JP2002222376A - System and method for settling small amount of online electronic credit, and program recording medium for the system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a payment commission is more expensive than purchased merchandise on the contrary in the case of distributing digital information such as music distribution and a photograph the unit prices of which are expensive, e.g. in the case of settlement with a credit or a prepared card in the case of purchasing the merchandise expensive to some degree as WEB cashing on a conventional online. SOLUTION: In the system and method for the small amount settlement of online electronic credit, a creditable person is registered as a member in advance, a small-amount electronic money is given in advance after receiving a request from the member, and the transaction number of each time is given to give both of a client and an information provider with respect to a request for downloading of digital information displayed on the WEB screen of a manger. In this case, the side of an online shop being the information provider is informed of only the transaction number, thereby protecting personal information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a billing system in which a client who has been credit-checked in advance can download digital information online using a small amount of credit.
If it is within the amount you have without debiting each time,
Orders can be made many times within the electronic money limit received from the operator, and the account is debited at a certain amount, while the digital information provider does not have to notify the client ID number etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new online electronic credit small-payment system and a payment method thereof capable of concealing a client's personal number by notifying only a number, and a program recording medium for the online electronic credit small-payment system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of Internet communication, digital information such as music distribution, photographs, map information, and the like can be obtained at a computer terminal. In this case, when obtaining such information, a prepaid They pay for usage by purchasing a card and obtaining information within that limit, or by paying with a credit registered with the provider company that uses it.

As a charging means on the Internet as described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-27036 "Internet Timed Usage Charging System" includes a terminal server that provides a client with a connection service with the Internet,
An authentication server configured to check whether or not the Internet can be connected based on individual information input from a client, and an authentication database that is linked to the authentication server and includes individual information of each client and a connection frequency indicating a preset available time. And a billing server that calculates the connection fee according to the connection usage time of each client and updates the connection count continuously, and connects only until the connection count managed by the extended authentication database becomes less than 0 It discloses a technology for providing a service and shows that a prepaid card can be purchased in advance and information can be obtained within the limit.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-243118, "Credit Payment Method on Wide Area Computer Network, Terminal and Program Recording Medium", accesses a WWW server on the Internet from a computer terminal, browses a browser, and obtains paid information. When you access the page you want, you know the phone number in that page, dial that phone number with that phone, connect to the server's billing server,
The credit number of the user is input by the B signal, the credit server is referred to the credit center at the charging server, and when the credit center is notified that the credit number is correct, a password is issued, the server is connected to the server, and the password is input. A technique for transmitting information from a server to a computer terminal if the inquiry is correct is disclosed, and a usage fee is paid by settingtle the account with a credit registered with a provider company to be used.

On the other hand, in recent years, the use of i-mode mobile phones has rapidly spread among young people, and in particular digital distribution such as music distribution and map information has been received at low prices. In this case, since the mobile phone company collects the used information fee together with the call fee, there is an advantage that the information provider company can easily collect the information service fee. Because the system pays the percentage of the fee to the collection company as a commission, digital information such as music distribution with a low unit price has not gained much profit.

[0006]

As described above, the conventional Internet communication billing means is to use a fixed amount of prepaid to obtain information within the limit or to expect a certain usage fee. Has been registered in advance by credit payment so that there is no omission of collection, but once a digital information is sent in units of 100 yen or 10 yen, the management fee for the store is 15% It was difficult to say that it was an inexpensive payment method because it had to be paid before and after.

In a system for confirming the identity of a client by transmitting the credit number of the client together with the ID number and password of the client,
Exploitation by third parties who saw these communication data also began to occur, and requests for confidentiality of the disclosure of some personal data were made to the management organization that mediates between the client and the information provider. However, as a countermeasure, there is a problem that an expensive dedicated device must be separately prepared in order to confirm personal data.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive research to solve the above-mentioned problems. As a result, when obtaining small amount distribution information such as music distribution and photograph information using the Internet communication, the present inventors have conducted a preliminary operation. Gives a certain amount of electronic money to the client who passed the credit check of the person, allows digital information to be downloaded within that range, notifies the information provider only the transaction number given to the client, A new system has been developed that can transmit the digital information when the transaction number matches the transaction number of the acquisition request.

That is, a first aspect of the present invention is a system for distributing digital information to a client by Internet communication, a credit means for examining a client credit using credit in advance, an ID number assigned to a client that has passed the credit, and Registration means for registering a password, product registration means for registering stores and products available to clients, issuing means for issuing electronic money in response to a password purchase application for an order from a client, and use of a password from a client Balance checking means for checking the balance of the application, reference management means for checking the transaction number and amount according to the order form from the client, notification of password usage, withdrawal notification or Issue fund transfer notice And notification management means, it is an online electronic credit micropayment system which is characterized in consisting.

A second aspect of the present invention is a method of distributing digital information to a client through Internet communication, wherein a first step of crediting a credit user in the Internet is provided, and an ID number is assigned to the client that has passed the credit. A second step, a third step of registering stores and products available to the client on the homepage, a fourth step of issuing electronic money as a password in response to a password purchase application for an order from the client, and a client The fifth step of checking the balance for the password use application from the client, the sixth step of checking the transaction number and the amount of money in accordance with the order form from the client, the notification of the use of the password according to the usage of the client, Debit notification or direct debit And the seventh step of issuing a knowledge, it is the online electronic credit micropayment system which is characterized in consisting.

A third aspect of the present invention is a system for distributing digital information to a client by Internet communication, a credit function for examining a client credit using credit in advance, an ID number and a password assigned to a client that has passed the credit. A registration function for registering
A product registration function for registering stores and products that can be used by clients, an issue function for issuing electronic money in response to a password purchase application for an order from a client, and a balance check for a password use application from a client Balance check function, Inquiry management function that performs transaction number inquiry and amount inquiry according to the order form from the client, Notification management that issues password use notification, debit notification or fund transfer notification according to the client's usage status A program recording medium for an online electronic credit small payment system, which causes a program having functions to be executed by the online electronic credit small payment system.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the system of the present invention. In the operator's data center 4, the operator's computer 14 has a credit function for investigating the credit of the client, a registration function for registering the ID number and password given to the client who has passed the credit, and a store that can use the client. Product registration function for registering products and products handled, issuance function for issuing electronic money in response to a password purchase application for an order from a client,
A balance check function to check the balance of the application for using the password from the client, an inquiry management function to check the transaction number and the amount according to the order form from the client, and a notification of the use of the password according to the usage of the client And a program having a notification management function for issuing a debit notification or a fund transfer notification, and accumulates such information in a database server 8 linked to the computer.

The structure of the present system is as follows. Digital information requested by the client is selected on the Web screen 6 of the operator accessed through the Internet communication 2 from the computer terminals 100 to 102 of the client, and the site is moved to the target site to be linked. Then, necessary information is selected and the digital information is downloaded to the computer terminal of the client. In this case, the procedure up to downloading corresponds to the flow chart shown in FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG.
On the EB screen, the client receives an application for Webcaching electronic credit from the client, and performs a credit check as to whether or not to give credit for using the Internet (first step). In this case, the client applies for membership confirmation as a member application. In addition to receiving documents on the WEB screen, after receiving the documents by fax or e-mail, the membership may be certified based on the credit information held by the operator.

[0015] To the member who has been approved for credit, after the conclusion of the credit contract, the ID number of the client created with a number that is difficult to analogize is sent, and a bank transfer transfer request form is sent back from the client itself. Then, necessary items are stored in the company's database 6 (second step).

On the other hand, in order to open an online store that participates in the present system, an information provider is called upon, and an application for using the online store of the provider who wants to participate is examined, and the information provider who has been qualified is identified as an online store 30. -3
2 and registered together with the content information of the store, and set so as to be accessible from the operator's Web screen 13 as shown in FIG. 4 (third step).

Next, an application to purchase a WebCashing point is received as an application to use a password for ordering music distribution or the like from a client who has accessed the Web screen. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, as shown in FIGS. Electronic money equivalent to a purchase ticket of 2,000 yen was made by purchasing a Webcasing point, the point was issued online, and the payment was made by credit after a certain period (fourth step).

In response to the application for using the Webcaching point which is an application for using the password from the client, the operator checks the balance of the electronic money which is the Webcaching point of the client, and notifies the client of the balance and the validity period (fifth step). But,
The purpose of this is to allow the client to grasp the information of the balance and the validity period because the electronic money can be transferred to a third party.

A transaction number is issued in accordance with the order from the client whose balance and validity period have been confirmed. The transaction time is, for example, limited to 12 hours or less in order to prevent the involvement of a third party. It is also possible to use a one-time password method that gives a transaction number for each transaction, and to use the information provider who received the transaction numbered order form from the client for the transaction number inquiry and the amount inquiry. On the other hand, authentication of the operator is given (sixth step). In this case, the information provider is informed only of the transaction number in the order data from the client as shown in FIG. Personal information such as an ID number and a password cannot be confirmed.

The information provider who has obtained the approval of the operator sends an order decision notice and an order thanks notice to the client, and submits an order report and payment request to the operator. Operator is the client Web
Withdraws the balance of electronic money, which is a cashing point, and sends a password, Webc, to the client
The necessary information such as notice of use of ashing points, withdrawal notice, account transfer, etc. is reported, while the information provider is notified of the notice of payment details, designated bank account transfer, etc. (seventh step).

The digital information to be used in the system of the present invention is relatively inexpensive and frequently used, such as music information, digital photographs, map information, newspaper information, etc., in a unit of 10 yen to 1000 yen per delivery. High digital information is more preferred.

Further, in the computer 14 of the operator, in addition to marketing management for managing the purchase history and sales data of the member, member registration for registering the member, registration and management of corporations and individuals providing information, and Management of ID number issuance and use management, transaction number issuance and use management to recognize the use of members, account management and transfer performance management,
It manages support systems for membership qualification surveys.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0024]

[Example 1] A credit handling company, Company A, provides a digital information distribution system in order to start handling digital information on the Internet communication for members, mainly members of the company, in addition to its own credit business. Was developed.

In order to certify the membership of the client, first, in addition to the member who is the subject of the credit business, an application for an individual who wishes to distribute music or digital photos by Internet communication is received, and the credit function of the company is established. Based on the membership qualification, the individual who has been qualified is registered as a member (first step), and the authorized person is given a document for identity verification, or a credit contract for purchasing electronic money which is a 2,000 yen Web Cashing point You can accept the documents on the WEB screen or send the documents by fax or mail,
Assign a personal ID number to the confirmed subject
An e-mail was sent (second step), and then a bank account transfer request was sent to the confirmed member, waiting for its return, and upon receipt, registration processing was performed at the relevant bank.

On the other hand, information providers who participate in the system and distribute digital information are recruited and sales activities are conducted, and five music distributors and 50 individual musicians, two digital photograph distributors and With the participation of 30 individuals, two map information providers and five newspaper information providers, their Web
A virtual store was set up on the screen, and registration notices and CGI logos were provided to participating companies and individuals (third step).

Member B, which is a client, accesses the homepage 13 of Company A from the computer terminal 100 at home, opens the Web screens shown in FIGS. Decided to download their favorite classical music and gave the operator a Webcasing point of 20
An application was made on the Web screen to be able to issue electronic money of 00 yen, and Webcashing points were issued (fourth step).

In response to the application for the use of the Webcasing points from the member B, the operator operates the member B's Webcasing point.
The balance of the electronic money, which is a hing point, is checked, and the balance and the validity period are notified to the member B (fifth step). This is because the electronic money can be transferred to a third party. The period information was notified.

A transaction number is issued according to the order form from the member B who has confirmed the balance and the validity period. The transaction time is limited to six hours to prevent the involvement of a third party. The music distribution company C30, which has transmitted the specified electronic money and received the order number with the transaction number for 1,000 songs of a singer's song of 1,000 yen from the member B, makes a transaction number inquiry and an amount inquiry to the company A. Company A was again certified (Sixth step).

A music distributor C30 with the approval of the operator
Sends an order decision notice and an order thank-you notice to Member B, and submits an order report and payment request to Company A. Company A, which receives this notice, sends the Member B's Webcass
Withdraw the balance of electronic money, which is a wing point,
The member B100 is notified of necessary information such as a password use notification, a withdrawal notification, a fund transfer, and the like.
For 0, a notice of payment details and a designated bank account transfer were notified (seventh step).

[0031]

According to the system of the present invention, the distribution of digital information that would otherwise increase the handling fee by treating it as a credit because the unit of the handling amount is small in the prior art is limited by the credit company's credit. Can be used multiple times,
Since the payment can be made within the limited amount of the given electronic money, there is an effect that generation of a fee can be suppressed.

Further, between the client and the information provider, the client's personal ID number and Web
There is no notification of personal information such as the limit of electronic money, which is a g point, and this has an excellent effect in preventing unauthorized use by a third party.

As a provider of digital information to the present system, not only major music and photo providers, but also individuals who create music or publish photo albums as online providers Can provide a significant amount of information with the support of the client, providing the step of finding newcomers without having to debut in the industry without having an office as before. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of communication between the systems of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a Web screen of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a Web screen of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a Web screen of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a Web screen of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a Web screen of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a Web screen of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a Web screen of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a Web screen of the system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100-102 Client computer 2 Internet communication network 30-32 Online store 4 Data center 5・ ・ ・ Router 6 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Web server 7 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Fire wall 8 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Database server 9 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・Mail server 10 ... Member database 11 ... Store database 12 ... Password / transaction number database 13 ... Web screen items 14 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Computer computer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yukio Itakura Japan Techno Lab Co., Ltd. 10-6 Odenmacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A system for distributing digital information to a client by Internet communication, a crediting means for examining a client credit using a credit in advance, and a registering means for registering an ID number and a password assigned to the client who has passed the credit. And product registration means for registering stores and products that can be used by clients, issuing means for issuing electronic money for password purchase applications for orders from clients, and balance checking for password use applications from clients Checking means for checking the transaction number and amount according to the order form from the client, and issuing a password use notice, withdrawal notice or fund transfer notice according to the client's usage status Notification management means; Online electronic credit micropayment system, characterized in that the Ranaru. 2. A method for distributing digital information to a client by Internet communication, wherein a first step of crediting a credit user in using the Internet, a second step of assigning an ID number to the client who has passed the credit, The third step of registering stores and products that can be used by the client on the website, the fourth step of issuing electronic money as a password in response to a password purchase application for an order from the client, and the use of a password by the client The fifth step of checking the balance for the client, the sixth step of checking the transaction number and the amount according to the order form from the client, and the notification of the use of the password, the notification of the debit or the account according to the usage of the client Issue transfer notice A seventh step, comprising: an online electronic credit small-value settlement system, comprising: 3. A system for distributing digital information to a client by Internet communication, wherein a credit function for examining a client credit using a credit in advance and a registration function for registering an ID number and a password assigned to a client who has passed the credit. And a product registration function that registers stores and products that can be used by clients, an issue function that issues electronic money in response to a password purchase application for an order from a client, and a balance check for a password use application from a client Checking function to check the transaction number and the amount of money according to the order form from the client, and issuing a password use notification, debit notification or fund transfer notification according to the client's usage status Notification management function An online electronic credit small payment system program recording medium, which causes a program to be executed by an online electronic credit small payment system.