JP2002063527A - Device and method for information processing, system and method for charge processing, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the wait time of a user who pays by using an IC card. SOLUTION: The user, when entering a store 1-1, previously registers the ID equipment that the user has by using a store terminal 11-1 arranged nearby an entrance 31. The store terminal 11-1 accesses the center through a store server 12 and performs credit processing while the user is shopping in the store 1-1. The credit result is reported to a store terminal 11-2 through the store server 12. When the user carries commodities to be bought to a counter 33 and pays, the store terminal 11-1 performs credit processing according to the received credit processing report.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a charging system and method, and a recording medium, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus capable of performing a charging process without making a user wait. And method,
The present invention relates to a billing system and method, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, when credit cards and IC cards have become widespread and products are purchased at stores and the like, purchasers often pay for the products using those credit cards and IC cards. .

[0003] Credit card and IC card users,
This is convenient because you do not need to bring cash.

[0004] When payment is made with a credit card or an IC card, a clerk must use the user's credit card or IC card.
The user inserts the IC card into the terminal device, accesses a predetermined center, and performs a prediction process. And, as a result of the prediction process,
If the user has not paid for the product purchased in the past, or if it is confirmed that the card is not a stolen card, a settlement process is performed.

[0005]

However, it takes time to access the center from the terminal device and obtain the result of the prediction processing, and the user has to wait for that time. If the number of customers waiting for payment in the payment counter is small, only the user who uses the card is waited, so it is not a problem, but if the number of customers is large, other customers who purchased the product Will also have to wait a long time at the cash register for payment.

[0006] Therefore, the trust processing performed by accessing the center is omitted, and a list of unauthorized cards is obtained in advance, for example, once a month. Cards that are not registered in the list of unauthorized cards are used. It has also been done to admit.

[0007] However, in this case, the card immediately after the theft is not listed on the list yet, so that the card is illegally used until the card number is listed.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to enable a user to quickly and safely perform a billing process without waiting.

[0009]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first receiving unit for receiving a device used by a user in advance, and a trust status of the user of the device received by the first receiving unit. Confirming means for confirming, second receiving means for further accepting the device accepted by the first accepting means, and charging processing based on the device accepted by the second accepting means, based on the confirmation result by the confirming means. And charging means for performing the charging.

[0010] The information processing apparatus may further include recording means for recording reception information indicating that reception by the first reception means has been performed in the device.

[0011] A determination means for determining whether or not reception by the first reception means has already been performed, and an erasing means for erasing reception information recorded in the device based on a determination result by the determination means. Further provisions may be made.

According to the information processing method of the present invention, a first receiving step of receiving in advance a device used by a user, and a confirming step of confirming the user's credit status of the device received by the processing of the first receiving step And the first
A second receiving step of further receiving the device received by the process of the receiving step, and a charging process based on the device received by the process of the second receiving step, based on the result of the confirmation step. And a step.

[0013] A program for an information processing apparatus according to the present invention confirms a first receiving step of receiving a device used by a user in advance, and a trust status of the user of the device received by the processing of the first receiving step. A confirmation step, a second reception step for further accepting a device accepted by the processing of the first reception step, and a billing process based on the device accepted by the process of the second reception step, by the confirmation step processing. Charging based on the result.

[0014] In the billing processing system of the present invention, the first information processing apparatus receives in advance a device to be used by the user, and the user's trust of the device received by the first receiving device. Checking means for checking a state, wherein the second information processing apparatus is based on a second receiving means for further receiving the device received by the first receiving means, and a device based on the device received by the second receiving means. A charging unit that performs a charging process based on a result of the confirmation by the confirmation unit.

[0015] In the billing method of the present invention, the billing method of the first information processing apparatus is received by a first receiving step of receiving a device used by a user in advance and a process of the first receiving step. A second receiving step in which the charging processing method of the second information processing apparatus further receives the device received by the processing of the first receiving step, comprising: A charging step of performing a charging process based on the device received by the process of the second receiving step based on a result of the confirmation by the confirming step.

[0016] The program of the billing processing system of the present invention is a program of the first information processing apparatus which is received by a first receiving step of receiving in advance a device used by a user, and a processing of the first receiving step. A second receiving step in which the program of the second information processing apparatus further receives the device received by the processing of the first receiving step; and And a charging step of performing a charging process based on the device received by the processing of the receiving step based on the result of the confirmation by the confirming step.

In the information processing apparatus and method of the present invention, and the program of the recording medium, after the device used by the user is received in advance, the trust status of the user is confirmed. When the accepted device is further accepted, a billing process is performed based on the confirmation result.

In the accounting system and method and the recording medium program according to the present invention, the first information processing apparatus accepts a device used by the user in advance and confirms the credit status of the user. The user's device is further accepted by the second information processing device,
A billing process is performed based on the result of the confirmation by the first information processing device.

[0019]

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a billing system to which the present invention is applied. Stores 1-1 to 1-
3 is connected to the distribution servers 22-1 to 22-3 of the center 2, respectively. Distributed servers 22-1 to 22-
3 is further connected to the main server 21, and the main server 21 is connected to the certificate authority 4.

The store 1-1 has store terminals 11-1, 11-
2 and a store server 12 connected thereto. The store server 12 is also connected to a registration terminal 13 for recording, storing, and managing pre-registration information.

Each of the store terminals 11-1 and 11-2 is provided with an ID device 3-1 to 3-3 each composed of an IC card (or a mobile phone) used by a user, as needed. Connected. In the example of FIG. 1, the store terminal 11-1 is connected to the ID devices 3-1 and 3-2, and the store terminal 11-2 is connected to the ID device 3-3.
Although the state in which the ID device 3-4 is connected is shown, basically, one ID device 3 (hereinafter, ID devices 3-1 to 3) is connected to the store terminals 11-1 and 11-2 at the time of use. -3 is simply referred to as an ID device 3. The same applies to other devices.). Which ID device 3 is connected to which store terminal 11 is arbitrary.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the arrangement of each device in the store 1-1. In this example, the shop terminal 11-1 is arranged near the entrance 31 and the shop terminal 11-2 is arranged on the counter 33. The store server 12 and the registration terminal 13 are arranged behind the counter 33.

Store 1-1 further includes shelves 32-1 to 32-3.
2-3 are arranged, and various commodities are displayed on them.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the store terminal 11-1. CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 is ROM4
2 executes various processes according to the program stored in the storage device 2. The RAM 43 appropriately stores programs and data necessary for the CPU 41 to execute various processes. The reader / writer 44 communicates with the ID device 3 by electromagnetic waves, records various data in the ID device 3, and reads data recorded therein. The communication unit 45 performs communication with the store server 12.

The display unit 46 composed of an LCD or the like
A necessary message or the like is displayed to the clerk or the user. The input unit 47 includes various keys and is operated by a clerk or a user. Output unit 48
Prints, for example, the code of the product purchased by the user, the payment amount, and the like on paper and outputs the paper. The CPU 41 to the output unit 48 are mutually connected by a bus 49.

The input unit 47 and the output unit 48 are provided in the store terminal 11-2 disposed above the counter 33, but are provided near the entrance 31.
In 1, it is possible to omit.

The ID device 3 is configured as shown in FIG. In the flash memory 52, the ID assigned to the ID device 3 is registered in advance, and the ID device 3
The private key assigned to is registered. Predetermined data is also written to the flash memory 52 by the reader / writer 44 of the store terminal 11. CPU 51
Controls communication with the reader / writer 44. Antenna 5
4 communicates with the reader / writer 44 using electromagnetic waves. The antenna 54 is connected to the flash memory 52 and the CPU 51 via the interface 53 and the bus 55.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the store server 12. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 has a ROM (R
ead Only Memory (RAM) 62 or a RAM (Random Access Memory)
y) Various processes are executed according to the program loaded in 63. The RAM 63 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 61 to execute various processes.

The CPU 61, the ROM 62 and the RAM 63 are interconnected via a bus 64. The bus 64 is also connected to an input / output interface 65.

The input / output interface 65 includes an input unit 66 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display including a CRT and an LCD, an output unit 67 including a speaker, a storage unit 68 including a hard disk, and the like.
A communication unit 69 including a modem, a terminal adapter, and the like is connected. The communication unit 69 includes the store terminal 11,
With the registration terminal 13 and the distribution server 22-1,
Alternatively, communication processing through the Internet or other networks is performed.

A drive 70 is connected to the input / output interface 65 as needed, and a magnetic disk 71,
An optical disk 72, a magneto-optical disk 73, a semiconductor memory 74, or the like is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read therefrom is installed in the storage unit 68 as necessary.

Although not shown, the main server 2
1 and the distribution server 22 are configured similarly to the store server 12.

Next, the operation will be described. When the user who has the ID device 3 wants to receive a service for promptly completing the payment processing at the store 11, it is necessary to register the device ID 3 of the user himself in the center 2.

Further, when the user enters the store 1-1 and performs a checkout process at the counter 33, when the user desires a quick process, the store terminal 11-1 (or the store terminal 1-1).
In 1-2), a process of pre-registering the own ID device 3 is executed. 6 and 7 show this pre-registration processing.

When the user of the ID device 3 enters the store 11-1 through the entrance 31, the ID device 3
To the store terminal 11-1. The reader / writer 44 of the store terminal 11-1 is controlled by the CPU 41 and outputs an electromagnetic wave at a predetermined cycle. The ID device 3 is a store terminal 11
When approaching −1, the electromagnetic wave output from the reader / writer 44 is received via the antenna 54. The received signal is supplied to the CPU 51 via the interface 53 and the bus 55. When receiving an electromagnetic wave from the reader / writer 44, the CPU 51
4 causes the response signal to be transmitted.

When receiving the response signal from the ID device 3, the reader / writer 44 notifies the CPU 41 of the response signal. CPU41
Can thereby know that the ID device 3 has been placed near the reader / writer 44. At this time, the CPU 41
Executes a process of receiving the ID device 3 in step S11. Specifically, a session ID is issued and an expiration date is calculated. And step S
In 12, the CPU 41 transmits the I
The D device 3 is requested to write the store ID, the session ID, and the expiration date. The store ID is previously transferred and stored in the RAM 43 from the store server 12 via the communication unit 45, and is identification information for identifying the store 1-1 where the store terminal 11-1 is installed. . Session ID
Is an ID for identifying the reception performed in the process of step S11. The expiration date indicates the expiration date for which the session ID is valid, and is, for example, one hour after the reception process is performed in step S11.

The CPU 41 determines the store ID, session I
D and the expiration date are added, and the ID device 3 is requested to write these data. Reader / writer 44
Transmits an electromagnetic wave corresponding to this request to the ID device 3.

When the CPU 51 of the ID device 3 receives the electromagnetic wave from the reader / writer 44 via the antenna 54 in step S1, the CPU 51 flashes the store ID, session ID, and expiration date transmitted from the reader / writer 44. The data is written into the memory 52.

Next, in step S13, the CPU 41 of the shop terminal 11-1 requests the ID device 3 to output a user ID.

In step S2, the CPU 51 of the ID device 3 sends the user ID from the CPU 41 via the reader / writer 44.
Is received, the user ID stored in the flash memory 52 is read in step S3, and output to the reader / writer 44 by electromagnetic waves via the antenna 54.

When the CPU 41 of the store terminal 11-1 receives the user ID via the reader / writer 44 in step S14, the communication unit 4 in step S15.
5 is transmitted to the store server 12. At this time,
The CPU 41 also stores the session ID and the expiration date in the store server 1
Notify 2 at the same time.

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 executes step S
At 21, the session ID, the expiration date, and the user ID transmitted from the store terminal 11-1 are received and stored in the storage unit 68. Further, the CPU 61 determines in step S
At 22, the communication unit 69 is controlled to access the distribution server 22-1 of the center 2 and request store authentication and user authentication. At this time, store ID, session ID, expiration date,
The user ID is transmitted to the distribution server 22-1 at the same time.

When the distribution server 22-1 of the center 2 receives a request for store authentication and user authentication from the store server 12 in step S51, it executes store authentication processing.
That is, it is determined whether or not the store ID transmitted from the store server 12 is a store ID registered in advance in the distribution server 22-1 (or the main server 21).

The distribution server 22-1 is a store of the store 1-1.
It is determined whether or not the ID has been registered in advance, and if not, in step S52, the store server 1
2 is notified that the store ID could not be authenticated.

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 executes step S
23, when this authentication result is received, step S
At 24, error processing is performed.

On the other hand, when the distribution server 22-1 determines that the store ID is a pre-registered store ID as a result of the store authentication, the process proceeds to step S53, and executes the user authentication process. In the user authentication process, the user ID transmitted by the store server 12 is the user ID registered in advance.
And that the user having the user ID has not made an unauthorized transaction in the past, and the possible settlement amount of the user is checked. If the user ID is not registered, or if the user has performed an illegal transaction in the past (a user who has not paid the purchase price, etc.), the distribution server 22-1 informs the user in step S54. Notify the store server 12.

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 executes step S
Upon receiving the notification from the distribution server 22-1 at 25, the storage unit 68 stores the notification at step S26.

If it is determined that the user ID has been registered in advance and that the user has not performed an improper act in the past, the process proceeds to step S55, and the distributed server 22
"-1" checks whether or not the registration has been made in advance. If the registration has been made in advance, the process proceeds to step S56, and the distribution server 22-1 deletes the registration. If no other pre-registration has been made, the process proceeds to step S57, and the distribution server 22-1 checks the user
Register ID in advance.

The pre-registration check in step S55 is performed after the pre-registration process in step S57 is performed once, and finally, the user leaves the store 1-1 without paying by the ID device 3. This is for erasing the past pre-registration in the event that it has been lost.

Next, in step S58, the distribution server 22-1 includes the shop ID, the session ID, and the expiration date received in step S51, as well as the settable amount (the settable amount corresponding to the user ID). The pre-registration acceptance notification is output to the store server 12.

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 executes step S
At 27, upon receiving the pre-registration notification from the distribution server 22-1, it requests that the pre-registration acceptance notification be registered in the registration terminal 13 at step S28.

Upon receiving the request from the store server 12 in step S41, the registration terminal 13 registers a pre-registration acceptance notification in response to the request.

Of the pre-registration processing described above, the processing executed by the ID device 3 is the processing of steps S1 to S3, and therefore is completed in an extremely short time. Subsequent processing is performed by the store 11-1, the store server 12, and the distribution server 22-
1 is performed automatically, so that the user does not have to wait.

After pre-registering as described above,
The user selects a required product in the store 1-1, brings it to the counter 33, and informs the store clerk that the ID device 3 will be used to pay the price. At this time, the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9 is executed.

First, in step S81, the CPU 41 of the shop terminal 11-2 executes a process for receiving the ID device 3. In this reception process, the ID device 3 is connected to the store terminal 11-
This is performed by disposing it near the second reader / writer 44. Also in this reception process, the session ID and the expiration date are calculated. Next, in step S82, the CPU 61
A process for capturing the purchase amount (settlement amount) of the product purchased by the user is executed. More specifically, this amount is obtained by operating the input unit 66 by the store clerk to capture the input price.

In step S83, the CPU 61 sets the ID
A request is made to read the store ID, session ID, and expiration date written in the device 3 (written in the process of step S1 in FIG. 6).

Upon receiving this request from the store terminal 11-2 in step S71, the CPU 51 of the ID device 3 reads out the store ID, session ID, and expiration date stored in the flash memory 52 in step S72. Is output to the store terminal 11-2.

At step S84, the shop terminal 11-
The second CPU 41 receives the store ID, the session ID, and the expiration date read from the ID device 3. At this time, the session ID and the expiration date generated in the process of step S81 are updated with the received session ID and the expiration date.
Then, the store ID, the session ID, and the expiration date are set together with the settlement amount in step S85 in the communication unit 45.
Is transferred to the store server 12 via the. When the store ID, the session ID, and the expiration date are not received, the CPU 61
Corresponds to step S15 in the flowchart of FIG.
Processing after 3 (processing when pre-registration is not performed)
Execute

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 stores the store terminal 1
When the store ID, session ID, expiration date, and settlement amount transferred from 1-2 are received in step S101, in step S102, the registration terminal 13 is requested to read a pre-registration acceptance notification. This pre-registration acceptance notification has been registered in the process of step S41 in FIG.

In step S121, the registration terminal 1
Upon receiving the request from the store server 12, the server 3 reads out the registered pre-registration acceptance notification and outputs it to the store server 12 in step S122. At this time, if the pre-registration acceptance notification has not been registered, the fact is notified to the store server 12.

In step S103, the store server 1
The CPU 61 stores the store ID, the session ID, and the expiration date of the ID device 3 read from the registration terminal 13 via the store terminal 11-2 received in step S101. It is determined whether the ID and the expiration date match. If these pieces of information do not match, or if the expiration date has already passed, in step S104, the CPU 61 of the store server 12 executes error processing. In this case, the user is in store 1
When it enters -1, it means that the pre-registration process has not been executed in the shop terminal 11-1 arranged near the entrance 31. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 61
Performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 when the pre-registration has not been performed.

If the shop ID, session ID, and expiration date read from the ID device 3 match the shop ID, session ID, and expiration date registered in the registration terminal 13, the CPU 61 proceeds to step S105. It is determined whether the settlement amount is within the range of the settlement amount.
As described above, in the registration terminal 13, the settable settlement amount transferred from the distribution server 22-1 of the center 2 is registered. The CPU 61 performs this determination processing by comparing the settlement possible amount with the settlement amount transferred from the store terminal 11 in step S101.

When the CPU 61 determines that the settlement amount exceeds the range of the settlement possible amount, the CPU 61 executes an error process in step S106. Then, Step S107
In, the CPU 61 issues an error notification to the store terminal 11-2.

In step S86, the shop terminal 11-
When receiving the error notification from the store server 12, the second CPU 41 outputs the error notification to the display unit 46 and displays it.

That is, in this case, the user cannot pay for the purchased merchandise using the ID device 3 due to lack of balance or the like. The user verbally informs that the payment using the ID device 3 cannot be made, and requests payment by cash.

If the settlement amount is within the range of the settlement possible amount, in step S108, the store server 12
The CPU 61 issues a sales permission notice to the store terminal 11-2.

When the CPU 41 of the shop terminal 11-2 receives the sale permission notice from the shop server 12 in step S88, it outputs this to the display section 46 to display it. The clerk sees this display, hands the product to the user, causes the output unit 48 to issue a receipt, and performs processing such as handing the product to the user.

In step S109, store server 1
The second CPU 61 requests the distributed server 22-1 of the center 2 to perform a billing process for the user.

Upon receiving the billing process request from the store server 12 in step S131, the distributed server 22-1 of the center 2 executes the billing process. That is, a process required to withdraw the amount corresponding to the price of the product from the user's account is executed.

In step S132, the distributed server 2
2-1 registers the usage history of the ID device 3 of the user as a history in a built-in database.

On the other hand, the processing when the user does not execute the pre-registration processing is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

At step S151, the CPU 41 of the store terminal 11-2 executes a process for receiving the ID device 3. In step S152, the CPU 41 captures the payment amount. The above processing is performed in the store terminal 11- shown in FIG.
1 is the same as the process in FIG.

Next, in step S153, the CPU 4
1 requests the ID device 3 to output a user ID.

At step S141, the shop terminal 11
-2, the CPU 51 of the ID device 3
The user ID stored in the flash memory 52 is read and output to the store terminal 11-2.

When the CPU 41 of the store terminal 11-2 receives the user ID from the ID device 3 in step S154, the CPU 41 receives the session ID added in the reception process in step S151 and receives the user ID in step S154 in step S155. The user ID is transmitted to the store server 12 together with the payment amount taken in the processing of step S152.

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 executes step S
In 171, when the user ID and the session ID are received together with the payment amount from the store terminal 11-2, step S 1
At 72, the store ID stored in the storage unit 68 is added and transmitted to the distribution server 22-1. At this time, the CPU 61 performs the store authentication and the user authentication on the distributed server 2.
Request to 2-1.

The distribution server 22-1 executes step S191.
, When a request for store authentication and user authentication is received from the store server 12, first, store authentication processing is executed. This store authentication process is similar to the store authentication process in step S51 of FIG. That is, thereby, it is determined whether or not the store ID of the store server 12 is equal to the store ID registered in advance. Store ID is the store ID registered in advance
If not, in step S192, the distribution server 22-1 notifies the store server 12 that a correct authentication result has not been obtained.

At step S173, the store server 1
The second CPU 61 executes error processing upon receiving the notification of the store authentication result. Then, in step S174, the CPU 61 notifies the store terminal 11-2 that a correct store authentication result has not been obtained.

At step S156, the store terminal 11
-2, upon receiving this notification, the CPU 41 outputs it to the display unit 46 and displays it. Thus, the clerk can know that a correct authentication result of the store authentication has not been obtained. At this time, the clerk requests the user to pay in cash or takes necessary measures.

On the other hand, if a correct store authentication result is obtained, the distribution server 22-1 executes a user authentication process in step S193. This user authentication process
This is the same process as the user authentication process in step S53 in FIG. That is, the credit status corresponding to the user ID is checked, and it is determined whether or not the user can pay the payment amount received in step S191. If the user determines that it is difficult to pay the notified settlement amount, the distribution server 22-1 notifies the store server 12 in step S194.

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 executes step S
When this notification is received in 175, step S17
In 6, the notification is made to the store terminal 11-2.

Upon receiving this notification in step S157, the CPU 41 of the shop terminal 11-2 outputs the content of the notification to the display unit 46 and displays it. This allows the clerk to
It is possible to know that the user does not have the payment ability based on the ID device 3. Therefore, the clerk requests the user to pay in cash.

If it is determined that the user has the ability to pay as a result of the user authentication, the process proceeds to step S195.
In, it is determined whether or not there is a pre-registration for the user, and if the pre-registration exists, it is deleted. As a result, the pre-registration in a case where the user enters the store 1-1, once executes the reception process at the store terminal 11-1, and finally goes out without purchasing anything is deleted. You. Whether or not the pre-registration is in the past can be determined by determining whether or not the session ID matches the current session ID.

Next, in step S196, the distribution server 22-1 notifies the store server 12 that the user can pay the settlement amount using the ID device 3.

When CPU 41 of store server 12 receives this in step S177, in step S178 it notifies store terminal 11-2 of this.

Upon receiving this notification from the store server 12 in step S158, the CPU 41 of the store terminal 11-2 outputs the notification to the display unit 46 for display. Thus, the clerk can use the ID device 3 to know that a product may be sold to the user. Therefore,
The clerk executes a sales process. That is, the clerk hands the product to the user and operates the input unit 47 to output the product to the output unit 4.
8 to print a receipt and hand it to the user.

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 determines in step S
In 179, the distribution server 22-1 is requested to charge the user. Upon receiving the billing request from the store server 12 in step S197, the distributed server 22-1 performs a billing process. That is, the distributed server 22
-1 executes a process required for debiting the amount corresponding to the settlement amount from the user's account.

Next, in step S 198, the distribution server 22-1 registers the payment history of the user in the database. The history includes a date, a product number, a payment amount, a store ID, a user ID, a session ID, and the like.

Next, the details of the user authentication process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing of steps S291 to S332 in FIG. 11 is performed, for example, in steps S3, S14, S1 in FIGS.
5, S21, S22, S51, or steps S142, S154, S155, S17 in FIG.
1, S172, S191, and S193 show in more detail a portion related to user authentication.

At step S291, the CP of the ID device 3
U51 is the session I notified from the store server 12.
D, a time at that time, a message consisting of a user ID stored in advance in the flash memory 52 is generated, and a hash function or an algorithm such as MD55 stored in advance in the flash memory 52 is applied thereto, and the message digest is generated. create. The CPU 51 further encrypts the message digest using the user's secret key stored in the flash memory 52 in advance, and adds an unencrypted message to the message digest.
The CPU 51 further stores the data in the flash memory 52
Is encrypted with the public key of the center 2 stored in advance and output to the store server 12.

The CPU 61 of the store server 12 determines in step S
When this is received in 301, in step S302, the received data is added with a store ID, a session ID, and an expiration date and transmitted, and a request for store authentication and user authentication is made to the distributed server 22-1.

In step S311, the distribution server 22-1 of the center 2 receives the data, and in step S312, uses the secret key of the center 2 to store the store server 1
2 to decrypt the data encrypted with the public key of the center 2 and obtain a message (including a session ID, a time, and a user ID).

Next, in step S313, the distribution server 22-1 requests the certificate authority 4 to notify the public key corresponding to the user ID included in the message.

In step S331, the certificate authority 4
When this request is received, the public key corresponding to the user ID is searched, and the public key corresponding to the user ID is notified to the center 2 in step S332.

Upon receiving the public key from the certificate authority 4 in step S314, the distributed server 22-1 of the center 2 obtains the public key of the user in step S315 using the public key of the user in the decryption processing in step S312. , Decrypts the message digest encrypted with the user's private key.

In step S316, the distributed server 2
2-1 includes a hash function or MD stored in advance in the message received in plaintext in step S311.
Algorithm such as the flash memory 52 of the ID device 3.
To generate a message digest. Distributed server 22-1
Is the message digest and step S315
Is compared with the message digest obtained by decoding in the above process, and it is determined whether or not both match. If they match, the user (ID device 3) is determined to be a legitimate user, and if they do not match, it is determined not to be a legitimate user.

The determination result is notified from the center 2 to the store server 12 in step S317, and the store server 12 receives this in step S203.

As described above, in this processing, the user
The ID is not directly disclosed to the store server 12 (the user ID cannot be obtained unless the public key is obtained). Since the session ID changes each time, it is difficult for an unauthorized user to impersonate a legitimate user unless the user's private key is stolen.

[0099] This process can be applied to the authentication of the store server 12. In this case, the user ID and the user's secret key are the store ID and the store's secret key. The session ID is a session ID in communication between the store server 12 and the center 2.

In the above, as shown in FIG.
The processing of the store 1-1 is executed by the distribution server 22-1, the processing of the store 1-2 is executed by the distribution server 22-2, and the processing of the store 1-1 is performed.
Although the process 3 is executed by the distributed server 22-3, all of these processes may be executed by the main server 21. However, the center 2 is composed of a plurality of servers,
At the time of pre-registration, a server that is advantageous for the access route from the user is appropriately selected, and the processing authority is delegated to that server, so that the load on each server can be reduced and processing can be performed more quickly. Become.

Further, in the example of FIG. 1, only one store server 12 is arranged in the store 1-1. However, in the case of a large store, a plurality of store servers 12 and the corresponding store terminals 11 are arranged. May be arranged so that the pre-registration process performed via the predetermined store server 12 can be used in another store server 12.

Further, in the above, the store terminal 11-
In the second display section 46, the result of the user's trust is displayed so that the clerk can check it. However, a terminal is provided in the store where the user can check the account balance and the like without the clerk noticing by himself. You may.

Further, the user's purpose and taste are registered at the pre-registration stage, and based on the information, a message for guiding the user to a predetermined position in the store 1 is presented to the ID device 3 or the It is also possible to cause the ID device 3 to provide information necessary for achieving the purpose.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software.

When a series of processes are executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a dedicated hardware or a computer, or various programs are installed, thereby realizing various functions. Is installed from a network or a recording medium into, for example, a general-purpose personal computer capable of executing the program.

As shown in FIG. 5, this recording medium is provided separately from the apparatus main body, and is distributed to provide the user with the program.
1 (including floppy disk), optical disk 72 (CD-R
OM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versa
tile disk), magneto-optical disk 73 (MD (Mini
-Disk)) or packaged media consisting of semiconductor memory 74, etc.
A ROM 62 in which a program is recorded, which is provided to the user in a state in which the program is incorporated in the apparatus main body, or a storage unit 6
8 and the like.

[0107] In this specification, the step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium may be performed not only in a time-series manner but also in a time-series manner in the order described. This also includes processing executed in parallel or individually.

In the present specification, the system is
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0109]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus and method, the billing system and method, and the program of the recording medium of the present invention, the credit status of the user is confirmed by the first reception, and the second status is confirmed. Since the billing process is performed upon reception, the billing process can be executed without waiting the user, and the payment window is prevented from being crowded due to the execution of the billing process. As a result, it is possible to facilitate payment by the device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a billing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of devices in a store of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a store terminal of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an ID device of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a store server of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating pre-registration in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating pre-registration in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a billing process in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a charging process in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a billing process in a case where pre-registration has not been performed in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a user authentication process in the system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 to 1-3 stores, 2 centers, 3-1 to 3-4 ID devices, 4 certificate authorities, 11-1, 11-2
Store terminal, 12 store server, 13 registration terminal,
21 main server, 22-1 to 22-3 distributed server, 41 CPU, 44 reader / writer, 46
Display, 51 CPU, 52 flash memory,
61 CPU

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 17/00 G06K 17/00 D 5B058 T 19/10 G07G 1/12 321P 19/07 B42D 15/10 521 19/00 G06K 19/00 R G07G 1/12 321 N // B42D 15/10 521 QHF term (reference) 2C005 HA30 MA04 MA40 NA09 SA04 SA08 SA11 SA12 TA22 3E042 BA18 CC02 CD04 EA01 5B035 AA13 BB09 BC00 CA23 CA29 5B049 AA06 CC39 EE21 5B055 BB10 KK01 KK05 KK13 5B058 CA15 CA17 CA23 KA01 KA05 KA06 KA08 KA33 YA01

Claims (8)

[Claims] A first receiving unit that receives a device used by a user in advance; a checking unit that checks a user's credit status of the device received by the first receiving unit; A second receiving unit that further receives the device received by the receiving unit; and a charging unit that performs a charging process based on the device received by the second receiving unit based on a confirmation result by the confirmation unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit that records reception information indicating that reception by the first reception unit has been performed on the device. 3. A determination unit for determining whether or not reception by the first reception unit has already been performed, and erasing the reception information recorded on the device based on a determination result by the determination unit. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an erasing unit that performs the operation. 4. A first receiving step of receiving in advance a device used by a user; a checking step of checking a user's credit status of the device received by the processing of the first receiving step; A second reception step of further receiving the device received by the processing of the first reception step, and a charging result based on the device received by the processing of the second reception step, which is a confirmation result by the processing of the confirmation step. And a billing step based on the information processing method. 5. A first receiving step of receiving a device used by a user in advance, a checking step of checking a credit status of the user of the device received by the processing of the first receiving step, A second reception step of further receiving the device received by the processing of the first reception step, and a charging result based on the device received by the processing of the second reception step, which is a confirmation result by the processing of the confirmation step. And a billing step performed based on the computer-readable recording medium. 6. A billing processing system comprising: a first information processing device that receives a device used by a user; and a second information processing device that performs a billing process based on the device used by the user. The first information processing apparatus includes: a first receiving unit that receives a device used by the user in advance; and a checking unit that checks a user's credit status of the device received by the first receiving unit. The second information processing apparatus further comprises: a second receiving unit that further receives the device received by the first receiving unit; and a charging process based on the device received by the second receiving unit. And a billing means for performing the billing based on the result of the confirmation by the confirming means. 7. A billing process of a billing system comprising: a first information processing device for receiving a device used by a user; and a second information processing device for performing a billing process based on the device used by the user. In the method, the billing method of the first information processing apparatus includes: a first receiving step of receiving a device used by the user in advance; and a user of the device received by the process of the first receiving step. A charging step of the second information processing apparatus, wherein the second information processing apparatus further includes: a second receiving step of further receiving the device received by the processing of the first receiving step; A charging process based on the device received in the process of the second receiving step is performed based on the confirmation result of the confirming step. Accounting processing method characterized by including the charging step performed. 8. A charging processing system program comprising: a first information processing device that receives a device used by a user; and a second information processing device that performs a charging process based on the device used by the user. A program of the first information processing apparatus, wherein: a first reception step of receiving a device used by the user in advance; and a trust status of the user of the device received by the process of the first reception step. The program of the second information processing apparatus further comprises: a second reception step of further receiving the device received by the processing of the first reception step; and a second reception step of: A billing process based on the device accepted by the process is performed based on the confirmation result of the confirmation step. Recording medium on which computer-readable program, wherein is recorded to include the billing step.