JP2008165350A - Credit card system and method for using credit card - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a credit card system and a method for using the credit card in which a credit card is available for a user himself or herself within the range of a credit limit set for every member store or member store business category. <P>SOLUTION: This credit card system includes: a means for storing a member store code or member store business category code input by a user and the credit limit of every member store or member store business category; a first judgement means for judging whether or not the first addition result calculated by adding this time use sum input by a staff to a use sum within a specific period in a member store or a member store business category is a set credit limit or less; and a second judgement means for judging whether or not the second addition result calculated by adding this time use sum to the use sum within the specific period of the credit card is the credit limit set by a credit company or less when the first addition result is the stored credit limit or less. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a credit card system and a method of using a credit card, and more specifically, a credit card user can set a credit card usage limit within a set amount range of the credit card company. The present invention relates to a credit card system and a credit card usage method.

  In recent years, there are more and more opportunities to use credit cards, such as shopping at domestic stores, shopping overseas, Internet shopping, and deduction of utility bills.

  To become a credit card member, you must first go through a credit card company review. When a credit card company accepts an application for credit card membership, the credit card company examines the applicant based on the contents of the application. For example, the examination is performed with reference to the applicant's occupation, annual income, credit information, and the like. After passing through the credit card company examination, a credit card is issued.

  The issued credit card has a usage limit within a specific period (usually one month), and the credit card usage limit is set by the credit card company according to the credit level of the user.

  However, the credit card usage limit set by the credit card company does not always correspond to the amount that the user can pay. For example, the set usage limit may be maintained as it is even when the income of the user decreases. For this reason, there is a problem that the user of the credit card uses the credit card beyond the amount that can be paid to the credit card company, and the usage amount cannot be paid on a predetermined date. In addition, repeated use of credit cards beyond the amount that can be paid to credit card companies can contribute to multiple debts and self-insolvency.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and the purpose of the present invention is to use credit cards within the limits of the usage limit set by the user for each member store or member store industry. Is to provide a credit card system and a method of using a credit card.

  In order to achieve such an object, the invention described in claim 1 is a credit card system, wherein a member store code or member store industry code input by a user, and each member store or member store industry type. Means for receiving a usage limit from a client terminal, and means for storing the received member store code or member store business type code, the usage limit, and a usage amount within a specific period for each member store or member store business type And means for receiving the current usage amount entered by the store clerk and the member store code or the member store business type code, the received current usage amount, and the use within a specific period in the member store or member store business type First determination means for determining whether or not a first addition result obtained by adding an amount is equal to or less than the stored usage limit amount; and the first addition result is: The second addition result obtained by adding the current usage amount and the usage amount within a specific period of the credit card is equal to or less than the usage limit amount set by the credit card company when the usage amount is less than or equal to the stored usage limit amount. And a second determination means for determining whether or not the credit card is permitted when the second addition result is equal to or less than a credit limit set by the credit card company, and the second The credit card use is rejected when the addition result is larger than the use limit set by the credit card company.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the credit card system according to claim 1, wherein the stored member store code or member store business type code and the usage limit are received from a host computer. And means for displaying the received member store code or member store business type code and the usage limit.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a credit card system in which a member store code or a member store business type code entered by a user and a usage limit for each member store or member store business type are stored in a credit card. Means for setting, means for storing the usage amount within a specific period for each member store or member store industry, the current usage amount entered by the store clerk, and the usage amount within a specific period for the member store or member store industry And a first determination means for determining whether or not a first addition result obtained by adding up to the use limit amount set in the credit card is set in the credit card. Means for receiving the current usage amount from the client terminal, the received current usage amount, and a credit card A second determination unit that determines whether or not a second addition result obtained by adding the usage amount within a period is equal to or less than a usage limit amount set by a credit card company, wherein the second addition result is: When the credit card company uses a credit card company or less, the credit card company permits the use of the credit card, and when the second addition result is larger than the credit card company uses the credit card company, the credit card company uses the credit card. It is characterized by refusal.

  Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the credit card system according to claim 3, wherein means for displaying a member store code or member store type code set in the credit card and a usage limit is displayed. It is further provided with the feature.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a credit card utilization method, wherein a member store code or a member store industry code entered by a user and a limit of use for each member store or member store industry are received by the client. Receiving from the terminal, storing the received member store code or member store business type code, the use limit, and the use amount within a specific period for each member store or member store business type, and input by a store clerk The step of receiving the current use amount and the member store code or the member store type code, and the received current use amount and the use amount within a specific period in the previous term member store or member store type are added. A first determination step of determining whether or not a result of 1 is equal to or less than the stored usage limit, and the first addition result is stored in the memory Whether the second addition result obtained by adding the current usage amount and the usage amount within the specified period of the credit card is equal to or less than the usage limit amount set by the credit card company when the usage amount is less than the usage limit amount A second determination step for determining whether or not a credit card is permitted when the second addition result is equal to or less than a use limit set by the credit card company, and the second addition result is The credit card is rejected when the credit card company exceeds the usage limit.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the credit card use method according to claim 5, wherein the stored member store code or member store type code and the use limit are received from a host computer. And a step of displaying the received member store code or member store type code and the usage limit.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a method of using a credit card, and credits the member store code or member store business type code entered by the user and the limit of use for each member store or member store business type. The step of setting in the card, the step of storing the usage amount within a specific period for each member store or member store industry, the current usage amount input by the store clerk, and the period within the specific period at the member store or member store industry A first determination step of determining whether or not a first addition result obtained by adding a use amount is equal to or less than a use limit amount set in the credit card; and the first addition result is stored in the credit card A step of receiving the current usage amount from the client terminal, the received current usage amount, and the credit A second determination step of determining whether or not a second addition result added to the usage amount within a specific period of the credit card is equal to or less than a usage limit amount set by a credit card company, the second addition result Permits the use of a credit card when it is less than or equal to the usage limit set by the credit card company, and if the second addition result is larger than the usage limit set by the credit card company, It is characterized by refusing use.

  The invention described in claim 8 is the credit card usage method according to claim 7, wherein the member store code or member store business type code set in the credit card and the limit of use are displayed. The method further includes a step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a credit card system and a method of using a credit card that allow a user to use a credit card within a range of a usage limit set for each member store or member store type. It becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol shows the same thing in several drawing, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer environment of a credit card system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A client terminal 101 including a card reader / writer 103 and a store terminal 105 including a card reader / writer 107 are connected to a credit card company host computer 109 via a network 111 such as the Internet.

  The client terminal 101 can be a personal computer that can be connected to a network such as the Internet, or a portable information terminal device such as a PDA. The client terminal 101 includes a web browser and can be connected to the host computer 109 via the web browser. Further, the client terminal 101 receives identification information such as a membership number stored in a credit card, which is an IC card incorporating an IC chip or a magnetic card having a magnetic storage area, and a valid year of the credit card via the card reader / writer 103. You can read the date. Further, the client terminal 101 can write information input to the client terminal 101 by the user into the credit card via the card reader / writer 103.

  The store terminal 105 is a terminal installed in a credit card member store, and can be a personal computer that can be connected to a network such as the Internet or a portable information terminal device such as a PDA. Similarly to the client terminal 101, the store terminal 105 can be connected to the host computer 109 of the credit card company via the network 111 such as the Internet, and information stored in the credit card via the card reader / writer 107. And the information entered by the clerk of the member store can be written. Further, the store terminal 105 can receive and display the result of the credit card company host computer 109 determining whether or not the credit card can be used when the user uses the credit card at the store.

  The credit card company's host computer 109 includes a database, which can store a credit card usage limit, a usage amount within a specific period, and the like. The host computer 109 can determine whether or not the credit card can be used in response to a request from the store terminal 105 using the information stored in the database, and can transmit the determination result.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions implemented in the client terminal 101, the store terminal 105, and the host computer 109 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a function according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the tables 301, 303, 305, and 307 stored in the database 213 with which the host computer 109 is provided.

  The client terminal 101 includes an input / output unit 201, a data processing unit 203, and a data transmission / reception unit 205. The client terminal 101 can process information input by the user via the input / output unit 201 by the data processing unit 203 and transmit the information to the data transmission / reception unit 207 of the host computer 109 via the data transmission / reception unit 205. it can. Further, information from the data transmission / reception unit 207 of the host computer 109 can be received via the data transmission / reception unit 203, processed by the data processing unit 203, and displayed to the user via the input / output unit 201. it can.

  The functions provided in the store terminal 105 are the same as those of the client terminal 101, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The host computer 109 of the credit card company includes a data transmission / reception unit 207, a usage limit setting unit 209, a usage permission determination unit 211, and a database 213. The database 213 includes a card company set usage limit table 301, a member store industry table 303, a member store table 305, and a member set use limit table 307.

  The data transmission / reception unit 207 transmits / receives data to / from the data transmission / reception unit 205 of the client terminal 101 and the data transmission / reception unit 205 of the store terminal 105. The usage limit setting unit 209 can set the usage limit received by the data transmission / reception unit 207 in the member setting usage limit table 307 of the database 213. In addition, the availability determination unit 211 can determine the availability of the credit card using the usage amount received by the data transmission / reception unit 207. The flow of processing using these functions will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The card company set use limit table 301 stores the credit card member number, the card company set use limit within a specific period for each credit card member, and the use amount within the specific period (hereinafter, the specific period is set to one. Month, for example, the usage limit during that period is called the current month's usage limit.) The credit card company sets the monthly usage limit amount according to the credit card user's credit level, and the credit card user can use the credit card within the amount during the month.

  The member store industry table 303 stores member store industry codes and member store industry names of the industries to which the credit card member stores belong.

  The member store table 305 stores a member store code of a credit card member store, a member store type code indicating the type of business to which the member store belongs, and a member store name. The member store business type code corresponds to the member store business type code stored in the member store business type table 303.

  The member setting use limit table 307 includes a credit card member number, a member store code or a member store type code, a member set use limit that can be set by the credit card user, and a member store or member store type. This month's usage amount is stored. The client terminal 101 includes a member store code or a member store business type code of a desired member store or member store type, and a use limit of a desired credit card in the member store or member store type entered by the credit card user. The host computer 109 that transmits the amount to the host computer 109 and receives them can be stored in the member setting usage limit table 307 in the database 213.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for setting a member setting usage limit amount desired by a credit card user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step 401, processing is started. Next, in step 403, the host computer 109 receives from the client terminal 101 the credit card identification information read into the client terminal 101 and the password entered by the user.

  Next, at step 405, the host computer 109 authenticates the user. The host computer 109 compares the received credit card identification information and password with member identification information (not shown) stored in the database 213 to determine whether the user is a valid user. If the host computer 109 determines in step 407 that the credit card user is a valid user, the process proceeds to step 409. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is not a valid user, the process proceeds to step 419 and ends.

  In step 409, the host computer 109 acquires from the database 213 the card company set use limit corresponding to the user's membership number and the member set use limit currently set for the member store and the member store type. Transmit to the client terminal 101. In step 411, the received card company set usage limit and the member set usage limit currently set for the member store and the member store type are displayed on the client terminal. Here, in step 409, when the member set use limit amount currently set for the member store and the member store type is not acquired from the database 213, only the card company set use limit amount is displayed on the client terminal. The currently set membership limit for member stores and member store types is not displayed.

  In this way, the credit card user can first check the currently set card company set usage limit and the member set use limit.

  Next, in step 413, the client terminal 101 transmits the member store code or member store type code entered by the user and the member set use limit to the host computer 109. Next, in step 415, the host computer 109 receives the member store code or member store type code and the member set use limit from the client terminal 101.

  In step 417, the host computer 109 receives the member setting usage limit corresponding to the member store code or member store type code stored in the member setting usage limit table 307 in the database 213, and receives the member setting usage limit. The amount is updated, and the process ends at step 419. If the data corresponding to the member store code or member store industry code received by the host computer 109 does not exist in the member set usage limit table 307 in the database 213, the data about the member store code or member store industry code is stored. Are newly added.

  Here, for example, when the member set use limit is set to “0”, the use of a credit card can be prohibited in a desired member store or member store type.

  In this way, the credit card user can set a desired member set use limit for each member store or member store industry.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing in the credit card system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the user uses a credit card at a store and settles the price for the item.

  First, in step 501, processing is started. Next, in step 503, the host computer 109 causes the store clerk to read the credit card with the card reader / writer, and the credit card identification information read into the store terminal 105 and the current usage amount input by the store clerk from the store terminal 105. Receive.

  Next, at step 505, the host computer 109 authenticates the user. The host computer 109 compares the received credit card identification information with member identification information (not shown) stored in the database 213 to determine whether the user is a valid user.

  If it is determined in step 507 that the credit card user is a valid user, the process proceeds to step 509. On the other hand, if it is determined that the credit card user is not a legitimate user, the process proceeds to step 515 where the use of the credit card is rejected, and then ends at step 519.

  In step 509, it is determined whether or not the result of adding the current usage amount and the current month usage amount in the member setting usage limit table 307 is equal to or less than the member setting usage limit amount. If the added result is less than or equal to the member set usage limit, the process proceeds to step 511. On the other hand, if the added result is larger than the member set usage limit amount, the process proceeds to step 515 where the use of the credit card is rejected, and then the process ends at step 519.

  In step 511, it is determined whether or not the result of adding the current usage amount and the current month usage amount in the card company setting usage limit table 301 is equal to or less than the card company setting usage limit amount. If the added result is less than or equal to the card company set usage limit, the process proceeds to step 513, where the use of the credit card is permitted. On the other hand, if the result of addition is larger than the card company set usage limit amount, the process proceeds to step 515, the use of the credit card is rejected, and then the process ends at step 519.

  After the use of the credit card is permitted in step 513, the process proceeds to step 517. In step 517, the host computer 109 adds the current usage amount and the current month usage amount in the member setting usage limit table 307, and the current usage amount and current month usage amount in the card company setting usage limit table 301. As a result of adding the above, the monthly usage amount in each table is updated, and the process ends in step 519.

  In this way, the credit card user can use the credit card within the usage limit set by the member store or the member store industry.

(Second Embodiment)
In this embodiment, an IC card incorporating an IC chip is used as a credit card. The IC chip stores a member setting use limit table 307 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating functions implemented in the client terminal 101, the store terminal 105, and the host computer 109 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The client terminal 101 has the same function as shown in FIG. 2, and further includes a usage limit setting unit 601. Further, the shop terminal 105 has the same function as shown in FIG. 2 and further includes an availability determination unit 605.

  In this embodiment, the usage limit setting unit 601 of the client terminal 101 can set a member setting usage limit for a credit card via the card reader / writer 103. Further, the availability determination unit 605 of the store terminal 105 can determine the availability of the credit card with reference to the member set usage limit amount of the credit card read via the card reader / writer 107.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for setting a member set usage limit amount desired by a credit card user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step 701, the process is started. Next, in step 703, the client terminal 101 authenticates the user. The client terminal 101 reads the credit card identification information via the card reader / writer 103, compares the password entered by the user with the password stored in the credit card, and determines whether the user is a legitimate user. To do. In step 705, when the client terminal 101 determines that the credit card user is a valid user, the process proceeds to step 707. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is not an authorized user, the process proceeds to step 713 and ends.

  In step 707, the client terminal 101 acquires the stored member setting usage limit amount from the credit card. Next, in step 709, the client terminal 101 displays the acquired member setting usage limit. Here, when the member set usage limit is not set on the credit card, a message indicating that the member set usage limit is not set on the credit card is displayed on the client terminal 101.

  In this way, the user of the credit card can first confirm the currently set member setting usage limit.

  Next, in step 711, the client terminal 101 uses the member store code or member store business type code entered by the user and the member set use limit to store the corresponding member set use limit stored in the credit card. In step 713, the process ends. If the data corresponding to the member store code or member store industry code entered by the user does not exist in the member set usage limit table stored in the credit card, the member store code or member store industry code These data are newly added.

  Here, for example, when the member set use limit is set to “0”, the use of a credit card can be prohibited in a desired member store or member store type.

  In this way, the credit card user can set a desired member set use limit for each member store or member store industry.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing in the credit card system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the user uses a credit card at a store and settles the price for the item.

  First, in step 801, processing is started. Next, at step 803, the current usage amount is input to the store terminal 105 by the store clerk, and the store terminal 105 authenticates the user using the credit card identification information read via the card reader / writer 107. .

  If it is determined in step 805 that the credit card user is a valid user, the process proceeds to step 807. On the other hand, if it is determined that the credit card user is not a legitimate user, the process proceeds to step 815 where the use of the credit card is rejected, and then ends in step 819.

  In Step 807, it is determined whether or not the result of adding the current usage amount and the current month usage amount stored in the member setting usage limit table stored in the credit card is equal to or less than the member setting usage limit. If the added result is less than or equal to the member set usage limit, the process proceeds to step 809. On the other hand, if the added result is larger than the member set usage limit amount, the process proceeds to step 815 where the use of the credit card is rejected, and then the process ends at step 819.

  In step 809, the host computer 109 receives the credit card identification information and the current usage amount from the store terminal 105.

  In step 811, it is determined whether the result of adding the current usage amount and the current month usage amount in the card company setting usage limit table 301 is equal to or less than the card company setting usage limit. If the added result is less than or equal to the card company set usage limit, the process proceeds to step 813, where the use of the credit card is permitted. On the other hand, if the added result is larger than the card company set usage limit amount, the process proceeds to step 815, the use of the credit card is rejected, and then the process ends at step 819.

  After the use of the credit card is permitted in step 813, the process proceeds to step 817. In step 817, the host computer 109 adds the current usage amount and the current month usage amount in the member setting usage limit table 307 to update the current month usage amount. In addition, the store terminal 105 is notified that the use is permitted, and the store terminal 105 adds the current usage amount and the current month usage amount stored in the member setting usage limit table stored in the credit card. Update the usage amount. Next, in step 819, the process ends.

  In this way, the credit card user can use the credit card within the usage limit set by the member store or the member store industry.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning, a various deformation | transformation is possible.

1 illustrates an exemplary computer environment of a credit card system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function mounted in the client terminal 101, the shop terminal 105, and the host computer 109 based on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the tables 301, 303, 305, and 307 stored in the database 213 with which the host computer 109 is provided according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the process which sets the member setting use amount limit based on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process in the credit card system based on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function mounted in the client terminal 101, the shop terminal 105, and the host computer 109 based on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process which sets the member setting use amount limit based on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process in the credit card system based on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Client terminal 103, 107 Card reader / writer 105 Store terminal 109 Host computer 111 Network

Claims (8)

Means for receiving from the client terminal the member store code or member store industry code entered by the user and the usage limit for each member store or member store industry;
Means for storing the received member store code or member store industry code, the use limit, and the use amount within a specific period for each member store or member store industry;
A means of receiving the current usage amount entered by the store clerk and the member store code or member store industry code;
A first determination is made as to whether or not a first addition result obtained by adding the received current usage amount and the usage amount within a specific period in the member store or member store type of business is equal to or less than the stored usage limit amount. 1 determination means;
When the first addition result is equal to or less than the stored use limit amount, the second addition result obtained by adding the current use amount and the use amount within a specific period of the credit card is a credit card. A second determination means for determining whether or not the usage limit is set by the company,
The credit card is allowed to be used when the second addition result is less than or equal to the usage limit set by the credit card company, and the second addition result is greater than the usage limit set by the credit card company. A credit card system characterized by refusing the use of a credit card when it is large. Means for receiving from the host computer the stored member store code or member store business type code and the usage limit;
The credit card system according to claim 2, further comprising means for displaying the received member store code or member store business type code and the usage limit. A means for setting a credit card with a merchant code or merchant type code entered by the user and a credit limit for each merchant or merchant type;
Means for memorizing the amount spent within a specific period for each franchise or franchise industry,
Whether the first addition result obtained by adding the current usage amount input by the store clerk and the usage amount within a specific period in the member store or the member store business type is equal to or less than the usage limit amount set in the credit card First determination means for determining whether or not;
Means for receiving the current usage amount from the client terminal when the first addition result is less than or equal to the usage limit set in the credit card;
Second determination for determining whether or not a second addition result obtained by adding the received current usage amount and the usage amount within a specific period of the credit card is equal to or less than a usage limit amount set by the credit card company Means and
The credit card is allowed to be used when the second addition result is less than or equal to the usage limit set by the credit card company, and the second addition result is greater than the usage limit set by the credit card company. A credit card system characterized by refusing the use of a credit card when it is large.   4. The credit card system according to claim 3, further comprising means for displaying a member store code or member store business type code set in the credit card and a usage limit. Receiving from the client terminal the merchant code or merchant type code entered by the user and the spending limit for each merchant or merchant type;
Storing the received member store code or member store business type code, the usage limit, and the usage amount within a specific period for each member store or member store business type;
Receiving the current usage amount entered by the clerk and the merchant code or merchant type code;
A first determination is made as to whether or not a first result obtained by adding the received current usage amount and a usage amount within a specific period in the previous term member store or member store type is equal to or less than the stored usage limit amount. A determination step of
When the first addition result is equal to or less than the stored use limit amount, the second addition result obtained by adding the current use amount and the use amount within a specific period of the credit card is a credit card. A second determination step for determining whether or not the usage limit is set by the company,
The credit card is allowed to be used when the second addition result is less than or equal to the usage limit set by the credit card company, and the second addition result is greater than the usage limit set by the credit card company. A method of using a credit card, characterized in that the use of a credit card is refused when the size is large. Receiving the stored member store code or member store business type code and the usage limit from a host computer;
The credit card usage method according to claim 5, further comprising: displaying the received member store code or member store business type code and the usage limit. Setting the credit card with the merchant code or merchant industry code entered by the user and the credit limit for each merchant or merchant industry,
Storing the amount spent within a specific period for each franchise or franchise industry,
Whether the first addition result obtained by adding the current usage amount input by the store clerk and the usage amount within a specific period in the member store or the member store business type is equal to or less than the usage limit amount set in the credit card A first determination step for determining whether or not;
Receiving the current usage amount from the client terminal when the first addition result is less than or equal to the usage limit set in the credit card;
A second determination step of determining whether or not the second addition result obtained by adding the received current usage amount and the usage amount within a specific period of the credit card is equal to or less than a usage limit amount set by the credit card company. And
The credit card is allowed to be used when the second addition result is less than or equal to the usage limit set by the credit card company, and the second addition result is greater than the usage limit set by the credit card company. A method of using a credit card, characterized in that the use of a credit card is refused when the size is large.   The method of using a credit card according to claim 7, further comprising a step of displaying a member store code or member store business type code set in the credit card and a usage limit.

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