JP2002074216A - Digital money issuance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily and conveniently obtain digital cash. SOLUTION: When the user establishes communications between the user's personal computer 11 and a web server 20 on the side of a contractor, browses a homepage of the contractor and purchases an item run on the homepage by using the electronic money, calls a telephone number of dial Q2 (trade name) run on the homepage from a general telephone set 10 (a fixed amount is charged as information service fee from the NTT). Then, a response server 30 questions a quiz by automatic response. When the quiz is correctly answered, the digital cash is issued to the user in a digital cash server 31. When an ID and a PW used in the case of issuance of the digital cash are transmitted to the web server 20 after the digital cash is obtained, they are transferred to the digital cash server 31, the digital cash for the price of the item is withdrawn after confirmation of outstanding balance by the digital cash server 31 and the item is transferred in exchange for it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic money issuing system for issuing electronic money that can be used when conducting electronic commerce between a user and a trader.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a user connects to the Internet from a personal computer, opens a trader's homepage, and purchases paid information such as music introduced on the homepage and food products, etc., an Sometimes settled with money. Such electronic money can be purchased as a prepaid card at a predetermined convenience store, for example.

[0003]

However, when a user conducts electronic commerce with a trader on the Internet,
If you do not have an electronic money prepaid card, you need to find a prepaid card retailer, and even if you know the retailer, you have to go to the retailer to purchase a prepaid card However, there is a problem that convenience is poor for users.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic money issuing system in which a user can easily and conveniently obtain electronic money.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 issues electronic money that can be used when performing electronic commerce between a user and a trader. In an electronic money issuing system, when an issuer of electronic money issues electronic money to a user, a contract is made between the issuer and the agent to collect the electronic money issuance fee from the user. When a call is made from the user communication device to the telephone number of the contract communication line connected between them, the issuer communication device automatically responds to it and issues electronic money to the user.

According to the present invention, for example, even if a user does not have electronic money when conducting electronic commerce with a trader, the user can use the user-side communication device. If you call the telephone number, you can easily obtain electronic money. For this reason, there is no need to search for a prepaid card retailer of electronic money or go to a retailer to purchase a prepaid card as in the related art, and it is possible to easily and conveniently acquire electronic money as needed. . Also, since the electronic money issuance fee is collected by the agent collecting agent, the issuer does not have to perform the trouble of collecting the issuance fee by himself.

[0007] Electronic commerce includes, for example, transaction of goods, information, and services on a communication network, and specifically includes sale of various products, provision of various information, provision of various games, and the like. . A typical example of a contract communication line is Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (hereinafter referred to as NTT).
Public telephone line with which a contract for a dial Q2 (trade name, the same applies hereinafter) has been concluded, but is not particularly limited to the dial Q2, and the above-mentioned contract is concluded between the issuer and the agent collection agent. Any communication line may be used as long as it is a communication line. Also, as a representative example of the communication device on the user side,
Examples include phones that are common in most households, but are not limited to such phones.
If it is a communication device that can be connected to the contract communication line described above,
Any communication device (eg, mobile phone, PHS, e-mail terminal, etc.) may be used. Further, typical examples of the issuer-side communication device include an automatic answering function for automatically answering a call to the telephone number and an electronic money issuing function for issuing electronic money to a user who makes a call. Equipped server. As for the automatic answering function, if it is assumed that the user makes a call using a telephone that is widely used in ordinary households, it is preferable to automatically answer by voice. In some cases, characters may be transmitted to respond.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic money issuing system for issuing electronic money usable when performing electronic commerce between a user and a trader. When the user or the advertising client pays the electronic money issuance fee, a contract for paying the electronic money issuance is issued to the public telephone number between the issuer and the user or the advertising client. When a call is received from the device, the issuer communication device automatically responds to the issue and issues electronic money to the user.

According to the present invention, in the same manner as in the first aspect, for example, even if the user does not have electronic money when trying to conduct an electronic commerce with a trader, the user can use the electronic money. Electronic money can be easily obtained by calling the telephone number (including the telephone number of the contract communication line of claim 1) using the communication device of the party. For this reason, there is no need to search for a prepaid card retailer of electronic money or go to a retailer to purchase a prepaid card as in the related art, and it is possible to easily and conveniently acquire electronic money as needed. . Also, when the advertisement client pays the electronic money issuance fee, the user can more easily acquire the electronic money.

[0010] The advertisement client is a person who has concluded a contract with the publisher to advertise the advertisement, but may or may not coincide with the trader (the same applies hereinafter). In addition, the advertising client may pay the entire amount of the electronic money issuance fee, or may pay a part of it, but if it is agreed to pay a part, the remaining amount will be paid to the user. You will have to bear it. Further, as a case where an advertising contract is concluded between the publisher and the advertisement client, for example, when a call is made from the user communication device to the telephone number of the public line, the publisher communication device There may be a case in which the advertisement requester performs an advertisement by responding automatically, that is, a case in which the advertisement requester pays an electronic money issue fee as a price for the advertisement. Further, when the advertisement client bears the electronic money issuance fee, it is regulated to issue electronic money only a predetermined number of times (for example, once) per user by utilizing a well-known calling telephone number notification service or the like. May be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic money issuing system according to the first or second aspect, the telephone number is included in an advertisement on a communication network in which electronic commerce is performed. Although the telephone number may be posted on a television or a magazine, etc., since it is considered that users often need electronic money when conducting electronic commerce with traders, electronic commerce is It is preferable to be posted in an advertisement on a communication network to be performed. For example, it may be posted on the homepage of a trader, advertisement client or publisher, a search engine, a banner advertisement, or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic money issuing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the issuer-side communication device automatically responds to the user-side communication device, an advertisement request is issued. It is characterized in that mainly relevant contents are sent to the user side communication device. In this case, with the issuance of the electronic money, the advertisement of the advertisement client can be performed. In particular, because you can actively promote advertising,
High advertising effectiveness. For example, a description of a product handled by the advertisement client can be played by voice, or when the advertisement client is a record company, the name of a singer belonging to the record company or a new song can be played.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic money issuing system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the issuer-side communication device automatically responds to the user-side communication device, a quiz is provided. The electronic money is issued to the user-side communication device, and thereafter, when a correct answer to the quiz is obtained from the user-side communication device, electronic money is issued to the user. In this case, the user can answer the quiz like a game, and can acquire electronic money while having fun. In addition, if the quiz on the advertisement of the advertisement client is set to be taken, the advertisement client can perform the advertisement with the issuance of electronic money, and in addition to the quiz correct answer rate, the advertisement Size (product recognition etc.) can be grasped. Then, for example, when an incorrect answerer comes out, the publisher may return a part of the advertising fee paid by the advertising client.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic money issuing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the issuer-side communication device includes: a response server that automatically responds to the user-side communication device; An electronic money server that issues electronic money. When the telephone number is called from the user-side communication device, the response server automatically responds, and then the electronic money server sends the electronic money to the user. It is characterized by issuing and managing money. in this case,
Comparing the automatic response process and the electronic money issue management process,
Since the amount of information to be processed at the same time is different, it is easier to design the system by separating the two. For example, the response server uses a small server and a communication line with a small communication capacity,
The electronic money server may use a large-scale server and a communication line having a large communication capacity.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic money issuing system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, when a call is made from the user communication device to the telephone number, the issuer communication device is called. Automatically prompts the user to notify the user of the personal identification code, and then, when the personal identification code is notified from the user communication device to the issuer communication device, the issuer communication The device issues the user's electronic money to the electronic money storage location associated with the personal identification code, or when the user's communication device calls the telephone number, the issuer's communication device The personal identification code is assigned to the user in response to the automatic identification, and the electronic money of the user is issued to the electronic money storage location associated with the personal identification code. In this case, since the user's electronic money is issued to the electronic money storage location associated with the personal identification code, each person's electronic money can be managed individually, and the electronic money issuing system according to claims 1 to 6 is realized. It is possible to provide a configuration suitable for The personal identification code is
Two or more kinds of code strings (for example, ID and password) or one kind of code string (for example, I
D only, password only).

[0018] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic money issuing system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, when a call is made from the user side communication device to the telephone number,
The issuer-side communication device notifies the user-side communication device of a predetermined issue code automatically in response thereto, and thereafter, the user issues the issuer-side communication device via a communication network in which electronic commerce is performed. When the issuance code is transmitted to the issuer, the issuer communication device determines whether the transmitted issuance code matches the predetermined issuance code. It is characterized by issuing money. In this case, if the user transmits the issue code notified from the issuer communication device via the telephone to the issuer communication device via the communication network, electronic money is issued. The issuer-side communication device can eliminate a person who illegally obtains electronic money by examining the coincidence / mismatch of the issued codes, and can provide a configuration suitable for realizing the electronic money issuing system of claims 1 to 6. The issue code may be directly transmitted from the user to the issuer communication device,
It may be transmitted to the issuer communication device via the trader. If the issue codes do not match, the operation is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 3
The electronic money may not be issued if all of them do not match.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic money issuing system according to the eighth aspect, the issue code is transmitted from the user to the issuer side communication device via the communication network in which electronic commerce is performed. Transmitted together with the personal identification code, the issuer-side communication device determines whether or not the transmitted issue code matches the predetermined issue code, and if so, the electronic money associated with the personal identification code. The electronic money of the user is issued to the storage location. In this case, since the user's electronic money is issued to the electronic money storage location associated with the personal identification code, each person's electronic money can be individually managed, and the electronic money issuing system according to claim 8 can be realized. Suitable configuration can be provided. The personal identification code may be two or more kinds of code strings (for example, ID and password) or one kind of code string (for example, only ID and only password).

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 8 or 9.
In the electronic money issuing system described above, the predetermined issuing code is a timed issuing code set so that electronic money is not issued after a predetermined period has elapsed since the issuing code was given. I do.
In this case, the theft of the issued code by a hacker can be effectively prevented. For example, in the case of a timed issuance code, assuming that the total number of issuance code combinations is N and the number of issuance codes to be assigned per predetermined period (for example, one day) is n, a hit is issued by randomly inputting the issuance code within the predetermined period. The initial probability is n / N, and after a lapse of a predetermined period, the probability is again n
Return to / N. On the other hand, if the issue codes are assigned without defining the predetermined period, and if all of the m issued codes input within the predetermined period have not been hit, the probability of hit after the elapse of the predetermined period is n / (N−m) It becomes easy to hit. As described above, by employing the timed issue code, theft of the issue code by a hacker can be effectively prevented.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claims 1 to 10
In the electronic money issuing system according to any of the above,
The issuer-side communication device issues electronic money for which an expiration date is set. In this case, electronic commerce is activated in order for the user to use up the electronic money before the expiration date.

In each of the above inventions, the personal identification code is I
When two or more types of code strings such as D and a password are used, one code string is preferably the telephone number of the user-side communication device. In general, since the user rarely forgets his or her own telephone number, there is an advantage that even if the user forgets another code string, another code string can be searched from the telephone number. Similarly, when the personal identification code is composed of two or more types of code strings, all of them may be set by the user, or all of them may be set by the issuer, or some of them may be set. The user may set them, and the rest may be set by the issuer. For example, the ID is set by the issuer, and the password is set by the user.

In each invention, it is preferable that the issuer communication device issues electronic money and then informs the user that electronic money has been issued. In this case, the user can confirm that the electronic money has been issued. Specifically, for example, the fact that the electronic money has been issued may be transmitted by voice, or if the user-side communication device has a display, the electronic money is issued in a character string stored in advance. To the effect, or any other method.

Further, the issuer-side communication device may re-store a predetermined amount of electronic money stored in one electronic money storage location in another electronic money storage location in response to a user's request. . In this case, for example, electronic money can be presented from Mr. A to Mr. B.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a system configuration of the present embodiment. The present embodiment is an example of an electronic money issuing system that issues electronic money that can be used when performing electronic commerce between a user and a trader.
This is a system in which each device of a trader and an issuer is connected via a public network or the Internet.

A general telephone 10 and a personal computer 11 are installed on the user side. Of these, general telephone 10
Is a telephone line 41 (for example, an analog telephone line or ISDN
(A line or the like). In addition, the personal computer 11 has a communication line 43 (for example, an analog telephone line, an ISDN line,
Internet 4 via CATV line, dedicated line, etc.)
4 is connected.

A web server 20 is installed on the trading side. The web server 20 is connected to the Internet 44 via a dedicated line 45, and performs electronic commerce on the Internet 44 with the personal computer 11 on the user side. On the issuer side, a response server 30 and an electronic money server 31 are installed. The response server 30 is a small-scale server that is connected to the public network 42 through the contract communication line 46 of the dial Q2 and has a function of automatically answering a call to a predetermined dial Q2 number. Are connected to the Internet 44 via a communication line 47 having a small communication capacity. The electronic money server 31 is a large-scale server having a function of issuing and managing electronic money to a user, and is connected to the Internet 44 via a communication line 48 having a large communication capacity.

It should be noted that the dial Q2 refers to an information charge / collection agency service started by NTT in July 1989. More specifically, when the user makes a call to a 10-digit telephone number starting with the service identification number “0990” of the dial Q2 and receives information from the information provider (in the present embodiment, the issuer), the user NT for information provision
T pays the telephone call fee and the information provision fee, and NTT pays the information provision fee paid by the user (excluding the commission)
Is a service that pays to information providers.

Also, a contract has been signed between the issuer and the trader to be able to conduct electronic commerce using electronic money issued by the issuer. The electronic money storage location is set in the electronic money server 31 in a form associated with the transaction code.

Next, a case where a user conducts electronic commerce with a trader will be described. First, the user connects the personal computer 11 to the Internet 44 via the communication line 43 to the provider, and connects to the web server 2 installed on the transaction side.
Establish communication with the customer and browse the trader's homepage. If you want to purchase items (commodities, information or services that are subject to commercial transactions, the same applies hereinafter) posted on the homepage, you can choose from several payment methods, one of which is Payment by electronic money is selectable, and a description of the payment by electronic money is posted on the homepage.

The explanation is as follows, for example, (1) When a call is made to a predetermined dial Q2 telephone number posted on the homepage, a quiz is given. (2) Regardless of whether the quiz is correct or incorrect. , Each time you make a call, NTT will charge a fixed amount as an information provision fee,
(3) If you answer the quiz correctly, you can get a certain amount (equivalent to the information provision fee of dial Q2) of electronic money. (4) After obtaining the electronic money, enter the ID and password used when issuing the electronic money on the personal computer screen. After confirming the balance of electronic money, withdraw the electronic money of the number of points corresponding to the price of the item,
(5) The item is described as giving an item in exchange for electronic money. In addition, in order to make it easier for the user to obtain the electronic money, the correct answer of the quiz may be posted in an easily viewable position on this homepage.

When the user selects payment by electronic money, the user first obtains electronic money by the following procedure. In the following description, the response server 30 and the electronic money server 31 on the issuer side will be mainly described for convenience.
The response server 30 reads the automatic response program stored in the storage device (not shown) at a predetermined timing and executes the program. FIG. 2 is a flowchart thereof. When this program is started, the response server 30
Determines in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 100 whether or not a call has been made to a predetermined dial Q2 telephone number, and if there is no call (NO in S100),
Terminate this program. On the other hand, if the call is received (YES in S100), that is, the user uses the general telephone 10 to make a telephone call to the predetermined dial Q2 telephone number posted on the trader's homepage via the public network 42. If you do, you will automatically respond to the user by voice and explain the quiz, for example, "If you answer the quiz correctly,
You can get electronic money for points. (S105), and a simple quiz with a correct answer rate close to 100% so that the user can easily acquire electronic money, for example, "What is the capital of Japan? 1 Tokyo 2 Hokkaido 3 Okinawa 3" Is given by voice (S110). Then, the user waits until the user operates the dial of the general telephone 10 to answer, and if the user answers, it is checked whether the answer is correct (S115). In addition,
The response server 30 is such that the general telephone 10 is a DP telephone, a PB
Any of the telephones can be used. When the response server 30 has a voice recognition function, the user may answer by voice.

In S115, if the answer is incorrect (NO in S115), a voice message "Sorry. Incorrect. We will wait for the next use."
0), and then disconnect the telephone (S170) and end this program. On the other hand, if the answer is correct (Y in S115)
ES), a voice indicating that a predetermined number of points of electronic money has been obtained, for example, "Correct answer. XX points have been obtained for electronic money." (S125), and a voice for prompting the user to input an ID. For example, "Set an ID. Operate the dial and enter the telephone number currently in use." (S130), and wait until the user operates the dial of the general telephone 10 and enters the ID. Then, it is checked whether the received ID is appropriate (S1).
35). For example, whether the ID is a telephone number is a predetermined number of digits including the area code, or whether the leading digit is zero, or a telephone that has been notified using a well-known outgoing telephone number notification service A check is made based on whether the numbers match.

If the received ID is inappropriate, a voice prompting the user to input a telephone number as the ID again, for example, "The number cannot be set. Please enter the telephone number currently in use again." (S140) Then, the processing of S135 and subsequent steps is repeated. On the other hand, if the received ID is correct, a voice for letting the user enter the password, for example, "Set a password. Please enter a 4-digit number." The user waits until the password is input by operating the dial 10 and checks whether the received password is appropriate (S150). In S150, for example, “111”
Too simple a code string, such as 1 ",
Code strings that are easily detected by others, such as digits, are excluded as inappropriate passwords.

If the received password is incorrect, the user is notified by voice that another password is to be entered (S155), and then the process from S150 is repeated. On the other hand, if the received password is appropriate, the response server 30 stores the received password in its own storage device (not shown) in association with the previous ID, and
The ID and the password are transmitted to the electronic money server 31 via (S160), and the user is notified by voice that "electronic money has been issued" (S165), and then the telephone is disconnected (S160). (S170), this program ends.

Next, the operation of the electronic money server 31 will be described. The electronic money server 31 reads out the electronic money issuing program stored in the storage device (not shown) at a predetermined timing and executes the program. FIG.
FIG. When the program starts, the electronic money server 31 proceeds to step S200.
It is determined whether or not the ID and the password have been received from the response server 30. If the ID and the password have not been received (NO in S200), the program is terminated, and if the ID and the password have been received (Y in S200).
ES), the combination of the ID and the password is checked (S210).

That is, if the combination of the ID and the password transmitted this time already exists (YES in S210), that is, the electronic money storage location corresponding to the combination is stored in the storage device of the electronic money server 31. If it is set to (not shown), a predetermined number of points of electronic money are issued to the electronic money storage location (S220), and this program ends. When there is a balance of electronic money at the electronic money storage location, a predetermined number of points is added to the balance.

On the other hand, if the combination of the ID and the password transmitted this time does not exist (NO in S210), that is, if the storage location of the electronic money corresponding to the combination is not set in the storage device of electronic money server 31, , S230
To check whether only the IDs already exist. If only the ID already exists (S2
30, YES), in this embodiment, the ID is the general telephone 10
, One of the common users (eg, family) of the general telephone 10 has already set the electronic money storage location, and this time another of the common users sets the electronic money storage location. If you want to
The new password is associated with the new electronic money storage location (S240), a predetermined number of points of electronic money are issued to the new electronic money storage location (S250), and the program ends. By setting the electronic money storage location in a manner dependent on the telephone number (ID) in this manner, there is an advantage that the electronic money can be managed, for example, on a family basis. Also in this case, the electronic money storage location is associated with the ID and the password.

On the other hand, if no ID exists in S230 (NO in S230), that is, if a new ID is transmitted, a new electronic money storage location is associated with the combination of the new ID and password. This is set in the storage device (S260), a predetermined number of points of electronic money are issued to the new electronic money storage location (S250), and this program is terminated.

Through the above series of processing, the user obtains the electronic money at his / her own electronic money storage location (associated with the telephone number as an ID and an arbitrary password) set on the electronic money server 31. It will be done. The user may record the ID and password used when issuing the electronic money, for example, on a memo sheet, or record the ID and password on an electronic recording medium using a personal computer, a word processor, an electronic organizer, etc. in preparation for using the electronic money. It is preferable to do so.

Next, a case where a user who has acquired electronic money as described above purchases an item posted on a trader's homepage will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. On the trader's home page, in addition to a field for selecting a purchase item, a field for inputting an ID and a password for specifying an electronic money storage location is provided. For this reason, the user selects the purchase item and inputs the ID and password used when issuing the electronic money from the keyboard of the personal computer 11 (SQ1) and transmits it to the web server 20 (SQ2).

Then, the web server 20 compares the transmitted ID and password together with the number of electronic money points and the own trader code required for purchasing the item via the Internet 44 and the electronic money. The data is transmitted to the server 31 (SQ3). The electronic money server 31 that has received this checks whether or not the electronic money storage location associated with the ID and the password has been set (SQ4), and if not, transmits an error signal to the web server 20. (SQ5), the web server 20 that has received this transmits an error message to the user's personal computer 11 (SQ6).

On the other hand, if an electronic money storage location associated with the ID and the password has been set, the electronic money server 31 compares the electronic money balance at the storage location with the number of electronic money points required for item purchase. And check the balance (SQ7). If there is a balance, that is, if the former is equal to or greater than the latter, associate the number of electronic money points required for item purchase with the trader code of the trader from the user's electronic money storage location. It moves to the electronic money storage location (SQ8), and transmits a sales permission signal to the web server 20 (SQ9). Then, the web server 20, which has received this, transmits to the user's personal computer 11 that the transaction of the item desired by the user has been established, and delivers the item to the user (SQ10). For example, if the item is electronic data, it is transmitted via the Internet 44, but if the item is a tangible thing such as a book or CD, it is mailed or delivered. On the other hand, if you have no balance,
An error signal is transmitted to the web server 20 (SQ11),
The web server 20 receiving the information is the user's personal computer 1
1 is sent an error message (SQ12).

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Even if the user does not have electronic money when conducting electronic commerce with the trader on the Internet, the user can use the general telephone 10 to dial Q2.
If you call your phone number, you can easily get electronic money. For this reason, there is no need to search for a prepaid card store for electronic money or go to a store to purchase a prepaid card as in the past,
Electronic money can be obtained easily and conveniently as needed.
Also, the electronic money issuance fee is collected by NTT on behalf of the issuer, so that the issuer does not need to collect the issuance fee by himself.

Since the dial Q2 telephone number connected to the issuer's response server 30 is posted on the trader's homepage (advertisement) on the Internet 44 where electronic commerce is performed, when the user wishes to conduct electronic commerce, The telephone number can be easily known, and the electronic money can be obtained easily and conveniently.

The response server 30 of the issuer gives a quiz when automatically responding to the user's general telephone 10, so that the user can answer the quiz like a game, and can acquire electronic money while having fun. . When the automatic response process and the electronic money issuance management process are compared, the amount of information to be processed at the same time is different. Therefore, by installing the response server 30 and the electronic money server 31 separately on the issuer side, the system design is easy are doing.

Since the user's electronic money is issued to the electronic money storage location associated with the ID and the password (personal identification code), each person's electronic money can be managed individually. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the system configuration of the present embodiment. The present embodiment is also an example of an electronic money issuing system that issues electronic money that can be used when performing electronic commerce between a user and a trader.
This is a system in which each device of a trader and an issuer is connected via a public network or the Internet.

The present embodiment differs from the embodiment in that the response server 30 is not connected to the Internet 44, and that the response server 30 and the electronic money server 31 have databases 30a and 31a having the same contents regarding the electronic money issuing code. The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The databases 30a and 31a are a database in which the relationship between the electronic money issuing code and the date on which the code is assigned (referred to as a grant date) is a database. Specifically, for example, "00001" to "10000" ○ Electronic money issuance code group given on the 1st of the month, from “10001”
"20000" is related to the electronic money issuing code group given on the 2nd month.

In this embodiment, when the user conducts electronic commerce with the trader on the Internet 44, the only difference from the first embodiment is the procedure for issuing electronic money. Will be described. The response server 30 has a storage device (not shown) for each predetermined timing.
And reads out the automatic response program stored in the program and executes the program. FIG. 6 is a flowchart thereof.
When this program is started, the response server 30 executes S300 to S120 similar to S100 to S120 of the first embodiment.
Execute 320. Then, in S315, if the answer is correct (YES in S315), a voice indicating that a predetermined number of points of electronic money has been obtained, for example, "Correct answer. マ ネ ー points of electronic money have been obtained."
5). Then, the user is notified that the electronic money issuance code is to be announced, for example, a voice is played, "Announce the electronic money issuance code. Please prepare paper and pencil."
0), after waiting for a while to prepare a paper and a pencil, a voice for reading out the electronic money issuing code, for example, “The electronic money issuing code is“ OOOOO ”is played (S33).
5). In this step S335, the response server 30 picks up one code from the electronic money issuing code group corresponding to the day, referring to the database 30a, and notifies the user by voice. Thereafter, the electronic money issuing code notified this time is set as used (S34).
0), the telephone is disconnected (S345), and this program ends.

Next, the operation of the electronic money server 31 will be described. The electronic money server 31 reads out the electronic money issuing program stored in the storage device (not shown) at a predetermined timing and executes the program. FIG.
FIG. When the program starts, the electronic money server 31 proceeds to step S400.
It is determined whether the electronic money issuing code, the grant date, the ID, and the password have been received from the personal computer 11 or the web server 20. Here, in the case of being transmitted from the personal computer 11, the user connects to the electronic money server 31 via the Internet 44 using the personal computer 11,
This is the case where the electronic money issuing code, the grant date, the ID, and the password are transmitted. Also, the web server 20
Is sent from the PC 1
1 via the Internet 44 using the trader's web
After connecting to the server 20 and transmitting the electronic money issuing code, the grant date, the ID and the password to the web server 20, the web server 20 transfers them to the electronic money server 31.

If the electronic money issuing code or the like has not been received in S400 (NO in S400), this program is terminated. On the other hand, if received (Y in S400)
ES), check the electronic money issuing code (S41)
0). That is, it is checked whether or not the electronic money issuance code exists in the electronic money issuance code group corresponding to the grant date, and whether or not the electronic money issuance code is used even if it exists. If the received electronic money issuance code is incorrect, that is, if the electronic money issuance code does not exist in the group corresponding to the grant date or is used even if it exists, the personal computer 11 or the web server 20 is used.
An error message or an error signal is transmitted to the
0), end this program. It should be noted that the web server 20 receives the error signal and then sends the user's personal computer 11
Send an error message to. On the other hand, if the received electronic money issuance code is appropriate, that is, if the electronic money issuance code exists in the group corresponding to the grant date and is not used, the received ID and password are checked (S43).
0). Note that the check of the ID and the password has already been described in S135 and S150 of the first embodiment, and thus the details are omitted.

If any one of the ID and the password is invalid in S430, an error message or an error signal is transmitted to the personal computer 11 or the web server 20 (S4).
20), end this program. It should be noted that the web server 20 receives the error signal and then receives the user's personal computer 1.
Send an error message to 1. On the other hand, at S430, I
If both D and the password are appropriate, S440-S4
90 is executed. Steps S440 to S490 are the same as steps S210 to S260 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. And S450 or S4
After issuing the electronic money at 80, the issued code is set as used (S500), and the program ends. After S500, an electronic money issuance completion message or an electronic money issuance completion signal may be transmitted to the transmission source (the personal computer 11 or the web server 20) such as the electronic money issuance code.

Through the above series of processing, the user obtains electronic money at his / her own electronic money storage location (associated with a telephone number as an ID and an arbitrary password) set on the electronic money server 31. It will be done. Next, a case in which the user who has acquired the electronic money as described above purchases an item posted on the trader's homepage is the same as in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). ), And the description is omitted.

According to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment, that is, the above-mentioned effects (1) to (4) can be obtained. When the user obtains electronic money for the first time, the user may perform an operation of setting his / her own electronic money storage location in the electronic money server. That is, when the user transmits the ID and password to the electronic money server 31 directly from the personal computer 11 or via the web server 20, the electronic money server 31 that has received the ID checks the ID and password (the check has already been performed). If it is inappropriate, an error is transmitted, and if it is appropriate, a new electronic money storage location associated with the new ID and new password is set. In this case, since the electronic money server 31 has not received the electronic money issuing code, only the electronic money storage location is set for the time being. Thereafter, the user has the electronic money issued at the electronic money storage location.

Further, as the electronic money issuance code, a timed issuance code which is set so that the electronic money is not issued one day after being given may be adopted. For example, the timed issuance code is 6 digits "A" to "N"
If it is composed of a combination of 45 hiragana characters, the total number of combinations is more than 8.3 billion. If 50,000 six-digit timed issue codes are given per day, the probability of a hacker hitting a random timed issue code and hitting it would be about 1 / 160,000. Since the issue code is updated, the probability of hitting the next day is the same. For this reason, the theft of the issued code by a hacker can be effectively prevented.

Further, the case where the electronic money server 31 receives from the web server 20 in S400 of the flowchart of FIG. 7 may be the case where the user purchases an item posted on the trader's homepage.
In other words, the user may have the electronic money server 31 issue the electronic money and perform the electronic commerce at the same time.
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram at that time. On the trader's homepage, in addition to a column for selecting a purchase item, a column for inputting an electronic money issuing code, its grant date, ID, and password is provided, so that the user selects a purchase item, The electronic money issuing code, its grant date, ID, and password are entered from the keyboard of the personal computer 11 (SQ21) and transmitted to the web server 20 (SQ22). Then, the web server 20 stores the electronic money issuing code, the grant date, the ID, and the password,
The item is transmitted to the electronic money server 31 together with the number of points of the electronic money necessary for purchasing the item and its own trader code (SQ23). Then, the electronic money server 31 executes the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 7 described above, and issues a predetermined number of points of electronic money to the electronic money storage location associated with the user's ID and password (SQ24). The subsequent sequence is the same as that after SQ7 in FIG.

Further, the electronic money issuing code may be regarded as also serving as the ID, and the ID may be omitted. However, in this case, a new electronic money storage location is set each time the electronic money issuance code is issued, so that one user has multiple electronic money storage locations. It is preferable to be able to integrate into one electronic money storage location.

[Modifications of Each of the Above Embodiments] In each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which a user conducts electronic commerce with a trader on the Internet 44 by using the personal computer 11, but any device that can be connected to the Internet 44. If
In particular, it can be used without being limited to the personal computer 11. For example, electronic commerce may be carried out with a trader on the Internet 44 by a mobile phone using the i-mode (trade name) performed by NTT DOCOMO.

In the first embodiment, the response server 30 on the issuer side and the electronic money server 31 are connected via the Internet 44. Any connection is possible as long as the connection is made in a state where communication is possible from the server 30 to the electronic money server 31.

In each of the above embodiments, the dial Q2
Is used to issue electronic money, but it is not always necessary to use a contract communication line, such as dial Q2, connected between the issuer and the agent collection agent. For example, by using a public line telephone number signed between the issuer and the user, a contract for the user to pay the electronic money issue fee when the issuer issues the electronic money to the user. Alternatively, a telephone line number of a public line in which a contract for the advertisement client to pay the electronic money issue fee is made between the publisher and the advertisement client may be used. In the latter case, the user enters the telephone number 03-
When a call is made to XXXXXX-XXXXXX, the response server automatically responds to the request and plays the advertisement of the advertisement client by voice. After the completion of the advertisement, the electronic money server notifies the user of the electronic money. May be issued. At this time, examples of the advertisement include, for example, when the advertisement client is a record company, playing a new song of the singer to which the singer belongs, or giving a quiz to a new singer, but the present invention is not limited to this. . The advertisement client may be a different person from the trader, or may be a trader. Further, the user or the advertisement client pays the electronic money issuance fee by bank transfer (or may use internet banking). Further, a part of the electronic money issuance fee may be borne by the advertisement client, and the rest may be borne by the user. Furthermore, even in the case of issuing electronic money using the dial Q2, the publisher enters into an advertising contract with an advertisement client and, when a call is received, the response server 30.
May automatically respond to the advertisement of the advertisement client as described above.

In addition, a banner advertisement of the advertisement client is displayed on the home page of the trader, and when the banner advertisement is clicked, the home page of the advertisement client opens, and the user enters the dial Q2 telephone number posted on the home page. When a call is made using the general telephone 10, the response server 3
0 may automatically respond to the advertisement of the advertisement client by voice. In this case,
There are three types of advertisements: banner advertisement, own homepage, and audio advertisement. Usually, the advertiser pays the advertisement fee to the publisher. You may cover all or part of the electronic money issuance fee. Then, since the user's financial burden is reduced, the use of electronic money is promoted. Alternatively, the issuer collects a commission from the trader and authorizes the trader to use electronic money, but the commission may be set lower in consideration of the advertising fee received from the ad client. In this case, since the financial burden on the trader is reduced, the number of traders who sign a license agreement for electronic money increases.

In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the electronic money server 31 determines that the combination of the ID and password received this time in S210 is not existing (N in S210).
O), the process may be simplified, a new electronic money storage location associated with the new combination may be set as shown in FIG. 9 (S221), and a predetermined number of points of electronic money may be issued there. (S222). This point corresponds to S44 in FIG.
The same applies when a negative determination is made with 0.

In general, since the user rarely forgets his or her own telephone number, if the telephone number of the general telephone 10 is used as the ID as in the above embodiment, even if the user forgets the password, the ID, You can search for a password by phone number. For example, the issuer may provide a service in which when a user inquires about his / her own password, the password is retrieved from the ID and notified to the user's telephone.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described where a fixed number of points of electronic money can be obtained when a user makes a call to the dial Q2 telephone number (that is, a fixed rate system). A pay-as-you-go system in which the number increases may be adopted. In the above embodiment, the response server 30 and the electronic money server 31 are separated from each other, but they may be combined into one server. Also,
Instead of using the ID and the password in the above embodiment, the user may be identified by the voice of the user (for example, the voiceprint of the user), and the electronic money storage location corresponding to the voice may be set.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electronic money server 31 may issue electronic money for which the expiration date is set. For example, the issued electronic money expires in one month from the issue date. In this case, electronic commerce is activated in order for the user to use up the electronic money before the expiration date.

When the user calls the dial Q2 telephone number from the general telephone 10, the response server 30 uses the telephone number notified by the well-known calling telephone number notification service before automatically answering. May be automatically recorded (registered) as the person's ID. This eliminates the need for the user to input an ID from the general telephone 10 in the first embodiment. At this time, if the user has previously set the electronic money storage location associated with the ID (telephone number) and the password in the electronic money server 31, then the general telephone 10 is used to dial the Q2 telephone number. Even when the user does not enter an ID and password when making a telephone call to obtain electronic money, the electronic money server 31 stores the electronic money in the electronic money storage place (regardless of the password) associated with the ID received from the response server 30. Money may be issued. However,
When using electronic money stored in the electronic money storage location, both an ID and a password are required.
In consideration of security, when a user sets an electronic money storage location in advance, it is preferable to issue electronic money only when the user dials the dial Q2 telephone number within a predetermined time after the setting. Note that the response server 30 may not automatically answer when the user has set the outgoing telephone number notification, and when the user has set the outgoing telephone number notification, the response server 30 may use the ID ( (Phone number) may be notified by voice.

As a method of using the electronic money issued as described above (or electronic money issued in another procedure), when paying a game, clearing a stage, updating game data, elapse of a predetermined time, time-out, etc. When the game starts, the personal computer 11 automatically transmits the ID and password input from the personal computer 11 to the web server 20 when the game is started, and the game fee is electronic money. You may make it settle. In addition to the automatic transmission by the personal computer 11 to the web server 20, for example, when the user
The personal computer 11 may transmit to the web server 20 when a simple operation or selection such as one click is performed from 1.

A specific example will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. First, a user sends a trader's w
When requesting the pay game list from the eb server 20, (SQ
50), the web server 20 transmits the pay game list to the personal computer 11 (SQ51). And the personal computer 11
Requesting a competitive game (for example, a competitive mahjong game with 100 points for 6 hours and 100 points) that can be played for a predetermined time with electronic money having a predetermined number of points (SQ52), the web server 20
The electronic money ID / password input form is transmitted to the personal computer 11 (SQ53). Then, the user inputs the ID and the password in this input form on the personal computer 11 and transmits it to the web server 20 (SQ54). At this time, the personal computer 11 saves the ID and password in the memory (SQ55).

The web server 20, which has received the ID / password, transmits its own trader code and the number of charging points (here, 100 points) to the electronic money server 31 together with the ID / password (SQ56). Then, the electronic money server 31 transfers the electronic money of the number of charging points from the electronic money storage location associated with the ID / password to the electronic money storage location associated with the transaction code (SQ57), and transmits a sales permission signal. It is transmitted to the web server 20 (SQ58).

Web server 20 that has received the sales permission signal
Transmits the battle game to the personal computer 11 (SQ59),
The time at that time and the scheduled end time are recorded (SQ60).
On the other hand, the user starts the battle game on the personal computer 11,
The timer counter is started (SQ61). afterwards,
When a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when one battle game is completed, during battle data communication, or when the game is temporarily stopped after a certain period of time), the PC 11 sends an update request signal to the web server 20. Is automatically transmitted to (SQ62).

Web server 20 that has received the update request signal
Checks the time at that time (SQ63), and if a predetermined time has not elapsed, transmits an update permission signal to the personal computer 11 (SQ64), and upon receiving this, the personal computer 11 restarts the competitive game (SQ65). On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, a game end signal is transmitted to the personal computer 11 (SQ6).
6). Then, the personal computer 11 displays a game continuation selection screen (SQ67), and when the user clicks on this, the ID / password in the memory is automatically transmitted to the web server 20 (SQ68). Then, SQ56
After passing through SQ69 to SQ71 similar to the steps ５８58 to ５８58, the web server 20 which has received the sales permission signal transmits an update permission signal to the personal computer 11 (SQ72), and records the time (SQ73). Then, the personal computer 11 having received the update permission signal restarts the battle game and updates (restarts) the timer counter (SQ74). After that, the processes after SQ62 are repeated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an automatic response program according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an electronic money issuing program according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the electronic commerce of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an automatic response program according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an electronic money issuing program according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram in a case where electronic commerce is performed simultaneously with issuance of electronic money according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another process of the electronic money server.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating one method of using electronic money.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... General telephone, 11 ... PC, 20 ...
Web server, 30 Response server, 31 Electronic money server, 41 Telephone line, 42 Public network, 43 Communication line, 44 Internet
45: dedicated line, 46: contract communication line, 47, 4
8 Communication line.

Claims (11)

[Claims] Claims: 1. An electronic money issuing system for issuing electronic money that can be used when conducting electronic commerce between a user and a trader, wherein the electronic money issuer issues electronic money to the user. If a contract is made by the agency collection agent to collect the electronic money issue fee from the user on behalf of the user, and a call is made from the user's communication device to the telephone number of the contract communication line signed between the issuer and the agency collection agent An electronic money issuing system wherein the issuer communication device automatically issues electronic money to the user in response thereto. 2. An electronic money issuing system for issuing electronic money that can be used when conducting electronic commerce between a user and a trader, wherein the electronic money issuer issues electronic money to the user. When a contract is made by the user or the advertising client to pay the electronic money issuance fee, and a call is made from the communication device on the user side to the telephone number of the public line established between the issuer and the user or the advertising client. An electronic money issuing system wherein the issuer communication device automatically issues electronic money to the user in response thereto. 3. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 1, wherein the telephone number is included in an advertisement on a communication network where electronic commerce is performed. 4. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 1, wherein the issuer-side communication device, when automatically responding to the user-side communication device, transmits contents related to the advertisement requester. An electronic money issuing system, wherein the electronic money is issued to the user-side communication device. 5. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 1, wherein the issuer-side communication device responds to the user-side communication device by automatically giving a quiz to the user-side communication device. An electronic money issuing system for issuing electronic money to the user when a correct answer to the quiz is obtained from the user-side communication device thereafter. 6. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 1, wherein the issuer-side communication device automatically responds to the user-side communication device and an electronic money issuing device. A response server automatically responds to a call to the telephone number from the user side communication device, and thereafter, the electronic money server issues and manages electronic money to the user. An electronic money issuing system, characterized in that: 7. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 1, wherein when the user communication device calls the telephone number, the issuer communication device automatically responds to the call. The user is urged to notify the personal identification code. After that, when the user communication device notifies the issuer communication device of the personal identification code, the issuer communication device transmits the personal identification code. Issue the user's electronic money to the electronic money storage location associated with, or, when the user-side communication device calls the telephone number, the issuer-side communication device automatically answers the An electronic money issuing system, wherein a personal identification code is given to a user, and the electronic money of the user is issued to an electronic money storage location associated with the personal identification code. 8. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 1, wherein when the user communication device calls the telephone number, the issuer communication device automatically responds to the call. Notify the predetermined communication code to the user side communication device, then,
When an issue code is transmitted from the user to the issuer communication device via a communication network in which electronic commerce is performed, the issuer communication device transmits the issued issue code to the predetermined issue code. An electronic money issuance system characterized in that it is determined whether or not they match, and if they match, electronic money is issued to the user. 9. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 8, wherein, when an issue code is transmitted from the user to the issuer side communication device together with a personal identification code via a communication network in which electronic commerce is performed, The issuer-side communication device determines whether or not the transmitted issue code matches the predetermined issue code, and if so, stores the user in the electronic money storage location associated with the personal identification code. An electronic money issuing system for issuing electronic money. 10. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined issuance code is set so that no electronic money is issued when a predetermined period elapses after the issuance of the issuance code. An electronic money issuing system characterized by a timed issuance code. 11. The electronic money issuing system according to claim 1, wherein the issuer-side communication device issues electronic money having an expiration date set. system.