JP2004192437A - Settlement service method, settlement system, computer program and program storage medium regarding electronic commerce - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make credit card settlement available for every type of electronic commerce. <P>SOLUTION: This settlement service method regarding electronic commerce includes a step for acquiring content information of the electronic commerce, card settlement information of a purchaser and reception account information of a seller, a step for inquiring credit on the basis of the card settlement information via a credit inquiry system, a step for acquiring acceptance/rejection information of credit granting to a credit card of the purchaser, a settlement execution notifying step for notifying settlement execution to a www server where the electronic commerce is dealt when acquiring the credit, a step for requesting an electronic banking business system of remittance of merchandise price to the reception account of the seller from a predetermined account when acquiring the credit, and a card settlement step for requesting credit card settlement of the merchandise price with a predetermined account as a transfer destination via an online credit inquiry system when acquiring the credit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a service method for substituting buyer and seller settlement procedures in electronic commerce such as an online store or an online auction via a web page.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, business transactions (electronic commerce) via the Internet have been actively performed. As a place for electronic commerce, there are a website corresponding to a store (electronic store) and a website (auction site) that mediates auction transactions between exhibitors and bidders.
[0003]
By the way, as a settlement method in electronic commerce, it is common that a buyer goes to a financial institution such as bank transfer or postal transfer and transfers cash directly to an account designated by the seller. However, the conventional settlement method requires time and troublesome work for the buyer to go to the financial institution and transfer work at the counter or ATM. There is also a problem that even if the payment price cannot be prepared immediately in cash, it cannot even be purchased. On the other hand, sellers must notify buyers of highly confidential information such as their account numbers. Regardless of whether the seller is a store or not, if it is an individual auctioneer, there is great resistance to disclosing such information to strangers.
[0004]
If the seller is a credit card member store and is an electronic store management operator, the successful bidder can request payment by credit card from this Web site. For example, an online store and a well-known online credit inquiry system such as CAFIS (registered trademark) are linked via a data transfer system such as C-HAS, and the credit inquiry number entered on the web page by the successful bidder is given as a credit inquiry system. And credit inquiry and credit card settlement can be performed in real time (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
[0005]
In the case of credit card settlement, the buyer does not have to rush to a financial institution to perform complicated transfer work, and even if there is no cash at hand, the buyer only needs to have the required balance in the debit account at the predetermined date. The seller can collect the sales price without knowing the account number.
[0006]
[Non-Patent Document 1]
Nikkei Digital Money System, “All about Digital Money”,
October 1997, p61-p67
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order for a buyer to use credit card payment, the seller needs to be registered with a credit card company as a credit card member store. To become a member store, various expenses and capital investment are required. A fee is also charged for each transaction. In order to provide a payment service using the above-described Web page, the seller needs to set up a Web site of an electronic store. Accordingly, the present situation is that credit card settlement is not possible in electronic commerce between individuals or between an individual and a non-credit card store.
[0008]
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a payment service method in which a credit card can be used for payment regardless of the form of electronic commerce.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a WWW server that establishes an electronic commerce website, an online credit inquiry system of a credit card company, and a computer system that cooperates with an electronic banking system of a financial institution. Acquiring via the WWW server the content information of the transaction, the card payment information required when the buyer pays for the product with a credit card, and the receiving account information of the seller to which the price is transferred; Credit inquiry based on card settlement information is performed via the online credit inquiry system, and a credit inquiry step for obtaining credit grantability information for a buyer's credit card is obtained, and information indicating credit is obtained by the credit inquiry step. If so, the WWW server is notified of the payment fulfillment. Remittance request for requesting to transfer the product price from a predetermined account to the seller's receiving account to the financial institution's electronic banking system once the information of credit grant is obtained by the performance notification step and the credit inquiry step And a credit card settlement step for requesting a credit card settlement of a product price with a predetermined account as a transfer destination via the online credit query system, if the information of credit grant is acquired by the credit query step. It is a payment service method for the price related to the electronic commerce to be executed.
[0010]
Further, a payment system comprising a computer system for performing the payment service method is also within the scope of the present invention, and means for communicating with the WWW server, means for communicating with the online credit inquiry system, and the electronic Means for communicating with a banking system, transaction-related information acquisition means for acquiring the contents information of the established commercial transaction, the card settlement information, and the receiving account information of the seller from the WWW server, and the transaction-related information acquisition means Credit inquiry means for making a credit inquiry through the online credit inquiry system based on the card payment information acquired by the credit card, and if the credit inquiry means obtains an inquiry result of credit provision, a notification of the settlement performance Payment execution notifying means for notifying the WWW server of the result, and a result of inquiring that credit is provided by the credit inquiry means Once acquired, a remittance requesting means for requesting the electronic banking system of the financial institution to transfer the product price from a predetermined account to the receiving account of the exhibitor, and a result of inquiring that credit is provided by the credit inquiry means. If acquired, the credit card settlement request means for requesting the online credit inquiry system to make a credit card settlement of the commodity price with a predetermined account as the transfer destination.
[0011]
In this settlement system, there are a plurality of banking business systems that are remittance request destinations of the card settlement request means, and the request means is based on the seller's receipt account information acquired by the transaction related information acquisition means. May be determined.
[0012]
Further, the means for communicating with the online credit inquiry system communicates with an inquiry window system accessible to each online credit inquiry system of a plurality of credit card companies, and the credit inquiry means sends the card payment information to the inquiry window system. The inquiry window system may acquire the result of the credit inquiry to the online credit inquiry system of the relevant credit card company based on the payment approval information.
[0013]
The present invention also includes a computer program that is executed by a computer and causes the computer to function as the settlement system, and a computer-readable program storage medium that stores the computer program.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
=== Outline of network configuration and payment service ===
An example in which the settlement service method of the present invention is applied to settlement of a successful bid price in an online auction will be given as an example. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a network to which the settlement service method of this embodiment is applied. A user computer 21 used by auction participants and an auction system 10 for holding a net auction are connected to the Internet 20. The auction system 10 includes a WWW server 12 for publishing an auction site, a personal information database 13 for accumulating and managing personal information about a large number of members who are eligible to participate in the auction, and various information about all auctions held by the auction site. It includes an auction database 15 for storing and managing, a mail server 14 for transmitting various notifications to members by e-mail, and the like. Auction participants access the auction site via the Internet 20 by means of a user computer 21 equipped with a browser and electronic mail transmission / reception software. In the auction site, an auction is held through various Web pages provided by the WWW server 12 while guiding the exhibition procedure and mediating the transaction between the exhibitor and the bidder.
[0015]
The auction system 10 is constructed on an intranet 11 managed and operated by an auction organizer, and a settlement system 1 for performing a price settlement for a successful bid auction item is connected to the intranet 11. In a successful bid price settlement service (hereinafter referred to as a settlement service) provided mainly by the settlement system 1, a settlement broker who manages and operates the settlement system for a successful bid auction item is charged on behalf of the successful bidder. Reimburse the seller. Then, when the successful bid price is withdrawn later from the winning bidder's account by the credit card company by credit card settlement, the price is transferred to the settlement broker's account. Thereby, the successful bidder can pay the successful bid price by credit card settlement, and the exhibitor can transfer the successful bid price to his / her account within a short time after the successful bid.
[0016]
In order to provide the above services, the payment system 1 is connected to an online credit inquiry system of a credit card company via a communication line such as an OBN (OpenBusiness Network) 40, for example, and the credit card owned by the successful bidder or its card It has a function to make credit inquiry about successful bid price settlement by. If the auction system 10 makes a successful bid for the auctioned item, the winning bidder's credit card can be used even if the winning bidder pays the winning bid to the seller even if it is an auction transaction between individuals. It provides a mechanism that can be used for settlement. In this embodiment, the payment intermediary does not individually contract with a plurality of credit card companies. That is, the credit inquiry with each credit company according to the credit card of the winning bidder is not adopted. Instead, a credit inquiry to each credit card company is collectively requested to an online credit inquiry system (hereinafter referred to as an inquiry window system) 41 of a contact organization that individually contracts with a plurality of credit card companies. In this embodiment, an inquiry window system 41 called e-SCOTT (registered trademark) is used. The inquiry window system 41 has an authority to access the card user database 42 in each credit card company, and this database stores the personal information about the card user and the usage status of the credit card for each credit card number. Are stored and managed. The inquiry window system 41 inquires the card user database 42 of the corresponding credit card company for the credit card settlement case requested for credit inquiry from the settlement system 1 and settles credit permission information for settlement. Return to system 1. In addition, in the credit inquiry through the inquiry window system 41, as information to be inquired to the card user database (card settlement information), in addition to the credit card number and the expiration date of the card, a predetermined individual who can identify the owner of the card Information (birth date, name, phone number, etc.) is also referred to the credit card company.
[0017]
The payment system 1 is connected to an electronic banking (EB) system 31 of a financial institution via a communication line such as ISDN 30 so that the payment broker can exchange the successful bid price to the exhibitor. A function to perform data communication is provided. As is well known, the EB system 31 connects a host computer of a financial institution and a computer for accounting business on the customer side such as a company through a communication line, and various banking services provided to the customer by the financial institution such as account transfer. The service related to can be done online. In this embodiment, communication is performed with the EB system 31 of the financial institution according to the JBA TCP / IP procedure. Then, the EB system 31 is requested to transfer the successful bid price from the predetermined account of the settlement broker to the receiving account designated by the exhibitor. In addition, when the payment broker transfers the successful bid price from its own account to the seller's account, it is cheaper to transfer money between the head offices of the same financial institution, so the payment broker will have multiple financial services. The institution has an account, and the settlement system 1 is configured to request account transfer by communicating with the EB system 31 of each financial institution. This makes it possible to transfer money between the same financial institutions as much as possible.
[0018]
=== Database ===
In this embodiment, a user who wants to actually participate in an auction such as listing or bidding logs in to the auction system 10 as a member in order to deal with problems such as fraud of products and prices in auction transactions. The personal information database 13 is registered with a password for identifying the user and information for identifying the member. In addition, the auction system 10 performs timely confirmation of the identity of the participant who has accessed the member ID in the auction transaction. In addition, since the auctioneer collects a fee (identity verification fee) from the member for this identity verification procedure, various information related to the collection of the fee is also registered in the personal information database 13.
[0019]
Members can choose to either settle the identity verification fee with a credit card, or open an account at a financial institution designated by the auction host and debit the account for settlement. The personal information database 13 includes personal information such as name, age (date of birth), contact information (address, telephone number, e-mail address) and payment information (credit card or account) related to identity verification fee. Information) is stored in association with the member ID.
[0020]
In addition, the auction system 10 identifies all auction items held by the auction ID by the auction ID, and stores and manages in the auction database 15 information on the progress of each auction and information on exhibition / bid / successful bid / settlement. . Then, the auction database 15 is updated at any time while associating the member ID of the exhibitor, the exhibited product, the member ID of the bidder, the bid amount, and the like.
[0021]
Also, when using the payment service, the successful bidder side provides the card payment information, and the seller side provides the account information about the account to which the successful bid price is transferred (in this embodiment, the name of the financial institution, the store name, the name, the account type). , Account number: hereinafter, receipt account information) needs to be notified to the auction system 10 and the settlement system 1. If the successful bidder uses a credit card used for payment of the identity verification fee, the card payment information is already managed in the personal information database 13. Even if there is no information about the credit card in the personal information database 13, since the personal information has been notified, the information about the credit card itself may be notified when the payment service is actually used. Of course, when using the payment service, it is possible to notify the use of a credit card different from that registered in the personal information database. In any case, highly confidential information such as credit card numbers is not known to other members. Furthermore, if the same credit card is used for payment of the identity verification fee and payment of the successful bid price by the settlement service, the card number is managed in association with the member ID. If only the ID can be specified, the card payment information can be acquired. Therefore, when a member uses a credit card in an auction transaction, it is not necessary to send a credit card number or the like on the communication network at every transaction opportunity, and the risk of information leakage can be extremely reduced.
[0022]
Note that the receipt account information is managed by at least the database (hereinafter referred to as receipt information database) 2 on the settlement system 1 side since the transfer to the EB system 31 of the financial institution is requested. The personal information database 13 may also manage the receipt account information. Of course, as long as each information is managed so that both the auction system 10 and the settlement system 1 can access the required information, the database may have any form or configuration. That is, the various databases described above may belong to either system, and what kind of hardware configuration is available as long as the auction system 10 and the payment system 1 can acquire specific information associated with the member ID. It may be. Each information may be collectively managed by one database, or predetermined information may be distributed and managed by a plurality of databases.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a process for the applicant who wants to participate in the auction to register the payment information relating to the identity verification fee and the information of the receiving account in a predetermined database as necessary. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the registration process as a screen transition diagram displayed on the member user computer 21. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, at least a member ID, a login password to the auction system 10, and an e-mail address are registered in advance in the personal information database. A case is assumed in which other information is registered in the personal information database or the received information database 2 when the user wishes to use the information.
[0024]
First, this member logs in to the auction system 10 through an authentication procedure using the member ID and password by using the browser of his / her user computer 21, and then, a web page (registration application page) for applying for use of the settlement service. ) Is sent (s1). If the auction system 10 refers to the personal information database 13 and the member has not been registered with a payment method of identity verification fee or has been registered to pay the identity verification fee by a method other than a credit card, A registration application page (FIG. 3 (A)) including a form for inputting card settlement information necessary for the inquiry is transmitted, and the predetermined information input in the predetermined form on this page is returned (s2 , S3 → s4, s6, s7). If a credit card is designated as the payment method and it is recognized that the card number has already been registered, a registration application page (FIG. 3A) in which card payment information is entered is transmitted to the user computer 21. If there are no mistakes in the entry, this entry information is returned (s2, s3, s5 to s7).
[0025]
The auction system 10 acquires the card payment information returned from the user computer 21 and transmits it to the user computer as a Web page (registration confirmation page: FIG. 3B) with a predetermined appearance. (S8, s9), ask them to confirm that the information entered on the registration application page form is correct. When the auction system 10 returns the confirmation of the contents from the user computer 21, the auction system 10 transfers the previously acquired card payment information to the payment system 1, and the payment system queries the inquiry counter system 41 for the card payment information. (S10, s11 → s14, s15). Then, the inquiry result returned from the inquiry window system 41 is transferred to the auction system 10 (s16, s17). The auction system 10 uses a Web page (registration completion page: FIG. 3 (C)) that states that the payment service can be used when the inquiry result indicating that the credit is obtained is transferred. To the computer 21 (s18 → s21, s22).
[0026]
Further, in this embodiment, when credit is not obtained, the registration application page is retransmitted, and a loop process is performed in which the credit inquiry is performed in the same manner as described above based on the card settlement law entered on the retransmitted page. Transition (s18 → s19, s20). of course. An upper limit may be set for the number of loops, and when the number is exceeded, an error screen may be sent to stop subsequent processing.
[0027]
This registration completion page includes a function that accepts instructions to shift to the procedure for registering the receiving account to which the successful bid price of the exhibited product will be sent when participating in the auction as an exhibitor. If necessary, an instruction to that effect is given on the browser, and a Web page (receiving account registration page: FIG. 4A) for inputting information related to the receiving account is obtained (s23, s24 → s27). The auction system 10, when the receipt account information about the receipt account input on the receipt account registration page is returned from the user computer 21, transfers it to the settlement system 1 (s 28, s 29), and A Web page (FIG. 4B) describing that the receipt account information has been registered is transmitted to the member's user computer 21 (s30). Further, the settlement system 1 registers this receipt account information in the receipt information database 2 (s31).
[0028]
Further, the settlement system 1 periodically accesses the EB system 31 of the financial institution, performs the process of confirming the existence of the account based on the receipt information account information, and if the existence of the account is confirmed, that fact is indicated. The confirmation result is notified to the auction system 10 (s32 to s34 → s35). The auction system 10 registers the receipt account information previously transferred to the settlement system 1 in the personal information database 13 and notifies the member that the receipt account information has been properly registered by e-mail (s38 → s39, s42). .
[0029]
If the corresponding receiving account does not exist, the corresponding receiving account information is deleted from the receiving information database, and the auction system is notified that the account has not been confirmed (s34 → s36, s37). Upon receiving this notification, the auction system 10 notifies this member by e-mail that the previously registered receipt account information is invalid (s38 → s39). If there is no receiving account, prepare a Web page for registering the receiving account information and write the URL of the page in the e-mail indicating that the receiving account information is invalid. Then, the registration of the receipt account information may be accepted again (s40).
[0030]
Depending on the EB system 31 on the financial institution side, there is a possibility that the process of confirming the presence / absence of the corresponding account based on the received account information (from s32) can be performed in real time following the registration process of the personal identification information. In this case, it can be notified on the Web page that the receipt account information is registered or not registered instead of the e-mail.
[0031]
=== Auction and successful bid ===
The auction is held and the bidding and the bidding process are the same as those of the net auction by the conventional auction system. When a new auction ID is registered in the auction database, the auction system invites bidders by presenting bid exhibition products and bid deadlines on a Web page. When the bidder notifies the auction system of the bid price through this Web page, the auction database is updated as needed while associating the corresponding auction ID with the ID of the member, the bid price, and the like. In addition, the auction database is referred to from time to time, and the bid amount is reflected in real time on the Web page serving as each auction site. Then, when the deadline expires, the member who presented the highest bid amount is recognized as a successful bidder. Of course, there are various rules for making a successful bid decision without waiting for expiration of the deadline, such as when the bidder presents the desired successful bid amount presented by the exhibitor as a bid amount.
[0032]
In any case, when a successful bid is determined, the corresponding auction ID is associated with the member IDs of the exhibitor and the successful bidder, the bid price and the like, and stored in the auction database. In addition, if there is a successful auction item in the auction database, the e-mail address of the corresponding successful bidder and exhibitor is obtained from the personal information database, and a successful bid notification describing the contents of the auction and the winning bid amount is sent to the e-mail Send by.
[0033]
=== Usage restrictions on payment services ===
In the settlement service of this embodiment, the amount of reimbursement for each member within a predetermined period is limited. Therefore, the settlement system stores and manages the price receipt history in the receipt information database 2 for members who have received successful bid prices as exhibitors in the past. This history is recorded in the receipt information database 2 whether or not the settlement service is used. If the seller receives a successful bid price for this auction item for a successful bid, refer to the member's price receipt history for the past month, and the total received amount for that month is within the specified amount. The payment of the successful bid price by the settlement service is permitted on the condition that it is. In this embodiment, the amount received in the past month is limited to 300,000 yen / month or less in principle.
[0034]
=== Payment service ===
When a certain auction is won, the winning bidder can pay for the winning bid with a credit card using a payment service provided by the payment system 1. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing relating to the procedure of the successful bidder in the settlement service. The successful bid notification sent to the successful bidder includes a URL unique to the successful bid auction item. The auction system 10 makes a successful bid when the browser of the successful bidder computer 21a designates and accesses this URL. A Web page (settlement guide page) on which detailed information about the auction and explanations of some settlement methods selectable by the winning bidder are transmitted to the winning bidder computer (s51, s52). FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of this settlement guide page. Here, it is assumed that the successful bidder designates a settlement service on this settlement guide page (s53). Upon receiving this instruction, the auction system 10 functions as a user interface that mediates data communication between the payment system 1 and the successful bidder computer 21a through a Web page. That is, various instructions relating to the payment service are received from the successful bidder computer 21a, the instructions and predetermined data based on the instructions are transferred to the payment system 1 as needed, and the results of various data processing in the payment system 1 are received. A Web page reflecting the result is returned to the successful bidder computer 21a.
[0035]
FIGS. 7A to 7D show the payment service providing process by screen transition diagrams displayed on the browser of the successful bidder computer 21a. When the auction system 10 accepts the payment service usage instruction, the auction system 10 refers to the personal information database 13 for the member ID of the winning bidder, and confirms whether or not the winning bidder's card payment information is registered (s53 to s55). If registered, a function for inquiring whether to pay with the corresponding credit card or other credit card, an input field for card payment information for other credit cards, A Web page (settlement application page: FIG. 7 (A)) including an input field for the total amount of money for the successful bid (remittance amount) including incidental costs (such as shipping fee) in the winning bid is sent to the winning bidder computer 21a (ss55 → s57). If the successful bidder returns via the payment application page that the remittance amount and the registration information in the personal information database 13 are used, the remittance amount and the card settlement information registered in the personal information database 13 are acquired ( s58, s59 → s60, s61). When the registration information is not used, the remittance amount and the card settlement information related to other credit cards entered in the predetermined column of this page are acquired (s58, s59 → s63).
[0036]
For a member whose credit card number is not registered in the personal information database 13 or a new auction participant whose information relating to the payment of the identity verification fee is not registered, an entry field for a successful bid price and card settlement information is included. The payment application page (FIG. 7B) is transmitted (s55 → s56). Then, the information inputted and returned on this page is acquired (s62, s63).
[0037]
Next, the member ID of the exhibitor is sent to the settlement system 1, the receipt history of the exhibitor for the past month is investigated, and the survey result is returned (s64 to s66). When a survey result indicating that the upper limit has been reached is sent, a Web page stating that the payment service cannot be used is transmitted to the successful bidder computer 21a, and guidance is given to use another payment method. (S67 → s68).
[0038]
If a survey result indicating that the upper limit has not been reached is sent, the auction system 10 transfers the remittance amount previously obtained from the successful bidder computer 21a to the settlement system 1 (s67 → s70). The payment intermediary collects a fee according to the remittance amount from the successful bidder for use of this settlement service, and the settlement system 1 obtains a predetermined fee for the transferred remittance amount, It returns to the auction system 10 (s71, s72).
[0039]
The auction system 10 adds this fee to the remittance amount acquired from the successful bidder computer 21a first, and makes it the total payment amount of the successful bidder, presents this total payment amount to the successful bidder, and agrees to the payment. A web page (payment confirmation page: FIG. 7C) for asking whether to do so is transmitted to the successful bidder computer 21a (s73). Then, when the successful bidder instructs to agree to the payment on the payment confirmation page and the instruction information is sent from the successful bidder computer 21a, the payment system 1 uses the previously acquired card payment information and the total payment amount. (S74, s75 → s78).
[0040]
The payment system 1 gives the inquiry counter system 41 the card payment information sent by the auction system 10 and the total payment amount and makes a credit inquiry. As a result of the credit inquiry returned from the inquiry window system 41, when the credit is returned, it is checked whether the seller's receipt account is registered in the receipt information database 2. Then, the contents information relating to the credit card settlement is stored in the settlement information database 3 and the settlement ID for identifying the settlement, the information indicating the credit, and the survey result on the receiving account are returned to the auction system 10. (S79 to s81 → s83 to s85). When credit is not obtained, the fact is returned to the auction system 10 (s79 to s81 → s82).
[0041]
The auction system 10, if information indicating credit is returned to the successful bidder's credit card payment, the auction system 10 includes a Web page (settlement completion) including a payment ID and a description of acceptance of the credit card payment. Page) to the winning bidder computer 21a. At the same time, both the successful bidder and the seller are notified of the settlement ID and settlement completion by e-mail (s86 → s89, s90, s91 → s93). If credit is obtained but the seller's receipt account is not yet registered, the contents of urge to register the receipt account in the settlement completion e-mail to be sent to the seller are described ( s91 → s92).
[0042]
If credit is not obtained because the card payment limit has been exceeded or the card has expired at this time, the payment service application page is resent in this example. Then, the process proceeds to a loop process for re-inputting card settlement information of another credit card and making a credit inquiry in the same manner as described above (s86 → s87, s88). An upper limit can also be set for the number of loops, and when the number is exceeded, an error screen can be sent to stop the subsequent processing. Of course, a web page describing that credit could not be obtained may be sent to the successful bidder computer 21a to guide the user to select another settlement method.
=== Repayment of successful bid price ===
The settlement system 1 manages the amount of remittance and the receiving account as the remittance destination of the auction item for which the acceptance of credit card settlement has been completed as a remittance file. 3 is accessed and a remittance file is acquired. Then, it connects to the EB system 31 of an appropriate financial institution in accordance with the contents of the remittance file, and requests an account transfer of the price corresponding to the remittance amount. Upon receiving information from the EB system 31 that the relevant remittance processing has been performed for this request, the amount corresponding to the remittance amount paid by the successful bidder to the seller is recorded as sales to the counter agency, and that information is settled. Store in database 3.
[0043]
In the case where the settlement system 1 has a settlement broker's account in the financial institution where the recipient's account is located, the settlement system 1 requests the account transfer to the EB system 31 of the financial institution as much as possible. Saving. In addition, even if there is no account in the same financial institution, the EB system 31 that requests account transfer is determined as appropriate so that account transfer is performed through a route with a lower fee, such as between city banks and between regional banks.
[0044]
Depending on the auction organizer, there is a case where a predetermined amount of money is collected from the seller as a usage fee of the auction system 10. In such a case, in the remittance file, the amount obtained by subtracting the fee from the remittance amount obtained from the successful bidder computer 21a is described as the transfer amount to the receiving account, and the system use fee is designated by the auction organizer. It is also possible to request an appropriate EB system to transfer the account to the account.
[0045]
=== Registration reminder and change request for receiving account ===
When the settlement system 1 periodically executes an account transfer request for an auction item that has been accepted for credit card payment, there is a possibility that the account of the transfer destination does not exist due to cancellation due to the convenience of the seller. is there. In response to such a case, when information indicating that the account does not exist is returned from the EB system 31 in response to the account transfer request, the settlement system 1 notifies the auction system 10 to that effect. The system 10 sends an email prompting the seller to register new account information.
[0046]
In addition, even when an account exists, the name of the account is different, such as when the account entity is different, the same is requested by e-mail to register a regular receiving account. Of course, even if there is no fact of acceptance of settlement related to auction, the receipt information database 2 is periodically accessed and the registered account information is inquired to the EB system 31 in a timely manner to confirm the existence of an account and the difference. You may make it do.
[0047]
=== Confirmation function of transaction history ===
In the settlement service of the above embodiment, there is an upper limit on the amount that one member can receive in the past month. Therefore, each member can check his / her receipt history. For example, if a web page for accepting a usage history browsing request is prepared on an auction site, and a user computer 21 of a logged-in member obtains this web page and instructs to browse the usage history, The member ID is sent to the settlement system 1 and a request for sending the corresponding receipt history is issued. When the settlement system 1 accepts this request, the receipt information database 2 is inquired of the member ID, the corresponding receipt history is returned to the auction system 10, and the auction system 10 processes this into the appearance of the Web page. It transmits to the user computer 21.
[0048]
If an input field for designating a specific period in the past is provided on a web page that accepts a browsing request for a usage history, the designated period is accepted by the auction system 10 and transferred to the settlement system 1. The receipt history during the period specified by the member can be confirmed. Note that not only the receipt history but also a history of auction items for which a credit card payment has been made by a payment service in the past may be confirmed. Thereby, it is possible to confirm the amount withdrawn from the account by credit card settlement on a predetermined date, and it is possible to prevent delay of withdrawal due to a shortage of balance and payment of delinquency due thereto.
[0049]
=== Business model ===
Naturally, the settlement service according to the above-described embodiment cannot be established as a business unless the business model is established. In the above embodiment, the total amount paid by the successful bidder by credit card settlement includes the usage fee for this service.
Further, similarly to the above-described auction system usage fee, it is also conceivable that the settlement broker collects a settlement service usage fee at a predetermined ratio with respect to the winning bid amount and the remittance amount from the exhibitor.
[0050]
=== More advanced use restriction function ===
In the above-described embodiment, as a use condition of the settlement service, the credit for the credit card is imposed on the successful bidder, and the registration of the receiving account and the restriction on the total monthly receipt amount are imposed on the exhibitor. However, in order to further improve the reliability of auction transactions, it is recommended that problematic auction participants restrict their use as much as possible. In addition, a better participant is given a privilege such as loosening the restriction and actively participates in the auction. By doing so, the number of relatively good participants increases and the reliability of the auction transaction is naturally increased.
[0051]
Conventionally, the auction organizer has the successful bidder and the seller evaluate the transaction attitude of the other party when the auction transaction is completed. Normally, the structure of an auction site is designed to guide to a web page for notifying the evaluation when the auction transaction is completed. There are functions for evaluating the situation at the time of transactions such as “very good”, “good”, “normal”, “bad”, “very bad”, and a comment entry column that reviews the transaction details. include. When the transaction party returns information about the evaluations input on the Web page by the user computer 21 to the auction system 10, the auction system 10 associates the evaluation information with the member ID of the party and personal information database. 13 or auction database 15 or the like. For the stage evaluation, for example, “very good” is +2 points, and in the order of “good”, “normal”, etc., converted into +1 point, ± 0 point, −1 point, and −2 point and stored in the database. . The evaluation information may be stored in the receipt information database 2 on the settlement system 1 side. When the evaluation information is newly sent, the database is updated by adding or subtracting the new score to the score associated with the corresponding member ID. In addition, the comment sent together with the stage evaluation is added to the corresponding member ID. Of course, in the database, for each auction item, the transaction contents of the auction itself such as the exhibited product, the winning bid amount, and the member IDs of both parties are associated with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to confirm on the Web page who has made what kind of transaction in the past or who has left what kind of comment in what auction item and what kind of evaluation has been made.
[0052]
An embodiment of a payment service method that restricts the use of the payment service based on evaluation information for each member and past transaction history will be described below. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the use restriction process. This use restriction process is incorporated into the flow of the settlement service shown in FIG. 5, and restricts the seller based on the transaction amount in the past predetermined period together with the past cumulative evaluation score of the seller. . The transaction amount for a successful bidder is also limited. This ensures that damage does not increase when problems occur. Further, even if the past transaction amount does not exceed the limit, if the sum of the transaction amount established this time exceeds a predetermined amount, the limit is still applied. In this example, the evaluation information for each member is managed by the auction database 15, and the processing for determining whether or not the usage limit is reached based on the evaluation information is performed on the settlement system 1 side.
[0053]
Specifically, the auction system 10 includes a process from when a transaction for a certain auction item is established until the successful bidder offers to use the settlement service until the settlement service application page is transmitted to the successful bidder computer 21a (s53- In step s57), the payment system 1 is inquired for information on the use restriction of the exhibitor. When the successful bidder applies for the use of the payment service, the auction system 10 sends the member ID of the exhibitor and the accumulated evaluation score so far to the payment system 1 (s101). The settlement system 1 obtains the amount received in the past month and the cumulative evaluation score for the member in question, and if the cumulative evaluation score is 50 points or less, the usage upper limit is set at 300,000 yen and the total monthly receipt is 30. If it is 10,000 yen or less, the auction system 10 is notified that the usage limit is 300,000 yen (s102 → s104 → s107). Also, if the cumulative evaluation score is 51 points or more and the maximum usage amount is set to 1 million yen in advance based on predetermined conditions, and if the total monthly receipt is 1 million yen or less, use The auction system 10 is notified that the limit is 1,000,000 yen (s102 → s103 → s108 → s113). If the total monthly receipt is greater than the cumulative evaluation score or the usage limit according to a predetermined condition, the auction system 10 is notified that the payment service cannot be used (s104 → s105 or s110 → s111). The condition for setting the upper limit to 1 million yen will be described later.
[0054]
When the auction system 10 is notified that the payment service cannot be used, the auction system 10 transmits a Web page of an error screen to the successful bidder computer 21a to notify that the payment service cannot be used (s106). If it is available, the settlement application page is transmitted to the successful bidder computer 21a, and the process proceeds to the subsequent processing (s57).
[0055]
The use restriction process in the next stage is incorporated in a process (s64 to s73) when the auction system 10 requests the payment system 1 to make a credit card payment inquiry. The use restriction determination shown in FIG. 5 simply determines whether or not the service can be used based only on the total monthly receipt of the exhibitor. Here, the determination based on the remittance amount paid by the successful bidder by credit card settlement is used. The use restriction is determined in two stages of determination based on an amount obtained by adding the total amount received in the past month to the remittance amount. Upon receiving the card payment information from the successful bidder computer 21a, the auction system 10 transfers the remittance amount and the exhibitor's member ID to the payment system 1 (s121). If the remittance amount is more than 300,000 yen, the settlement system 1 notifies the auction system 10 that the use of the settlement service is not permitted (s122 → s66). If it is 300,000 yen or less, an amount obtained by adding the current remittance amount to the total amount received by the exhibitor for the past month is calculated. Also in this case, depending on the cumulative evaluation score of the seller, if the seller's usage limit is 300,000 yen or less, the upper limit of the amount when the current settlement amount is added is 330,000 yen or less And When the number is 51 points or more, that is, when the usage limit is 1,000,000 yen or less, the upper limit of the total sum is set to 1,050,000 yen or less. If the amount added this time is equal to or less than the upper limit corresponding to the cumulative evaluation score, the auction system 10 is notified that the use of the settlement service is permitted (s123 → s125 → s127, or s123 → s124 → s128 → If it exceeds the upper limit, a notification that the use is not permitted is sent (s125 → s126 or s128 → s129).
[0056]
When the auction system 10 receives the notification that the use is not permitted, the auction system 10 transmits an error screen to the successful bidder computer 21a (s68). If usage is permitted, a payment confirmation page is transmitted (s73).
[0057]
When the credit of the successful bidder is obtained and the credit card settlement is actually executed, the exhibitor adds the amount received by the current credit card settlement to the total monthly receipt so far. Here, if the total amount received after the addition reaches the usage limit according to the previous cumulative evaluation score, no more successful bids can be received this month. Therefore, an e-mail (notification of end of use) is sent to the seller who has exceeded the total monthly receipt due to the current auction transaction, stating that no more successful bids can be received this month (use termination notice). s141 → s143 → s144, s145, or s141 → s142 → s147 → s148, s149). In this example, the processing related to the use end notification is incorporated in the process (s85 to s89) until the payment completion page is transmitted to the successful bidder computer 21a after the credit card payment credit is obtained.
[0058]
Further, as described above, if the cumulative evaluation score is 51 points or more, the upper limit of use is not set at 1 million yen. Members whose monthly receipts are set at an upper limit of 1 million yen must meet predetermined screening criteria in advance. For example, only when the past cumulative evaluation score is 51 points or more and the percentage of evaluations of “bad” or less in the evaluation history is less than 5%, the monthly receipt limit amount of the member is 100. Set based on appropriate conditions such as 10,000 yen. In addition, an e-mail (notification of increase in usage limit) will be sent to the relevant member informing them that the maximum amount can be set to 1 million and procedures for setting the maximum amount to 1 million yen upon request. (S143 → s146, s151 → s152, s153).
[0059]
=== Scope of payment service ===
The settlement service of the present invention is not limited to the settlement of the successful bid price in the above-described online auction, but can also be applied to other electronic commerce such as an electronic store. As for the computer system, the WWW server providing a place for electronic commerce such as an online auction or an electronic store and the payment system are not distinguished as individual computer systems, and function as a WWW server in a single computer system. And a program for causing a program to function as a settlement system may be implemented.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
According to the settlement service method of the present invention, the price paid by the buyer to the seller can be settled with a credit card even for electronic commerce between individuals or between an individual and a non-credit card store. As a result, the convenience related to payment is improved for the buyer, and the sales price can be quickly collected for the seller. If the seller is an individual, there is no need to disclose information such as account numbers to others, and business transactions can be conducted with peace of mind.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram to which a settlement service method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for registering personal information of auction participants in a database in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a transition diagram of screens displayed on a user computer during the registration process of the personal information.
FIG. 4 is a transition diagram of a screen displayed on the user computer in the process of registering the receipt account information following the registration of the personal information.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing related to the settlement service method.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a screen of a Web page that accepts an application for using the payment service.
FIG. 7 is a transition diagram of screens displayed on the user computer in the process of providing the settlement service.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing related to usage restriction processing when an advanced usage restriction function is added by the settlement service method.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Settlement system
2 Receipt information database
3 Settlement information database
10 Auction system
13 Personal information database
15 Auction database
31 Electronic banking system
41 Inquiry window system
42 Card user database

Claims (6)

A computer system linked to a WWW server that has established a website for electronic commerce, an online credit inquiry system for credit card companies, and an electronic banking system for financial institutions.
Acquiring via the WWW server the content information of the established commercial transaction, the card payment information required when the buyer pays for the product by credit card, and the seller's account information to which the price is to be transferred; ,
A credit inquiry step for performing credit inquiry based on the card payment information through the online credit inquiry system to obtain credit granting information on the buyer's credit card;
A payment execution notification step of notifying the WWW server of a notification of the payment performance if the information on the credit grant is acquired by the credit inquiry step;
Remittance requesting step for requesting the electronic banking system of a financial institution to transfer the product price from a predetermined account to the seller's receiving account, if the credit inquiring step has acquired information to the effect of credit provision;
A card settlement step for requesting a credit card settlement of a product price with a predetermined account as a transfer destination through an online credit inquiry system, if the credit inquiring step has acquired information to the effect of credit provision;
A payment service method for a price related to electronic commerce, characterized in that A computer system for carrying out the settlement service method according to claim 1,
Means for communicating with said WWW server;
Means for communicating with said online credit inquiry system;
Means for communicating with said electronic banking system;
Transaction-related information acquisition means for acquiring the contents information of the established commercial transaction, the card settlement information, and the seller's account information from the WWW server,
Credit inquiry means for making a credit inquiry via the online credit inquiry system based on the card payment information acquired by the transaction related information acquisition means;
A payment execution notification means for notifying the WWW server of a notification of the payment performance if the credit inquiry means obtains the inquiry result of the credit provision;
Remittance requesting means for requesting the electronic banking system of the financial institution to transfer the product price from the predetermined account to the receiving account of the exhibitor, if the credit inquiry means obtains the inquiry result of credit provision;
If the credit inquiry means obtains the inquiry result of credit provision, the card payment request means for requesting the credit card payment of the product price with the predetermined account as the transfer destination to the online credit inquiry system;
A payment system characterized by comprising: 3. A plurality of bank business systems as remittance request destinations of the card settlement request means according to claim 2, wherein the request means is based on seller's receipt account information acquired by the transaction related information acquisition means. A payment system characterized by determining. The means for communicating with the online credit inquiry system according to claim 2 communicates with an inquiry window system accessible to each online credit inquiry system of a plurality of credit card companies, and the credit inquiry means is connected to the inquiry window system. The credit card information is sent to request credit inquiry, and the inquiry window system obtains the result of credit inquiry to the credit card company's online credit inquiry system based on the payment approval information. Payment system. A computer program that is executed by a computer to cause the computer to function as the settlement system according to any one of claims 2 to 4. A computer-readable program storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 5.

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