of receiving credit information via a magnetic card or a
contact-type IC card and processing the same. For this reason, the
conventional credit card inquiry machine cannot receive an infrared
credit information transmitted from the optical payment unit
according to the present invention. Thus, an optical receiver is
incorporated in the credit card inquiry machine so that the
infrared credit information can be directly received in the credit
card inquiry machine. The optical receiver will be described with
reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B.
[0164] FIG. 15A is a block diagram showing an optical receiver
incorporated credit card inquiry machine according to an embodiment
of the present invention, and FIG. 15B shows an external appearance
of the FIG. 15A optical receiver incorporated credit card inquiry
machine.
[0165] The credit card inquiry machine 140 shown in FIG. 15A
includes an infrared receiver 141A for converting an infrared
signal into an electrical signal and a decoder 142A for converting
the electrical signal into a UART standard signal according to a
conversion of the infrared signal. A UART portion 143 transforms an
input serial electrical signal into an 8-bit parallel signal, to
then transfer the resultant signal to a CPU 144. The CPU 144
controls the entire operation. Also, the credit card inquiry
machine 140 includes an encoder 142B for altering a UART standard
electrical signal into an infrared signal, and an infrared light
emitting portion 141B for transmitting the infrared signal. A
keypad 145 receives a user key input and then transmits the same to
the CPU 144. A display 146 is formed of light emitting diodes
(LEDs) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) and displays an
operational state. Meanwhile, the optical receiver incorporated
credit card inquiry machine 140 has an external appearance as shown
in FIG. 15B.
[0166] The optical receiver incorporated credit card inquiry 140
performs the same operation as a settlement procedure using a
magnetic card even in the case of the optical payment settlement.
First, if a customer expresses a credit dealing intention using an
optical payment unit (not shown), a credit dealing mode is input
using a predetermined function key on a keypad 145. A CPU 144
having received key inputs requests a card input via a display 146.
Usually, a card inserted according to the card input request is
read by a card reader 147, so that card information stored in the
magnetic portion of the card is input. Here, in the case that a
customer indicates a credit dealing intention using the optical
payment unit, a credit dealing button (FIG. 10A) in the optical
payment unit is pressed so that card information is transmitted in
the form of an infrared ray. The infrared receiver 141 incorporated
in the credit card inquiry machine 140 detects the infrared card
information and converts the detected result into an electrical
signal to be transmitted to an infrared decoder 142A. The infrared
decoder 142A decodes the card information into a UART standard
signal to be transmitted to a UART portion 143. The UART portion
143 converts the received UART standard card information signal
into an 8-bit parallel signal to be transmitted to the CPU 144.
Accordingly, the CPU 144 receives the card information and let a
settlement to be completed. Several services which had been
impossible in the past can be possible. That is, existing available
service purposed coupon can be transmitted to an optical payment
unit in an electronic pattern, to thereby provide a new
service.
[0167] The above-described optical receiver incorporation type
requires that additional space and an interface unit in the credit
card inquiry machine be provided. Thus, such an optical receiver
incorporation type is not easy to be applied to credit card inquiry
machines which have been fabricated or available on market. An
optical receiver externally installed credit card inquiry machine
is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, in which an optical receiver is
connected to an external communications port in a credit card
inquiry machine so as to receive credit information which is
transmitted in the form of an optical signal.
[0168] FIG. 16A is a block diagram showing an optical receiver
externally installed credit card inquiry machine according to
another embodiment of the present invention, in which the optical
receiver is connected to the credit card inquiry machine by cable.
An externally installed optical receiver 150 shown in FIG. 16A
receives optically transmitted credit information, converts the
received credit information into a signal of the form which can be
recognized in a credit card inquiry machine 155, and transmits the
converted result to the credit card inquiry machine 155. Here, the
externally installed optical receiver 150 is connected to the
credit card inquiry machine 155 by cable. The operation for an
optical payment settlement in FIG. 16A is same as that of the
optical receiver incorporated credit card inquiry 140 shown in
FIGS. 15A and 15B.
[0169] However, even in the case of the externally installed
optical receiver, a program stored in the credit card inquiry
machine should be modified. Thus, considering that respective
existing credit card inquiry machines are provided with a card
reader slot having an identical magnitude, an adapter which can be
fitted into the slot is fabricated, which is shown in FIGS. 17A,
17B and 17C.
[0170] FIG. 17A is a block diagram showing an adapter in a credit
card inquiry machine according to still another embodiment of the
present invention, FIG. 17B is a block diagram showing a magnetic
interface card of FIG. 17A, and FIG. 17C is a connection state
between the adapter of FIG. 17A and the credit card inquiry
machine.
[0171] An adapter 160 shown in FIG. 17A includes an infrared
receiver 161A and an infrared emitter 161B for receiving and
transmitting an infrared signal, respectively. An infrared decoder
162A connected to the infrared receiver 161A decodes the received
card information into a UART standard signal. An infrared encoder
162B connected to the infrared emitter 161B encodes a UART standard
signal into an infrared signal. The adapter 160 of FIG. 17A also
includes a UART portion 163 for converting a decoded UART standard
signal into an 8-bit parallel signal or converting a parallel
signal transmitted from a controller 164 into a serial patterned
signal, and the controller 164 for applying a pulse signal in order
to alter an electrical signal concerning card information into an
electromagnetic signal of an ISO-7811 type by a transform algorithm
prepared in a transfer mode. A driver 165 connected to the
controller 164 adjusts an impedance voltage according to a pulse
signal applied from the controller 164. The impedance voltage
controlled alternating current signal is applied to a coil
incorporated in a magnetic interface card 166, to thereby generate
change of a magnetic flux. The magnetic interface card 166 is
formed so that coil is wound at a predetermined position of an iron
core as shown in FIG. 17B. The generated magnetic flux change
brings out a swapping effect as if a magnetic card is swapped in a
card reader 147. Accordingly, the card reader 147 in the credit
card inquiry machine 155 acquires credit information by a credit
card reading procedure and then transmits the read credit
information via a VAN network 157. The adapter having the above
configuration is used as shown in FIG. 17C, in which the magnetic
interface card 166 and the adapter 160 are connected each other by
cable 167, at the state where the magnetic interface card 166 is
inserted into the card reader 147 of the credit card inquiry
machine 155.
[0172] However, in the case of the above-described adapter, a
magnetic interface card should be inserted and taken out every time
when a settlement is made by an optical payment unit and a magnetic
card. Thus, an adapter which can be settled by a magnetic card
without taking out a magnetic interface card is shown in FIGS. 18A
and 18B.
[0173] FIG. 18A is a block diagram showing an adapter having a card
reader in a credit card inquiry machine according to yet another
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18B is a connection
state between the adapter of FIG. 18A and the credit card inquiry
machine. The configuration of an adapter 170 shown in FIG. 18A is
same as that of the adapter 160 shown in FIG. 17A. The adapter 170
of FIG. 18A further includes a card reader 173 for reading a
magnetic card which is connected to a UART portion 174. In the case
of using the adapter 170 having the above configuration, two kinds
of settlement using an optical payment unit or a magnetic card can
be processed at the state where a magnetic interface card 177 has
been inserted into the card reader 147.
[0174] First, if a customer expresses a credit dealing intention
using an optical payment unit, a credit dealing mode is input using
a predetermined function key on a credit card inquiry machine 155.
The credit card inquiry machine 155 requests a card input via a
display 146. The customer presses a predetermined credit dealing
button in a portable terminal such as a portable phone or PDA
possessed as the optical payment unit so that credit information is
transmitted in the form of an infrared ray. The adapter 170
connected to the magnetic interface card 177 inserted into the card
reader 147 of the credit card inquiry machine 155 by cable receives
credit information via the infrared receiver 171A.
[0175] Meanwhile, if a customer expresses a credit dealing
intention using a magnetic card, a credit dealing mode is input
using a predetermined function key on a credit card inquiry machine
155. The credit card inquiry machine 155 requests a card input via
a display 146. The customer inputs card information stored in a
magnetic portion of the card via the card reader 173 attached to
the adapter 170. The card information input via the card reader 173
is converted into an 8-bit parallel signal via the UART portion 174
and transmitted to the CPU 175. The CPU 175 applies an alternating
current signal to an I/F converter 176 in order to alter the card
information transmitted from the UART portion 174 into an
electromagnetic change of the ISO-7811 type. The I/F converter 176
converts the applied alternating current signal into an impedance
voltage appropriate for the magnetic interface card 177 inserted
into the slot of the credit card inquiry machine 155 and transmits
the altered impedance voltage. The magnetic interface card 177
generates a flux change in an iron core when the alternating
current signal transmitted via the I/F converter 176 has been
applied to the coil. The generated flux change brings out an effect
like a swapping effect of a magnetic card. Of course, the card
information read through the card reader 173 attached to the
adapter 170 can be transmitted to the credit card inquiry machine
155 directly.
[0176] Meanwhile, the above-described optical payment unit can
settle using an infrared communication only in the case that a card
inquiry machine is positioned close to a customer. That is, the
current infrared communication distance is limited to one meter or
so. This makes settlement using the optical payment unit
inconvenient at gas stations, department stores where card inquiry
machines are installed in several limited places, and restaurants
having several compartments. Thus, a mobile relayer is shown in
FIGS. 19A through 19D, in which user credit information is received
at a current position of a user, the credit information is
temporarily stored and then the stored credit information is used
only one-time for a settlement.
[0177] FIG. 19A is a block diagram showing a mobile optical relayer
according to the present invention. FIG. 19B is a block diagram
showing a mobile optical relayer base device according to the
present invention. FIG. 19C is a connection state of the mobile
optical relayer of FIG. 19A. FIG. 19D is a connection state of the
mobile optical relayer base device of FIG. 19B. A mobile optical
relayer 180 is movable, which receives user credit information in
an optical signal from a user terminal, stores the same
temporarily, and transmits the stored credit information to an
optical relayer base unit 190 or an optical receiver attached
credit card inquiry machine only one time.
[0178] The optical relayer base unit 190 is connected to a credit
card inquiry machine by cable or through an adapter, which receives
credit information the mobile optical relayer 180 and transmits the
received credit information to the card inquiry machine 155 in
order to inquire the creditability of the user. Here, the optical
relayer base unit 190 user (customer) credit information via an
optical signal transmitted from the mobile optical relayer 180, or
receives user credit information from the mobile optical relayer
180 at the state where the optically relayer base unit 190 is
connected to the mobile optical relayer 180 via a connector.
[0179] In the mobile optical relayer 180, an infrared receiver 181A
receives credit information in the form of an infrared signal from
a portable terminal and converts the same into an electrical
signal. A CPU 184 temporarily stores the received credit
information in a memory 185, and controls a LED 186 to operate and
indicate that the credit information has been normally received.
After recognizing the display of the LED 186, the optical relayer
180 is positioned on the optical relayer base unit 190 connected to
the credit card inquiry machine 155 and then a data transfer button
187 is pressed. Here, the optical relayer 180 is connected to the
optical relayer base unit 190 as shown in FIG. 19C, or connected
thereto in the form of an infrared signal as shown in FIG. 19D. In
the case of the connector connection of FIG. 19C, the CPU 184 in
the optical relayer 180 transmits the credit information stored in
the memory 185 to the optical relayer base unit 190 via a transfer
port 188. In the case of the infrared signal connection as shown in
FIG. 19D, the CPU 184 in the optical relayer 180 converts the
credit information stored in the memory 185 into an infrared signal
via the infrared emitter 181B, and transmits the converted result
to the optical relayer base unit 190. The CPU 184 receives credit
information and then deletes corresponding credit information from
the memory 185.
[0180] In the optical relayer base unit 190, a reception port 194
is connected to the transfer port 188 of the optical relayer 180,
receives credit information transmitted in the form of a UART
standard signal and outputs the received credit information to a
CPU 195. An infrared receiver 191A receives credit information in
the form of an infrared signal transmitted from the infrared
emitter 181B of the optical relayer 180 and converts the received
credit information into an electrical signal. The CPU 195 transmits
the credit information received via the reception port 194 or the
infrared receiver 191A to the credit card inquiry machine 155
connected by cable.
[0181] Also, the above-described optical relayer 180 can be
fabricated so as to be easily used at a circumstance where a clip
is attached to the optical relayer, so that a slip is presented in
a distance from a counter as in a restaurant, in order to make a
settlement, as shown in FIGS. 20A through 20D. Referring to FIG.
20A, a slip fitted on a settlement binder using a clip 196 of the
optical relayer 180 is presented to a customer. Accordingly, the
customer can check a calculated amount at a sitting table and
optically pay for the expenses. FIG. 20B shows a lateral shape of a
clip-type optical relayer. The clip-type optical relayer is
attached to a charging unit at ordinary times and prepared on a
counter. As shown in FIG. 20C, the charging unit 197 is fabricated
in the form that a clip-type optical relayer is easily mounted, and
a battery accommodated in the optical relayer 180 is charged via
charging connection portions 198, which can be always used. FIG.
20D shows a lateral shape of a clip-type optical relayer which is
mounted in a charging unit.
[0182] The optical relayer base unit 190 can be fabricated in an
adapter form so as to be connected to an existing credit card
inquiry machine without any change of functions and external
appearance thereof like an adapter-type credit card inquiry machine
as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B. This adapter-type optical relay base
device is shown in FIG. 21. Referring to FIG. 21, an I/F card 201
is inserted into a slot of a credit card inquiry machine 200. An
optical payment unit according to the present invention transmits
card information in an infrared signal, in which the card
information needs to be encrypted for card security.
[0183] FIG. 22 is a block diagram for explaining a card information
encryption method according to the present invention.
[0184] Referring to FIG. 22, a card number is formed of a set of an
actual card number and an authentication number assigned by a card
company. The thus-formed card number has 40 bytes approximately. A
relayer 210 receives the card number and executes a compression
algorithm set in a compressor 211 to compress the card number
information. Here, the compressor 211 uses a compression table 212
and converts the received card information into card information
which can be stored in a portable terminal 215. The compressed card
information is about 20 bytes. The thus-converted card information
makes a pair together with a card ID assigned from a card ID
assignor 213, so as to be transmitted to the portable terminal 215.
Here, the card ID is information for discriminating the kind of a
card with the corresponding card information.
[0185] The portable terminal 215 receives card information
including a card ID from the relayer 210. A storage index portion
216 in the portable terminal 215 registers the card ID included in
the transmitted card information as an index and stores the card
information in a memory 217. The storage index portion 216 also
stores a card name corresponding to the card information stored in
the memory 217 in a screen display memory 218, in order to make a
user confirm the kind of the card selected by him or her. Thus,
when a user selects a card, the corresponding card name stored in
the screen display memory 218 is displayed on a screen so that the
user can ascertain the selected card. Here, the storage index
portion 216 has an index memory as shown in FIG. 23A. The index
memory comprises a total length {circle over (1)} of stored
indexes, IDs {circle over (2)} of the card information selected by
a user among various kinds of card information, and index
information {circle over (3)} representing positions where the card
information is actually stored. As shown in FIG. 23b, a card ID
{circle over (1)} for identifying a kind of the payment information
is paired with actual card information {circle over (2)}
corresponding to the card ID and a plurality of the pair are stored
in the card information in a memory 217. As shown in FIG. 23c, a
card ID {circle over (1)} for identifying the payment information
and a letter or a logo data {circle over (2)} for displaying an
actual kind of the card are stored in the screen display memory
218. The screen logo may be a logo of a card company or its
partner. A card ID which is stored in the memory 217 and the screen
display memory 218, respectively, has a same value.
[0186] The process for transmitting and receiving the card
information, in a state that the card information is encoded and
stored in the portable terminal 215 as above, is described.
[0187] FIG. 24 illustrates a communications procedure between the
optical payment transceivers.
[0188] In FIG. 24, if an optical payment settlement is selected by
a user, an optical payment receiver illustrated as a base unit (BA)
235 requests a corresponding optical payment transmitter
illustrated as a mobile unit (MU) 230 to send a signal. The MU 230
transmits index data stored in an index memory in response to a
signal request from the BU 235. Here, the index data is an address
for pointing a storage location of the card information stored in
the card information memory 217. The BU 235 receives the index
data, compares the received index data with a prestored index
analysis table, and creates an encryption key in the received index
data proved a significant index. The BU 235 sends the created
encryption key to the MU 230 together with a memory access command.
The MU 230 extracts an encryption key from the encryption key
signal, reads the card information stored in the card information
memory 217, and encrypts the read card information with the
extracted encryption key again. The thus-encrypted card information
is transmitted to the BU 235. The BU 235 decodes the received card
information with a possessed encryption key, and then restores the
decoded card information into card information according to a
predetermined compression table.
[0189] An infrared data transmission method is a protocol for a
one-to-N transmission, in which a recognition protocol is
complicated between communicating stations and thus it takes 2-3
seconds only in the case that a mutual recognition is performed
between the communicating stations only with a basic protocol link
hierarchy, which causes a time delay. The one-to-N transmission
protocol cannot be applied to a fee payment field where an
information transfer time is of importance because of the above
time delay. Thus, a new communications protocol is presented for a
one-to-one communication.
[0190] FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a communications protocol applied
to a settlement method using an optical payment according to the
present invention, respectively. The BU 235 emits a pilot signal
for finding whether there is any counterpart station which is in a
communicating state within a communications distance ({circle over
(1)}). The pilot signal includes an ECC (Error Correcting Code)
(for example, a BCC (Block Check Character)) value for guaranteeing
a faultlessness of communicating data, and its own ID (BU-ID) value
for guaranteeing a one-to-one communication. Meanwhile, the BU 230
checks if there is a button input (step 251). If there is a button
input, the MU 230 ascertains whether a pilot signal is received
from the BU235 and an error is generated (step 252). The MU 230
having received the pilot signal ascertains whether a pilot signal
is received within a predetermined reception standby time after
having received a button input and the received pilot signal is
transmitted without having any deformation, from the ECC value
included in the received data. If is ascertained that the pilot
signal has been received within a predetermined time without having
any error, the ID value (BU-ID) of the BU 235 included in the
received data is extracted in order to guarantee the faultlessness
of the whole forthcoming communications, and its own ID value
(MU-ID) is created and stored (step 253). The MU 230 calculates an
index value for pointing a value indicating its own
communication-ready state and a stored card information value, an
ID value (MU-ID) indicating its own body, an ID value (BU-ID) of
the BU 235 having sent a communications request, and the ECC value
for guaranteeing a faultlessness of the whole data to be
transmitted ({circle over (2)}) (step 254). The BU 235 having
received the ECC value ascertains whether the received
communication standby signal indicated as the number {circle over
(2)} has been transmitted without any deformation, from the
received ECC value included in the received data. The BU 235
ascertains whether there is a response with respect to his or her
request communications with its own ID value (BU-ID) included in
the received data. If all match, the BU 235 keeps in custody the ID
value (MU-ID) of the MU 230 included in the communication standby
signal in order to guarantee the faultlessness of the whole
communications. The BU 235 decrypts the index value for pointing a
credit information value included in the received communications
standby signal shown in {circle over (2)} of FIG. 25, by using a
predetermined index table and then extracts a value for pointing
necessary credit information. The BU 235 creates an encryption key
to be used during communications and transmits it together with the
ID value (MU-ID) of the MU 230 ({circle over (3)}). The MU 230
having received the encryption key ascertains whether the received
encryption key and command signal has been transmitted without any
deformation, from the received ECC value included in the received
data (step 255). If ascertained, the MU 230 ascertains whether
there is a response with respect to his or her request
communications with the MU-ID value included in the received data
(step 256). If the MU-ID value is not equal to the ID of the MU
230, the MU 230 stands by a reception for a predetermined tome
(step 257). If a matching MU-ID value is not received even though a
reception standby time elapses for a predetermined time, the MU 230
returns to step 251 to perform the steps 251-257 again. If all
match, the BU 235 keeps in custody the ID value (MU-ID) of the MU
230 included in the communication standby signal in order to
guarantee the faultlessness of the whole communications. The BU 235
decrypts the index value for pointing a credit information value
included in the received communications standby signal shown in
{circle over (2)} of FIG. 25, by using a predetermined index table
and then extracts a value for pointing necessary credit
information. If the received MU-ID value is equal to the ID of the
MU 230, the MU 230 reads data from a storage device according to
the re-transmitted command, and then encrypts the read data with an
encryption key (step 258). The encrypted data is transmitted to the
BU 235 ({circle over (4)}) (step 259). The BU 235 having received
the encrypted data ascertains whether the received encrypted data
has been transmitted without any deformation, from the ECC value
included in the received data. The BU 235 ascertains whether there
is a response with respect to his or her request communications
with its own ID value (BU-ID) included in the received data. If all
match, the BU 235 transmits corresponding data to a post-end
processor and completes communications. If data to be updated
exists, the BU 235 sends the updating data signal to the MU 230
together with a storage command ({circle over (5)}). Here, the
updating data corresponds to departure information of a fee payment
system for a subway or a toll gate. The MU 230 ascertains whether
the received updating data and command signal has been transmitted
without any deformation, from the received ECC value included in
the data (step 260). The MU 230 ascertains whether there is a
response with respect to his or her request communications with its
own ID value included in the received data (step 261). If it
ascertained that his or her own ID value does not exist in the
received data, the MU 230 stands by a reception for a predetermined
time (step 262). If a matching MU-ID value is not received even
though a predetermined time elapses, the MU 230 returns to step
251, to perform steps 251-262. If it is ascertained that his or her
own ID value exists in the received data, the MU 230 stores the
corresponding updating data and transmits an acknowledge signal
(ACK) with respect to the corresponding updating data ({circle over
(6)}) (step 263). Then, the MU 230 awaits about three seconds (step
264) and completes the program. Through these procedures, the
communications complete.
[0191] As described above, card information is stored in a portable
terminal in place of a magnetic-type card such as a credit card, a
prepaid card, and a banking card. In this case, if card information
is stored in a portable terminal without any modification, there
may be a concern about an illegal reproduction of the card. In
particular, in the case that card information is directly input in
a memory of a portable terminal, a person who developed a portable
terminal may illegally reproduce a portable terminal memory using
specific equipment. Thus, card issuing authorities such as card
companies or banks wish to avoid that card information is stored in
a portable terminal in the same form as that stored in a magnetic
card. However, an encryption system using a personal asymmetric key
requires long calculation time in banking transactions performed by
a plurality of unspecific people, which makes customers more
inconvenienced compared to a current system. Also, since symmetric
keys input in a number of POS terminals are same in the case that a
symmetric key is used, key protection may be so much difficult.
[0192] Considering the above, a new IC card system has been
developed, which is not however widely spread due to an
infrastructure setup cost. Thus, the present invention uses a
current system as it is and uses a user designating secret number
as an encryption algorithm key in order to increase a security,
which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 27.
[0193] FIG. 27 is a flowchart view for explaining a security
enhancement method in a settlement system using a card information
contained portable terminal according to the present invention.
[0194] A customer fills in an application in order to use his or
her own portable terminal as a card, and applies it to a
corresponding banking authority. In this case, a secret number of
the card is additionally filled in the application (step 241). The
banking authority examines the application and then after the
application has been accepted, card information such as a card
number and a valid period is encrypted using a secret number
requested by the customer as an encryption key (step 242). An
encryption method uses an algorithm of a symmetric key pattern
which cannot be solved without knowing a card possessor's secret
number. Accordingly, although internal card information is read
from a portable terminal, the read card information cannot be used
illegally. Here, only part of card information can be encrypted.
The encrypted card information is input in a portable terminal. For
security, a interfacer located in the lower end of the portable
terminal. According to selection of a user, information can be
input in a portable terminal by using a wireless network. Here, in
the case that the secret number is encrypted in the form of an
irreversible function, a security can further heightened. When a
card substitute portable terminal issued through the above process
is used, a customer manipulates a keypad in the portable terminal
to input a settlement secret number and selects a settlement mode
(step 243). At a settlement mode, a customer selects the kind of a
card to be used and presses a transmission button. As a result, the
card information and secret number stored in the portable terminal
are transmitted in the form of an infrared signal (step 244). An
optical receiver connected to a POS terminal in a contract shop
receives the card information and secret number from the customer's
portable terminal and transmits the received result to the contract
shop POS terminal. Here, a distance between the portable terminal
and the optical receiver is a short distance within about one
meter. Since a linearity is obtained by using light, it is not
possible to illegally record the information. The POS terminal
operates a decoding algorithm without keeping a separate encryption
key in custody, and decodes the card information by using the
received secret number (step 245). Thereafter, like the existing
banking transaction systems, an approval of the credit dealing is
determined in a card company computer via a VAN company (step 246).
If the received secret number is incorrect, the card information
which is received and decoded is also incorrect. Thus, an approval
of the credit dealing is not made. In the case that a customer
wishes to know his or her own card information at a portable
terminal settlement mode, he or she selects a card information
ascertainment menu. Then, a decoding program operates in the
portable terminal to thereby display information such as a card
information and valid period on a screen.
[0195] The optical payment settlement system can be applied to
various fields. For example, the optical payment system can be used
in most of fields where a fee information. The FIG. 28 system
includes a credit card inquiry machine 30 or 31 for transferring
the received credit card information and requesting an approval of
a dealing, and a VAN company server 40 for applying an approval
according to the received approval request and notifying an
approval or a disapproval to the credit card inquiry machine 30 or
31. Here, the optical payment receiver 20 or 21 is connected to the
credit card inquiry machine 30 by cable (see FIGS. 15A and 15B), is
fabricated in the form of an adapter in which a card reader is
installed and connected to the credit card inquiry machine 30 (see
FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C), or can be incorporated in the credit card
inquiry machine 31 (see FIG. 14). The operation with respect to an
optical settlement in a general commerce system of FIG. 28 having
the above-described configuration will be described in detail with
reference to FIG. 29.
[0196] FIG. 29 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation with
respect to an optical settlement in a general commerce system of
FIG. 28. A customer purchases an article (step 271). In the case
that the customer pays for the article, a settlement method is
selected (step 272). If the settlement is optically performed, the
customer transmits credit card information to an optical receiver
incorporated in or connected to a credit card inquiry machine 30 or
31 (step 273). That is, the customer makes a portable terminal to
be used as an optical payment unit 10 face an optical payment
receiver 20 or 21, and then presses a predetermined button to
transmit an optical signal indicating a dealing start. Here, the
optical signal indicating the dealing start is transmitted together
with credit information including a name of a customer and a credit
card number. The optical payment receiver 20 or 21 receives an
optical signal containing credit information and the received
optical signal to the credit card inquiry machine 30 or 31. The
customer ascertains whether the credit information has been
normally received (step 274). If not, the customer transmits the
credit information again (step 273). If the credit information has
been normally received, a normal message is displayed on a screen
of the portable terminal (step 275). Meanwhile, in the case that
other settlement unit is used other than light, an employee
performs a settlement procedure with other settlement unit of the
customer (step 276). The credit card inquiry machine 30 or 31
checks the input credit information (step 277). That is, the credit
card inquiry machine 30 or 31 transmits the input credit
information to the VAN company server 40 to request an approval of
a dealing. The VAN company server 40 applies an approval to the
corresponding card company 50 according to the received approval
request. The card company having received the approval application
checks credit status and transmits an approval result to the credit
card inquiry machine 30 or 31. In the case that the approval
application is rejected the credit card inquiry machine 30 or 31
performs the following steps including step 276 again, so that the
dealing can be settled using other settlement unit. In the case
that the approval application is accepted, the credit card inquiry
machine 30 or 31 prints a sales slip and receives a settlement
signature from the customer, to then deliver a customer's purchased
article (step 278).
[0197] FIG. 30 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation in
the case that the settlement system of FIG. 28 is applied to a
counter calculation-type restaurant.
[0198] A customer having had food at a restaurant selects a
settlement method at a counter at the time of payment for the food
price (step 281). Here, the customer determines whether an optical
payment settlement will be performed (step 282). In the case of an
optical payment settlement, the customer makes an optical receiver
attached in a portable terminal 10 being an optical payment unit
face the optical receiver 20 or 21 and transmits card information
stored in the portable terminal 10 in the form of an optical signal
to perform the settlement (step 283). The optical receiver 20 or 21
is connected to a credit card inquiry machine 30 installed on a
counter by cable or an adapter, or incorporated in a credit card
inquiry machine 31. The optical receiver 20 or 21 receives the card
information transmitted in the form of an optical signal from the
optical transmitter in the portable terminal 10 being an optical
payment transmitter, and sends a response signal with respect to
the received card information. The portable terminal 10 being an
optical payment transmitter receives the response signal sent from
the optical payment receiver 20 or 21 at the end of the credit card
inquiry machine 30 or 31 and judges whether the transmitted card
information has been normally received (step 284). If the card
information has not been normally received, a message indicating an
abnormal reception is displayed on a display of the portable
terminal 10, and repeatedly performs the following steps including
step 283 in order to re-transmit the card information. If the card
information has been normally received, a message indicating a
normal reception is displayed on the display of the portable
terminal 10 (step 285). The optical payment receiver 20 or 21
converts the received optical signal card information into the form
which can be recognized in the credit card inquiry machine 30 or 31
and transmits the converted result. If the customer's settlement
method is not an optical payment settlement in step 282, the
settlement process is performed with other settlement unit (step
286). For example, if a settlement method is method of using a
magnetic credit card, the card reader of the credit card inquiry
machine 30 or 31 or the card reader mounted on the optical receiver
adapter 21 reads a magnetic portion on the card to receive card
information. The credit card inquiry machine 30 or 31 ascertains
credit information with respect to the card information transmitted
from the optical payment receiver 20 or 21 or input via the card
reader (step 287). That is, The credit card inquiry machine 30 or
31 requests for an approval to the card company via the VAN company
server 40. The card company server 50 transmits a dealing approval
or disapproval to the credit card inquiry machine 30 or 31 via the
VAN company server 40 with respect to the requested card
information. In the result of credit information ascertainment, if
an approval of dealing is not accepted, the following steps
including step 286 are repeatedly performed. If an approval is
accepted, an employee prints out a sales slip from the credit card
inquiry machine 30 or 31 and receives a customer's signature
thereon, a settlement is completely finished (step 288).
[0199] If only credit information is transmitted using a portable
phone in the above-described settlement system, only a signature of
a purchaser performed on a sales slip becomes a subject
identification unit of the dealing action, according to a general
practice in a present credit dealing. In particular, if a user
should sign on a receipt every time when a dealing action is done
in a credit settlement for traffic fare related dealing action or a
comparatively petty cash, the whole execution time of the dealing
action is delayed. Thus, a commerce participant can be identified
using a portable phone number.
[0200] FIG. 31 is a conceptual view of a settlement system adopting
an optical payment using a phone number as an ID (IDentification),
and FIG. 32 is a view showing a data flow of a settlement system
adopting an optical payment using a phone number as an ID
(IDentification).
[0201] When credit information is stored in a portable terminal
such as a portable phone or a PDA, the credit information
corresponds to the phone number assigned to the terminal on a
one-to-one basis and stored in the terminal. If a button input is
done by the user for optical payment settlement, the portable
terminal (MU) 10 transmits the phone number together with the
stored credit information in the form of an infrared signal. The
optical receiver (BU) 20 receiving the phone number extracts the
credit information and the phone number from the received optical
signal. The optical receiver (BU) 20 transmits the extracted credit
information and phone number to the credit card inquiry machine 30.
The credit card inquiry machine 30 transmits the received credit
information for authentication externally and keeps the phone
number in custody. The card company 50 receives the credit
information and approves dealt particulars. If the dealt
particulars have been approved, the credit card inquiry machine 30
prints out purchased particulars together with the kept phone
number on a receipt. Accordingly, a transaction subject is
indicated as a phone number on the receipt.
[0202] In the optical payment settlement system using a phone
number as an ID, a person concerned which performs dealings using a
portable terminal selects a mobile communications company of his or
her own subscribed terminal not a card company as a dealing
authority, in order to perform a dealings action, in the case of a
vendor machine or a traffic fare related dealing action, which is a
batch processing settlement system without passing through an
existing on-line approval system, to thereby diversify selection of
a credit dealing authority.
[0203] A phone number which can be used as an ID has been already
stored in a portable terminal and the phone number is used on a
one-to-one relationship basis with respect to the portable
terminal. If a user selects a mobile communications company as a
credit dealing authority in the case of a vendor machine or a
traffic fare related dealing action, which is a batch processing
settlement system, and performs a button manipulation for optical
payment settlement, the portable terminal transmits the contained
phone number together with an authentication key in an infrared
form. The optical receiver receiving the phone number together with
the authentication key identifies the authentication key using a
decoding key and approves dealing particulars and keeps it in
custody, if it is identified that the transmitted phone number is a
specific number input when the user subscribed in the
communications network, using the identified authentication
key.
[0204] FIG. 33 is a configuration view showing a toll gate fee
settlement system adopting an optical payment settlement system
according to the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 33
includes controllers 100 and 300 which are installed at a toll gate
entrance side and a toll gate exit side, respectively and a
business office computer 200. The entrance controller 100 includes
a vehicle approach detector 102, a vehicle departure detector 103,
a vehicle classifier 106, a ticket issuing machine 105, a vehicle
lane controller 101. The entrance controller 100 also includes a
bidirectional optical transceiver 104 which can perform both
transmission and reception operations. The exit controller 300
includes a vehicle lane controller 301, a vehicle detector 302, a
fixed amount ticket identifier 303, a receipt issuing machine 304,
and a ticket processor 305. The exit controller 300 also includes a
bidirectional optical transceiver 306 which can perform
transmission and reception operations. The operation of the toll
gate fee settlement in the toll gate system having the above
configuration will be described in detail with respect to FIGS. 34
and 35.
[0205] If a vehicle arrives at an access road of a departure toll
gate, a driver or a passenger makes a portable optical payment
transmitter face the optical transceiver 104 which is located at
the side of the access road, and then presses a transmission
button. The card information stored in the optical payment
transmitter is transmitted in the form of an optical signal. The
optical transceiver 104 receives the card information transmitted
from the optical payment transmitter. The optical transceiver 104
checks a signal format of the received card information. In the
case that the signal format is normal which meets a predetermined
protocol, the card information is transmitted to the vehicle lane
controller 101. The vehicle lane controller 101 adds one to the
number of standby vehicles (step 322), if a vehicle approach is
detected in the vehicle approach detector 102 (step 321). Then, the
vehicle lane controller 101 ascertains whether the approaching
vehicle is an optical payment information transmission vehicle
(step 323). If the approaching vehicle is an optical payment
information transmission vehicle, the vehicle lane controller 101
sends entrance related approach information in the form of an
optical signal via the optical transceiver 104 (step 324). The
portable terminal being the optical payment transmitter records the
entrance approach information transmitted from the optical
transceiver 104 in a memory. The entrance approach information
includes a current toll gate information, time information and
vehicle type information. The vehicle type is classified via the
vehicle classifier 106. If the approaching vehicle is not an
optical payment information transmission vehicle, the vehicle lane
controller 101 sends entrance approach information to the ticket
issuing machine 105 to make the ticket issuing machine issue a
ticket containing entrance approach information (step 325). If the
above procedure is completed, the vehicle lane controller 101
displays a signal approving passage of the vehicle and informs the
passenger of a passage approval (step 326). The vehicle lane
controller 101 subtracts one from the number of standby vehicles
(step 328) if a vehicle departure is detected in the vehicle
departure detector 103 (step 327). The vehicle lane controller 101
transmits each vehicle entrance approach information to a
corresponding business office computer 200.
[0206] If a vehicle having passed through a departure toll gate
arrives at an arrival toll gate, a driver or a passenger makes the
portable optical payment transmitter face the optical transceiver
306 which is located at the toll gate access road, and then presses
a transmission button. The card information stored in the optical
payment transmitter is transmitted in the form of an optical
signal, and the entrance approach information stored in the memory
is transmitted in the form of an optical signal. The optical
transceiver 306 receives the card information and the entrance
approach information transmitted from the optical payment
transmitter. The optical transceiver 306 checks a signal format of
the information transmitted from the optical payment transmitter.
In the case that the signal format is normal, the optical
transceiver 306 transmits the received information to the vehicle
lane controller 301. The vehicle lane controller 301 adds one to
the number of standby vehicles (step 332), if a vehicle approach is
detected in the vehicle approach detector 302 (step 331). Then, the
vehicle lane controller 301 ascertains whether the approaching
vehicle is an optical payment information transmission vehicle
(step 333). If the approaching vehicle is an optical payment
information transmission vehicle, the vehicle lane controller 301
calculates a passage fee as much as a corresponding passage
interval based on the transmitted information, and levies a passage
fee in linkage with the card information (step 334). The vehicle
lane controller 301 records the transaction particulars in a memory
of the optical transceiver 306 and simultaneously transmits the
transaction particulars to the optical payment-transmitter so that
a cumulative settlement amount is stored (step 335). The
transaction particulars is transmitted to the business office
computer 200 and then be recorded therein. Meanwhile, if the
approaching vehicle is not an optical payment information
transmission vehicle, the ticket processor 305 receives from the
driver the ticket issued at a departure toll gate and levies a toll
gate passage fee in cash or a fixed amount ticket (step 336). In
the case that the toll gate passage fee is paid in the fixed amount
ticket, a corresponding fee is settled via the fixed amount ticket
identifier 303 and then the difference is recorded and displayed
thereon and returned. After a fee is levied through the above
procedure, a receipt is issued via the receipt issuance machine
304. If a passage fee is settled, the vehicle lane controller 301
displays a passage approval (step 337). The vehicle lane controller
301 subtracts one from the number of the standby vehicles (step
339), if a vehicle approach is detected in the vehicle detector 302
(step 338).
[0207] The business office computer 200 checks whether the
transaction particulars recorded with respect to the approaching
and departing vehicles are congruous with the transaction
particulars recorded in the optical transceivers 104 and 306
attached to the toll gates by every point of time. If two recorded
transaction particulars are congruous with each other, the business
office computer 200 clears the records of the optical transceivers
104 and 306, and transmits the transaction particulars to a
collection server (not shown). Here, the collection server is a
central server for centrally controlling respective business office
computers connected to each other. The collection server checks if
the transaction particulars recorded in the business office
computer 200 are congruous with the collected data and transmits
the collected data in a bundle to a card company server only when
the former is congruous with the latter. Then, the recorded data in
the business office computer 200 is cleared.
[0208] FIG. 36 is a configuration view showing a drive-thru order
system adopting an optical payment settlement system according to
the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 36 further includes
an optical receiver 344 which is attached at a proper position on
an order items display board 343 of an existing system, for
receiving card information in the form of an optical signal. Here,
customers riding in a vehicle use an optical payment unit such as a
portable phone containing a credit card in which an optical
transmitter transmitting the card information in the form of an
optical signal is attached.
[0209] FIG. 37 is a configuration view showing an optical payment
settlement system in the FIG. 36 system. The system shown in FIG.
37 includes a portable phone 10 containing card information and
transmitting the card information in the form of an optical signal
as an optical payment unit, an optical receiver 344 attached to the
order items display board 343, for receiving the card information
in the form of an optical signal, and a card inquiry machine or POS
(point of sales) terminal 60 connected to the optical receiver 344,
for receiving the transmitted card information and ascertaining a
transaction approval. It is possible to use any portable article in
addition to the portable phone 10, as an optical payment unit.
Here, the order items display board 343 and the optical receiver
344 attached card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 are installed
in a store. The optical receiver 344 and the card inquiry machine
60 are connected each other by cable or with an adapter. The FIG.
37 system includes a VAN company server 40 which transmits the
transaction approval requested card information to the card company
server 50 being a settlement authority and transmits the approval
or disapproval result to the card inquiry machine or POS terminal
60.
[0210] The operation of the optical payment settlement system in
the drive-thru ordering system having the above configuration will
be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39, as well
as FIG. 36.
[0211] A customer stops a vehicle at an order reception stand 340A
(step 371). Then, the customer sees a menu plate 341 installed at
the order reception stand 340A and orders a commodity to be
purchased at the state where the customer gets in the vehicle (step
372). A clerk receiving orders inputs order data in the POS 60. The
input data is output on a screen which can be seen by a clerk who
selects the commodity so that the clerk takes out ad pays the
customer's ordered commodity. If an order is completed, the
customer determines whether or not the commodity payment is done by
an optical payment settlement (step 373). In the case that an
optical payment settlement is done, the customer identifies the
item-by-item order particulars with the payment settlement amount,
which are displayed on the order items display board 343 installed
at the order reception stand 340A (step 374), to thereby perform an
optical payment settlement. Here, the customer can settle the
payment without opening a window of the vehicle. As shown in FIG.
38, the order items display board 343 indicates a commodity name, a
quantity, an amount and a sum total. Also, the optical receiver 344
is attached on an appropriate place of the order items display
board 343, for example, on the upper-right side thereof. Thus, the
customer identifies the order particulars with the payment
settlement amount, which are displayed on the order items display
board 343 and then makes the optical transmitter attached on the
portable phone 10 being an optical payment unit face the optical
receiver 344, to thereby transmit the card information contained in
the portable phone 10 in the form of an optical signal and perform
an optical payment settlement. The optical receiver 344 attached on
the order items display board 343 is optically receives the optical
signal card information transmitted from the portable phone 10
which is the customer optical payment unit. The optical receiver
344 converts the received optical signal card information into the
form which can be recognized at the card inquiry machine or POS
terminal 60 and transmits the converted result. The card inquiry
machine or POS terminal 60 requests for approval to the card
company via the VAN company server 40 with respect to the card
information transmitted from the optical receiver 344. The card
company server 50 transmits a transaction approval or disapproval
result with respect to the requested card information to the card
inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 which has requested a
transaction approval via the VAN company server 40. During awaiting
an approval, the customer drives the vehicle and moves a commodity
withdrawal stand 340B (step 375). At step 373, if a customer
settlement method is not an optical payment settlement, the
customer drives the vehicle and moves to the commodity withdrawal
stand 340B immediately after a commodity is ordered (step 376). It
is checked whether a credit card settlement is approved in the case
of an optical payment settlement at the state where the vehicle
stops at the commodity withdrawal stand 340B (step 377). After the
card settlement has been approved in the result of checking in step
377, the customer receives the ordered commodity and a card receipt
from the clerk (step 378) and then departs (step 381). If the card
settlement is not approved or a settlement method is not an optical
payment settlement, the settlement is done in cash as in the
conventional case (step 379). After the settlement is done in cash,
the customer receives an ordered commodity from the clerk (step
380) and then departs (step 381).
[0212] As described above, in the case that the drive-thru ordering
system adopts an optical payment settlement system, payment
information is transmitted at the same time when an order is sent,
and thus all the settlements for payment of the commodity are
completed, thereby sharply increasing a sales amount per time.
[0213] FIG. 40 is a configuration view showing a gas station fee
collection system adopting an optical payment settlement system
according to the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 40
includes a mobile optical relayer 180 and an optical relayer base
unit 190, in which the portable mobile optical relayer 180 held by
a gas filler operator receives payment information, and the gas
filler operator makes the optical relayer 180 connected to the
optical relayer base unit 190 in order to input payment information
into a card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 and make a
transaction approval and settlement accomplished. The operation of
the optical payment settlement system in the gas station fee
collection system having the above configuration will be described
below with reference to FIG. 41.
[0214] At a gas station, an operator informs a customer that a fuel
is completely filled and asks a settlement method of him or her.
Then, the customer selects a settlement method after filing (step
391). The operator ascertains whether the customer's desired
settlement method is an optical payment settlement method (step
392). In the case that the customer desires an optical payment, the
operator inputs a settlement amount into a mobile optical relayer
180 and presents the settlement amount entered mobile optical
relayer 180 to the customer (step 393). The customer ascertains the
settlement amount displayed on the mobile optical relayer 180
presented by the operator at the state where the customer gets in
the car, and transmits credit information to the mobile optical
relayer 180, by means of a portable phone 10 which is his or her
own optical payment unit (step 394). The mobile optical relayer 180
ascertains whether an optical signal has successfully arrived from
the portable phone (step 395). If the optical signal arrives at the
mobile optical relayer normally, the credit information included in
the optical signal is temporarily stored in the mobile optical
relayer 180. In the case that an optical signal does not reach
normally or the reached optical signal is abnormal so as not to
read credit information normally, the operator requests that credit
information should be re-transmitted to the mobile optical relayer.
Here, it is natural that an optical receiver be attached in a
portable phone 10 which is an optical payment unit so that the
mobile optical relayer 180 requests that credit information be
retransmitted to the portable phone 10 automatically, through
automatic optical communications between the portable phone 10 and
the mobile optical relayer 180. After receiving the credit
information, the operator takes the mobile optical relayer 180 to
an optical relayer base unit 190 in order to transmit the credit
information to the optical relayer base unit 190 (step 396). This
method can be largely embodied into two. First, the mobile optical
relayer 180 is so mounted that the connector of the mobile optical
relayer 180 contacts the connector of the optical relayer base unit
190. Second, the mobile optical relayer 180 transmits an optical
signal including credit information to the optical receiver in the
optical relayer base unit 190. Here, the mobile optical relayer 180
transmits corresponding credit information to the optical relayer
base unit 190 only one time. In the case that a customer desires to
pay for in cash or other settlement methods other than an optical
payment at step 392, a settlement procedure proceeds depending upon
the customer's desired settlement method (step 397). That is, a
customer hands over his or her own magnetic card to an operator,
and then the operator processes a settlement using a card reader in
a credit card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 installed in a
settlement place. In the case that a magnetic interface card is
attached to the mobile optical relayer 180 held by the operator,
the magnetic credit card is read using the magnetic interface card
without using a card reader in the credit card inquiry machine or
POS terminal 60 and then the read card information is temporarily
stored to then be the optical relayer base unit 190. The optical
relayer base unit 190 having received the credit information from
the mobile optical relayer 180 transmits the corresponding credit
information to the credit card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60.
The credit card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 the credit
information to the VAN or card company 40 or 50 to ascertain
whether the transaction is approved (step 398). If the transaction
is approved from the VAN or card company 40 or 50, the optical
relayer base unit 190 prints transaction particulars with a printer
and outputs the printed result, and the operator hands over the
printed receipt to the corresponding customer to make him or her
check the transaction particulars (step 399). If the transaction is
not approved from the VAN or card company due to a poor credit or
an excess limit, the optical relayer base unit 190 outputs an error
signal and makes another settlement unit perform a settlement as in
step 397.
[0215] Here, in the case that an optical receiver is mounted in the
credit card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60, the mobile optical
relayer 180 directly transmits customer's credit information to the
credit card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 which is not the
optical relayer base unit 190, in the form of an optical signal to
thereby perform an optical payment.
[0216] Also, in the case of a bonus card issued in order to assign
a bonus point depending upon an amount of fuel filled and pay for a
commodity according to a cumulated points, a card number is
contained in a portable phone, so as to be transmitted in the form
of an optical signal. The POS terminal 60 transmits points
depending upon the input bonus card number and the amount of fuel
filled to a corresponding oil refinery company 70. The oil refinery
company 70 cumulates a newly generated point to the points
cumulated in the corresponding card number and transmits the
cumulated points to the POS terminal 60 again, to thereby make the
customer identify how many total points are his or her own bonus
points.
[0217] In the case that an optical payment settlement method is
used in the above-described gas station fee levying system, the
customer can settle the cost incurred instantly without moving to
the credit card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 and needing to
hand over a credit card to an operator.
[0218] FIG. 42 is a configuration view showing a department store
settlement system adopting an optical payment settlement system
according to the present invention. The department store settlement
system shown in FIG. 42 is configured to have the substantially
same configuration as that of the gas station fee levying system
shown in FIG. 40. However, a POS terminal 60 is not directly
connected to a VAN company 40 but is connected to the VAN company
40 via a department store server 80.
[0219] A customer transmits payment information in the form of an
optical signal to a mobile optical relayer 180 held by a department
store clerk during purchasing an article and performs a settlement
of the cost incurred. The department store clerk transmits the
payment information received in the optical relayer 180 to the
credit card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 via the optical
receiver incorporated in or externally mounted on the credit card
inquiry machine or POS terminal 60, or the credit card inquiry
machine or POS terminal 60 via the optical relayer base unit 190.
The credit card inquiry machine or POS terminal 60 sends the
transmitted credit information to the VAN or card company 40 or 50
via the department store server 80, to thereby identify a
transaction approval or disapproval. If the transaction is approved
from the VAN or card company 40 or 50, the optical relayer base
unit 190 prints transaction particulars with a printer and outputs
the printed result, and the department store clerk hands over the
printed receipt to the corresponding customer to make him or her
check the transaction particulars. Here, in the case that payment
information is card information of a card issued from a department
store, a department store server 80 itself determines a transaction
approval or disapproval in consideration of personal credit
information, an installment approval or disapproval, and a
settlement amount.
[0220] As described above, the optical settlement system including
the mobile optical relayer and the optical relayer base unit can be
applied to a customer table calculation restaurant. In this case, a
clerk uses a clip-type mobile optical relayer as shown in FIG.
20.
[0221] Also, the present invention can be applied to an unmanned
vending machine installed in a building or on the street, to
thereby make a user use the vending machine although he or she does
not have a coin or small petty cash.
[0222] FIG. 43 is a configuration view showing an unmanned
automatic vending system adopting an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention. The system shown in FIG.
43 includes a portable terminal (MU) 410, and an automatic vending
machine 420 including an optical transceiver 421 in order to
receive optical payment information of the portable terminal 410.
The automatic vending machine 420 also includes a controller 422
for controlling the operation of product sales and a recorder 423
for recording particulars of sales. The detailed configuration of
the automatic vending machine 420 is shown in FIG. 44. The FIG. 43
system includes a totalization device 412 for totalling sale
particulars recorded in the recorder 423 in automatic vending
machines 420 which are discretely disposed in mutually different
places, and a transmission terminal 414 for transmitting the
totalized sales particulars to the VAN company 416 or card company
418 to be processed for approval in bulk. The operation of
settlement of the expenses in the unmanned automatic vending system
having the above configuration will be described below with
reference to FIG. 45.
[0223] A customer pays for products purchased (step 431). In the
case of a coffee automatic vending machine, a customer pays for
drinks of the kind to be desired. In the case of a cash payment,
the customer inputs a corresponding amount of cash into a cash
inlet 424 in the automatic vending machine 420. In the case of an
optical payment, card information is optically transmitted via the
portable terminal 40. The optical transceiver 421 in the automatic
vending machine 420 receives an optical signal including the card
information, and transmits the received optical signal to a
controller 422. The controller 422 checks if a payment is an
optical payment settlement (step 432). In the case of the optical
payment settlement, it is checked if the received corresponding
card information is significant information (step 433). It is
ascertained of its own power without passing through a card company
418 whether the card information is significant. That is, the
controller 422 stores for registration poor transaction card
information, named as card information corresponding to a blacklist
and simply ascertains whether the received card information is
included in the previously registered poor transaction card
information, to thereby identify a validity of the card. Through
such a simple identification, each automatic vending machine does
not need to install a particular dedicated line to perform a credit
card information inquiry and a transaction approval by the card
company 418 or the VAN company 416, to thereby make an installation
cost low. Also, the poor trade or blacklist is periodically updated
to thereby secure safety of transactions. Of course, a blacklist is
registered in the corresponding portable terminal 410 so that
payment information need not be transmitted optically in the
portable terminal 410, in which case it need not be identified
whether card information is valid. The registration of the poor
traders will be described later. If a payment is not an optical
payment settlement in step 432, it is judged whether an amount of
money more than a corresponding price of the purchased product is
input into the cash inlet 424 (step 434). If the corresponding card
information is valid information in step 433 or the input money is
more than the corresponding product price in step 434, the
controller 422 displays a product withdrawal approval signal on a
product selector 426 (step 435). The customer selects a desired
product which is displayed for approval of withdrawal on the
product selector 426. The controller 422 discharges the selected
product (step 436). For example, in the case that a customer
selects a cup of "milk coffee," the controller 422 controls a
coffee motor driver 429A, a sugar motor driver 429B and a milk
motor driver 429C to be driven, and discharge a cup of milk coffee
mixed with coffee, sugar and milk through a cup outlet 428. In the
case of a cash payment, the controller 422 calculates change and
discharges a corresponding amount of money via a money refunder
427. If a customer cancels a purchase of product via a refund
requester 427, the controller 422 refunds the input money via the
refunder 427. If the customer receives the discharged product, the
controller 422 checks again if a payment is an optical payment
settlement (step 437). In the case of an optical payment, the sales
particulars are recorded in the recorder 423 (step 438).
[0224] Meanwhile, an operator of the automatic vending machine 420
goes to the places where the automatic vending machines 420 are
installed with the totalization device 412 every interval of
period, to collect particulars of sales in sum. That is, the sale
particulars recorded in the recorder 423 are downloaded into the
totalization device 412 via the optical transceiver 421 in the
automatic vending machine 420. The operator collects all the sales
particulars with respect to the automatic vending machines which
are distributively located in various places, and then makes the
totalization device 412 connected with a transfer terminal 414 to
then be transmitted to the server of the VAN company 416 for
approval in bulk. The server of the VAN company 416 transmits the
bulk-approval-requested sales particulars to the server of the
corresponding card company 418. Here, the totalization device 412
and the transfer terminal 414 will be described below.
[0225] FIG. 46 is a configuration view showing a kiosk fee payment
system adopting an optical payment settlement system according to
the present invention.
[0226] A portable terminal 410 is a portable phone or portable
personal device containing card information such as a credit card,
an advance payment card and a direct payment card, which can
transmit user's card information in the form of an optical
signal.
[0227] A kiosk 440 receives an optical signal from the portable
terminal 410, extracts card information from the received optical
signal and issues a user's desired document. The kiosk 440 stores
transaction details and then transmits the stored transaction
details to a totalization server 450 through a phone call
connection in accordance with an operator's manipulation. The
totalization server 450 transmits the totalized transaction details
to a card company 418 in a package.
[0228] The server 418 of the card company 418 remits a
corresponding dealing amount into an operator's account of a
designated kiosk if a dealing details of a kiosk is received, and
charges for a dealing amount to a card user.
[0229] FIG. 47 is a detailed block diagram showing the kiosk 440 of
FIG. 46, which shows an example of issuance of a certificate. A
certificate issuance system shown in FIG. 47 includes an input
portion 444 for inputting personal information necessary for
issuance of certificates, a display 445 for displaying screen
information thereon, thereby enabling a user to conform his or her
desired information, and a fee processor 446 for processing a fee
with respect to the issued certificate. The fee processor 446
includes a coin/bill recognizer 447 for recognizing an amount of
input coins or bills, a sum display 448 for displaying the
recognized amount, and a coin/bill collecting box 449 for
collecting the input coins or bills. The fee processor 446 also
includes an optical receiver 441 for receiving an optical signal
including card information from the portable terminal 410 being an
optical payment unit, and a transaction details storage device 443
for storing transaction details. The certificate issuance system of
FIG. 47 also includes a main computer 451 having the contents which
are contained in an issuable certificate, and a controller 442 for
controlling the whole operation of each element, and a certificate
printer 452 for printing a user's desired certificate and issuing
the same under the control of the controller 442. A collective
material printer 453 prints transaction details and issues the same
to a user as a receipt. The operation of a fee payment in a
self-service automatic certificate issuance system having the
above-described configuration will be described in detail, with
reference to FIG. 48.
[0230] The controller 442 displays a menu including possible
services which can be provided on the display 445, to thereby let a
customer to select his or her desired service (step 461). The
customer sees the contents of the menu displayed on the display 445
and selects his or her desired service. If a service is selected
via the input portion 444, the controller 442 displays a fee on the
display 445 so that a customer to pay for a corresponding fee (step
462). Here, the controller 442 confirms whether an optical payment
settlement is displayed on the display 445 (step 463). The customer
confirms an amount displayed on the display 445 and then pays for
the amount of fees in his or her desired settlement method. In the
case of an optical payment settlement, the customer makes the
portable terminal 410 used as an optical payment unit face the
optical receiver 441 in the fee processor 446, and then transmits
card information in the form of an optical signal (step 464). The
optical receiver 441 in the fee processor 446 extracts card
information from the received optical signal and transmits the
extracted result to the controller 442. The controller 442 confirms
whether the received corresponding card information is significant
information (step 465). If the card information is not significant
information, the controller 442 notifies the customer that the card
information is not significant information and lets the customer to
pay for it in cash (step 466). If the card information is
significant, the controller 442 displays normal indication on the
display 445 and receives necessary personal information such as an
identification via the input portion 444 (step 467). The controller
442 stores the transaction details in the transaction details
storage unit 443 (step 468). Here, the transaction details includes
service items, fees, issuance dates, and so on. If the payment is
not an optical payment settlement in step 463, the customer pays
for the fee in cash (step 466). In the case that the fee has been
paid for in an optical payment or cash, the controller 442 loads
necessary information from the main computer 441 based on the input
information, prints a certificate via the certificate printer 452
and issues the printed certificate to the customer (step 469).
\
[0231] As described above, the transaction details collected in the
transaction details storage unit 443 are transmitted to a
totalization server 450 at a certain point in time. That is, the
stored transaction details are transmitted by manipulation of an
operator of the kiosk 440. The totalization server 450 compares the
transmitted transaction details with those stored in the
transaction details storage unit 443, and transmits the transaction
details to the card company 418 in package only if both the
transaction details equal each other, to then clear all the
transaction details of the transaction details storage unit 443.
Here, the kiosks are distributively disposed in various places and
connected via a computer network. Thus, the main computer 451
managing the kiosks in entirety plays a role of the totalization
server 450. The card company having received the transaction
details remits an amount of money based on the corresponding
transaction details to a bank account of the operator of the
predetermined kiosk 440 and sends a debit note to the customer.
[0232] In the case that a settlement on credit cannot be performed
on a real-time basis as in an automatic vending machine or kiosk, a
mobile collection device is needed, in which the collected credit
information is totally calculated, to thereby enable the customer
to move to a place which can settle the payment on credit. The
present invention provides a mobile collection device using a PDA
or memory pack.
[0233] FIG. 49A is a block diagram showing an automatic vending
system adopting a mobile collection device using a PDA. FIG. 49B
shows an example of the PDA applied in the FIG. 49A system.
[0234] An optical payment receiver 471 installed in an automatic
vending system monitors a vending machine controller 470 via an
intermediate frequency (I/F) portion 477. Whenever a transaction
item occurs in the result of monitoring, a CPU 475 detects the
transaction item and records the same in an internal memory 476.
Meanwhile, a PDA illustrated in FIG. 49B includes an attached
infrared (Ir) transceiver 481 and communicates with an optical
payment receiver 471 in the automatic vending system using an
infrared ray. An operator of the automatic vending system
manipulates a menu key on the PDA 480 to activate a transaction
details collection program, and then directs the Ir transceiver 481
to a collection object machine to then transmit a collection
command in the form of an infrared ray. The received collection
command is converted into a signal which can be recognized by the
CPU 475 via an Ir converter 473 and a UART 474, to thereby control
a CPU 475. The CPU 475 reads transaction details data recorded in
the internal memory 476 according to the collection command and
outputs the read result to the Ir transceiver 472 via the UART 474
and the Ir converter 473. The Ir transceiver 472 transmits the
input transaction details data in the form of an infrared ray. The
Ir transceiver 481 of the PDA 480 receives the infrared signal of
the transaction details transmitted from the optical payment
receiver 471 in the automatic vending system. The received
transaction details arrive at the CPU 484 via the Ir converter 482
and the UART 483, and recorded in the internal memory 485. The CPU
485 checks whether or not data is successfully received and
displays the checked result on a LCD 486, to thereby let the
operator monitor the collection status. If transaction details are
totalized in the PDA 480, the transaction details, the totalized
transaction details are transmitted to a PC via an Ir port or a
serial port 487, to a central collection center using transmission
sale management software, or a central collection device using a
separate communications unit such as a portable phone, a base unit,
etc.
[0235] FIG. 50A is a block diagram showing a mobile collection
device using a memory pack. FIG. 50B shows a connection state of
the memory pack of FIG. 50A.
[0236] An optical payment receiver 471 installed in an automatic
vending system monitors a vending machine controller 470 via an
intermediate frequency (I/F) portion 477. Whenever a transaction
item occurs in the result of monitoring, a CPU 475 detects the
transaction item and records the same in an internal memory 476. A
memory pack 488 for collecting transaction details is a
non-volatile memory NVRAM, and is connected to a UART 474 in the
optical payment receiver 471 via a memory connector 479 as shown in
FIG. 50B. In order to totalize the transaction details, an operator
of the automatic vending system inserts the memory pack 488 into
the memory connector 479. The UART 474 having detected a connection
state of the memory pack 488 notifies the CPU 475 of the memory
pack connection state. The CPU 475 reads the transaction details
recorded in a memory 476 according to the notification of the UART
474 and records the read result in the memory pack 488 connected
via the UART 474. If the transaction details are totalized in the
memory pack 488, the operator detaches the memory pack 488 from the
optical payment receiver 471 and transmits the memory pack 488 to a
corresponding settlement authority (a card company or bank).
[0237] In the case of the above mobile collection device, an
administrator disposed in a system installation place totalizes
transaction details and collects the totalized PDA or memory pack,
to then be directly carried to a settlement authority. Thus, the
present invention provides a transfer terminal which can transfer
transaction details data collected via a modem.
[0238] FIG. 51A is a block diagram showing an automatic vending
system adopting a power line modem connection device. FIG. 51B
shows connection states of the automatic vendors applied in the
FIG. 51A system in a building.
[0239] When each of devices included in an automatic vending system
is installed in each floor in a building having a plurality of
floors, a power line in the building provides a closed circuit.
That is, as shown in FIG. SIB, a power line modem 495 is connected
to a power source to be connected to a power line of each vending
machine 490(1), . . . , 490(N) installed in each floor. Thus, sales
information generated in the vending machine 490(1), . . . , 490(N)
installed in each floor is temporarily stored in an internal memory
of an optical payment receiver (BU) 491 installed in the
corresponding vending machine 490(1), . . . , 490(N). The stored
sales information is modulated in a converter 492 in order to be
transmitted via the power line and loaded into the power line 494
while passing through a power line mixer 493. Here, the power line
mixer 493 ascertains whether a transmission exists via other power
line mixers. When there is no transmission, a power line is used.
Accordingly, there is no mixture or collision during transmission.
Also, the vending machines 490(1), . . . , 490(N) installed in
other floors load sales information into a power line via the same
procedure as the above. A power line modem 495 connected to a
separate power source ordinarily monitors whether information is
loaded in a power line. When information is recognized in the
result of monitoring, a separator 496 in the power line modem 495
starts to operate and transmits sales information to a central
server via a phone line 498 or an antenna 499 through a modem 497.
Thus, the sales information of the vending machines 490(1), . . . ,
490(N) is transmitted to the central server in real-time or in a
package processing method.
[0240] FIG. 52A is a block diagram showing a mobile communications
modem incorporated transmission terminal. FIG. 52B shows an
external appearance of the FIG. 52A mobile communications modem
incorporated transmission terminal. The terminal is configured to
wirelessly transmit transaction details data collected through the
connection to a collection device shown in FIGS. 49A, 49B, 50A and
50B.
[0241] An administrator who processes transaction details in a
package manipulates a keypad 505 of a transmission terminal 500
shown in FIG. 52B and sets the transmission terminal into an
account mode. The administrator makes the transmission terminal 500
set as the account mode positioned in the proximity of a collector
which is an account object, and communications are performed
between the transmission terminal and the collector. The
administrator can connect the collector by port with the
transmission terminal 500 via a serial interface unit 501. The
transmission terminal 500 receives the collected transaction
details from the collector (not shown) which is an account object
in the form of an infrared signal in a package via an infrared
interface unit 502. In the case of a connection by port, the
transmission terminal 500 receives transaction details data via the
serial interface unit 501. A microprocessor 503 temporarily stores
transaction details data input via the infrared interface unit 502
or the serial interface unit 501 in an internal memory 504. Then,
the microprocessor 503 transmits the stored transaction details
data to a central server (not shown) via a transceiver 507
wirelessly. The microprocessor 503 displays the transmission result
on a display 506 to thereby allow the administrator to recognize
the communications service state.
[0242] In the case of the above-described power line modem
connection device or mobile communications modem incorporated
terminal, a system should be newly constructed. Thus, a portable
phone connection device is provided so that transaction details
data can be transmitted via a portable phone which is mostly and
widely possessed by people.
[0243] FIG. 53A is a block diagram showing an automatic vending
system adopting a portable phone connection device. FIG. 53B shows
an example of connection of the portable phone to the vending
system.
[0244] As shown in FIG. 53B, a vending machine controller 470 is
attached in the inside of the front cover in the vending machine
and a portable phone connection device 510 is attached below the
vending machine controller 470. A cable connector 515 is provided
in the portable phone connection device 510, to be connected to the
external connection port 517 of a portable phone 518 via a cable
516. When the portable phone 517 is connected to the cable
connection device 515 in the portable phone connection device 510,
the portable phone connection is notified to a CPU 512 via a UART
514. The CPU 512 monitors a vending machine controller 470 via an
I/F portion 511. If a transaction item is detected, the CPU 512
receives the transaction details ad stores the same in a memory
513. If a portable phone connection is notified to the CPU 512 via
the UART 514, the CPU 512 makes a phone call through the portable
phone 518 by a preset connection number and transmits the
transaction details data stored in the memory 513. If the
transaction details data is successfully transmitted to the called
party, the CPU 512 deletes the recorded contents stored in the
memory 513. Here, the set phone number is a number which can be
connected to a central server in a corresponding settlement
authority such as a card company or bank.
[0245] By the way, in the case that a portable phone is used as
described above, the present invention cannot be applied to an
automatic vending machine which is installed in a place out of
service. Thus, the present invention provides an Internet
connection device which can transmit transaction details via the
Internet having no regional limitation.
[0246] FIG. 54A is a block diagram showing an Internet accessible
device. FIG. 54B shows an external connection state with respect to
a PC. Referring to FIG. 54B, an Internet connection device 520 is
connected to an Internet accessible PC 526 by cable. The Internet
connection device 520 includes a memory connector 521 which can be
connected to a PDA 480 or a memory pack 488, which is a mobile
collection device, and an infrared I/F portion 522 which receives
the collected transaction details data by infrared
communications.
[0247] An administrator connects a PC 26 to a connection device 520
by cable. The mobile collection device shown in FIGS. 49A, 49B, 50A
and 50B with a memory connector 521. The memory connector 521
recognizes the transaction details data collected in the memory 488
installed in the mobile collection device, and transmits the
recognized transaction details data to a CPU 524 via the UART 523.
The connection device 520 can receive the transaction details data
via infrared communications without having no connection with the
mobile collection device. That is, an infrared I/F portion 522 in
the connection device 520 recognizes the transaction details data
in the infrared ray form and transmits the recognized result to the
CPU 524 via the UART 523. The CPU 524 transmits the received data
to the PC 526 connected to a serial port 525 via the UART 523. The
PC 526 transmits the transaction details data transmitted from the
connection device 520 to a central server 527, at the state where
the PC 526 accesses the central server 527 in a corresponding
settlement authority via the Internet. After transferring the
transaction details data, the CPU 524 transmits a command to delete
the recording contents from a memory 488 in the connected mobile
collection device if data is successfully transmitted. Since the
memory recording contents are cleared whenever the collected
transaction details data is transmitted to the central server 527
normally, a memory capacity is not much occupied.
[0248] In the case of a place where the Internet is not supplied, a
dial-up VAN connection device is provided so that transaction
details data can be transmitted via a phone line.
[0249] FIG. 55A is a block diagram showing a dial-up VAN accessible
device. FIG. 55B shows an external connection state of the FIG. 55A
dial-up VAN accessible device. Referring to FIG. 55B, a phone line
is connected to one side of a connection device 530 fabricated in
the form of a box, and a plurality of coupling holes are provided
on the other side of the connection device 530, so as connect with
a plurality of memory packs each being a mobile collection device.
Also, a LED is provided in correspondence to each coupling hole, so
that a current processing state can be checked by each memory
pack.
[0250] An administrator connects the memory packs 488 in the mobile
collection device to be processed with each coupling hole in the
connection device 530 connected to the phone line. Transaction
details data collected from a vending machine installed in a
respectively different place is recorded in each memory pack 488.
The CPU 532 transmits the data to a modem 533 via a UART 531 and
loads it in the phone line to then be transmitted to a central
server 527. After transferring the transaction details data, the
CPU 532 deletes the recording contents of the processed memory pack
488 if data is successfully transmitted.
[0251] When the above-described transfer terminal is used, the
optical payment settlement method according to the present
invention can be applied to a bus or taxi fare automatic collection
system.
[0252] FIG. 56 is a configuration view showing a bus/taxi fare
automatic collection system adopting an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention. A system shown in FIG.
56 includes a portable terminal (MU) 540 which is an optical
payment unit and a RF terminal 550 for collecting a fare. The RF
terminal 550 includes an optical transceiver 551 for receiving and
transmitting optical payment information, a controller for
controlling the operation of levying a fare, and a recorder 553 for
recording levying details. The recorder 533 is fabricated
separately in the form of a pack. The detailed structure of the RF
terminal 550 is shown in FIG. 57. The FIG. 56 system includes a
transfer terminal 542 connected to the recorder 553, for
transferring the levying details to a card company server 548 via a
VAN company server 546. Here, the transfer terminal 542 uses an
Internet connection device or the dial-up VAN connection device
shown in FIG. 54 or 55.
[0253] A customer riding a bus or taxi pays for a fare. In the case
of an optical payment, the customer uses the portable terminal 540
which is an optical payment unit and transmits optical payment
information toward the optical transceiver 551 in the RF terminal
550. The optical transceiver 551 receives the optical payment
information transmitted from the customer's portable terminal 540
having ridden the bus or taxi and transmits the received optical
payment information to the controller 552. In the case of a payment
of an existing plastic card or an IC card such as a traffic card
which does not adopt an optical payment method, a customer contacts
a corresponding card to a RF card communications module 554 to
transfer card information in the form of radio frequency. The RF
card communications module 554 receives the transmitted RF card
information and transmits the received card information to the
controller 552. The controller 552 checks whether the received card
information is valid. If card information is RF card information,
the controller 552 checks a black list (B/L) stored in a B/L data
storage module 555, and checks whether the card information is
valid. If card information is valid, the controller 552 displays
the levying fare and the remainder of the card on a display 557 via
a user interface module 556. Meanwhile, in the case of an optical
payment, the controller 552 need not check a black list separately.
In the optical payment settlement system, the portable terminal
which is a corresponding optical payment unit checks a black list.
In the optical payment settlement system, the controller 552
displays the levying fare and the cumulative amount on the display
557 via the user interface module 556. In addition, the controller
records the levying details such as the corresponding card
information and amount in the recorder 553.
[0254] In order to read the above-described recorded information,
an administrator visits a place where the transfer terminal 542 is
installed and separates the recorder 553 from the RF terminal 550,
to thereby connect the separated recorder with the transfer
terminal 542. The transfer terminal 542 reads the levying details
from the connected recorder 553 and transmits the read result to
the VAN company server 546. The VAN company server 546 transmits
the received levying details to the corresponding card company
server 548.
[0255] Meanwhile, in the case of a subway, toll gate or kiosk,
there is provided a system central server, which plays a role of a
collection device or transfer terminal without adopting an
additional collection device or transfer terminal. Here, a case
using the central server will be described below.
[0256] FIG. 58 is a configuration view showing a subway fare
automatic collection system adopting an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention. A system shown in FIG.
58 includes a portable terminal (MU) 560 which is an optical
payment unit and a RF terminal 570 installed in a subway gate. The
RF terminal 570 includes an optical transceiver 571 for
transmitting and receiving optical payment information, a
controller 572 for controlling operation of levying a subway fare,
and a recorder 573 for recording levying details. The detailed
structure of the RF terminal 570 is shown in FIG. 59. The FIG. 58
system also includes a collection server 562 for collecting levying
details of the recorder 573 disposed in each subway station and
transferring the same to a card company server 564 in a lump. Here,
the collection server 562 is a central server for linking each
subway station and centrally controlling the same. Also, since a
fare differs for each subway section, information with respect to a
boarding subway station is input into the portable terminal 560
using a bidirectional optical transceiver 571, so that an accurate
fare can be levied at a get-off subway station.
[0257] The RF terminals 570 provided in the subway station entrance
and exit are connected to a subway station central server via a
terminal computer communications module 576. In order to ride on a
subway train, a passenger transmits optical card information to the
optical transceiver 571 in the RF terminal 570, using the card
information incorporated portable terminal 560. Then, the optical
transceiver 571 transmits the received card information to the
controller 572. The controller 572 confirms whether the received
card information is valid data of a predetermined protocol. If it
is valid data, the controller 572 transmits the departure station
information and time information to the portable terminal 560 via
the optical transceiver 571. The portable terminal 560 receives the
departure station information transmitted from the optical
transceiver 571 and temporarily stores the same therein. The
controller 572 controls the entrance and exit opening system to
allow the passenger to pass through the entrance and exit opening
system and to ride on the subway train. When the passenger rides on
the subway train and arrives at a desired destination, he or she
uses the portable terminal 560 in which the departure station
information has been stored, and proceeds the get-off procedure.
Here, the departure station information together with the card
information is transmitted to the optical transceiver 571 in the RF
terminal 570 provided in the entrance and exit opening system of
the arrival station. The optical transceiver 571 receives the
departure station information together with the card information
transmitted from the portable terminal 560 and transmits the same
to the controller 572. The controller 572 checks whether the
received card information is valid data of a predetermined
protocol. If it is valid data, the controller 572 calculates a fare
from the departure station to the arrival station and displays a
calculated amount and/or a used cumulative amount on a display 578
via a user interface module 577. Also, the controller 572 records
the levying details such as the card information, transaction date,
fare, and cumulative amount on the recorder 573.
[0258] The central server 562 being the collection server collects
the transaction details recorded in the recorder 573 in the RF
terminal 570 installed in each subway station, at every interval of
period. The central server 562 checks if the collected transaction
details matches the transaction details recorded in the recorder
573. Then, if both match, the central server 562 transmits the
transaction details to a card company 564 and requests for an
approval of settlement of the used amount and then clears the
recorded contents from the recorder 573.
[0259] Of course, the passenger can use a subway ticket which is
another payment ticket or uses a traffic card such as a plastic
card or an IC card to have it contact the RF card communications
module 574 to settle the payment.
[0260] Hereinbelow, a case that a phone number is used as an ID for
a batch processing settlement system in a vending machine, a bus or
a subway will be described.
[0261] FIG. 60 is a conceptual view showing an optical payment
batch processing settlement system using a phone number as an
ID.
[0262] A user possessing a portable terminal 890 incorporated with
an optical payment function selects a corresponding mobile
communications company as a credit transaction authority for taking
a transaction action requiring a batch processing settlement. The
user selects the mobile communications company 898 as a credit
transaction authority in an optical menu of the portable terminal
890, and then transmits a phone number and an authentication key
registered in the portable terminal 890 in the form of an infrared
ray by means of manipulation of buttons. An optical receiver 892
installed in a vending machine, a bus, or a subway station receives
a phone number and an authentication key from the portable terminal
890. The optical receiver 892 confirms the received authentication
key by using a decoding key and confirms whether the received phone
number is an inherent number input at the time of participating in
the communications network using the confirmed authentication key.
If it is confirmed that the phone number is an inherent number, the
optical receiver 892 approves the transaction action and then keeps
the transaction details in custody with a self-authentication
program. The optical receiver 892 transmits the transaction amount
to the portable terminal 890 in the form of an infrared ray. The
portable terminal 890 cumulates the transmitted transaction amount
and keeps the cumulated result in a memory which can be controlled
by the mobile communications company 898. The portable terminal 890
can continue to take a credit transaction action within a limit
determined by the mobile communications company 898. Meanwhile, an
operator transmits the stored transaction details to a collection
center 896. The collection center 896 totalizes the collected sales
data and converts the totalized sales data into purchase data for
the mobile communications company 898, to then transfer the
converted result to the mobile communications company 898. The
mobile communications company 898 settles the purchase data and
pays for the credit sales debts to the collection center 896
according to a payment interval of period. If the debts are paid
for from the mobile communications company 898, the collection
center 896 pays for the credit sales debts to each affiliated shop
to be settled. The mobile communications company 898 charges for
the credit sales debts collected for a predetermined period in
addition to a communications fee and sends a bill to the user at a
date which is determined to be settled by the user. Since the user
pays for the billed fees, such an optical payment settlement credit
purchase is completed by using a phone number as an ID.
[0263] Meanwhile, since the number of persons who use the Internet
increases sharply, a commercial use of the Internet, that is, an
electronic commerce becomes quickly and widely spread. The
electronic commerce uses a settlement system requiring a user to
input card information such as a user name, card number, secret
number, and a valid date on a browser provided by a cyber shopping
mall. The present invention is applied to the electronic commerce
so that a settlement processing can be performed without inputting
card information each time.
[0264] FIG. 61 is a configuration view showing an electronic
commerce system adopting an optical payment settlement system
according to the present invention. A system shown in FIG. 61
includes a mobile unit 581 used as an optical payment unit having
an optical transmitter for optically transferring preset personal
credit information, an optical receiver 582 connected to an
Internet connection terminal computer (PC) 583 for performing an
electronic commerce transaction, for receiving optically
transmitted personal credit information and inputting the received
credit information to the PC 583, and a payment gateway 585
connected to a shopping mall 584, for performing a settlement
processing. The optical receiver 582 receives only payment
information transmitted in the form of an infrared ray (Ir) and
transmits the received payment information to an electronic
commerce settlement program. Of course, Ir-transmitted payment
information and magnetic card information of a swapping method can
be selectively received, by using an optical receiver including a
card reader. Also, if an optical relay base unit is connected to
the PC 583 and an optical relay in which an optical receiver is
attached is used, Ir-transmitted payment information and magnetic
card information of a swapping method which is transmitted via a
mobile optical relay can be selectively received. Here, the payment
gateway 585 is an optical payment (Zoop.TM.) dedicated gateway, and
can be operated by the shopping mall 584 or a separate service
company. A VAN company 586 and a card company 587 are connected to
the optical payment dedicated gateway 585. In the FIG. 61 system
having the above-described structure, an optical payment operation
in the electronic commerce will be described specifically via FIG.
62.
[0265] A customer gains access to the shopping mall 584 by the
computer 583 connected to the Internet and searches products. Then,
the customer determines purchase items and makes up an order sheet.
Then, the customer selects a settlement method for settlement of a
debt on a screen and clicks the selected settlement method (step
591). The shopping mall system 584 checks if the customer's
selected settlement method is an optical payment settlement method
(step 592). If the customer determines the payment by one of other
settlement method other than the optical payment, a settlement
procedure using the determined settlement method (step 593). There
are an electronic money, an MS card and so on as the settlement
methods other than the optical payment. If a payment is an optical
payment settlement, a customer uses a portable unit 581 which is an
optical payment unit and transmits the card information to the
optical transmitter 582 connected to the computer 583 (step 594).
Since the optical payment unit has been described above, the
detailed description thereof will be omitted. The customer inputs a
secret number which is known only by him or her and presses a
settlement button, and then transmits card information necessary
for settlement to the optical receiver 582 attached to the Internet
connection computer 583, by using an optical communications method,
in particular, an infrared communications method. The optical
receiver 582 received the transmitted card information and converts
it into the form which can be processed in the computer 583 so as
to be input to the computer 583. The computer 583 transmits the
input card information to the shopping mall system 584. The
shopping mall system 584 transmits the received card information to
the optical payment dedicated gateway 585. The optical payment
dedicated gateway 585 having received the card information performs
decoding and authenticating of the received card information (step
595). The optical payment dedicated gateway 585 checks whether the
optical payment settlement is authenticated from an authentication
server (step 596). If it has been authenticated, the optical
payment dedicated gateway 585 requests for an approval to the VAN
company 586 or directly to the card company 587. If it has not been
authenticated, a settlement processing is performed by other
payment methods (step 593). The optical payment dedicated gateway
585 checks an authentication result (step 597) and transmits the
check result to the transaction generated shopping mall 584. When
the shopping mall 584 is notified from the optical payment
dedicated gateway 585 that the transaction is normally approved, it
notifies to a customer's browser that the transaction is normally
approved (step 598). Then, products purchased by the corresponding
customer are delivered within a determined delivery date. If the
shopping mall 584 is notified from the optical payment dedicated
gateway 585 that the transaction is not approved due to poor
creditability, an excess of limitation, or an illegal use, it
notifies to the customer's browser that the transaction is not
approved (step 599).
[0266] As described above, the optical settlement system according
to the present invention can be applied to an electronic payment on
the wireless Internet as well as that on the wired Internet.
[0267] FIG. 63 is a configuration view showing a wireless
Internet-based electronic commerce system adopting an optical
payment settlement system according to the present invention. A
system shown in FIG. 63 is configured in the same structure as that
of the FIG. 61 system. However, the FIG. 63 system is configured so
that a settlement is performed between an optical payment portable
unit 601 and a shopping mall system 602 via a wireless Internet
protocol. An optical payment operation in the wireless
Internet-based electronic commerce of the FIG. 63 system having the
above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
64.
[0268] In the wireless Internet-based electronic commerce, the
customer uses a terminal such as an Internet connectable portable
phone or PDA as an optical payment unit. The optical payment unit
uses a micro-browser mounted portable phone terminal in which the
micro-browser is a commercially available software program such as
WAP/UP, ME, etc. The customer gains access to the shopping mall 602
on the wireless Internet via the wireless Internet connectable
terminal 601 which is used as an optical payment unit. The customer
selects goods or services to be purchased according to a menu
provided from the shopping mall 602, and then selects an optical
payment settlement as a settlement method. The customer uses an
optical transmitter in the terminal 601 which is an optical payment
unit and optically transmits card information incorporated in the
terminal (step 611). Here, the customer inputs a secret number into
the terminal 601. If the secret number is correct, the customer can
access the card information. If not, the customer cannot use the
incorporated card information. When the customer inputs the secret
number into the terminal 601 and then presses a transmit button on
a menu, the card information incorporated in the terminal 601 is
encoded and then transmitted to the shopping mall server 602 which
is currently connected on the wireless Internet. The shopping mall
server 602 confirms the transmitted card information. If the
transmitted card information is normally received, the shopping
mall server 602 sends a reception message to the customer's
terminal, while if not, the former sends a re-transmission
requesting message to the customer's terminal 601 and displays the
re-transmission requesting message on the customer's terminal
screen to thereby make the customer check if the card information
has been normally transmitted (step 612). If the card information
has not been transmitted, the customer manipulates the terminal 601
again and re-transmits the card information (step 613). If it is
checked that the card information has been normally received in
step 611, the shopping mall server 602 transmits the encoded card
information to the optical payment dedicated gateway 604 (step
614). Here, the optical payment dedicated gateway 604 is a
separately existing payment gateway server in order to decode only
data which has been stored in the terminal and then encoded and
transmitted, in addition to payment information processed in a
general key-in method. The reason why the optical payment dedicated
gateway 604 is provided in comparison with the general payment
gateway 603 is because the optically transmitted data is encoded
and thus cannot be decoded in the general payment gateway server
603. The optical payment dedicated gateway 604 receives the
settlement information transmitted via the shopping mall system 602
and decodes it into an original prior-to-being-encoded state. Then,
the optical payment dedicated gateway 604 requests for an approval
to a bank 606 or a card company 608 which is a settlement authority
through an authentication procedure (step 615). Here, a dedicated
network 605 or 607 of X.25 is connected between the optical payment
dedicated gateway 604 and the corresponding settlement authority
606 or 608. The optical payment dedicated gateway server 604 checks
if an approval has been done from the corresponding settlement
authority such as the bank 606 or card company 608 (step 616). If
an approval has been done, the optical payment dedicated gateway
server 604 notifies the shopping mall 602 that the payment has been
completed and the customer that the settlement has been completed
(step 617). If an approval has not been done in the result of
checking of step 616, the optical payment dedicated gateway server
604 notifies the customer via the shopping mall 602 that the
settlement has been rejected, to thereby allow the customer to use
other settlement methods (step 618).
[0269] FIG. 65 is an operational flowchart view in the case that
the FIG. 61 electronic commerce system is applied in a general
store. A system adopting the FIG. 65 method transmits optical
payment information in real-time via an electronic commerce optical
receiver 582 connected to a PC 583 in a general store connected to
the Internet, for processing various settlement approval items.
[0270] A customer determines a purchase item and selects a
settlement method in a store counter (step 621). The system checks
if the customer's selected settlement method is an optical payment
settlement (step 622). If the customer's settlement method is an
optical payment settlement, the customer uses a portable terminal
581 which is an optical payment unit, and transmits card
information to the electronic commerce optical receiver 582
attached to a PC 583 in the store (step 623). The card information
includes a secret number and a settlement command. If the
customer's settlement method is not an optical payment settlement,
the customer performs a settlement processing in cash or with other
payment methods such as a magnetic card (step 624). The PC 583
plays a role of a Web-POS and encodes the received card information
and transmits it to the optical payment dedicated gateway 585 in
order to request for an approval. The optical payment dedicated
gateway 585 decodes the card information received via the Internet
into an original prior-to-being-encoded state, and proceeds to an
authentication procedure (step 625). The optical payment dedicated
gateway 585 checks if an optical payment settlement is
authenticated from an authentication server (step 626). If the
optical payment settlement is authenticated, the optical payment
dedicated gateway 585 requests for an approval to a VAN company 586
or directly to a card company 587. If not, a settlement processing
is performed with other payment methods (step 624). The optical
payment dedicated gateway 585 checks if an approval has been done
(step 627). If an approval has been normally done, the optical
payment dedicated gateway 585 notifies the browser of the Web-POS
583 connected via the Internet that an approval has been normally
done (step 628). If a normal approval has been notified, the
shopping mall hands over to the customer the products purchased by
the customer. If an approval has not been done due to poor
creditability, an excess of limitation and an illegal use, the
optical payment dedicated gateway 585 notifies the browser of the
Web-POS 583 that the transaction has not been approved (step
629).
[0271] An authentication unit is needed in order to prevent an
illegal use of payment information in an optical payment commerce.
As shown in FIG. 66, an optical payment unit, an affiliated store
and a card company in the present invention includes an
authentication unit, respectively. Also, when all these
authentication units are combined with one another, the card
information can be used as significant payment information. A user
631 purchases services or goods in an affiliated store and inputs
his or her own controlled password into an optical payment unit in
order to pay for the purchased services or goods, which can prevent
others from accessing. An optical payment receiver installed in an
affiliated store 632 analyzes the received signal and ascertains a
contracted index table and communicates with each other to thereby
control an access to services. The affiliated store 632 adds an
affiliated store ID assigned to a credit card inquiry machine 633
installed in the affiliated store to credit information to then
transmit the affiliated store ID added credit information to a card
company 634, and has an approval request right assigned to the
affiliated store 632. The card company 634 compares the card number
transmitted via the credit card inquiry machine 633 and the VAN
network and the authentication number transmitted together with the
card number to thereby judge if the card is a card issued by a card
company 634 and thus have an approval right. An optical payment
dedicated gateway 635 existing between the card company 634 and the
affiliated store 632 includes a self-authentication table to have
an authentication right with respect to an optical payment
settlement.
[0272] The secret number for authentication of a user in a portable
terminal which is an optical payment unit can be exposed to others.
Thus, the secret number is combined with user's bio-identification
information such as the iris, face, footprint, voice, etc. In this
embodiment, a user authentication using a secret number and face
recognition data will be described below.
[0273] FIGS. 67A and 67B are views for explaining a process of
registering user facial data in a portable terminal initially,
respectively. A portable terminal 641 shown in FIG. 67A is attached
with a camera 642 for photographing a user. The portable terminal
641 contains a program for extracting facial data from a user image
photographed and obtained in the camera 642 and storing the
extracted facial data, and then comparing the stored facial data
with facial data of a person who uses the portable terminal.
[0274] In FIG. 67B, a user manipulates a menu on a portable
terminal 641 such as a portable phone and a PDA and sets the
portable terminal 641 into a secret number input mode. In the
secret number input mode, the user inputs a secret number for
accessing his or her own payment information into the portable
terminal 641 (step 641). After inputting a secret number, the user
re-inputs the secret number into the portable terminal 641 (step
641). If the twice sequentially input secret numbers match each
other, the portable terminal 641 proceeds to a facial data input
mode automatically. In the facial data input mode, the user
approaches his or her own face to the camera 642 attached to the
portable terminal 641 and selects a confirmation button (step 643).
If the confirmation button is selected, the portable terminal 641
takes a picture of the user's face via the camera 642 and then
displays the photographed face on the screen together with a
completion indication (step 644). If the photograph is not
satisfied, the user presses a cancel button and performs the facial
data input accessing his or her own payment information into the
portable terminal 641 (step 641). After inputting a secret number,
the user re-inputs the secret number into the portable terminal 641
(step 641). If the twice sequentially input secret numbers match
each other, the portable terminal 641 proceeds to a facial data
input mode automatically. In the facial data input mode, the user
approaches his or her own face to the camera 642 attached to the
portable terminal 641 and selects a confirmation button (step 643).
If the confirmation button is selected, the portable terminal 641
takes a picture of the user's face via the camera 642 and then
displays the photographed face on the screen together with a
completion indication (step 644). If the photograph is not
satisfied, the user presses a cancel button and performs the facial
data input procedure again.
[0275] A user authentication will be described in the case of the
portable terminal 641 in which facial data has been input through
the above procedure.
[0276] FIG. 68A is a view for explaining a user authentication
process in the facial data contained portable terminal 641. FIG.
68B is a flowchart view for explaining a user authentication
process in the facial data contained portable terminal.
[0277] A user selects a settlement mode in the portable terminal
641 and then presses a confirmation button in order to access his
or her own payment information (step 651). If the portable terminal
641 is selected at a settlement mode, it displays a message for
requesting the user to input a secret number on a screen as shown
in FIG. 68A. Here, the user inputs a secret number. Then, the
portable terminal 641 displays a message for requesting the user to
approach his or her face to the camera 642 on the screen for facial
recognition. Then, the user approaches his or her face to the
camera 642 and then presses a confirmation button. If the
confirmation button is pressed, the portable terminal 641 drives
the camera 642 and the driving program, to photograph the user's
face (step 652). When the user's face is completely photographed,
the photographed facial data is analyzed and compared with the
initially registered user's facial data (step 653). Here, if a
probability error in comparison is accurate within the range of
about 30%, the photographed facial data is processed in the same as
the previously registered facial data. The reason is because data
extracted from the facial shape has some errors according to the
age or condition of the user. Thus, a case that a user is not
recognized as the person in question according to the condition at
that time although he or she is the person in question is avoided.
If an in-person authentication is completed through the above
procedure, an access to the payment information incorporated in the
portable terminal 641 is accomplished. In the case that an error is
above 30%, the program is performed again from the initial menu
selection step. Then, in the case that the facial data does not
match more than three times, the payment information is
automatically stopped and a report of the loss of the corresponding
portable terminal is submitted.
[0278] Next, additional services such as change in card
information, termination/stoppage/loss of the card, and transaction
suspension for the optical payment settlement system according to
the present invention will be described.
[0279] FIG. 69 shows a card information change service system
provided in an optical payment settlement system according to the
present invention. FIG. 70 is a flowchart view in the FIG. 69 card
information change service system provided in an optical payment
settlement system according to the present invention.
[0280] If an alteration cause of card information such as an
address, a secret number, a contact address, and a bill recipient
place occurs, a card member 661 requests for an alteration of the
card information by phone, via wired or wireless Internet, or by
paying a direct visit of a corresponding card company 663 or a
relayer 662 (step 671). The relayer 662 having received the card
information alteration application, demands on data for
ascertaining the applicant is the card member 661 in person, and
ascertains the contents of the card information to be changed and
the card company of the card to be changed. The relayer 662 applies
for an alteration of the card information by proxy of the card
member 661 via the dedicated line with respect to the card company
663 in question (step 672). Here, the relayer 662 transmits
authentication data necessary for identifying the person in
question such as part of a secret number, a residence number and
final sales approval details, to the card company 663, together
with the card information alteration application. The card company
663 verifies whether the received application is an application
applied by the person in question, with the in-person
authentication data transmitted from the relayer 662. In the case
that the card member 661 applies for an application of alteration
of the card information to a corresponding card company, the card
company 663 receives the in-person authentication data from the
card member 661. If it has been checked that the applicant is a
person in charge, the card company 663 compares the card
information in a member computerized sheet registered in the card
company server 663 with the card information to be changed (step
673). In the result of comparison of step 673, if both of the card
information coincide with each other, the card company 663 notifies
the relayer 662 that there is no change matter in the card
information. The relayer 662 transmits the notified contents of the
card company 663 to the card member 661 in the form of a wireless
data format. In the result of comparison of step 673, if both of
the card information do not coincide with each other, the card
company 663 changes the card information contents on the member
computer recording sheet upon request of the member (step 674).
When the card information change is completed, the card company 663
notifies the relayer 662 that the card information has been
completely changed. The relayer 662 transmits a message of "card
information change completion" to a card substitute portable phone
of a corresponding card member according to the notification of the
card company (step 675). The card substitute portable phone carried
by the card member displays the card information change completion
message on its screen and informs the user that the card
information has been changed (step 676). Thus, when the other
person tries to change the card information illegally, the card
holder can ascertain the illegal card information change.
[0281] Meanwhile, in the case that the card holder is registered as
a person of poor credit due to theft or loss of the card, or the
card use money in arrears, the card transaction needs to be
suspended. In this case, there are two existing methods for
checking the card transaction suspension. One method is to manage
black list (B/L) information with respect to cards which need to be
suspended for their transactions from the card company server in
the case that the cards need to be suspended for their transactions
and check whether the card is suspended if a card transaction
approval request is received from an affiliated store. The other
method is to download black list (B/L) information in package from
a card company server by wire and store the downloaded B/L
information in a card reader installed in a subway ticket gate or a
bus ticket gate during use of subway or bus, and compare the input
card information with the stored B/L information. In the case of
these methods, it takes long time to check a B/L and burdens the
subway or bus card reader to store B/L data. Thus, in the case of a
card which needs to suspend transactions, the card company
transmits transaction suspension information to a portable phone
which is used as an optical payment unit in the form of a wireless
data format using a mobile communications method and registers the
transaction suspension information in the portable phone, to
thereby prevent the portable phone from being used as the optical
payment unit. This process is shown in FIG. 71.
[0282] FIG. 71 shows a card dealing suspension system according to
the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 71 includes a card
member 681, a card company 682, a relayer 683 and a mobile
communications network 684. The card member 681 purchases a
portable wireless communications terminal such as a portable phone
and a PDA for financial settlement and participates as a card
member in a card company. The card company 682 includes companies
each issuing a direct payment card, a advance payment card, a
credit card and an electronic money. The relayer 683 is a company
which provides card information and other financial information to
the card member 681 upon agreement of the card member 681 in which
the relayer 683 contracts with the card company 682 and other
financial authorities. The mobile communications network 684 is a
network for transmitting data to particular wired or wireless
communications terminals designated by the relayer 683 via a
dedicated line from the relayer 683 by the contract between the
mobile communications company and the relayer 683. In this system,
operations of registering B/L data for registering transaction
suspension of cards having a transaction suspension causes in a
terminal carried by the card member and suspending the transactions
will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 72 and 73.
[0283] FIG. 72 is a flowchart view for explaining a card B/L
registration method in the FIG. 71 system. FIG. 73 is a flowchart
view for explaining a card dealing suspension method in the FIG. 71
system.
[0284] If a customer applies withdrawal or stoppage of a card (step
691) or is registered as a person of poor credit called a B/L
person in the result of a credit estimation in the card company 682
(step 692), it is judged whether the card is a card incorporated in
the portable phone or PDA (step 693). If the card is a card
incorporated in the portable terminal in the result of judgement of
step 693, the card company 682 ascertains a phone number of the
portable terminal having an incorporated card (step 694), the card
suspension information is transmitted to the relayer 683 via the
dedicated line (step 695). The relayer 683 calls a corresponding
portable terminal 681 by the ascertained phone number via the
mobile communications network 684 and transmits the transaction
suspension information (step 696). Here, the transaction suspension
information is transmitted in the form of a wireless data format.
The corresponding portable terminal 681 receives the transaction
suspension information and registers the B/L data in a memory
incorporated therein or card information stored in the detachable
IC card (step 697). The portable terminal 681 having received the
transaction suspension information sends a response signal to the
card company 682 and enables the card company 682 to judge whether
the transaction suspension information is normally input. The card
company 682 judges whether the transaction suspension information
is input in the portable terminal 681 normally (step 698), and if
the transaction suspension information is not input normally, the
card company 682 repeatedly performs the steps starting from step
696 so that the card transaction suspension information is
re-transmitted. Meanwhile, if the card is not a portable card in
the result of judgment of step 693, the card company 682 processes
in the same manner as the existing card (step 698). That is, the
card transaction suspension information is registered in the card
company approval server.
[0285] The method for suspending the transactions during a card
substitute use of the portable terminal 681 registered as the B/L
data will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 73.
[0286] When the card substitute portable terminal 681 holder
presses a credit card use button of the portable terminal 681 and
transmits the credit information in order to pay for cost of the
service (step 701), a controller in the portable terminal 681
ascertains whether the card is registered as B/L card (step 702).
If the card is registered as the B/L data, the controller in the
portable terminal 681 rejects the transaction by display of an
error message on a display screen in the portable terminal 681
(step 704) and completes the program. If the card is not registered
as B/L data in the result of ascertainment of step 702, the
portable terminal 681 transmits the incorporated credit information
to the card information reception portion (step 703) and completes
the program.
[0287] With the above transaction suspension method, in a petty
cash transaction performed without approval of transaction, that
is, traffic transactions in facilities such as paid roads, buses,
subways, and parking rots, vending machines, and a small-money
electronic commerce, a B/L check is performed in the card
substitute portable terminal during use of the credit card with the
portable terminal. Accordingly, the processing speed of the card
substitute portable terminal is faster than that of comparing the
B/L data downloaded from the card company server in package by wire
in a card reader one by one, and the system running cost of the
former is cheaper than that of the latter. information representing
that the card has been lost, to the card company 713 except for the
cards which are not lost by the card member among the extracted
card numbers, together with the in-person authentication
information via the dedicated line (step 723). The card company 713
ascertains the in-person authentication information among the
received information to thereby ascertain that the card holder is a
true card possessor. In this case, the card company 713 records the
transaction suspension due to the loss of the card in a computer DB
714, and transmits the transmits the recorded information to the
relayer 712 (step 724). The relayer 712 transmits the transaction
suspension information received from the card company 713 to a
wireless terminal 711 designated by the card member in the form of
a wireless data format (step 725). The wireless terminal 711
displays the transaction suspension completion due to loss on a
display screen and makes the card member see that the loss of card
is declared and processes (step 726). If the displayed contents are
not correct, the card member appeals the card company 713 or the
relayer 712 (step 727).
[0288] As such, if the card transaction suspension is performed due
to the card loss, the payment information transmission of the lost
portable terminal is stopped. Also, the communications function of
the portable terminal can be stopped through the mobile
communications company, to thereby make the portable terminal
disabled.
[0289] By the way, the illegal use of the card having occurred
before declaring the card loss or theft is not easily accepted by
the card company although an appeal is filed by the card member,
which causes a dispute. In order to prevent such a dispute in
advance, a method for transferring transaction details by use of
various payment information incorporated in the portable terminal
to a user portable terminal is proposed in the present
invention.
[0290] FIG. 76 is a configuration view showing a use details
wireless transfer system provided in an optical payment settlement
system according to the present invention.
[0291] FIG. 77 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation in
the FIG. 76 use details wireless transfer system.
[0292] A customer purchases goods or services in an affiliated
store (step 741), and payment information for optical settlement is
transmitted. Then, a card inquiry machine 732 sends an approval
request to a card company 733. The card company 733 checks
remainder limitation and transaction suspension of the approval
requested card. If there is no abnormality, the approval signal is
transmitted to the card inquiry machine 732 (step 742). Also, the
card company 733 ascertains whether a member of an approval
requested card number is a member who applies for receiving
approval details wirelessly (step 743). If it is ascertained that
the member of the card number is a member who does not apply for
receiving the approval details, the program is completed. If it is
ascertained that the member of the card number is a member who
applies for receiving the approval details, and the approval is a
firstly generated approval after application of the approval, it is
ascertained whether the card member is a possessor of a wireless
data transceiver 731 such as a portable phone, a PDA, and a beeper
through which the card member wishes to receive the approval
details via the dedicated line connected to a mobile communications
company 755 (step 744). If it is ascertained that the card member
is a possessor of the mobile data transceiver 731, the card company
733 transmits the approved details such as a sales generated time,
sales amount, affiliated store name, and part of the card number to
a relayer 734 via the dedicated line (step 745). The relayer 734
uses a communications network 736 of the mobile communications
company 735 and transmits the approved details transmitted from the
card company 733 by e-mail or by a wireless transmission method
(step 746). The wireless data transceiver 731 designated to receive
the approved details by the card member receives and records the
approved details by e-mail, wireless data transmission method, or
WAP (step 747), displays the approved details on a screen to
receive a confirmation from the card member (step 748). If approved
details are transmitted to his or her wireless data transceiver
731, although he or she does not use the card, the card member
appeals that such sales are illegal sales to the relayer 734 or the
card company 733 and requests for taking a proper action (step
749). If such an appeal is raised, the relayer 734 transmits the
appeal information to the card company 733, immediately. The card
company 733 starts to investigate the received appeal (step
750).
[0293] In addition, the present invention presents a system for
leasing an optical payment unit and settling all purchase-related
amount. This is more effective if the rental service of the optical
payment unit is applied to a business place for an attendance as in
a theme park.
[0294] FIG. 78 is a block diagram showing a settlement system using
a rental type optical payment unit according to the present
invention. A system shown in FIG. 78 includes an optical
transmitter 750, a counter terminal 754 for registering rental and
return of the optical transmitter 750, a calculation terminal 760
for inputting a transaction amount in which an optical receiver 762
is attached, and a main computer 752 for ascertaining an inherent
number input from the calculation terminal 760 and the transaction
amount and performing settlement of the transaction amount. Here,
the optical transmitter 750 employs an IC chip in which an inherent
number is registered therein, and converts the inherent number
registered in the IC chip into an optical signal to then transmit
the optical signal. Also, the optical transmitter 750 is fabricated
into a portable size so that a user carries it conveniently. The
calculation terminal 760 is located in a calculation stand in a
restaurant or stall which sells food or goods, and is attached with
the optical receiver 762. The counter terminal 754 is installed in
an entrance and exit gate in a game resort, etc., or in a
predetermined place in the game resort, and is attached with an
optical receiver 756 and a card reader 758 for ascertaining credit
card information. An operation of the settlement system using a
rental type optical payment unit of FIG. 77 having the above
configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
79 to 82.
[0295] If a user wishes to use an optical settlement system of the
present invention when the user enters a game resort such as a
theme park or in a zoo, or after entrance there, the user goes to a
rental counter located in the entrance and exit gate or park, for
leasing the optical transmitter 750, and requests for rental of the
optical transmitter 750 (step 761). The user can select his or her
desired settlement method (step 762), in which there are a prepaid
type for depositing a predetermined amount of money and a credit
card type using a credit card as a settlement method. If a user
selects a prepaid settlement method, the user deposits an amount of
money to be consumed and a guarantee money of the optical
transmitter 750 (step 763). A clerk in the counter selects one
among various optical transmitters 750 which are kept in custody
and then transmits an inherent number registered in the IC chip
incorporated in the optical transmitter 750 toward the optical
receiver 756 attached to the counter terminal 754. The optical
receiver 756 receives the inherent number transmitted from the
optical transmitter 750 and outputs the same to the counter
terminal 754 (step 764). The clerk key-inputs an amount of the user
deposited and consumable money into the inherent number of the
optical transmitter 750 which is input into the counter terminal
764 (step 765). Then, the corresponding optical transmitter 750
becomes an enabling state which can be used by the user and the key
input value is input to the main computer 752. The clerk ascertains
the usable state via the counter terminal 754 and then rents the
optical transmitter 750 to the user (step 766).
[0296] If a user selects a credit card settlement method in step
762, the carried credit card is presented to a clerk in the counter
(step 767). The clerk puts the credit card into a card reader 758
attached to the counter terminal 754 and registers the credit card
information of the user into the counter terminal 754 (step 768).
Then, an inherent number of an optical transmitter 750 to be rent
to the user is input into the counter terminal 754 in the same
manner as that of the prepaid settlement method (step 769), and
matches the inherent number with the credit card information (step
770). Then, the corresponding optical transmitter 750 becomes a
usable state and the state value is input to the main computer 752.
Then, the clerk ascertains the input results and rents the optical
transmitter 750 to the user (step 766).
[0297] FIG. 80 is a flowchart view for explaining a settlement
process in the FIG. 78 system.
[0298] When a user rents an optical transmitter 750 and then wishes
to go to a restaurant or purchases goods, a clerk in the restaurant
or store key-inputs a transaction amount into the calculation
terminal 760 (step 771). Then, the user transmits the inherent
number of the carried optical transmitter 750 toward the optical
receiver 762 attached to the calculation terminal 760, so that the
inherent number is input into the calculation terminal 760 (step
772). the main computer 752 receives the transaction amount of
money and the inherent number of the optical transmitter 750 from
the calculation terminal 760 and checks a settlement method (step
773). If the settlement method is a prepaid type, the main computer
752 subtracts the transaction amount of money from the usable
amount of money and settles the transaction amount of money (step
774). The main computer 752 outputs a usable remainder amount of
money to the calculation terminal 760 and the calculation terminal
760 displays the usable remainder amount of money and
simultaneously outputs a receipt (step 775). If the settlement
method is a credit card type, the main computer 752 accumulates the
transaction amount of money and settles the accumulated amount of
money (step 776). The main computer 752 outputs a current total of
transaction amount of money to the calculation terminal 760, and
the calculation terminal displays the total transaction amount of
money and simultaneously outputs a receipt (step 777).
[0299] FIG. 81 is a flowchart view for explaining a return process
of an optical transmitter 750. When a user who rents an optical
transmitter 750 leaves a theme park, the rent optical transmitter
750 is returned. a clerk in the rental and return counter receives
the optical transmitter 750 from the user and then transmits the
inherent number of the optical transmitter 750 to the optical
receiver 756 attached to the counter terminal 754 to input a return
state (step 781). Then, the settlement method is selected (step
782). In the case of a prepaid settlement method, the main computer
752 ascertains an amount of money remaining in the corresponding
inherent number in response to the input return signal and then
outputs the ascertained result to the counter terminal 754 (step
783). The clerk refunds the ascertained amount of remainder money
and the guarantee money of the optical transmitter 750 to the user
and the transmits a return completion signal to the main computer
752 (step 784). The main computer 752 aligns the return database in
response to the return completion signal (step 785). Meanwhile, in
the case of the credit card type, the return process is much
simpler than that of the prepaid type. The main computer 752
outputs a total amount of transaction money of the corresponding
inherent number to the counter terminal 754 in response to the
input return signal (step 786), and the counter terminal 754
automatically outputs a card bill with respect to the total amount
of transaction money (step 787). The return state of the optical
transmitter 750 is indicated on the card bill. Here, the main
computer 752 aligns the return database immediately (step 785).
[0300] FIG. 82 is a flowchart view for explaining a non-return
process of an optical transmitter 750. When all attendance leave
and a predetermined time elapses, the main computer 752 compares
the rental database with the return database with respect to the
rental optical transmitters 750 and ascertains a list of the
non-return optical transmitters 750 (step 791). Then, a settlement
method is checked (step 792). In the case of a prepaid type, the
main computer 752 ascertains an amount of remainder money of the
inherent number of the non-return optical transmitter 750 (step
793), and registers the corresponding inherent number in a prepaid
type loss database (step 794). Then, when the non-return optical
transmitter 750 is returned (step 795), the amount of remainder
money registered in the prepaid loss database is returned (step
796), and the return database is aligned (step 797). In the case of
the credit card type, the main computer 752 ascertains the final
amount of the transaction money of the non-return inherent number
(step 798), and adds the amount of money of the optical transmitter
750 to the ascertained amount of transaction money and aligns the
credit card bill (step 799). Then, the main computer 752 registers
the corresponding inherent number in the credit card type loss
database (step 800). If the lost optical transmitter 750 is
returned (step 801), only the amount of charged money of the
optical transmitter 750 is refund (step 802), and the return
database is aligned (step 797). In order to reduce the non-return
of the optical transmitter 750, a method can be used that a
predetermined amount of penalty money should be paid in the case of
the non-return according to a contract with the rental users.
[0301] The above-described rental concept can be extended to an
overseas use as well as a domestic use. Although such a system for
embodying an optical payment settlement method is not described
specifically, it can be understood by one skilled in the art based
on the present invention.
[0302] Meanwhile, although the above-described embodiments have
been described only with respect to a financial transaction system,
the present invention can be applied to a system requiring an
entrance and exit security management such as in a company or
governmental office. A conventional entrance and exit security
system chiefly uses a non-contact type RF-ID card. The conventional
non-contact RF-ID card relies on imported components, and the size
of the maximum data which can be stored is limited to 96 bits. The
conventional non-contact RF-ID card requires a separate device for
issuing cards. Also, in order to enter and exit various offices
controlling entrance and exit of persons, the persons should
additionally carry the cards as many as the number of the offices
to enter and exit. Thus, the present invention inputs personal
identification information including a name, an employee number, a
in-service department into a personal portable terminal such as a
portable phone and a PDA containing an optical transceiver. The
personal identification information contained portable terminal is
used as a personal identification unit, which substitutes a card
for an entrance and exit security system.
[0303] FIG. 83 is a configuration view showing an entrance/exit
security system using an optical transceiver according to the
present invention. A system shown in FIG. 83 includes an optical
transceiver 800 which is a personal identification unit and an
entrance/exit optical receiver 810 attached to the entrance/exit
gate, for receiving an inherent ID optically transmitted from the
optical transceiver 800. The inherent ID is personal identification
information. A controller 820 is connected to the optical receiver
810 and adds necessary information of the entrance/exit gate
identification information to the received inherent ID to thereby
transmit the added result to a central controller 822. The central
controller 822 includes a controlling DB where inherent IDs with
respect to the admitted visitors are registered. An operation of
controlling the entrance/exit in the FIG. 83 system having the
above configuration, will be described through FIGS. 84 and 85.
[0304] A user's entrance/exit information should be input to the
central controller 822, in order to enter and exit an entrance/exit
gate. In this process, the optical transceiver 800 is directed
toward the optical receiver 824 connected to the central controller
822 and then inherent ID input in the optical transceiver 800 is
optically transmitted. The optical receiver 824 receives the
inherent ID transmitted from the optical transceiver 800 and
transmits the same to the central controller 822. The central
controller 822 registers the transmitted inherent ID in a DB.
[0305] At the state where the inherent ID has been registered, a
visitor manipulates a menu on the portable terminal 800 which is a
personal identification unit and selects an entrance/exit mode
(step 811). After selecting the entrance/exit mode, the visitor
manipulates a keypad on the portable terminal 800 and inputs a
secret number in response to a request for an input of the secret
number (step 812). The portable terminal 800 checks if the input
secret number is correct (step 813). If the secret number is
correct, the portable terminal 800 is converted into an
entrance/exit information transfer mode. If the visitor presses a
transfer button at the entrance/exit information transfer mode, the
entrance/exit information is optically transmitted via the optical
transceiver of the portable terminal 800. If the optically
transmitted entrance/exit information is information registered in
the DB of the central controller 822, the entrance/exit gate is
open and admitted for entrance (step 814). If the secret number is
not correct or the entrance/exit information does not coincide with
the pre-menu on the portable terminal 800 which is a personal
identification unit and selects an entrance/exit mode (step 811).
After selecting the entrance/exit mode, the visitor manipulates a
keypad on the portable terminal 800 and inputs a secret number in
response to a request for an input of the secret number (step 812).
If the secret number is input, the portable terminal 800 is
converted into an entrance/exit information transfer mode. If the
visitor presses a transfer button at the entrance/exit information
transfer mode (step 813), the entrance/exit information is
optically transmitted via the optical transceiver of the portable
terminal 800. If the optically transmitted entrance/exit
information is information registered in the DB of the central
controller 822, the entrance/exit gate is open and admitted for
entrance (step 814). If the secret number is not correct or the
entrance/exit information does not coincide with the pre-registered
information, the steps starting from step 811 will be resumed.
[0306] Meanwhile, if the entrance/exit information is received
(step 821), the optical receiver 810 attached to the entrance/exit
gate decodes the received information and then transmits the
decoded result to the controller 820 (step 822). The controller 820
adds necessary information including entrance/exit identification
information to the received information so that it can be
identified whether the received information is information
transmitted from which entrance/exit gate, and transmits the added
result to the central controller 822 (step 823). The central
controller 822 searches the DB and judges whether the received
information is an entrance/exit admitted personal information
registered in the DB (step 824). If the user is an unregistered
person, the central controller 822 takes no action in response to
the input information and thus the entrance/exit gate is not open.
If the user is a registered person who is admitted for
entrance/exit, the central controller 822 transmits an
entrance/exit gate opening signal to the controller 820
corresponding to the entrance/exit gate to which the entrance/exit
information is transmitted (step 825). The controller 820 having
received the entrance/exit gate opening signal opens the
entrance/exit gate by an operation (step 826).
[0307] A function of storing or transmitting an actual monetary
value is added in a portable terminal incorporated with an optical
transceiver, to thereby allow the portable terminal to give and
take the monetary value with a cash input and output machine (ATM)
or a portable terminal of the other person in real-time, Also, when
a user pays for transaction money in a general store, it is
preferable that a monetary value can be transmitted from the
in-person portable terminal to a portable terminal of a seller or a
card reader attached with an optical receiver, in real-time.
[0308] FIG. 86 is a configuration view showing a real-time value
transferable electronic money system according to the present
invention. a user of a portable terminal 830A attached with an
optical transceiver receives a predetermined amount of money from a
cashier machine 840A attached with an optical receiver 842 in the
form of an electronic money. The user transmits the electronic
money received in the portable terminal 830A to the other cashier
machine 840B or a portable terminal 830B of the other person or a
card reader 860 connected with an optical receiver 862 in a general
store.
[0309] First of all, a case that the electronic money is withdrawn
from the cashier machine 840A will be described.
[0310] FIG. 87 shows configuration of display screens when an
electronic money is withdrawn from a cash withdrawal machine 840A
such as an ATM. FIG. 88 is a flowchart view for explaining an
operation when an electronic money is withdrawn from a cash
withdrawal machine 840A such as an ATM.
[0311] A user selects a cashier machine 840A on a menu screen (a)
of FIG. 87 of the in-person portable terminal (step 851). Then, on
the screen of the portable terminal 830A is displayed a message for
asking a secret number as shown in the screen (b) of FIG. 87. If
the user inputs the secret number, the portable terminal 830A
checks if the input secret number is a correct secret number (step
852). If the input secret number is correct, the portable terminal
830A displays a message for selecting the and displays the
in-process operation. The ATM 840A pays for a corresponding amount
of money in cash after an approval processing, and makes the user
withdraw the cash (step 857). If the user selects the electronic
money in step 853, the ATM 840A asks the user of how much money the
user wishes to receive. The user inputs a desired amount of money
in the ATM 840A manually (step 858), and stands by. The ATM 840A
displays a in-process message on the screen and then displays a
transmission preparation completion message on the screen. Then,
the user presses an "execution" button among selection options of
the money reception displayed on the menu of the portable terminal
830A shown in the screen (d) of FIG. 87. The portable terminal 830A
checks if the money transfer execution button is pressed (step
859). When the "execution" button is pressed, the money as much as
the input amount of money input from the ATM 840a is transmitted to
the portable terminal 830A. Here, on the screen of the portable
terminal 830A is displayed an in-reception, a reception completion
and a transmitted m.backslash.amount of money in turn. At the same
time, on the screen of the ATM 840A id displayed a transmission
completion message. The user ascertains the received amount of
money after the monetary value is transmitted from the ATM 840A
(step 860). Here, if the received money is correct, the transfer of
the monetary value is completed. If the received money is not
correct, the transfer thereof is resumed from the initial step.
[0312] In the following, an electronic money exchange between
portable terminals will be described.
[0313] FIG. 89 shows configuration of display screens when an
electronic money is exchanged between portable terminals. FIG. 90
is a flowchart view for explaining an operation when an electronic
money is exchanged between portable terminals.
[0314] A provider and a receiver respectively select a cash
transfer and a cash reception at a menu screen on the portable
terminal 830A or 830B, as shown in the screen (a) in FIG. 89 (step
891A or 891B). Then, the portable terminal 830A or 830B displays
the screen so that one transferable object can be selected among
the portable terminal of a zoop phone and the ATM machine as shown
in the screen (b) of FIG. 89. Both the provider and the receiver
select the transferable object using the portable terminal (step
892A or 892B). If the transferable object is selected, the
corresponding portable terminal 830A or 830B displays the screen
for asking the secret number as shown in the screen (c) of FIG. 89.
If both the provider and the receiver input the respective secret
numbers, the portable terminal 830A or 830B checks if the input
secret number is correct (step 893A or 893B). If the input secret
number is correct, the provider inputs an amount of money to be
transmitted (step 894A). Here, the receiver stands by to receive
the money (step 894B), and the portable terminal 830A displays the
reception stand-by on the screen as shown in the screen (d) of FIG.
89. If the remittance amount of money is input, the provider
portable terminal 830A displays the screen so that the money
transfer execution is selected. If the money transfer execution is
selected, the provider portable terminal 830A transmits the
electronic money to the receiver portable terminal 830B which
stands by for reception at the same time (step 895A). Here, the
receiver portable terminal 830B receives the transmitted electronic
money (step 895B). Each of the provider and receiver portable
terminals 830A and 830B display the screen indicating the
transmission and reception states as shown in the screen (e) of
FIG. 89 during transmission and reception. The provider and
receiver portable terminals 830A and 830B check the transmission
and reception completion (steps 896A and 896B), respectively. If
the transmission and reception is completed, the transmitted and
received money is displayed and ascertains the amount of money
(steps 897A and 897B). In this case, the remainder money is
displayed together. At this state, a confirmation button is pressed
to terminate an electronic money exchange.
[0315] In the following, an electronic money payment using a
portable terminal in a general commerce will be described.
[0316] FIG. 91 shows configuration of display screens in the case
of payment of an electronic money using a portable terminal. FIG.
92 is a flowchart view for explaining an operation in the case of
payment of an electronic money using a portable terminal.
[0317] When a user who possesses a portable terminal 830A
incorporated an electronic money purchases goods or services in a
general store, and then intends to pay for the transaction money
with the electronic money, the user selects a cash transfer on a
menu as shown in the screen (a) of FIG. 91 (step 901). If the cash
transfer is selected, the portable terminal 830A displays the
screen asking a secret number as shown in the screen (b) of FIG.
91. When the user inputs a secret number, the portable terminal
830A checks if the secret number is correct (step 902). If the
secret number is correct, the portable terminal 830A displays the
screen asking a transfer object as shown in the screen (c) of FIG.
91 and checks the selected transfer object (step 903). Here, the
user selects a POS as the transfer object. If the transfer object
is a POS, the portable terminal 830A displays asking a transfer
money together with an amount of current money as shown in the
screen (d) of FIG. 91. The user inputs the transfer money in the
portable terminal 830A (step 904). If the transfer money is input,
the portable terminal 830A displays the screen asking whether a
money transfer is executed as shown in the screen (e) of FIG. 91
and checks if the money transfer is executed (step 905). If the
user presses an execution button, the portable terminal 830A
transmits an amount of electronic money toward an optical receiver
862 connected to a credit card inquiry machine 860 in a
corresponding business place and displays the in-transfer on the
screen as sown in the screen (f) of FIG. 91. If the transmission is
completed, the portable terminal 830A displays the transmitted
money as sown in the screen (f) of FIG. 91 and ascertains the
transmitted money (step 906). If the user selects the cash
confirmation, in order to ascertain the transmitted money, an
amount of remaining money after payment is displayed on the
screen.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0318] As described above, an optical payment transceiver and an
optical settlement system using the same according to the present
invention incorporates credit information in a portable terminal
attached with an optical transceiver and transmits the credit
information in the form of an infrared ray. Accordingly, a simple
and safe transaction system can be embodied. In the case of a large
amount of credit transaction requiring a secret number, a receiver
receives a secret number and uses the same. Accordingly, there is
no risk of leaking personal payment information. Also, since an
optical receiver is attached to a credit information inquiry
machine and credit information transmitted in the form of an
infrared ray is transmitted to the inquiry machine, the credit card
need not be presented to a clerk when the credit card transaction
can be done. Accordingly, the illegal use of the credit card
information can be prevented fundamentally. Also, a settlement can
be done at a location distant from a credit card inquiry machine
via a movable relayer and a device. In the case of a vending
machine which cannot settle by a credit card in real-time, payment
information is stored and collected at a predetermined point in
time so as to be processed in package. Accordingly, it is possible
to construct a credit transaction environment even in a field where
a card has not been used. Thus, the present invention minimizes
inconveniences where users carry cards or cash, and can prevent
risks due to loss, theft and damage of the cards. Further, the
present invention is applied to most fields where financial
transactions are performed as in a general commerce, a drive-thru
ordering system, a restaurant, a gas station, a department store,
an electronic commerce, a vending machine, a subway or bus fare
levying system, a toll gate fee collection system, a fee payment of
kiosks, and an electronic money, and provides conveniences to users
to thereby expedite active transactions. Also, the present
invention can be applied to an entrance/exit security system
requiring personal identification as well as the financial
transaction. In addition, a secret number and bio-identification
data are combined when an in-person is identified in order to
access payment information incorporated in a portable terminal.
Thus, an access with respect to personal payment information by an
unauthorized person is prevented fundamentally, to thereby
reinforce a security. Further, in a card transaction suspension
field, a card reader downloads a blacklist from a card company in
package and compares input credit information with the stored
blacklist. If the input card information is blacklisted, an optical
payment operation is not performed in a portable terminal.
Accordingly, the present invention is faster in view of a blacklist
processing speed, and cheaper in view of a system running cost.
Moreover, a cost for issuing plastic cards continuously can be
reduced.
[0319] The present invention is not limited in the above-described
embodiments. It is apparent to one who is skilled in the art that
there are many variations and modifications without departing off
the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *