JP2000163472A - Credit card authentication system and portable credit card authentication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a credit card authentication system using a wireless communication network, a portable credit card authentication terminal is prevented from stealing card information due to theft or unauthorized use, and illegally using data. And to further reduce communication costs. SOLUTION: A large number of portable credit card authentication terminals (CAT) 1 are connected to a packet communication public wireless communication network (2).
a, 3a) to connect to the central data processing center 4 and to make the central data processing center 4 online access to the host computer of each credit card company 6 through the integrated card business network system 5, so that the CAT 1 is online. In the credit card authentication system capable of performing the authentication process, the central data processing center 4 is provided with a unit 42a for storing transaction information of each CAT and a unit 42b for storing payment condition information for each credit company.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of credit card authentication terminals (hereinafter abbreviated as CAT as necessary).
The present invention relates to a credit card authentication system in which a central data processing center connected by a public wireless communication network is accessed to a host computer of each credit card company via a card business integrated network system, and a portable credit card authentication terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A card business comprehensive network system that connects a credit card member store to a credit card company and performs credit card authentication and sales processing quickly and inexpensively is provided by CAFIS of NTT Data Communications Corporation. It is typical. One or more CATs are installed at each credit card member store, and each CAT is connected to a card business integrated network system such as CAFIS via a public wired telephone network. In the case of a credit card merchant having a large number of CATs, each CAT is connected to a central data processing center of the credit card merchant via a dedicated communication cable, and this host computer is connected to a card business integrated network system. ing.

The convenience of credit cards is that relatively small payments of less than tens of thousands of yen can be made quickly and easily. Given this convenience, credit cards are the best choice for paying taxi fares. However, most taxis do not have CATs. Nevertheless, several authentication systems that allow credit cards to be used in taxis have been proposed. That is, it is proposed as a part of a taxi credit card use management system and a method of operating the taxi disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2739094, and as a part of a taxi fare settlement device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-111961. However, there is a problem that online authentication cannot be performed in any case.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention connects a number of portable credit card authentication terminals to a central data processing center by a public wireless communication network of a packet communication system, and connects the central data processing center to a card business integrated network system. A low-cost and high-security credit card authentication system that enables online authentication processing by the portable credit card authentication terminal by accessing the host computer of each credit card company online via We have developed a portable credit card authentication terminal that can be used for online authentication processing in taxis and delivery vehicles by simple operation using a patent application.
9618).

[0005] The credit card authentication system according to the patent application is a system that can perform online authentication from a portable credit card authentication terminal, and secures a low usage fee and high security. However, these are still practically improved. There is a point to be. For example, a portable credit card authentication terminal mounted on a taxi or a delivery car, or carried by a door-to-door sales clerk, has a risk of being stolen, illegally reading out data and being misused, and is a stationary credit card authentication terminal. This is a security problem that is larger than the terminal.

[0006]

The first problem to be solved
An object of the present invention is to prevent a portable credit card authentication terminal from being stolen or illegitimately used in a credit card authentication system using a wireless communication network so that card information is not stolen and data is illegally used. A second problem to be solved is to further reduce communication costs in a credit card authentication system using a wireless communication network.

A third problem to be solved is to further enhance the usability of a portable credit card authentication terminal in a credit card authentication system using a wireless communication network.

[0008]

In order to solve the first problem, a large number of portable credit card authentication terminals are connected to a central data processing center by a packet communication type public wireless communication network, and the central data processing center is connected to the central data processing center. In the credit card authentication system, the processing center can be accessed online by a credit card company's host computer via a card business integrated network system so that the portable credit card authentication terminal can perform online authentication processing. The central data processing center is provided with means for storing transaction information of each portable credit card authentication terminal.

In order to solve the second problem, in the credit card authentication system using the radio,
The central data processing center is provided with means for storing payment condition information for each credit company. In order to solve the second problem, means for storing various setting information in the central data processing center and means for setting the various setting information in the portable credit card authentication terminal via the public wireless communication network are provided. Provided.

In order to solve the above-mentioned first problem, a credit card company is connected to a central data processing center connected online via a card business integrated network system by a public wireless communication network of a packet communication system. Card information reading means for reading card information of an authentication-required credit card, transmitting the card information to the central data processing center, and receiving authentication result information from the central data processing center. Packet communication transmitting and receiving means, a display means for displaying the authentication result of the host computer of each credit card company, and a means for detecting an unauthorized disassembly of the main body case and generating a clear signal.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a credit card authentication system using a wireless communication network according to the present invention is, as shown in FIG. 1, a portable credit card authentication terminal 1 mounted on a taxi, a wireless relay station 2, and the like. , A packet switching office 3, a central data processing center 4, a card business integrated network system 5 such as CAFIS, and a credit card company 6.

The credit card authentication terminal 1 includes a packet communication transmitting / receiving means, and is connected to the wireless relay station 2 by a wireless transmission path 7. Wires are connected between the wireless relay station 2 and the packet switching station 3 and between the packet switching station 3 and the central data processing center 4, respectively. The wireless relay station 2 and the packet switching station 3 constitute a part of a public wireless communication network of a packet communication system. Many portable credit card authentication terminals 1 are connected to the central data processing center 4 by the public wireless communication network of the packet communication system.

The central data processing center 4 is connected to the card business integrated network system 5 so that the host computer of each credit card company 6 can be accessed online via the card business integrated network system 5. Central Data Processing Center 4
Has a computer 41 having a processing capacity corresponding to the number and data amount of the credit card authentication terminals 1 and a memory 42 such as a hard disk, and functions as a host computer of a large number of portable credit card authentication terminals 1. is there. The memory 42 has at least a transaction information storage unit 42a and a payment condition information storage unit 42
b, various setting information storage units 42c. Also,
The computer 41 has a function of automatically downloading the various setting information to each portable credit card authentication terminal 1 wirelessly.

A portable credit card authentication terminal 1 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, includes a microprocessor 11 for processing data, a memory 12 for storing programs and data, and a card for reading card information of a credit card requiring authentication. A card reader 13 as information reading means, a keyboard 14 for inputting information such as a taxi fare and a payment method, a packet communication transceiver 15 for connecting to a public wireless communication network of a packet communication system, an authentication result, etc. It comprises a display 16 as a display means for performing printing, a printer 17 for printing a receipt and the like, a battery and a power supply circuit 18 for supplying power to these components, and a clear switch 19. The memory 12 is a read-only memory R
OM, random access memory RAM and flash memory.

The clear switch 19 is attached, for example, to the inside of the main body case of the credit card authentication terminal 1, and when the case is disassembled, gives a signal to the microprocessor 11 to inform the microprocessor 11 that the disassembly has occurred. . Then, the microprocessor 11 stores the memory 1
2 is erased. Therefore, it is prevented that the card information is stolen and stolen from the memory while the data is stored in the memory during the processing.

The on-line authentication process in the portable credit card authentication terminal 1 is performed within the range of a packet communication type public wireless communication network, for example, according to a flowchart shown in FIG. When a taxi passenger inserts a credit card he or she wishes to use for paying a taxi fare, that is, an authentication-required credit card, into a predetermined slot of the credit card authentication terminal 1, the card reader 13 reads card information such as type and number. The data is input to the processor 11 (101). The read card information is converted into a form of packet communication by the microprocessor 11 and the transceiver 15, and transmitted from the transceiver 15 to the central data processing center 4 via the wireless relay station 2 and the packet switching station 3 (102). . The central data processing center 4 accesses the host computer of each credit card company 6 online via the card business integrated network system 5 and obtains authentication result information indicating whether or not the required credit card is an invalid card. Then, the central data processing center 4 transmits the authentication result information to the credit card authentication terminal 1 via the packet exchange 3 and the wireless relay station 2.

The credit card authentication terminal 1 waits until the authentication result information is received (103), and upon receiving the authentication result information, decrypts the authentication result information and determines whether or not the required credit card is an invalid card (104). When it is determined that the card is invalid, the fact is displayed on the display 16 (107),
If it is determined that the card is not an invalid card, the processing shifts to processing for paying a taxi fare. The processing for paying a taxi fare is an input of a taxi fare amount and a payment method using the keyboard 14 (105), and a fare payment processing (106) performed based on the input information. The fee payment process (106) includes a process of causing the printer 17 to print a receipt, and a process of transmitting payment information such as the amount of money described in the receipt and a payment method to the central data processing center 4. When the display indicating that the card is an invalid card or the fee payment processing is completed, the online authentication processing in the portable credit card authentication terminal 1 ends (108). These series of processing,
This is performed by the microprocessor executing instructions according to a predetermined program.

When the authentication processing is completed, the credit card authentication terminal 1 stores all data related to the authentication in the memory 1.
Erase from 2. On the other hand, the central data processing center 4
Data relating to the authentication processing of the credit card authentication terminal 1 and data relating to transactions such as usage fees are stored in the transaction information storage unit 42a of the memory 42. The central data processing center 4 has a function of totalizing the sales of taxis equipped with terminals based on the stored data on transactions such as usage fees. Therefore, the taxi driver can access the central data processing center 4 from the portable credit card authentication terminal 1 and obtain business information such as the usage status of the credit card authentication terminal 1 or sales. Taxi companies can also keep track of the business status of all taxis equipped with their own portable credit card authentication terminals. With such a configuration, a reduction in the storage capacity of the portable credit card authentication terminal 1 and prevention of theft of card information from the terminal have been achieved.

In a credit card authentication system using wired communication, a credit card authentication terminal includes information such as card payment conditions for each credit card company,
That is, the payment condition information including the necessity of payment in combination with the bonus and the number of payments that can be made in installments is downloaded via a line and held. On the other hand, in the credit card authentication system using the wireless communication of the present invention, the payment condition information is stored in the central data processing center 4 and is not stored in each credit card authentication terminal 1. That is, the payment condition information is stored in the memory 42 of the central data processing center 4.
Is stored in the payment condition information storage unit 42b. Therefore, each time the authentication processing is performed, each credit card authentication terminal 1 inquires about the card payment conditions as well as the validity of the card. However, since the central data processing center 4 can check a card that does not meet the conditions, each credit card authentication terminal 1 checks each card. There is no need to contact the company. Each time the authentication process is performed, each credit card authentication terminal 1 also inquires about payment condition information, so that the amount of information increases. Compared to downloading information, the traffic is significantly less. With such a configuration, a reduction in the storage capacity of the portable credit card authentication terminal 1 and a reduction in the amount of communication and thus the communication cost have been achieved.

In the credit card authentication system using wireless communication according to the present invention, the central data processing center 4
Holds various setting information, that is, information such as a clock time, a change of an IP address of a central data processing center as a server, and a dynamic password. These various setting information are stored in the various setting information storage section 42c of the memory 42 of the central data processing center 4. The computer 41 also has a function of automatically downloading and setting the information to each portable credit card authentication terminal 1 wirelessly. As a result, the latest various settings are always made in each portable credit card authentication terminal 1, and the usability of the portable credit card authentication terminal is enhanced.

[0021]

According to the present invention, in a credit card authentication system using a wireless communication network disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-189618, a transaction information storage unit, a payment condition information storage unit, and the like are stored in the memory memory 42 of the central data processing center 4. Since it is configured to include various setting information storage units, and the computer 41 also has a function of automatically downloading and setting the various setting information to each portable credit card authentication terminal 1 by wireless, Usage fees have been reduced and security has been further enhanced, and usability has also increased. In addition, since the portable credit card authentication terminal is provided with a means for detecting unauthorized disassembly of the main body case and generating a clear signal, the portable credit card authentication terminal is stolen and data is read illegally and abused. Danger could be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a credit card authentication system using a wireless communication network.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a portable credit card authentication terminal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an online authentication process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable credit card authentication terminal 2 Wireless relay station 3 Packet exchange station 4 Central data processing center 5 Card business comprehensive network system 6 Credit card company 7 Wireless transmission line 11 Microprocessor 12 Memory 13 Card reader 14 Keyboard 15 Packet communication transceiver 16 display 17 printer 18 battery / power supply circuit 19 clear switch 41 microprocessor 42 memory

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 12, 1999 (1999.11.
12)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In a credit card authentication system using wired communication, a credit card authentication terminal includes information such as card payment conditions for each credit card company,
That is, the payment condition information including the necessity of payment in combination with the bonus and the number of payments that can be made in installments is downloaded via a line and held. On the other hand, in the credit card authentication system using the wireless communication of the present invention, the payment condition information is stored in the central data processing center 4 and is not stored in each credit card authentication terminal 1. That is, the payment condition information is stored in the memory 42 of the central data processing center 4.
Is stored in the payment condition information storage unit 42b. Therefore, each time the authentication processing is performed, each credit card authentication terminal 1 inquires about the card payment conditions as well as the validity of the card. There is no need to contact the company. Each time the authentication process is performed, each credit card authentication terminal 1 also inquires about payment condition information, so that the amount of information increases. The communication volume is much smaller than downloading information. With such a configuration, a reduction in the storage capacity of the portable credit card authentication terminal 1 and a reduction in the amount of communication and thus the communication cost have been achieved.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Sasaki 1-8-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture Inside of Eiko Instruments Inc. (72) Inventor Naoki Yoshida 1-8-8, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture Inside of Iko Instruments Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Oshinomi 1-8-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture Inside of Iko Instruments Co., Ltd. (72) Hidenori Fujioka 1-8-8, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture F-term (reference) in Iko Instruments Inc. 5B049 AA05 BB11 BB32 CC39 DD04 DD05 EE22 FF07 GG03 GG06 GG07 GG10 5B089 GA23 HA04 HA11 JA04 JB14 KA17 KB12 KB13 KC47 KC58

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A large number of portable credit card authentication terminals are connected to a central data processing center by a packet communication type public wireless communication network, and the central data processing center is connected to each credit card company via a card business integrated network system. In a credit card authentication system in which the portable credit card authentication terminal can perform online authentication processing by accessing the host computer online, transaction information of each portable credit card authentication terminal is stored in the central data processing center. A credit card authentication system characterized by comprising means for storing a credit card. 2. A number of portable credit card authentication terminals are connected to a central data processing center by a packet communication type public wireless communication network, and the central data processing center is connected to each credit card company via a card business integrated network system. In the credit card authentication system in which the portable credit card authentication terminal can perform online authentication processing by accessing the host computer online, payment condition information for each credit company is stored in the central data processing center. A credit card authentication system comprising means. 3. A number of portable credit card authentication terminals are connected to a central data processing center by a packet communication type public wireless communication network, and the central data processing center is connected to each credit card company via a card business integrated network system. A credit card authentication system in which the portable credit card authentication terminal can perform an online authentication process by accessing the host computer online, wherein the central data processing center stores various setting information; A credit card authentication system, wherein the credit card authentication terminal includes means for setting the various setting information via the public wireless communication network. 4. A portable credit card authentication terminal connected by a packet communication type public wireless communication network to a central data processing center connected online to a host computer of each credit card company via a card business integrated network system. Card information reading means for reading card information of an authentication-required credit card; packet communication transmitting / receiving means for transmitting the card information to the central data processing center and receiving authentication result information from the central data processing center; A portable credit card authentication terminal, comprising: display means for displaying an authentication result of a host computer of a card company; and means for detecting unauthorized disassembly of the main body case and generating a clear signal.