JP2009140508A - Electronic money management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic money management system in which even electronic money individually issued by issuers can be freely replenished to a user card and used. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic money management server 10 is connected to the Internet N so that communication can be performed with a money reception terminal device 30 for replenishing electronic money to a user card obtained by recording a card ID and an issuer ID, a member store terminal device 30 for reducing used electronic money from the user card or the like. The electronic money management server is connected to the Internet N. The electronic money management server 10 acquires an amount of received money and the issuer ID from the money reception terminal device 30 and accumulates the amount of received money for each issuer when replenishing electronic money. The cash of the accumulated amount of received money is transferred to the issuer. When using electronic money, a used amount, an ID of a member store and an issuer ID are acquired from the member store terminal device 50, and a used amount is accumulated at each issuer and each member store. Then, the cash of the accumulated used amount is transferred between the issuer and the member store. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic money management system that provides an environment in which electronic money issued independently by a plurality of issuers can be arbitrarily supplemented and used in a store. Here, “electronic money” refers to a digital value representing monetary value, and “issuer” refers to such an electronic money issuing organization (organization, company, etc.).

Electronic money is attracting attention as a mechanism that can deal with small payments that are difficult with a credit card and can reduce the inconvenience of handling cash and the risk of carrying cash. There are various types of usage of such electronic money.
For example, in the case of prepaid electronic money using an IC card, a predetermined amount of electronic money is recorded in advance on the IC card held by the user, and this is used as appropriate at a store (the monetary value represented by the electronic money is converted into cash. Instead, it can be consumed (the same applies hereinafter). The IC card is supplemented with electronic money having a monetary value corresponding to the cash when the user inserts the cash into a dedicated electronic money supplementing device.
IC cards are generally issued for each issuer. Normally, an electronic money replenishing device and an electronic money reducing device for reducing electronic money recorded on an IC card are also installed for each issuer. When issuing an IC card, a unique card ID is assigned to the IC card, and this is managed on the issuer side. The issuer also manages the issuance amount of electronic money issued through the electronic money replenishment device.

JP-A-11-272766 JP 2001-34695 A

  If an IC card is issued for each issuer and an electronic money replenishing device is also installed, there is a disadvantage that the user of electronic money cannot replenish electronic money using an electronic money supplementing device of a different issuer. Also, in stores that receive payment by electronic money, such as department stores, restaurants, and vending machines, it is necessary to install a dedicated electronic money deduction device for each issuer, which increases the cost.

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for replenishing electronic money issued independently by a plurality of issuers and for facilitating the use of electronic money by a user.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an electronic money management system, an electronic money management method, and a computer program for performing such a management method using a computer.

(1) In the invention described in claim 1, electronic money supplementing means for supplementing electronic money for the designated monetary value to a portable recording medium in which medium identification information for identifying itself is recorded. A replenishment instruction accepting means for accepting an instruction to replenish electronic money from a third party other than the person who holds the replenishment destination recording medium, Replenishment information management means for holding the monetary value corresponding to the target electronic money together with the identification information of the third party and the medium identification information of the specific recording medium, and recording for replenishing electronic money with the electronic money supplementation means Medium identification information acquisition means for reading medium identification information from the medium and medium identification information read by the medium identification information acquisition means are medium identification information held by the supplement information management means. And medium identification information confirmation means for confirming that a is provided to the electronic money management system.
(2) In the invention described in claim 2, in the electronic money management system described in claim 1, the electronic money supplementing unit records the medium identification information confirmed by the medium identification information confirmation unit. The medium is supplemented with electronic money held by the supplement information management means.
(3) In the invention described in claim 3, in the electronic money management system according to claim 1 or 2, when the medium identification information confirmation unit cannot confirm specific medium identification information for a certain period of time, the replenishment The third party account is specified from the third party identification information held by the information management means, and the monetary value held by the supplementary information management means is returned to the specified third party account. It is characterized by that.
(4) In the invention described in claim 4, electronic money supplementing means for supplementing electronic money corresponding to the indicated monetary value to a portable recording medium in which medium identification information for identifying itself is recorded. And an electronic money management system connected via a communication channel, the grant condition accumulating means for accepting the condition for granting electronic money, and the replenishment target of the electronic money from the accepted condition for granting electronic money Medium identification information specifying means for specifying medium identification information to be used, replenishment information management means for holding a monetary value corresponding to electronic money to be replenished together with the specified medium identification information, and electronic money replenishment means Medium identification information acquisition means for reading medium identification information from a recording medium supplemented with electronic money, and medium identification information read by the medium identification information acquisition means include the supplementary information. And medium identification information confirmation means for confirming that the information is a medium identification information held by the management unit, a is provided in the electronic money management system.
(5) In the invention described in claim 5, in the electronic money management system according to claim 4, the electronic money supplement means records the medium identification information confirmed by the medium identification information confirmation means. The medium is supplemented with electronic money held by the supplement information management means.
(6) In the invention described in claim 6, in the electronic money management system according to claim 4 or 5, when the medium identification information confirmation unit cannot confirm specific medium identification information for a certain period of time, the grant condition It is characterized in that the accepting source that has received the condition for giving electronic money is specified by the storage means, and the monetary value held by the supplementary information managing means is returned to the specified accepting source.

  According to the present invention, electronic money issued by any issuer can be replenished to the recording medium, or the replenished electronic money can be used.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic money system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of the user card used as an example of a recording medium. The figure which showed the example of the information recorded on EEPROM of a user card. Structure explanatory drawing of identification information. The functional block diagram of a money_receiving | payment terminal device. The function block diagram of an electronic money management server. Functional configuration diagram of the issuer server. The functional block diagram of a member store terminal device. The functional block diagram of a home terminal device. The conceptual diagram of the replenishment form of the electronic money by offline. The processing procedure figure at the time of offline replenishment. The conceptual diagram of the replenishment form of electronic money online. The processing procedure figure at the time of online replenishment. Explanatory drawing of the procedure of the payment management process by an electronic money management server. The conceptual diagram of the utilization form of electronic money. Explanatory drawing of the procedure of the utilization process in a member store terminal device. Explanatory drawing of the procedure of the utilization process in a home terminal device. Explanatory drawing of the procedure of the payment management process by an electronic money management server.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic money system to which the present invention is applied.
The electronic money system can be realized by a local computer network using a LAN (Local Area Network), an in-house computer network using a dedicated line or a virtual dedicated line, a global network using a wide-area computer network such as the Internet, and the like. In this embodiment, an example of an electronic money system using a global network will be described.

In the electronic money system 1 of this embodiment, an electronic money management server 10 which is an example of an electronic money management system is provided on the Internet N, and the electronic money management server 10 receives a deposit management process, a settlement management process, and an information inquiry process. All information processing related to the distribution of electronic money including money and the corresponding monetary value.
The electronic money management server 10 is also provided with an accompanying management mechanism based on the result information of this information processing, for example, a mechanism for collecting, examining, distributing, and counting cash, which is a representative example of monetary value. Yes.
The Internet N includes an issuer server 20 deployed in an electronic money issuer, a depositing terminal device 30 as an example of electronic money supplementing means, a main bank account management computer 40, and a member store terminal device 50 as an example of electronic money reduction means. Various computer systems (hereinafter referred to as “bank systems, etc.”) such as personal use home terminal devices 60, credit systems of credit card companies that issue credit cards, and multi-bank transaction systems concluded by banks that issue cash cards ") 70 is connected or connectable.
The term “household terminal device” includes information processing terminals used for personal purposes at business establishments and portable terminals such as PDAs.
The deposit terminal device 30, the member store terminal device 50, and the home terminal device 60 are installed at a plurality of locations as necessary, and can be increased or decreased as appropriate.

The issuer server 20 is deployed in each of a plurality of issuers, and manages the amount of electronic money issued by the issuer and other information related to electronic money.
However, since the present invention can be implemented as long as cash payment for issuing electronic money can be managed, the form of management of electronic money may be arbitrary.
In addition to electronic money, each issuer issues a user card, which is an example of a portable recording medium on which an IC chip is mounted, for example, a recording medium for recording the electronic money.
In principle, one user card is issued from one issuer. However, in implementing the present invention, it is not necessary for all issuers to issue their own user cards, and a single user card issued by any issuer may be used. The user card only functions as a so-called electronic wallet that only records electronic money, and it is only necessary to record an issuer ID for identifying the issuer of the electronic money when making a transaction using the electronic money. Even one user card is sufficient.

The payment terminal device 30 is a device that replenishes the user card with electronic money based on a refill instruction from a user or the like, and can be used in various places such as a bank, a convenience store, a credit card company, a depositor such as a member store, and the like. Installed. ATMs at banks and credit card companies, and MMKs at convenience stores (multi-function information terminals: multi-function information terminals with multi-functions that combine ATM functions, EC (electronic commerce) and utility bill storage functions), member stores Then, the payment register with a deposit function or the like can be the deposit terminal device 30.
The depositing terminal device 30 replenishes electronic money corresponding to the corresponding monetary value by any of cash input, credit card settlement, and instructions from the electronic money management server 10. When the deposit terminal device 30 is installed by a specific issuer, the issuer ID is recorded on the user card at the time of replenishment. When the depositing terminal device 30 can select an issuer, the issuer ID of the selected issuer is recorded on the user card.
When replenishing electronic money, a card ID, an issuer ID, and electronic money replenishment information are sent to the electronic money management server 10 from the replenishment user card. The electronic money information is a monetary value corresponding to the electronic money (the amount in the case of cash) and other electronic money management information.
When electronic money is replenished by inserting cash, the deposit terminal device 30 is provided with a mechanism for sending the collected cash to a management entity (referred to as an “electronic money management company”) of the electronic money management server 10.

  The main bank account management computer 40 is a computer that manages a registered account of the main bank of the electronic money management company. The main bank refers to a bank that has an account for accepting cash associated with the issuance and use of electronic money and for settlement of payment. The main bank account management computer 40 is connected to the electronic money management server 10 and performs processing for inter-account transactions such as issuers and stores as necessary.

The member store terminal device 50 is a device that accepts payment of a user's price by electronic money, and is installed in a store that can handle electronic money (this is referred to as “member store”). A member store is a store that sells products, various information, digital contents, and provides services.
The member stores are classified into real stores and so-called cyber stores on the Internet. In actual stores, stores with card authentication modules installed, stores with POS, vending machines, etc. (terminals exchange with cards while maintaining security) and terminals without card authentication modules Some stores have an electronic money management server 10 and an MMK that performs online processing (the terminal only has a function of relaying secure exchanges between the center and the user card).
Cyber merchants have sites that end up paying electronic money in the same way when purchasing digital content and goods over the Internet (the terminal only has a function to relay secure exchanges between the center and user cards) And stores that have reservations for tickets and lunch boxes using the Internet, and pay for them at POS registers installed in convenience stores and other stores (where the terminal itself interacts with the card while maintaining security) is there. In this embodiment, it is assumed that payment can be made with electronic money at any form of member store.

  The home terminal device 60 is, for example, a personal computer (abbreviated as PC) having a bidirectional communication function via a computer network. By connecting an IC card reader / writer, the IC card reader / writer is used. The electronic money is supplemented to the user card or the electronic money recorded on the user card can be used.

[User Card]
Here, a user card used in the electronic money system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As the user card, either a contact type IC card that supplies power and inputs / outputs signals with electrical contacts (contacts) or a non-contact type IC card that does not have an external terminal can be used. As an example of the non-contact type IC card, “FeliCa” (trademark) manufactured and provided by Sony Corporation can be used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user card.
The user card UC includes a control unit 1001 configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable) formed in an IC chip. Only memory) 1004 and a card communication interface 1005 formed on the card medium.
The card communication interface 1005 is an electrical contact when the user card UC is a contact IC card, and an antenna for transmission and reception when the user card UC is a non-contact IC card. In the EEPROM 1004, as shown in FIG. 3, management information such as identification information B01, file and directory definition information B02, file access key B03, balance data B04 representing the balance of electronic money, and usage history of electronic money Log data B05 (including data related to recovery), user data B06 related to the user, and the like are recorded.
The identification information B01 is composed of 16 digits as shown in FIG. 4. The first four digits identify the issuer ID for identifying the electronic money issuer, and the next four digits identify the organization that issued the card. The card issuer ID and the next eight digits are the serial number unique to the IC card. It is treated as a card ID by a combination of a card issuer ID and a serial number.

Next, configuration examples of the terminal devices 20 to 60 and the electronic money management system 10 will be described more specifically.
[Payment terminal device]
As shown in FIG. 5, the deposit terminal device 30 includes a control unit 301, an IC card reader / writer 302 that exchanges data with a user card UC held by the user, a user's cash card and credit A magnetic card reader 303 that reads data from a magnetic recording band (stripes) of a card, a card authentication unit 304 that authenticates the validity of a user card, a cash type determination of the inserted cash, its acceptance and other cash processing Unit 305, printer 306 for printing a receipt as a supplementary record, display unit 307 composed of liquid crystal or CRT, operation unit 308 composed of a keyboard or a touch panel, storage unit 309 storing information relating to supplementation of electronic money, via a computer network Communication interface 31 for communicating with an external device It is equipped with a door.
The control unit 301 reads the information from the user card UC and the user card when the user operates the operation unit 308, the user card UC is mounted on the IC card reader / writer 302, or the card is mounted on the magnetic card reader 303. Controls all operations related to the replenishment of electronic money to the UC. If necessary, a communication path is established between the electronic money management server 10 and necessary information is transferred.
In the storage unit 309, in addition to the information related to the replenishment of the electronic money, an ID for identifying the deposit terminal device 30 is recorded as, for example, a 10-digit number. This ID is a number that is unique to the deposit terminal device 30 and is used by the electronic money management server 10 or the like for the purpose of managing the distribution state of electronic money.

[Electronic Money Management Server]
The electronic money management server 10 includes a server main body having a function of performing communication via the Internet N, and a computer program of the present invention that is read by the CPU of the server main body and forms various functions related to electronic money management in the server main body. And realized.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of functional blocks formed by the server body reading and executing a computer program.
In this embodiment, a control unit 100 that performs overall control related to electronic money management, a deposit management unit 110 that performs deposit management when replenishing electronic money, and an issuer management that manages information of all issuers that issue electronic money. Unit 120, card information management unit 130 for managing information recorded in the user card UC, member store management unit 140 for managing information of all member stores that can use electronic money, and electronic money received from outside A replenishment instruction management unit 150 that manages replenishment instruction information, a recovery processing unit 160 that restores a user card UC that has not been successfully replenished with electronic money to a normally completed state, and a terminal device authentication unit that authenticates various terminal devices 170, the settlement management unit 180 that performs settlement processing when electronic money is used (used), and the Internet N So that the communication interface 190 for controlling the signal is formed.

The deposit management unit 110 performs processing related to deposit management when electronic money is replenished, and also has a function of generating a web screen when accepting a replenishment instruction from a user or a third party. In addition, a depositor database (hereinafter abbreviated as “DB”) 111 that stores information on business operators involved in depositing, and a history of depositing for replenishment are linked to information for identifying a user card UC. A deposit log DB 112 for recording. The usage log is used to grasp the usage status of the user card UC afterwards.
The issuer management unit 120 has an issuer DB 121 for storing registered issuer information, and an electronic money issuance management DB 122 for recording, for each issuer, aggregate data of the used electronic money and the corresponding amount of money. ing.
The card information management unit 130 has a card information DB 131 for storing information of the user card UC supplemented with electronic money or reduced.
The member store management unit 140 has a member store DB 141 for storing information of all member stores that are members of the electronic money system, and a use log DB 142 for storing the fact that electronic money is used. is doing.
The replenishment instruction management unit 150 temporarily stores electronic money instructed to refill a specific user card UC by a third party together with the name of the third party and information that reveals the user card UC to be replenished. For example, and a value granting condition DB 152 that stores, for example, conditions for giving electronic money uniquely determined by the issuer.
The terminal device authentication unit 170 has an encryption DB 171 that stores keys used for encrypted communication.
The settlement management unit 180 includes a settlement log DB 181 that stores the date, amount, store, and the like when electronic money is used for each user card UC and issuer, and a settlement supplier DB 182 that stores information on businesses related to cash settlement, etc. And a bank account DB 183 for accumulating bank accounts and the like of persons (business operators, store managers, etc.) who are the deposit destination or withdrawal destination.
The checkout log is used to grasp and analyze the utilization status of the user card UC afterwards.

[Issuer server]
The issuer server 20 is also realized by a server main body having a communication function through the Internet N and a computer program that is read by the CPU of the server main body to form a required function in the server.
Depending on the issuer, it may be possible to provide a service that pays the user a point with cash of the amount of use or a point with equivalent financial value when the use of the electronic money issued by the issuer is recognized. In this case, the simplest management form that only manages the accumulated amount of use of electronic money is possible, but in this embodiment, in order to be able to grasp the distribution status and use history of electronic money, An example in which a money account corresponding one-to-one with the issued user card UC is managed together with the total amount of electronic money issued is given. The money account is used for grasping how much electronic money is currently recorded or used in the user card UC.
Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the issuer server 20 performs control related to the management of electronic money in a centralized manner, and the management of payment results for issued electronic money is performed in the payment log DB 202A. A usage log DB 203A for storing electronic money usage logs, an account DB 205 for storing information for specifying a money account for recording the usage status of electronic money for each user card UC, and a deposit log DB 202A. And a deposit record management unit 202 that manages the use record of electronic money by cooperating with the account DB 205, and a use record management unit that manages the use record of electronic money issued by the use log DB 203A and the account DB 205 in cooperation with the account DB 205. 203 and cash status management for the issued electronic money and the used electronic money And accounting management unit 204 for the seat DB205 cooperation, so that the functional block of a communication interface 206 for controlling communication with the Internet N can be formed.

[Member store terminal]
As shown in FIG. 8, the member store terminal device 50 includes an IC card reader / writer 501 that exchanges information with the user card UC, an IC card authentication unit 502 that authenticates the validity of the user card UC, and uses ( A printer 503 that prints a receipt as a record, a display unit 504 that includes a liquid crystal or a CRT, an operation unit 505 that includes a keyboard or a touch panel, a storage unit 506, a communication interface 507 that controls communication via the Internet N, and A clock 509 for measuring the current time is provided.
In the storage unit 506, the ID of the member store terminal device is recorded as, for example, a 10-digit identification number. This ID is a number that is unique to the member store terminal device, and is used by the electronic money management server 10 or the like for the purpose of managing the distribution state of electronic money.

[Master bank account management computer, etc.]
The account management computer 40 and the bank system 70 of the main bank perform deposit processing to the designated account or transfer processing to the designated account in accordance with a request from the electronic money management server 10 or the like.

[Home terminal equipment]
As shown in FIG. 9, the home terminal device 60 includes a PC 61 and a dedicated IC card reader / writer 62 that can be connected to the PC 61. As shown in FIG. 10, an input device such as a keyboard 614 and a mouse 615 and a display device 613 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display are connected to the PC 61. The PC 61 also stores a control unit 611 that controls the operation in the apparatus, an interface 612 with the IC card reader / writer 62 and the display device 613, an IC card authentication unit 616 for performing card authentication, a program, and the like. A storage unit 617 for storing, a communication interface 618 for connecting to the electronic money management server 10 on the above-described computer network by a subscriber telephone line or an Internet dedicated line, and a web browser for displaying an interface screen on the display device 613 619.
The IC card authenticating unit 616 may be realized by mounting dedicated hardware on the PC 61, or a dedicated program and data supplied from an electronic money management company are read into the storage unit 617, and the control unit 611 performs this operation. This can also be realized by executing. The web browser 619 is also realized by reading commercially available WWW (World Wide Web) site browsing software, for example, “Internet Explorer” provided by Microsoft Corporation into the storage unit 617 and executing it by the control unit 611. Is done.

<Operation mode: Electronic money management method>
Next, an example of the operation mode of the electronic money system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Here, the replenishment form of electronic money, the contents of the deposit management process at the time of replenishment, the use form of electronic money, and the contents of the settlement management process at the time of use will be described.
As a form of replenishing electronic money to the user card UC, it is based on the intention of the user (cash input by the user, cash card or credit card settlement), and according to the intention of a third party other than the user (gift, giveaway, etc.) There is. Moreover, there are an online money replenishment mode and a usage mode, that is, offline and online.

[Replenishment of electronic money 1: Offline replenishment]
FIG. 10 shows a conceptual diagram in the case where the electronic money is replenished offline in the form of replenishing electronic money by the user's intention. The offline electronic money replenishment is made when the user holding the user card UC inserts cash into the cash insertion slot 301 of the nearest depositing terminal device 30 or attached to the magnetic card reader 303 of the depositing terminal device 30. By inserting a cash card or credit card, the user card UC attached to the IC user reader / writer 302 is replenished with the designated amount of electronic money. The user card UC that can use the depositing terminal device 30 is not limited to those issued by the issuer that installed the depositing terminal device 30, and user cards issued by other issuers (Issuer A, Issuer B,...). It may be UC.

The processing procedure in the deposit terminal device 30 (control unit 301) in this case is as shown in FIG.
When the user card UC is attached to the IC card reader / writer 302 and an instruction to replenish electronic money is given via the operation unit 308 (S101: Yes, S102: Yes), the control unit 301 displays the IC card reader / writer 302. The identification information B01 recorded in the user card UC is read out through (S103), and the card authentication unit 304 is made to authenticate the validity of the user card UC (S104). The card authentication may be performed only within the deposit terminal device 30. The card authentication may be performed by connecting to the electronic money management system 10 and transmitting predetermined information, and at the electronic money management system 10 side (card information management unit 130) or electronically. You may make it carry out by cooperation with the money management system 10 and the said payment terminal device 30. FIG.
If the result of the card authentication is a valid user card UC, the user is prompted to insert cash through the display unit 307. When the insertion of cash is detected (S105: Yes), the amount data representing the amount is sent to the user card UC (S106). In the user card UC, the control unit 1001 adds the amount data transmitted from the depositing terminal device 30 to the electronic money balance in the EEPROM 1004, thereby updating the balance data B04 representing the balance of the electronic money. When the update is normally completed (S107: Yes), the replenished code is recorded on the user card UC (S108). If the update is not completed normally, the backup process is executed (S107: No, S109). The backup process refers to the deposit amount indicated by the amount data sent to the user card UC for replenishment and the user card UC. In this process, the identification information B01 is recorded in a temporary file (not shown). After that, the identification number B01 read from the user card UC that has been successfully updated, the deposit amount, the date and time of deposit, the deposit log including the terminal device ID of the own device (deposit terminal device), and the update has not terminated normally Transmits the information recorded in the temporary file as electronic money supplement information to the electronic money management server 10 through the communication interface 310 (S110).

In the process of step S101, when a user card UC that has not been updated normally is loaded, the recovery process is performed. As described above, in the recovery process, when the amount data is sent to the user card UC, but the supplemented data is not recorded on the user card UC due to some trouble, the user card UC is supplemented afterwards. By recording data, already recorded electronic money can be used.
Since the user card UC that requires recovery processing is grasped on the electronic money management system 10 side by the above replenishment information, for example, when such user card UC is recognized during card authentication (S104 above) In response to an instruction from the electronic money management server 10 (recovery processing unit 160), the supplemented data is recorded on the user card UC.

In the case of using a cash card or a credit card, the bank account number, the credit card number, etc. are read from the magnetic stripe through the magnetic card reader 303, and the card authentication unit 304 performs credit for the cash card or the credit card. 11 is different from the processing procedure in the case of cash input shown in FIG. The credit is a process of inquiring, for example, the bank 70 such as the validity of the card and whether the amount designated by the user is within the credit limit range. If it is a valid cash card or credit card and the indicated amount is within the range of the credit limit, the banking system 70 returns approval data to the deposit terminal 30. This ends the credit.
Note that the above is an example in which the deposit terminal device 30 is deployed alone in a bank or the like for replenishing electronic money. However, the deposit terminal device 30 may be linked to the affiliated store terminal device 50 and deployed in the affiliated store. . Moreover, the function of the deposit terminal device 30 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be added to the settlement register of the store, and the change generated in the settlement register may be converted into electronic money and replenished to the user card UC.

[Electronic money replenishment 2: Online replenishment]
The point when the user replenishes electronic money online will be described. Online replenishment is performed by the user operating the home terminal device 60 having the configuration illustrated in FIG. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of online replenishment.
There are cases where online replenishment is performed through a service site operated by an electronic money depositor, and cases where the electronic money management server 10 causes the user to do so. When replenishing electronic money through the service site, the electronic money is instructed through the screen prepared on the site side, except for the fact that cash is transferred (or transferred) from the depositor to the electronic money management company afterwards. This is almost the same as that performed through the money management server 10.

The online replenishment procedure by the electronic money management server 10 is as shown in FIG. That is, when an access from the user is detected, the electronic money management server 10 displays a web screen including various menus on the display device 613 (“user device”) of the home terminal device 60 operated by the user (S201: Yes, S202).
When it is detected that the user has operated the mouse 615 to select the deposit menu from the web screen, the electronic money management server 10 sends out the electronic money management screen data in the HTML format, and manages the electronic money through the web browser 619. A screen is displayed (S203: Yes, S204). On this electronic money management screen, buttons for various services such as a confirmation of balance and transfer of electronic money to other users are displayed in addition to a deposit button for instructing replenishment of electronic money. . Here, it is assumed that the deposit button is selected and the deposit button is clicked by the user. Then, data indicating that there has been an instruction to replenish electronic money is transmitted to the electronic money management server 10.
The electronic money management server 10 recognizes this replenishment instruction, displays a message on the web browser 619 of the home terminal device 60 (PC 61), and prompts the user card UC to be attached to the IC card reader / writer 62 (S206). ). When the user card UC is inserted, the identification information B01 recorded in the user card UC is read through the IC card reader / writer 62, and the IC card authentication unit 616 performs card authentication based on the identification information B01 ( S207). If it is confirmed that the user card UC is valid, a guidance screen for allowing the web browser 619 to input a deposit amount is displayed (S208). The deposit is made by debiting from the bank account of the user or by credit settlement. Therefore, the input of the deposit amount means the input of the bank account or credit card number and the debit amount. When it is detected that the user has input a deposit amount of electronic money using the keyboard 614, the amount data representing the amount is sent to the user card UC via the IC card reader / writer 62, and the balance data B04 is updated (S209). ). On the user card UC side, the control unit 1001 updates the balance data B04 representing the balance of the electronic money by adding the transmitted amount data to the electronic money balance of the EEPROM 1004.
When the update is normally completed, the replenished code is recorded on the user card UC (S210; Yes, S211). If the update has not ended normally, backup processing is executed (S210: No, S212). The backup process is as described above, and may be performed by the home terminal device 60 or may be performed by the electronic money management server 10.
After that, the identification number B01 read from the user card UC that has been successfully updated, a deposit log including the deposit amount and the date and time of deposit, and if the update has not been completed successfully, the information recorded in the temporary file is electronically stored. It is acquired from the home terminal device 60 as money supplement information and stored in the value DB 151 or the like (S213).

[Replenishment of electronic money 3: Replenishment by instructions from third parties]
As a mode of replenishing electronic money to the user card UC held by a third party other than the user, there are replenishment by an issuer and replenishment by an individual such as a user's friend or relative.
In replenishment in this case, the issuer server 20 or the deposit terminal device 30 directly accepts a replenishment instruction including the identification information of the person instructing replenishment and the amount to be replenished. It is also possible to transmit only a deposit log including the identification information of the person and the deposit amount. However, here, a supplement instruction from an individual and a supplement instruction from an issuer, a web screen of the electronic money management server 10 and a supplement An example of receiving through the instruction management unit 150 will be given.

In the case of replenishment by the issuer, the replenishment instruction management unit 150 supplies the special replenishment requirement uniquely set by the issuer (for example, provision of electronic money for 500 yen for replenishment during the campaign period) and information on the replenishment amount through the issuer server 20 or the like. The supplementary amount information is stored in the value DB 151, and the special supplementary requirement is recorded in the value provision condition DB 152.
In the case of replenishment by an individual, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the individual can operate by operating the home terminal device 60. In the electronic money management server 10, the personal identification information, the identification information (or user name) of the replenishment user card, and the deposit amount are received by the replenishment instruction management unit 150 and recorded in the value DB 151. Also, cash corresponding to the deposit amount is received from the individual through the bank system 70 (account management computer 40).
When an IC card reader / writer 62 is connected to the personal home terminal device 60 and the individual has a user card UC, the other replenishment destination is transferred by transferring electronic money from the user card UC. It is also possible to replenish electronic money to the user card UC. In this case, the individual is in the same state as online use of electronic money described later.

  It is detected that a user card UC is attached to any one of the payment terminal devices 30 (for example, at the time of card authentication), and the user card UC meets a special replenishment requirement or a replenishment destination designated by the above-mentioned individual. When the replenishment instruction management unit 150 confirms that the user card UC is the user card UC, the replenishment instruction management unit 150 reads the corresponding replenishment amount information from the value DB 151 and notifies it to the payment terminal apparatus 30. As a result, the user card UC is replenished with the replenishment amount of electronic money through the deposit terminal 30.

If a user card UC that is a replenishment destination cannot be detected after a predetermined period of time after receiving a replenishment instruction from a third party and an issuer, the electronic money management server 10 displays the replenishment instruction and the replenishment amount. Reply to the reception source.
Further, in the case of replenishing electronic money by the intention of a third party, the user usually does not know that his / her user card UC is replenished with electronic money. A function of notifying the user corresponding to the unit 150 by e-mail or the like may be added. However, in order to enable such a service, it is necessary to know in advance the mail address of the user who holds the user card UC to be replenished from the third party or the user.

[Deposit Management Processing]
Next, a deposit management process when electronic money is actually replenished to the user card UC will be described. The procedure of this process is as shown in FIG. As described above, when electronic money is replenished at the deposit terminal device 30, a deposit log reaches the electronic money management server 10 from the deposit terminal device 30. Further, when a refill instruction is received from an issuer or an individual and executed (when the corresponding user card UC is detected and electronic money is replenished thereto), part or all of the deposit log is stored in the electronic management server 10. Exists.
As described above, when replenishment of electronic money to the user card UC is performed, the fact, information for specifying the replenishment destination user card UC and the issuer of electronic money, and information indicating the deposit amount, Can be grasped in the electronic money management server 10. Therefore, the electronic money management server 10 takes the initiative in performing the deposit management process according to the following procedure.

First, when a deposit log is collected by the deposit management unit 110, these are stored in the deposit log DB 112 (S301: Yes, S302). The deposit log DB 112 normally stores a deposit log for one day on the day of transaction. The collected deposit log is subjected to a scrutiny by the deposit manager 110 as necessary, including detection of abnormalities and errors in the deposit terminal device 30, detection of system registration omissions, confirmation of operation or transaction status, and the like.
The card information management unit 130 organizes the detailed contents of the deposit log by the issuer ID, the card issuer ID, and the serial number among the identification information B01 included in the deposit log, and is provided for each user card UC in the card information DB 131. The record includes the deposit amount, the date and time of deposit, and the supplemented terminal device ID (deposit history) (S303).
When these processes are completed, the issuer management unit 120 aggregates or distributes the payment logs by issuer using the issuer ID in the identification information B01 as a search key (S304), and stores the result in the issue management DB 122 (S305).

When the aggregation / distribution processing for each issuer is completed, the issuer management unit 120 sends at least information on the deposit amount among the deposit logs for each issuer stored in the issue management DB 122 to the issuer server 20 of the corresponding issuer. Transmit (S306). Further, the main bank account computer or the bank system 70 is controlled so that the cash corresponding to the distributed deposit log reaches the issuer (S307).
In the issuer server 20, when the deposit log is received, the deposit record management unit 202 stores the deposit log in the deposit log DB 202A, and the deposit amount is stored in the money account of the user card UC specified by the identification information B01 included in the deposit log. Deposit money. The payment record management unit 202 searches the account DB 205 to check whether or not the amount corresponding to the payment log is actually transferred from the electronic money management company, and if it is, the processing for payment is completed.

In the case where electronic money is replenished to a certain user card UC by the issuer's intention and the replenishment amount is recognized by the issuer, the confirmation processing of the deposit amount by the issuer in the above-described deposit settlement process is as follows. It is not always necessary.
When electronic money is supplemented to the user card UC by the intention of an individual other than the user, the only difference is that the accepted cash or the like is delivered from the electronic money management server 10 to the issuer.

  As can be understood from the above description, regardless of the issuer's electronic money or from any deposit terminal device 30, what kind of user card UC is the replenishment destination? Even if it is a thing, if electronic money is replenished, a payment log will concentrate on the electronic money management server 10. FIG. Since the deposit log includes cash information corresponding to the supplemented electronic money, an issuer ID, and a card ID, the electronic money management server 10 totals the cash used for supplementing the electronic money for each issuer. The collected cash can then be sent to each issuer. In practice, the remittance can be easily performed by transfer using the main bank account management computer 40, the bank system 70, or the like. In this way, it is guaranteed that electronic money has been replenished to the user card UC, and the user can use the user card UC as a prepaid card.

[Use of electronic money 1]
Next, a usage form of electronic money, for example, a case in which a user pays electronic money as a price for purchasing a product or enjoying a service will be described. The electronic money is used at the member store as shown in FIG. 15, and is deducted from the user card UC at the member store terminal device 50 provided by the member store. Information on the use of electronic money is collected in the electronic money management server 10.

More specifically, the use process is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.
When the user card UC can be communicated with the IC card reader / writer 502 of the member store terminal device 50, for example, the IC card reader / writer 502 is installed (S401: Yes), for example, a store clerk of the member store uses the operation unit 506. An operation is instructed to start a transaction (S402). The control unit 501 controls the IC card reader / writer 502 to read the identification information B01 from the user card UC (S403), and causes the IC card authentication unit 503 to perform card authentication (S404). When the user card UC is valid, the control unit 501 waits for the usage amount to be input from the operation unit 506. When the usage amount is input from the operation unit 506 (S405: Yes), the control unit 501 controls the IC card reader / writer 502, and balance data recorded in the EEPROM of the user card based on the usage amount. The usage amount is subtracted from (S406), and the storage unit 507 stores the amount, identification information, usage date information, and member store terminal device ID as a usage log (S407). The use date information is acquired from the clock 509. The control unit 501 accumulates usage logs for a certain period, and transmits the accumulated usage logs to the electronic money management server 10 via the communication interface 310 on a schedule determined separately from the electronic money management company (S408).

[Use of electronic money 2]
An example in which a user uses electronic money in a cyber member store (member store terminal device 50) using the home terminal device 60 will be described. In this case, the user card UC is attached to the IC card reader 62, and the transaction is performed in the same procedure as in the normal online trade. The procedure in this case will be described focusing on the processing procedure of the member store terminal device 50 of FIG.

The IC card reader / writer 62 of the home terminal device 60 and the user card UC can communicate with each other, for example, the user card UC is mounted on the IC card reader / writer 62 (S501: Yes), and the user instructs the start of the transaction. Then (S502; Yes), the identification information B01 recorded on the user card UC is acquired through the IC card reader / writer 62 and the home terminal device 60 (S501 to S503). The cyber member store (member store terminal device 50) performs the card authentication of the user card UC based on the identification information B01, and when it is confirmed that the card is a valid card, the use amount input and the electronic money A reduction is instructed to the home terminal device 60 (S504).
The home terminal device 60 receives the input of the usage amount, controls the IC card reader / writer 62, and updates the usage amount so as to subtract the usage amount from the balance data recorded on the user card UC. When the update is normally completed, the reduced code is recorded on the user card UC, and a usage log having the same contents as described above is generated. Then, this usage log is sent to the cyber member store (member store terminal device 50).
The cyber member store (member store terminal device 50) stores the acquired use log for a certain period (S506), and uses the communication interface 310 to store the use log that has been stored on a schedule individually determined with the electronic money management company. To the electronic money management server 10 (S507).

[Settlement management processing]
As described above, when the user uses electronic money, a usage log is collected in the electronic money management server 10 regardless of which member store uses the electronic money. In the electronic money management server 10, the account settlement process is performed as shown in FIG. 18 based on these usage logs.
That is, when the usage log is received, the member store management unit 140 stores the usage log in the usage log DB 142 for each predetermined period (S601: Yes, S602). These usage logs are subjected to scrutiny including detection of terminal abnormality or error, detection of system registration omission, confirmation of operation or transaction status, etc. at the member store management unit 140 as necessary.
The card information management unit 130 organizes the usage log by issuer ID, card issuer ID, and serial number in the identification information B01, and records the usage amount, usage date and time, member store terminal device in the record for each user card in the card information DB 131. The ID is stored (S603).

  Further, the issuer management unit 120 distributes the usage log by issuer using the issuer ID as a search key, and the member store management unit 140 distributes the usage log by member store (S604). The usage log for each member store is stored in the usage log DB 142 (S605). Then, at least information on the usage amount is totaled from the usage log distributed by issuer, and this is sent to the issuer server 20 of the corresponding issuer (S606).

  In the issuer server 20 that has received the information about the usage amount, the usage record management unit 203 stores it in the usage log DB 203A. Further, the usage record management unit 203 withdraws the usage amount from the money account specified by the identification information B01 in the account DB 205 to the cash management unit 204. Then, processing is performed to remit the usage amount to the electronic money management company on a schedule determined individually with the electronic money management company. This remittance processing is performed, for example, by the deposit / withdrawal management unit 204 receiving an instruction from the usage record management unit 203 transferring money from the bank account to the main bank account management computer 40 through the bank system 70. . In this way, when it is found that the cash equivalent to the usage amount has been deposited from each issuer to the electronic money management company, the electronic money management server 10 reaches the affiliated store where the electronic money has been used. Thus, cash distribution is controlled (S607). Specifically, for example, the settlement unit 160 of the electronic money management server 10 uses the bank-based system 70 through the bank management system 70 to the account management computer 40 of the main bank according to the usage log for each member store stored in the usage log DB 142. This is done by instructing the transfer from the bank account to the bank account of each member store so that the cash equivalent to the amount used can be delivered to the member store.

As can be understood from the above description, regardless of the issuer's electronic money, which is recorded in which user card UC, which merchant (vending machine) Even if the electronic money corresponding to the amount used from the user card UC is reduced, a usage log including information on the issuer ID, card ID and usage amount is stored in the electronic money management server. Concentrate on the 10th.
The electronic money management server 10 aggregates the usage amounts included in these usage logs for each issuer and each member store, and receives and receives cash after usage for the corresponding issuers. Control for inter-account transactions so that cash is delivered to member stores where electronic money is used. In this way, the cash settlement process when electronic money is used is surely performed.

  In this embodiment, an example in which an IC card is used as a recording medium for recording electronic money is shown. However, another card medium having an IC chip having a recording area, for example, a hybrid card is used. It goes without saying. In addition, a portable IC chip mounting medium such as a mobile phone, a wristwatch, or the like that accommodates such an IC chip can be used. These IC chips are issued for each issuer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic money system 10 Electronic money management server 110 Deposit management part 120 Issuer management part 130 Card information management part 140 Merchant management part 150 Replenishment instruction management part 160 Recovery processing part 170 Terminal device authentication part 180 Checkout management part 190 Communication interface 20 Issuer Server 201 Control unit 202 Deposit result management unit 203 Use result management unit 204 Deposit management unit 205 Account DB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Deposit terminal device 302 IC card reader / writer 310 Communication interface 40 Account management computer of main bank 50 Merchant terminal device 502 IC card reader / writer 508 Communication interface 60 Home terminal device 61 IC card reader / writer 70 Bank etc. system UC User card

Claims (6)

Electronic money replenishment means for replenishing electronic money for the indicated monetary value to a portable recording medium that records medium identification information for identifying itself, and electronic money connected via a communication path A management system,
Replenishment instruction accepting means for accepting an instruction to replenish electronic money from a third party other than the person holding the replenishment destination recording medium;
Replenishment information management means for holding a monetary value corresponding to electronic money to be replenished together with the identification information of the third party and the medium identification information of the specific recording medium;
Medium identification information acquisition means for reading medium identification information from a recording medium for replenishing electronic money by the electronic money supplementing means;
Medium identification information confirmation means for confirming that the medium identification information read by the medium identification information acquisition means is the medium identification information held by the supplement information management means, Electronic money management system.   The electronic money supplementing means supplements the electronic money held by the supplementary information management means to a recording medium that records the medium identification information confirmed by the medium identification information confirmation means, The electronic money management system according to claim 1.   When the medium identification information confirmation unit cannot confirm specific medium identification information for a certain period, the third party account is identified from the third party identification information held by the supplement information management unit, and the supplement information 3. The electronic money management system according to claim 1, wherein the money value held by the management means is returned to the specified third party account. Electronic money replenishment means for replenishing electronic money for the indicated monetary value to a portable recording medium that records medium identification information for identifying itself, and electronic money connected via a communication path A management system,
Grant condition accumulating means for accepting conditions for granting electronic money;
Medium identification information specifying means for specifying medium identification information to be replenished with electronic money from the accepted conditions for granting electronic money;
Replenishment information management means for holding a monetary value corresponding to electronic money to be replenished together with the specified medium identification information;
Medium identification information acquisition means for reading medium identification information from a recording medium for replenishing electronic money by the electronic money supplementing means;
Medium identification information confirmation means for confirming that the medium identification information read by the medium identification information acquisition means is the medium identification information held by the supplement information management means, Electronic money management system.   The electronic money supplementing means supplements the electronic money held by the supplementary information management means to a recording medium that records the medium identification information confirmed by the medium identification information confirmation means, The electronic money management system according to claim 4.   When the medium identification information confirmation means cannot confirm specific medium identification information for a certain period of time, the acceptance condition storage means identifies the reception source that has accepted the conditions for granting electronic money, and replenishes the identified reception source with the supplement 6. The electronic money management system according to claim 4, wherein the monetary value held by the information management means is returned.

Images