JP2002334284A - Electronic payment system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To use an IC card or the like as a ticket, a user can use the electronic card without being conscious of the balance, and the system operator can use without considering the transaction load. The purpose is to provide a settlement system. An identification ID and an electronic value are recorded on an IC card, and a user holding the IC card deducts a fare from the electronic value when passing through an automatic ticket gate. At this time, if the electronic value balance becomes smaller than the predetermined amount, the predetermined electronic value amount is supplemented. The electronic value to be replenished is accumulated in the information management server 16 of the railway company, and then charged to the billing server 1 of the financial institution.
8 and debited from the user's financial institution account.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic payment system that can pay, for example, a fare for using a transportation system in electronic value.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, prepaid cards are used as tickets for transportation such as railways and buses. By using the prepaid card, the user can automatically settle the fare at a ticket gate of a transportation facility only by paying a predetermined amount in advance.

However, in such a case, the user must always use the prepaid card while paying attention to the balance, and when the balance runs out, the user must purchase a new prepaid card. Further, if the balance is less than the usage amount, a shortage must be paid at the checkout machine.

On the other hand, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-46834, a system that passes an automatic ticket gate using a cash card or a credit card has been considered. By using a cash card or a credit card, the user can have the fare deducted from a designated bank account.

[0005] However, in the case of such a system, the transportation system or the like, which is the system operator, has to perform a billing process for each user. For example, during rush hour, hundreds of transaction processes need to be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, considering that the validity check processing for determining whether the card can be used must be performed at the same time, the load on the system that performs the processing becomes enormous.

Further, when using a credit card, a billing process is performed to the credit company each time the credit card is used. Therefore, in the case of a short-distance ride fee, etc., the use of the card is relatively low. In some cases, the cost of credit processing may be incurred and the railway operator may not be able to make a profit.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is intended that a user can use the electronic value balance without considering the transaction load, and a system operator can use the electronic value balance without considering a transaction load. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic payment system that can be used.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention] (1) (2)
(3) The electronic settlement system according to the present invention performs settlement by subtracting the electronic value corresponding to the settlement amount from the information recording medium on which the electronic value balance is recorded, and the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount. An electronic payment system comprising: a payment terminal device that updates the electronic value balance based on a payment server device; and a payment server device communicably provided with the payment terminal device. To the payment terminal device, and upon receiving the transmission, the payment terminal device subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the payment amount from the electronic value balance, and when the electronic value balance after the subtraction becomes equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount, the subtraction is performed. And transmitting the added electronic value balance obtained by adding the replenishment amount to the subsequent electronic value balance to the information recording medium. Transmitting the identification ID and the replenishment amount of the information recording medium to the payment server device, receiving the transmission, the information recording medium records the added electronic value balance received from the payment terminal device, and receives the transmission. Accordingly, the settlement server device performs a billing process for the replenishment amount to the user specified by the identification ID.

Therefore, the settlement amount can be deducted from the electronic value balance of the information recording medium, and the predetermined electronic value can be automatically supplemented even when the electronic value balance becomes smaller than the predetermined amount. Thus, the user can use the information recording medium such as an IC card without worrying about the electronic value balance. In the case where the electronic value is not replenished, the processing is fast because it is only necessary to deduct the settlement amount from the electronic value balance.

(4) An electronic settlement system according to the present invention,
In the settlement terminal device or the information recording medium, the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount are recorded on the information recording medium.

Therefore, a replenishment amount and a replenishment determination amount can be set for each information recording medium. For example, the amount of determination as to whether or not to replenish the electronic value balance and the amount to be replenished at that time can be set according to the user's preference. In addition, the settlement terminal device can receive the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount by receiving from the information recording medium, and it is not necessary to search for the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount based on the identification ID and the like, so that the processing is fast. .

(5) An electronic settlement system according to the present invention,
In the settlement terminal device or the information recording medium, the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount are a predetermined amount preset for each identification ID.

Therefore, it is possible to replenish the electronic value in an amount according to the user's request. For example, when an IC card is used as a prepaid card, if the balance runs out, the amount set according to the user's preference can be automatically replenished.

(6) An electronic settlement system according to the present invention,
In the settlement terminal device or the information recording medium, the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount are a predetermined amount that does not depend on the identification ID.

Therefore, the processing can be performed quickly because the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount can be uniformly set for all the information recording media. In this case, the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount need only be recorded in the settlement terminal device.

(7) An electronic settlement system according to the present invention,
In the payment terminal device or the information recording medium, the payment server device includes an information management server device that manages transmission information from the payment terminal device and a billing server device that performs a process of charging a replenishment amount to a user specified by the identification ID. It is characterized by being composed.

Therefore, the transaction information relating to the settlement of the settlement terminal device can be stored in the information management server device, and the billing data can be periodically collected and transmitted to the billing server device by batch processing or the like. For example,
In an electronic payment system that uses an IC card as a ticket, an information management server device can be installed in a railway company, and a billing server device can be installed in a financial institution or the like.

(8) An electronic settlement system according to the present invention,
In the payment terminal device or the information recording medium, the payment terminal device is an automatic ticket gate installed in a transportation facility or the like that subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the payment amount as a fare, and the information management server device receives the electronic value from the automatic ticket gate. The identification ID and the replenishment amount of the information recording medium are transmitted to a billing server device, and the billing server device is installed in a financial institution or the like, and changes the account from the financial institution account of the user specified by the identification ID. The replenishment amount is collected by transfer.

Therefore, when an IC card, which is an information recording medium capable of recording an electronic value, is used as a ticket, the electronic value can be settled by an automatic ticket gate, and the electronic value is automatically replenished. be able to. The replenished electronic value can be reliably collected from the financial institution account of the IC card user by account transfer. In addition, since the user is charged according to the number of replenishment of the electronic value, not according to the number of uses of the transportation, it is easy to confirm the request.

(9) An electronic settlement system according to the present invention,
In the payment terminal device or the information recording medium, the payment terminal device is an automatic ticket gate installed in a transportation facility or the like that subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the payment amount as a fare, and the information management server device receives the electronic value from the automatic ticket gate. The identification ID and the replenishment amount of the information recording medium are transmitted to the billing server device, and the billing server device collects the replenishment amount by subtracting the amount from the amount paid in advance by the user.

Therefore, when an IC card, which is an information recording medium on which an electronic value can be recorded, is used as a ticket, the electronic value can be settled by an automatic ticket gate, and the electronic value is automatically replenished. be able to. The replenished electronic value can be reliably collected by subtracting it from the amount paid in advance from the user.

(10) An electronic settlement system according to the present invention,
In the payment terminal device or the information recording medium, the payment terminal device is an automatic ticket gate installed in a transportation facility or the like that subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the payment amount as a fare, and the information management server device receives the electronic value from the automatic ticket gate. The identification ID and the replenishment amount of the information recording medium are transmitted to a billing server device, and the billing server device is installed in a credit company or the like, and the replenishment amount is obtained by a credit transaction of a user specified by the identification ID. It is characterized in that it is collected.

Therefore, when an IC card, which is an information recording medium on which an electronic value can be recorded, is used as a ticket, the electronic value can be settled by an automatic ticket gate, and the electronic value is automatically replenished. be able to. The replenished electronic value can be reliably collected because payment is made by a credit company or the like. In addition, since users will be charged according to the number of replenishment of electronic value, not according to the number of uses of transportation,
It is easy to confirm the request.

(11) An electronic settlement system according to the present invention,
In the settlement terminal device or the information recording medium, the information recording medium is an IC card, a mobile phone, or a portable information terminal having a built-in IC chip capable of recording an electronic value balance.

Therefore, by using an IC card, a portable telephone or a portable information terminal as an information recording medium, the user can easily carry the card and use it at the time of settlement. For example, when a non-contact type IC card is used as a ticket, the fare can be settled just by approaching an automatic ticket gate.

(12) In the electronic settlement method according to the present invention, the settlement is performed by subtracting the electronic value corresponding to the settlement amount from the information recording medium on which the electronic value balance is recorded, and the electronic value balance. An electronic payment method using a payment terminal device that updates the electronic value balance based on a replenishment determination amount and a payment server device communicably provided with the payment terminal device, wherein the information recording medium has an identification ID And transmitting the electronic value balance to the payment terminal device, and upon receiving the transmission, the payment terminal device subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the payment amount from the electronic value balance, and the electronic value balance after the subtraction becomes equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount. In some cases, the electronic value balance after addition obtained by adding the replenishment amount to the electronic value balance after subtraction is transmitted to the information recording medium. At the same time, the identification ID and the replenishment amount of the information recording medium are transmitted to the payment server device, and the information recording medium receives the transmission, records the added electronic value balance received from the payment terminal device, and receives the transmission. Thus, the settlement server device performs a billing process on the replenishment amount to the user specified by the identification ID.

Therefore, the settlement amount can be deducted from the electronic value balance of the information recording medium, and the predetermined electronic value can be automatically supplemented even when the electronic value balance becomes smaller than the predetermined amount. Thus, the user can use the information recording medium such as an IC card without worrying about the electronic value balance. In the case where the electronic value is not replenished, the processing is fast because it is only necessary to deduct the settlement amount from the electronic value balance.

(13) In the electronic settlement method according to the present invention, the settlement is performed by subtracting the IC value as the ticket recording the electronic value balance and the electronic value corresponding to the fare from the IC card. An electronic payment method using an automatic ticket gate that updates the electronic value balance based on the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount, and a payment server device that is communicable with the automatic ticket gate. When the possessed user passes the automatic ticket gate, the automatic ticket gate reads the identification ID, the replenishment amount, the replenishment determination amount, and the electronic value balance recorded on the IC card, and further reads the electronic value balance. Is subtracted from the electronic value corresponding to the fare, and when the electronic value balance after the subtraction becomes equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount, the electronic value after the subtraction is calculated. The electronic value balance obtained by adding the replenishment amount to the value balance is transmitted to the IC card, and the identification ID of the IC card and the replenishment amount are transmitted to the settlement server device. The card records the added electronic value balance received from the automatic ticket gate, and upon receiving the transmission, the payment server device
The billing process for the replenishment amount to the user specified by the identification ID is performed by account transfer, deposit withdrawal, or credit transaction.

Therefore, the payment amount can be deducted from the electronic value balance of the IC card in the automatic ticket gate, and the electronic value can be automatically replenished even when the electronic value balance becomes small. As a result, the user can use the IC card without worrying about the electronic value balance. Further, when the electronic value is not replenished, the processing is fast in the automatic ticket gate, since the settlement amount only needs to be deducted from the electronic value balance. Since the replenished electronic value is paid by fund transfer, deposit withdrawal, or credit transaction, the fee can be reliably collected.

As a result, the user can use the electronic payment system without being conscious of the electronic value balance in the IC card. In addition, system operators such as railway operators usually deduct the electronic value of the fare from the IC card and determine whether to replenish the electronic value according to the electronic value balance, so all electronic payments will be charged. There is no need to perform transaction processing, and the system load can be reduced.

For the terms used in this specification,
It is defined as follows.

"Electronic value" refers to a value that can be used to pay a fare or a commodity price in place of existing settlement means such as cash.

"Information recording medium" means a medium that can be carried by a user and in which specific information can be recorded. For example, IC card, smart card,
A magnetic card, a mobile phone or a portable information terminal with a built-in IC chip, etc. correspond to this.

The “replenishment amount” refers to the amount of electronic value to be replenished to the IC card.

The "replenishment determination amount" is a value which is compared with the electronic value balance to determine whether or not to perform replenishment.

The "identification ID" identifies an information recording medium such as an IC card, and corresponds to, for example, a user ID of the IC card.

The term "credit transaction" refers to a credit sale in which a payment method or the like is determined in advance and a commercial transaction is performed based on a card or card number for identifying a user.

The term "deposit withdrawal" refers to subtracting a fare and the like from a deposit paid by a user to a railway company or the like in advance.

[0039]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. First embodiment 1-1. Overall configuration and processing outline 1-1-1. 1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of an electronic payment system in a case where a railway is used as transportation and a non-contact type IC card is used as a ticket.

In this figure, an IC as an information recording medium
The card 10 can communicate with an automatic ticket gate 12 which is a part of a settlement terminal device of a railway company. IC card 1
0 is a non-contact type, and it is assumed that the automatic ticket gate 12 can communicate accordingly. Although only two automatic ticket gates 12 are shown in FIG. 1, there are actually a plurality of devices. Although only one billing server device 18 is shown, there is actually a device for each financial institution or credit company that performs billing.

The automatic ticket gate controller 14 can control a plurality of automatic ticket gates 12, and has a database and the like to which the automatic ticket gate 12 refers. Note that the automatic ticket gate 12 and the automatic ticket controller 14 correspond to a settlement terminal device. For example, there is at least one automatic ticket gate controller 14 for each station.

The information management server device 16 manages user information, billing information, and the like concerning the IC card, and is connectable to the automatic ticket gate controller 14. Also, a billing server device 1 in a financial institution or a credit company via a network 1 such as a public line or a dedicated line.
8 etc. can be connected. For example, the information management server device 1
6 exists at least one for each railway company.

The billing server device 18 is a computer device installed in a financial institution or a credit company.
Automatic deduction of the fare from the user's account etc.,
This is a device for depositing money into railway operators.

1-1-2. Outline of processing For example, a railway user can use an IC card 10 issued in advance by a railway company.
And passes through the automatic ticket gate 12. IC card 10
Contains a user I, which is an identification ID for identifying the user.
D and an electronic value for paying the fare are recorded.

The automatic ticket gate 12 deducts the fare from the electronic value recorded on the IC card 10 when getting on or off the vehicle, and calculates a new electronic value balance. The new electronic value balance calculated at this time is
If the replenishment amount is equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount set for each IC card 10, the same electronic value as the replenishment amount set for each IC card 10 is added. The replenishment determination amount and the replenishment amount are recorded on the IC card 10.

The automatic ticket gate 12 transmits to the automatic ticket controller 14 information relating to the user ID of the IC card 10 and the replenishment amount. In response to the transmission, the automatic ticket gate controller 14 records information on the user ID of the IC card and the replenishment amount in the database, and periodically transmits the information to the information management server 16.

The information management server 16 collects information on the user ID of the IC card 10 and the replenishment amount transmitted from the automatic ticket gate controller 14 at predetermined intervals, and a billing server device 18 of a financial institution or a credit company.
Send to

The billing server device 18 deducts the same amount as the replenishment amount for the user ID received from the information management server device 16 from the account of the financial institution of the user specified by the user ID, and Perform deposit processing to your account. In the case of a credit company, the credit company pays the replenishment amount to the railway company on behalf of the user, and collects the replenishment amount and the like on a monthly basis and bills the user.

1-2. Hardware configuration 1-2-1. IC Card FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration diagram of an IC card 10 as an information recording medium. The IC card 10 is a CPU 2
0, a memory 21, and a communication circuit 23. The memory 21 records a user ID for specifying a user, a usable electronic value balance, a replenishment amount when replenishing the electronic value, a replenishment determination amount for determining the replenishment, and the like. The communication circuit 23 is a circuit for communicating with other devices, and can be connected to an automatic ticket gate and the like here.

In the present embodiment, a non-contact type IC card designed to perform power supply and data communication simultaneously with the automatic ticket gate 12 by an electromagnetic coupling method using an embedded coil (antenna) is used. Shall be used.

1-2-2. Automatic Ticket Gate FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration diagram of the automatic ticket gate 12 constituting the payment terminal device. This device has a CPU 3
0, display 31, memory 32 and communication circuit 33
It has. The memory 32 stores a station name table for searching for a station name, a fee table for determining a fare from the searched station name, a program for realizing electronic payment by deducting the electronic value of the IC card 10 as a fare, and the like. Have been. The communication circuit 33 is a circuit for performing communication with other devices, and is connectable with the non-contact IC card and the automatic ticket gate controller here.

1-2-3. Automatic Ticket Gate Controller FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration diagram of the automatic ticket gate controller 14 constituting the payment terminal device. This device is
CPU 40, memory 41, display 42, hard disk 43, keyboard / mouse 44, and communication circuit 4
5 is provided. The hard disk 43 contains an invalid IC
An invalid card database 43A in which the identification number of the card is recorded, and a replenishment information database 43B for recording the user ID and replenishment amount of the IC card when the electronic value is replenished in the IC card 10 are recorded. I have. The communication circuit 45 is a circuit for performing communication with another device, and can be connected to the automatic ticket gate and the information management server device 16 here.

1-2-4. Information Management Server Device FIG. 5 shows a hardware configuration diagram of the information management server device 16 constituting the payment server device. This device is
CPU 50, memory 51, display 52, hard disk 53, keyboard / mouse 54, and communication circuit 5
5 is provided. The hard disk 53 has a user database 53A recording information on the user of the IC card 10, a billing database 53B recording billing information for each user to be transmitted to the billing server device, and an identification number of an invalid IC card. Are recorded in the invalid IC card database 53C and the like. Communication circuit 55
Is a circuit for communicating with other devices, and is connectable to the automatic ticket gate controller 14 and the billing server device 18 here.

1-2-5. Billing server device FIG. 6 shows a billing server device 18 constituting a settlement server device.
FIG. This device is a CP
A U60, a memory 61, a display 62, a hard disk 63, a keyboard / mouse 64, and a communication circuit 65 are provided. The hard disk 63 has an account database 63 that records account information concerning IC card users.
A etc. are recorded. The communication circuit 65 is a circuit for performing communication with another device, and can be connected to the information management server device 16 here.

1-3. IC Card Issuing Process In the present embodiment, electronic payment when passing through an automatic ticket gate installed in transportation or the like using a non-contact type IC card will be described.

First, the user of the electronic payment system is
It is necessary to receive an IC card that can be used as a ticket. Here, it is assumed that the IC card is issued in a transportation system such as a railway company.

When a user applies for an IC card, the user selects a payment method for paying electronic value. For example, it can be directly debited from a bank account, paid by postpayment via a credit company, or deposited with a railway company as a deposit (deposit), and then paid out from the deposit.

The user can select a prepaid amount to be set as an electronic value in the IC card, a replenishment determination amount for determining that replenishment is to be performed when the electronic value balance reaches or falls below the amount, and a replenishment amount. The replenishment amount of electronic value at the time of execution is set.

1-3-1. Flowchart FIG. 7 shows that in this embodiment, a railway company that has received an application from a user
It is a flowchart at the time of performing the issuing process of C card 10. FIG. 8 is an example of an input screen displayed on the display 52 of the information management server device 16 when user information of the IC card 10 is registered. Note that the IC card 10
The registration of the user information is performed by the information management server device 16.
An input terminal device that can be connected to the terminal may be used. In FIG.
4 shows an example of a user database 53A registered in the information management server device 16; FIG. 10 shows an example of the card number database 63A registered in the billing server device 18.

The user fills in an application form and submits the necessary items for receiving the issuance of the IC card 10 to the railway company. The person in charge of the railway company inputs the use application information to the registration screen (FIG. 8) of the information management server device 16 based on the application form (step S701). The registration screen displays input fields for inputting information such as name, address, settlement type, card number, replenishment determination amount, replenishment amount, and deposit.

When the person in charge of the railway company who has entered necessary items presses the registration button 80, the information management server 1
6 checks with the billing server device 18 of the financial institution or the credit company whether or not settlement is possible (step S702). Confirmation of the settlement is performed based on the credit card number or cash card number entered by the user in the application form, and is performed to confirm whether the user can use the card. At this time, the information providing server device 16
Transmits the name, address, and card number of the user to the billing server device 18. At this time, it is assumed that the billing server device 18 of the financial institution or the credit company specified according to the card number confirms whether or not settlement is possible.

In response to the transmission, the billing server device 18 checks whether settlement is possible based on the name, address, and card number (step S711). In checking whether payment is possible, the billing server device 18 searches the card information database 63A to check whether the name, address, and card number of the user exist, whether the expiration date has passed, and the like. . FIG. 10 shows an example of the card information database 63A. In this database item, a card number, name, address, expiration date, and the like are registered.

The billing server device 18 uses the result of the check as to whether payment is possible as information on whether payment is possible or not.
(Step S712).

In response to the transmission, the information management server 16
If the card number of the user can be settled (step S703, YES), the information of the user is registered in the user database 53A (step S7).
05). FIG. 9 shows an example of the user database 53A. Items in this database include the name, address, payment type, card number, replenishment determination amount, replenishment amount, and deposit entered by the user in the application form, as well as unique information for the railway operator to manage the user. A user ID, which is a number, is automatically issued and registered.

If the card number cannot be settled (step S703, NO), a message to the effect that an IC card cannot be issued is output to the display 52 and the process is terminated (step S704).

The information management server device 16 uses an IC based on the user information registered in the user database 53A.
A card is issued (step S706). For example, in the case of a non-contact IC card, the information management server
The user information such as the user ID, the electronic value amount, the replenishment determination amount, and the replenishment amount is transmitted to the C card 10, and the IC card 10
Records these user information.

As described above, the railway company issues the IC card 10 that can be used as a ticket by the user.

1-4. Use of IC card (automatic ticket gate) The user who has been issued the IC card 10 can use the automatic ticket gate 12 installed in transportation using the IC card 10.
Pass through. In the present embodiment, since a non-contact type IC card is used, the automatic ticket gate 12 does not require a mechanical device for inserting or transporting the card.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the automatic ticket gate 12 when a user carrying the IC card 10 passes through the automatic ticket gate 12. The automatic ticket gate 12 writes the getting-on / off information when the user gets on the vehicle, and calculates the fare based on the getting-on / off information when the user gets off the vehicle. Hereinafter, the processing of the automatic ticket gate 12 at the time of getting off will be described. The user ID “00” shown in the record 90 of FIG.
The processing is performed by regarding “1” as the user.

When the user carrying the IC card 10 approaches the automatic ticket gate 12, the IC card 10
2. Information such as boarding / alighting information, user ID, electronic value balance, replenishment determination amount, replenishment amount, and the like is transmitted (step S11).
01). For example, the boarding station “Osaka” and the user ID “00”
1 ", the electronic value balance" 1500 yen ", the replenishment determination amount" 1000 yen ", and the replenishment amount" 10000 yen "are transmitted.

1-4-1. Upon receiving the invalid IC card check, the automatic ticket gate 12 checks the invalid IC card (step S1102). The invalid IC card is checked by connecting the automatic ticket gate 12 to the invalid IC card database 43A of the automatic ticket gate controller 14. That is, the electronic payment program recorded in the automatic ticket gate 12 searches the invalid IC card database 43A using the user ID as a search key.

FIG. 12 shows an invalid IC card database 43.
An example of A is shown. Items in this database include user I
D, name, settlement type, card number, and the like are registered.
If the user ID exists in this database,
The C card 10 is regarded as an invalid IC card (step S1103, NO). For example, the user ID “001”
Is not present in the invalid IC card database 43A, the IC card of the user is not regarded as an invalid IC card.

If the IC card is regarded as an invalid IC card,
For example, the IC card 10 is invalidated so that communication cannot be performed (step S1104), a warning message is output to the display 31 of the automatic ticket gate 12, and processing is performed to close the ticket gate so that the user cannot pass (step S110).
6).

1-4-2. If the IC card 10 is not determined to be an invalid IC card (step S1105, YES), a ride fare settlement process is performed (step S1107). This payment processing is performed by the electronic payment program with reference to the station name table and the toll table based on the boarding information received from the IC card. That is, the boarding fee between the boarding station (“Osaka”) acquired from the boarding information and the getting-off station recorded in advance in the automatic ticket gate 12 is acquired from the station name table and the fare table.

The automatic ticket gate 12 subtracts the fare from the electronic value balance received from the IC card 10. Further, it is determined whether the electronic value balance after the subtraction is equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount received from the IC card 10 (step S1107).

For example, if the fare calculated based on the boarding information is “600 yen”, “600 yen” is subtracted from the electronic value balance “1500 yen”, and the electronic value balance after the subtraction is subtracted. Is "900 yen". Further, since the replenishment determination amount of the user is “1000 yen”, it is determined that the electronic value balance after the subtraction is equal to or less than the replenishment amount.

1-4-3. Electronic Value Replenishment Process If the electronic value balance after the subtraction is equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount, the automatic ticket gate 12 performs an electronic value replenishment process (step S1109). The replenishment of the electronic value is performed based on the replenishment amount received from the IC card 10. That is, the replenishment amount is added to the electronic value balance after the subtraction, a new electronic value balance is determined, and the new electronic value balance is transmitted to the IC card 10 (step S111).
0). The IC card 10 receives this new electronic value balance and records it in the IC chip.

For example, the electronic value balance after the subtraction is “9
00 yen "and the replenishment amount received from the user's IC card is" 10000 yen ", so the new electronic value balance is" 10900 yen ".

If the electronic value balance after the subtraction is larger than the replenishment determination amount, the automatic ticket gate 12 transmits the electronic value balance after the subtraction to the IC card 10 as a new electronic value balance (step). S1108).

1-4-4. Billing Process The automatic ticket gate 12 performs a billing process based on the user ID and replenishment amount of the user (step S11).
11). In this billing process, the automatic ticket gate 12 records the user ID and the replenishment amount in the replenishment information database 43B of the automatic ticket gate controller 14. FIG. 13 shows an example of the supplementary information database 43B. User ID, replenishment amount, replenishment date, and the like are registered in the items of this database.

For example, in the case of the user concerned, as shown in the record 130 of FIG. 13, the user ID "001", the replenishment amount "10000 yen" and the replenishment date "2001/05/05"
Data such as "5" is registered.

The data recorded in the supplementary information database 43B of the automatic ticket gate controller 14 is, for example, one day a day.
Times, it is transmitted to the information management server device 16 and stored in the billing database 53B. Note that the billing database 53
The data record in B is generated based on the supplementary information database 43B and the user database 53A that can be cross-referenced by the user ID.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the billing database 53B. In this database item, a user ID, a replenishment amount, a replenishment date, a name, a settlement type, a card number, and the like are registered. For example, in the case of the user, record 1 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 40, the user ID “001” and the replenishment amount “10
000 yen ", replenishment date" 2001/05/05 ", name" Ichiro Osaka ", settlement type" credit ", card number" 3540 1234 5678 0001 "and the like are registered.

The information management server device 16 uses the billing data stored in the billing database 53B, for example, once a month.
Times, request the billing server device 18 for billing processing. That is, by performing the billing process collectively, the railway company can collectively collect the amount of the replenishment amount from the user.

The billing server device 18 to which the information management server device 16 requests the billing process differs depending on the settlement type of the user and the financial institution or credit company which issued the card number.

1-4-4-1. When Credit is Used Hereinafter, a case where the user has selected “credit” as the settlement type will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart in the case where the information management server device 16 of the railway company and the billing server device 18 of the credit company perform billing processing.

The information management server device 16 creates billing data based on a billing database 53B that is updated each time an IC card owned by the user is supplemented. This billing data is created for each credit company specified by, for example, the first digit of the card number (step S1501).

The created billing data is transmitted to the network 1
Is transmitted to the billing server device 18 of the credit company via the communication line (step S1502).

Upon receiving the transmission, the billing server device 18 deposits the total billing amount obtained by summing up the replenishment amounts related to the billing data into the account of the railway company's financial institution (step S151).
1).

The billing server device 18 calculates the billing amount for each user by totalizing the billing data for each card number. Further, the billed amount is transferred from the financial institution account of the user who has made a credit contract.

[0092] When the account transfer cannot be performed, the billing server device 18 determines that the credit card number of the corresponding user is an invalid card, and creates information relating to this as invalid card information. The invalid card information is transmitted to the information management server device 16 (Step S1514).

In response to the transmission, the information management server 16
Registers the user information associated with the card number of the invalid card information in the invalid IC card database 43A (step S1503). That is, the user database 5
3A and retrieves the record of the user ID corresponding to the card number of the invalid card information into the invalid IC card database 4.
Register for 3A. Note that the information management server device 16 performs a copy process of periodically reflecting the invalid IC card database 43A on the invalid IC card database 53C of the automatic ticket gate controller 14.

The IC card registered in the invalid IC card database 53A of the automatic ticket gate controller 14 is used in the "invalid IC card check process (FIG. 11, step S1102)" when passing through the automatic ticket gate 12.

1-4-4-2. At the time of using account transfer Hereinafter, a case where the user has selected “fund transfer” as the settlement type will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart in the case where the information management server device 16 of the railway company and the billing server device 18 of the financial institution perform billing processing.

The information management server device 16 creates billing data based on the billing database 53B, which is updated every time a replenishment process is performed on the IC card 10 owned by the user. This billing data is created for each financial institution specified by, for example, the first digit of the card number (step S1601).

The created billing data is transmitted to the network 1
Is transmitted to the billing server device 18 of the financial institution via the communication line (step S1602).

Upon receiving the transmission, the billing server device 18 calculates the billing amount for each user by summing up the billing data for each card number. Further, the billing amount is transferred from the financial institution account of the user who has opened a deposit account or the like to the designated account of the railway company (step S1611), and the process is terminated (step S1612, YES).

If the account transfer has failed (step S1612, NO), the billing server device 18 determines whether or not the deposit account or the like of the corresponding user has a lending function such as a deposit lending. Is determined, and if there is (step S1613, YES), a loan process is performed (step S1616). In the loan process, the financial institution
Transfer the billed amount to the designated account of the railway operator on behalf of the user.

If there is no lending function in the user's deposit account or the like (step S1613, NO), based on the card number and billing amount of the user who could not transfer to the designated account of the railway company. The credit data is created (step S1614) and transmitted to the information management server device 16 (step S1615).

In response to the transmission, the information management server device 16
Determines whether the user has a deposit. The presence or absence of the deposit can be determined by searching the user database 53A from the user's card number. For example,
In the record 92 of the user database shown in FIG. 9, “20,000 yen” is set as the deposit of the user with the user ID “002”.

If a deposit has been set in the user database and the deposit is equal to or greater than the charge (step S1603, YES), a process of subtracting the charge from the deposit is performed (step S1604).

If no deposit is set in the user database, or if the deposit is less than the billed amount (step S1603, NO), the IC card of the user is replaced with the invalid IC card database 53C.
(Step S1605). The record of the invalid IC card database 53C stores the invalid IC of the automatic ticket gate controller 14 as in the case of the credit.
This is reflected in the card database 43A.

In the above embodiment, when the financial institution cannot make a payment to the railway company, the billing amount is deducted from the user's deposit. May be performed separately. That is, for a user who does not have a financial institution account, a billing process may be performed on the premise that the user is debited by deposit.

When the deposit is debited, a message to that effect is output on the display of the automatic ticket gate 12, and the user may carry out a procedure for adding the deposit at the checkout machine.

1-5. Conclusion As described above, when the electronic value balance is exhausted, replenishment is performed, and the replenishment amount related to the IC card 10 is collectively charged to the user, so that the user can pay the amount of the bill issued by the credit company. It is easy to confirm. That is, if a billing process is performed for each use like a credit card, the user cannot confirm the billed amount unless the user remembers the number of uses and the fare at that time.

In addition, for the railway company, by performing the billing process collectively, the load of the computer processing at the time of passing the automatic ticket gate can be reduced.

2. Second embodiment 2-1. Overall configuration and processing outline 2-1-1. Overall Configuration FIG. 17 shows an overall configuration diagram of an electronic payment system when a vending machine purchases a product using a non-contact type IC card.

In this figure, an IC which is an information recording medium
The card 10 can communicate with a vending machine 170 which is a part of a settlement terminal device of a merchandise seller. The IC card 10 is assumed to be a non-contact type, and has a vending machine 17
0 means that communication can be performed correspondingly.

The sales counting server device 172 is a device for managing user information, billing information, and the like relating to the IC card, and is connectable to the vending machine 170. In addition, it can be connected to an information management server device 16 of a railway company via a network 1 such as a public line or a dedicated line.

2-1-2. Outline of Processing For example, a user of a vending machine approaches the vending machine 170 using an IC card 10 issued in advance by a railway company. The IC card 10 records a user ID, which is an identification ID for specifying a user, and an electronic value for paying a commodity price.

When the user approaches the vending machine 170, the IC
When the IC card 10 is held over the card reading part, the IC
The card 10 transmits the user ID and the electronic value to the vending machine 170. Upon receiving the transmission, the vending machine 17
0 can be purchased, and the user purchases the product by pressing, for example, a product selection button.

Immediately after purchasing the product, the vending machine 170
A new electronic value balance is calculated by subtracting the product price of the product from the electronic value received from the IC card, and this is transmitted to the IC card 10.

The vending machine 170 transmits the identification ID received from the IC card 10 and the commodity price to the sales totalizing server 172. Sales aggregation server device 17
Reference numeral 2 denotes, for example, a batch process, which performs a billing process on the information management server device 16 of the railway company and collects the product price.

As described above, in the second embodiment,
Provided is an electronic payment system that allows the user to purchase a product within the electronic value balance of the IC card 10. As a result, the user can use the IC card 10 as electronic money, and the merchandise seller can surely collect the electronic value as the merchandise withdrawn from the IC card by charging the railroad operator. Can be.

2-2. Hardware Configuration The IC card used in the present embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the IC card of the first embodiment.

The vending machine 170 includes a CPU 30, a display 31, a memory 32, and a communication circuit 33, similarly to the automatic ticket gate 12 (FIG. 3) in the first embodiment. However, the memory 32 stores a product table for determining the price of the product, a program for withdrawing the electronic value of the IC card 10 as the price of the product, and implementing electronic payment.

The sales counting server device 172 includes a CPU 40, a memory 41, a display 42, a hard disk 43, a keyboard / mouse 44, and a communication circuit 45, similarly to the automatic ticket gate controller 14 (FIG. 4) in the first embodiment. I have. On the hard disk 43, a sales information database 172A or the like for recording a user ID and a product price of the IC card when the electronic value is withdrawn from the IC card 10 is recorded. The communication circuit 45 is a circuit for performing communication with another device, and can be connected to the vending machine 170 and the information management server device 16 of the railway company.

2-3. Use of IC Card (Vending Machine) A user who has been issued the IC card 10 in the first embodiment can use the IC card 10 to purchase a product at the vending machine 170.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the vending machine 170 when a user having the IC card 10 purchases a product. Hereinafter, processing of the vending machine 170 at the time of product purchase will be described.

When the user carrying IC card 10 approaches vending machine 170, IC card 10 transmits the user ID and the electronic value balance to vending machine 170 (step S1801).

Receiving the transmission, vending machine 170 determines whether or not the electronic value balance is equal to or greater than the product price.
The commodity price may be the minimum commodity price of the commodity that the vending machine 170 can sell.

If the electronic value balance is equal to or greater than the product price (step S1802, YES), the vending machine 170
Determines that the product can be sold and performs the sales process (step S1804). In the sales processing, the vending machine 170 turns on the product button to urge the user to purchase the product. When the user presses the product button of the desired product,
The vending machine 170 calculates a new electronic value balance by subtracting the product price from the electronic value balance in exchange for the delivery of the relevant product.

The vending machine 170 transmits the new electronic value balance to the IC card 10 (step S180)
5). The IC card 10 receives this new electronic value balance and records it in the IC chip.

The vending machine 170 performs a billing process based on the user ID and the product price of the user (step S1806). In this billing process, the vending machine 170 records the user ID and the product price in the sales information database 172A of the sales totalization server device 172. FIG. 19 shows an example of the sales information database 172A. Items in this database include user ID,
The product price, sale date, and the like are registered.

The sales data recorded in the sales information database 172A of the sales totaling server device 172 is, for example, 1
It is transmitted to the information management server device 16 once a day. The information management server device 16 performs a product price settlement process to a product seller based on the sales data. In addition, the user ID and the product price are recorded on an IC card,
A check may be performed when the railway operator passes through the automatic ticket gate 12, to prevent unauthorized use.

As described above, the electronic value of the IC card 10 issued by the railway company can be used for electronic payment in fields other than the fare. Since the electronic value balance is automatically replenished when passing through the automatic ticket gate, the user need only periodically pass through the automatic ticket gate.

When the electronic value balance is less than the commodity amount (step S1802, NO), the vending machine 1
A display indicating that sale is not possible is made on the display 70, and the process is terminated.

3. Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount are recorded in the IC card 10, but are recorded in the automatic ticket gate 12, the automatic ticket controller 14, or the information management server device 16. Is also good. In this case, the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount may be obtained based on the user ID received from the IC card 10.

In the above embodiment, the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount are set for each user, but a uniform amount may be set for all users. In this case, since it is not necessary to transmit the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount from the IC card 10 to the automatic ticket gate 12, speeding up of the processing can be expected.

In the above embodiment, the system is configured using a non-contact type IC card. However, for example, a mobile phone or an information mobile phone having a built-in IC chip capable of recording information such as a user ID and an electronic value balance. A terminal or the like may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example showing a hardware configuration diagram of an IC card according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example showing a hardware configuration diagram of the automatic ticket gate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example showing a hardware configuration diagram of the automatic ticket gate controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example showing a hardware configuration diagram of an information management server device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example showing a hardware configuration diagram of a billing server device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart in “IC card issuance processing”.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen of the information management server device in the “IC card issuance registration screen”.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user database.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a card information database.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flowchart of “use of an IC card”.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an invalid IC card database.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a supplementary information database.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a billing database.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a flowchart of “billing processing (credit)”.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flowchart in “billing processing (fund transfer)”.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a flowchart of “use of IC card (vending machine)”.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a sales information database.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network 10 ... IC card (information recording medium) 12 ... Automatic ticket gate (payment terminal device) 14 ... Automatic ticket gate controller (payment terminal device) 16 ... Information management server device 18. ..Billing server device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G07B 15/00 G07B 15/00 501 501 G07F 7/08 L G07F 7/08 G06K 19/00 Q F term ( Reference) 3E027 CA07 CB08 CB09 3E044 AA01 BA04 CA06 DC05 DE01 5B035 BB09 BC00 CA23 5B058 CA15 KA08 YA20

Claims (13)

[Claims] An information recording medium on which an electronic value balance is recorded, and an electronic value corresponding to a settlement amount are subtracted from the electronic value balance to perform settlement. Further, the electronic value balance is calculated based on a replenishment amount and a replenishment determination amount. An electronic payment system comprising: a payment terminal device for updating a payment terminal device; and a payment server device communicably provided with the payment terminal device, wherein the information recording medium transmits the identification ID and the electronic value balance to the payment terminal device. Upon receiving the transmission, the payment terminal device subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the payment amount from the electronic value balance, and when the electronic value balance after the subtraction is equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount,
The electronic value balance after addition obtained by adding the replenishment amount to the electronic value balance after subtraction is transmitted to the information recording medium, and the identification ID of the information recording medium and the replenishment amount are transmitted to the settlement server device. Upon receiving the transmission, the information recording medium records the added electronic value balance received from the payment terminal device, and upon receiving the transmission, the payment server device sends the user specified by the identification ID the replenishment amount. An electronic payment system that performs such a billing process. 2. A payment server, which is communicable with a payment server device, performs payment by subtracting an electronic value corresponding to a payment amount from an electronic value balance received from an information recording medium, and further reduces a replenishment amount and a replenishment determination amount. A payment terminal device for updating the electronic value balance based on an identification ID and an electronic value balance from an information recording medium, subtracting an electronic value corresponding to a payment amount from the electronic value balance, and subtracting the electronic value. When the balance is equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount, the electronic value balance obtained by adding the replenishment amount to the subtracted electronic value balance is transmitted to the information recording medium, and the identification value of the information recording medium is determined. A settlement terminal device for transmitting an ID and the replenishment amount to a settlement server device. 3. An information recording medium on which an electronic value balance is recorded, wherein the electronic value balance is settled by subtracting an electronic value corresponding to a settlement amount from the electronic value balance, and further, the electronic value is calculated based on a replenishment amount and a replenishment determination amount. It is provided so as to be able to communicate with the payment terminal device for updating the value balance, transmits the identification ID and the electronic value balance to the payment terminal device, and the payment terminal device subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the payment amount from the electronic value balance. Receiving and recording the electronic value balance after addition obtained by adding the replenishment amount to the electronic value balance after subtraction when the electronic value balance after subtraction is equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount. Characteristic information recording medium. 4. The electronic payment system, payment terminal device or information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount are recorded on the information recording medium. thing. 5. The electronic payment system, payment terminal device or information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount are predetermined amounts preset for each of the identification IDs. Characterized by: 6. The electronic payment system, payment terminal device or information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment amount and the replenishment determination amount are predetermined amounts not depending on the identification ID. What to do. 7. The electronic payment system, payment terminal device, or information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the payment server device manages transmission information from the payment terminal device; It is characterized by comprising a billing server device for billing a replenishment amount to a user specified by the identification ID. 8. The electronic settlement system, settlement terminal device or information recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the settlement terminal device is an automatic ticket gate installed at a transportation facility or the like that subtracts an electronic value corresponding to a settlement amount as a fare. The information management server device transmits an identification ID and a replenishment amount of the information recording medium received from the automatic ticket gate to a billing server device, and the billing server device is installed in a financial institution or the like,
The replenishment amount is collected from the user's financial institution account specified by the identification ID by account transfer. 9. The electronic settlement system, settlement terminal device or information recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the settlement terminal device is an automatic ticket gate installed in a transportation facility or the like that subtracts an electronic value corresponding to a settlement amount as a fare. Yes, the information management server device transmits the identification ID and the replenishment amount of the information recording medium received from the automatic ticket gate to the billing server device, and the billing server device calculates the replenishment amount from the amount prepaid by the user in advance. The replenishment amount is collected by deducting the amount. 10. The electronic settlement system, settlement terminal device or information recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the settlement terminal device is an automatic ticket gate installed in a transportation facility or the like that subtracts an electronic value corresponding to a settlement amount as a fare. The information management server device transmits the identification ID and the replenishment amount of the information recording medium received from the automatic ticket gate to the billing server device, the billing server device is installed in a credit company or the like, The replenishment amount is collected by a credit transaction of a user specified by the identification ID. 11. The electronic settlement system, settlement terminal device or information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said information recording medium is capable of recording an electronic value balance.
An IC card, a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant incorporating a C chip. 12. An information recording medium on which an electronic value balance is recorded, and settlement is performed by subtracting an electronic value corresponding to a settlement amount from the electronic value balance. An electronic payment method using a payment terminal device for updating a payment terminal device and a payment server device communicably provided with the payment terminal device, wherein the information recording medium transmits an identification ID and an electronic value balance to the payment terminal device. Upon receiving the transmission, the payment terminal device subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the payment amount from the electronic value balance, and when the electronic value balance after the subtraction is equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount,
The electronic value balance after addition obtained by adding the replenishment amount to the electronic value balance after subtraction is transmitted to the information recording medium, and the identification ID of the information recording medium and the replenishment amount are transmitted to the settlement server device. Upon receiving the transmission, the information recording medium records the added electronic value balance received from the payment terminal device, and upon receiving the transmission, the payment server device sends the user specified by the identification ID the replenishment amount. An electronic settlement method comprising performing such a billing process. 13. A settlement is performed by subtracting an IC card as a ticket recording an electronic value balance and an electronic value corresponding to a fare from said IC card, and further based on a predetermined replenishment amount and a replenishment determination amount. An electronic payment method using an automatic ticket gate for updating the electronic value balance and a payment server device provided to be able to communicate with the automatic ticket gate, wherein a user possessing an IC card uses the automatic ticket gate. When passing, the automatic ticket gate reads the identification ID, the replenishment amount, the replenishment determination amount, and the electronic value balance recorded on the IC card, and further subtracts the electronic value corresponding to the fare from the electronic value balance. When the electronic value balance after subtraction is equal to or less than the replenishment determination amount, the replenishment amount is added to the electronic value balance after subtraction. The electronic value balance obtained after the addition is transmitted to the IC card, the identification ID of the IC card and the replenishment amount are transmitted to the settlement server device, and the IC card received from the automatic ticket gate is transmitted. The payment server device records the electronic value balance after the addition, and upon receiving the transmission, the settlement server device performs a billing process for the replenishment amount to the user specified by the identification ID by account transfer, deposit withdrawal, or credit transaction. Characterized electronic payment method.