FR2734436A1 - Collection of payment from credit card or smart card - Google Patents

Abstract

The payment collection system has a first computer installed at the point of delivery of the goods or service to control delivery of a ticket or similar item or to provide a service. A second computer on the site of the credit card provider handles transaction data. The two computers are connected by a communication link. The first computer has facilities for the user to enter information on the transaction and to read the credit card supplied by the user. The first computer then interrogates the second computer to clear the transaction then to record the financial details of the transaction. When the transaction is cleared the first computer authorises delivery of the goods or services.

Description

 This invention relates to a device for requesting payment or to a system for requesting payment in the event that an item is sold by payment with a credit card or in the case that a service such as a telephone call and the like is provided .

 In general, it was really implemented to make a phone call by paying in cash or by prepaid card and similarly one generally made purchases of a ticket in a place in cash or by prepaid card.

 However, in recent years there has been a strong demand to build a device which allows a person to purchase a ticket with a credit card and to accept various types of services when the credit card has been widely distributed.

 The present invention has been made in view of the above facts and an object of the present invention is to provide a new apparatus for requesting a payment in which it becomes possible to buy a ticket or to accept various types of services. the same way as using cash using a credit card or an IC card (integrated circuit).

 For this purpose, the invention provides an apparatus for requesting a payment, characterized in that it comprises a first computer installed in a first company for supplying a sale of a ticket such as a coupon, or the like, or an article or provide a service by payment by credit card or CI card; a second computer located in a second company controlling said credit card; a connecting line path for connecting said first computer with said second computer; an input device for inputting the card user card data and the prize amount data into the first computer; and means for interrogating the data located in the second computer in order to charge the price determined to the user of the card on the basis of the data entered by said introduction device.

 According to a feature of the apparatus of the invention, said first computer is installed in a telephone company acting as the first company.

 According to another characteristic of the apparatus of the invention a third computer is installed between the first computer and the second computer, the data transmitted by the first computer is processed as desired by the third computer, and after that the processed data is transmitted to the second computer.

 According to yet another characteristic of the apparatus of the invention, it is a sales machine for selling a ticket such as a coupon or an article or a device, for providing services or entertainment, the device for introducing said sales machine or said sales device is provided with a card reader for reading data from a prepaid card, and when said card reader begins to read predetermined data from said prepaid card, said machine sales agent sells a ticket or an article and the device for providing said service or entertainment provides either a service or entertainment.

 Still according to a characteristic of the apparatus of the invention, said first computer is a computer for controlling a machine for selling tickets for a ticket, installed in an electric railway company, acting as the first company.

 Still according to another characteristic of the apparatus of the invention, said first computer is a computer for controlling a machine for selling tickets for a ticket, installed in a game center or a playground, acting as the first company.

The invention will be better understood and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the explanatory description which follows and which is given with reference to the appended figures in which
- Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the first preferred embodiment
- Figure 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the first preferred embodiment
- Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
- Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

 In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus for requesting payment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a first computer installed in a first company to provide the sale of a ticket such as a coupon or the like or to provide a service by payment by credit card or CI card, a second computer located in a second company controlling the credit card, a connection line path to connect the first computer with the second computer, a device input for inputting card user card data and prize amount data into the first computer, and means for querying the data located in the second computer to effect price imputation determined to the user of the card on the basis of the data entered by the entry device.

 In addition, the first computer is characterized in that it is installed in a telephone company acting as the first company.

 In addition, a third computer is located between the first computer and the second computer and the data transmitted from the first computer is sent to the second computer after a predetermined processing has been applied by the third computer.

 In addition, the present invention is characterized in that there is provided a sales machine for selling a ticket such as a coupon or an article and a device for providing services or entertainment or the like, the input device for the sales machine or the device is provided with a card reader for reading data from a prepaid card and when the card reader reads a predetermined data item on the prepaid card, the sales machine makes a sale of a ticket or item and the device provides service and entertainment.

 In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the first computer is a computer for controlling a ticket sale machine or the like installed in an electric railway company acting as the first company.

 In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the first computer is a computer for use in controlling a ticket sale machine for selling a ticket or the like installed in a game center or a play area which acts by as the first company.

 Referring now to Figures 1 to 5, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described as follows.

(Embodiment NO 1)
Figures 1 to 3 are block diagrams to show a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

 In the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a first computer installed in an international telephone company 2 acting as the first company, the reference numeral 3 designates a data entry device installed in the first computer for which an operator in the company 2 of international telephone between predetermined data such as a card number or a password, or card data such as an effective due date or a date of use of the card and data related to the partner or the like when a user 4 (hereinafter called the credit holder) using either a credit card or a CI card (hereinafter called the card), the reference numeral 5 designates a credit card company acting as the second company holding a contract with international telephone company 2, the numerical reference 6 designates a second computer installed in the credit card company 5, the reference numeral 7 designates a data manufacturing means for carrying out payment request data having a predetermined processing applied on the data (such as a card date or a data of price amount) introduced by the device 3 for introducing the first computer 1 and leaving them, and the reference numeral 8 designates a connection line for connecting the first computer 1 with the second computer 6.

 In the case in which the holder of credit 4 makes an international telephone call through the device requesting payment of the price of the telephone company, first, the person gives as information his own card number, his code number and a telephone number to a telephone operator and requests an international telephone call.

 In this case, the telephone operator enters the card number, the password and the call telephone number in the device 3 for inputting the first computer 1, at this time, the first computer checks from the number whether or not the card is available. Then, if the card is available, the telephone operator can perform a circuit connection operation.

 Then, at the end of the telephone communication (service), the telephone operator enters a telephone charge (a price item) in the input device 3 of the first computer 1 and waits for a next telephone call subscription. Next, telephone communication load processing will be described.

 The first computer 1 transmits, under batch processing once a day, telephone usage data including the price of the telephone call introduced by the input device 3 in the second computer 6 in the credit card company 5 via connection line 8.

 Then, the second computer 6 makes a request for payment description which is a charge item for each card number once a month and requests the price from the holder of the credit 4.

 In accordance, the international telephone company 2 makes a desired request for payment to the credit card company 5 on the basis of the usage data output by the first computer 1 and in turn the credit card company 5 makes a charge to the holder of credit 4 on the basis of the description of the payment request, resulting in a charge collection being positively implemented.

 At a receiving station 2a of the international telephone company 2, a ringing tone in return is transmitted for a predetermined period of time to a calling party 11 coming from a circuit for transmitting its call sound 13 by a call station. transmission 2b while the calling party 11 which is the credit holder is calling a called party 12 connected to the receiving station 2a, while it is connected to the talking line 15 until the party called 12 responds after the ring tone has been transmitted and then a publicity broadcast is transmitted.

 Because of this fact, calling party 11 can wait until the line is connected to called party 12 without feeling any trouble and the international telephone company 2 can also secure substantial advertising revenue.

 In this case, it is of course apparent that no charge is counted to the holder of credit 4.

 Figure 3 is a block diagram for showing another preferred embodiment based on the first preferred embodiment.

 FIG. 3 indicates the case in which the international telephone company 2 has a free calling circuit 10 for short distance telephone communication, where in this case a third company 15 is located between the international telephone company 2 and the credit card company 5, a third computer 16 is installed in company 15, the first computer 1 and the third computer 16 are connected by a connection line 8 and the third computer 16 and the second computer 6 are connected by a line connection 8, respectively, to build a new device to collect the payment charge. With this device, the international telephone company 2 can take only one charge to connect a phone, the third company 15 shares its operation to collect the charge taken by the international telephone company 2, whereby the third company 15 can get a teacher it.

 In addition, since the holder of credit 4 and the international telephone company 2 are connected by circuit 10 free call, even in the case of a long distance call, for example, a long distance between Tokyo and Los Angeles, the cost of a telephone call charge can be made entirely less expensive and as a result of this fact, even if the third company 15 takes an appropriate profit, the holder of credit 4 can use the international telephone call to an entirely less costly telephone communication charge (a service charge) than in the prior art.

(Embodiment NO 2)
Figure 4 is a view to show a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

 The same component elements as those described in FIG. 1 have the same reference numbers and their explanation will be omitted.

 In FIG. 4, the reference numeral 20 designates an electric railway company acting as the first company, where the first computer 1 is a control computer for controlling a method of issuing tickets from a plurality of machines 21 for selling automatic tickets provided with an input device for entering card data, when a desired card is inserted into an insertion opening of the machine 21 for selling automatic tickets, a card reader constituting the device The input of the automatic ticket vending machine 21 reads the card data such as the card number and the like.

 Then, when the desired data, for example, destination data and the like, that is to say load data is introduced into the introduction part of the machine 21 for automatic ticket sales, issuing a ticket such that a desired ticket or sale of an item such as a prepaid card and the like is implemented and at the same time a card number or date of use or a similar charge price is transmitted to the first computer 1.

 It is of course apparent that when the card is used in a manner identical to that of the first embodiment, the first computer 1 confirms whether or not the card used is an available card based on the result of the reading of the reader Map.

 The charge collection order is identical to that described with reference to the first preferred embodiment.

 In the figure, the reference numeral 22 denotes a machine for selling tickets of the portable type, where a ticket such as a coupon or the like can be issued by entering the desired data such as a card number and a destination or analog in this machine 22 for portable ticket sales, the sales machine is connected to the first computer 1 in a wireless form and delivery of the desired ticket is implemented in a manner identical to that of the use of the machine 21 automatic ticket sales.

 In addition, the input device of the above-mentioned automatic ticket sale machine 21 is provided with a card reader for reading the data from the prepaid card and when the card reader reads the desired data from the prepaid card, the automatic ticket-selling machine 21 carries out the sale of a ticket or the sale of an article and the like.

(Embodiment NO 3)
Figure 5 is a view to show a third embodiment of the present invention.

 In FIG. 5, the reference numeral 40 designates a game center or a playground acting as the first company, where a machine 41 for selling tickets is connected to the first computer 1 in the same way as that of the third mode of preferred embodiment, and a card is inserted in the input device for entering the data of the card of the ticket sales machine 41, the card reader of the input device of the ticket sales machine 41 reads the number from the menu.

 Then, when the first computer 1 confirms that this card is valid, the desired ticket is issued or a prepaid card is issued and at the same time data such as card data or a date of use or an amount of prices and the like are transmitted to the first computer 1 and a desired price collection method is implemented.

 In addition, the above-mentioned ticket sale machine 41 can be constructed so that it can be applied as a game machine, the input device of this game machine is provided with a card reader for reading the data on the card and when the card reader reads the data on the card, the game machine starts to operate and a game can be played in this game machine, i.e. entertainment can be procured.

 It is of course apparent that the device can be constructed so that the above-mentioned gaming machine can operate by the prepaid card.

 In addition, although the ticket-selling machine 41 is constructed to read the card data in the preferred embodiment mentioned above, it may also be applicable for the holder of the credit 4 to orally inform the telephone operator card data, the telephone operator enters this card data into the first computer to perform desired price collection processing on the phone.

 In addition, as the credit card of the present invention, a card having a card number embossed on its surface or a magnetic card, a barcode card or a card c. I. having a memory in it may also be applicable.

 Since the charge payment request device of the present invention is constructed as described above, a ticket can be purchased without using any cash when an item can be rented or various types of services such as phone calls or game entertainment or the like can be provided.

 In addition, since all the methods are processed by computer, the present invention has certain superior characteristics so that price payment request processing can be implemented quickly without any error.

Claims (6)

 1. Apparatus for requesting a payment, characterized in that it comprises  a first computer installed in a first company to provide a sale of a ticket such as a coupon or the like or of an item or to provide a service by a credit card or a C.I.  means for carrying out the interrogation of data located in the second computer for loading the price determined to the card user on the basis of the data entered by said introduction device.  an input device for entering the card user card data and prize amount data into said first computer; and  a connection line path for connecting said first computer to said second computer  a second computer located in a second company controlling said credit card  2. Apparatus for requesting a payment according to claim 1, characterized in that said first computer is installed in a telephone company acting as a first company.  3. Apparatus for requesting a payment according to claim 2, characterized in that a third computer is installed between the first computer and the second computer, the data transmitted by the first computer is processed as desired by the third computer, and after that the processed data is transmitted to the second computer.  4. Apparatus for requesting payment according to claim 1, characterized in that there is provided a sales machine for selling a ticket such as a coupon or an article or a device for providing a service or entertainment, a device for input of said sales machine or said sales device is provided with a card reader for reading data from a prepaid card, and when said card reader begins to read predetermined data on said prepaid card , said sales machine sells a ticket or an item and the device for providing said service or entertainment provides either a service or entertainment.  5. Apparatus for requesting a payment according to claim 1 or claim 4, characterized in that said first computer is a computer for controlling a machine for selling tickets for a ticket installed in an electric railway company acting as first company.  6. Apparatus for requesting a payment according to claim 1 or claim 4, characterized in that said computer is a computer for controlling a machine for selling tickets for a ticket installed in a game center or a playground acting as that first company.