JPH11195063A - Prepaid card substitutive system, prepaid card substitutive method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an operability and to improve security by investing a money amount being equivalent to a merchandise without purchasing a prepaid card including a password by means of a user so as to permit him to purchase the merchandise in the same way as that at the time of using the prepaid card. SOLUTION: A method executed in a prepaid card substitutive system is provided with a first procedure S1 where a password keeping screen for purchasing the prepaid card and inputting the password is displayed so as to store the inputted password, the second one S2 where a merchandise selecting screen for selecting the merchandise to be purchased is displayed, the third one S3 where a merchandise purchasing screen for deciding the purchase of the merchandise is displayed, the fifth one S5 by which the procedure proceeds to the sixth one S6 at the time of purchasing the merchandise, the sixth one S6 where a cash throw-in screen for urging the throwing-in of money is displayed and the seventh one S7 where it is judged whether the money amount of the thrown-in cash is correct or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid card replacement system, and more particularly to an information providing system started by a browser, in which a user inserts an amount corresponding to a product without purchasing a prepaid card including a password. The present invention relates to a prepaid card replacement system, a prepaid card replacement method, and a recording medium that allow the user to purchase a product in the same manner as using a prepaid card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional prepaid card system, for example, there is a bit cash system described in "Introduction of BitCash Card" issued by Bit Cash Corporation.

[0003] This technology is a small-payment prepaid card system for purchasing contents such as images and sounds on the Internet. This bit cash prepaid card is sold mainly at bookstores, and it takes time to go to the bookstore to buy the card, but it is not necessary to purchase the card by name, so who buys the card and on the Internet "Anonymity" that does not tell what kind of content was used is realized.

[0004] Currently available bit cash prepaid cards are 1,000 [CRERDIT] and 2,
1,000 [CREIT] for 1,000 [CREIT]
DIT] is 1,000 [yen]. That is, 1 [CR
EDIT] = 1 [yen].

[0005] As shown in Fig. X1, the prepaid card has a password (4 characters x 4 lines of hiragana) and 12 characters.
The letters x 2 lines of alphanumeric characters are hidden by a silver film. The film can be scraped with a coin or the like, and a character string that appears can be input on the WWW to pay.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show browser screens when a product is purchased using a bit cache on the WWW. FIG. 5A shows a screen showing a list of member stores that sell products by bit cash. FIG. 5B shows a screen for selecting a product to be purchased. FIG. 6A shows a screen for inputting a password hidden in a purchased prepaid card. FIG. 6B shows a screen for purchasing the selected product.

[0007] Unlike a magnetic type prepaid card such as a telephone card, the card itself does not have usage amount or balance information and is centrally managed by a BitCash center. If dropped or copied, there is a risk of being used, but there is no damage beyond the amount of the card purchased. Thus, the secret is hidden in the characters written on the card rather than the card itself. Therefore, since the use range of the card can be limited, it is effective not only as a substitute for cash but also as an information providing means for limiting the number of times of use such as a magazine or a book appendix.

[0008]

A first problem of the above-mentioned prior art is that it may be difficult to purchase a prepaid card. The reason is that prepaid cards can be purchased only in limited stores.

A second problem is that the prepaid card may be used illegally. The reason is that if the prepaid card is lost or the password is known by a third party, the third party can use the prepaid card using the password.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to enable a user to purchase a prepaid card including a password without having to purchase the prepaid card, and to purchase a product in the same manner as using a prepaid card by inserting an amount corresponding to the product. Another object of the present invention is to realize a prepaid card replacement system that achieves improvement in operability and security.

[0011]

A first prepaid card replacement system according to the present invention comprises the Internet and an electronic device on which a browser capable of accessing the Internet operates, and the electronic device is a cash-in device. Built-in cash receiving device and an amount notification device that notifies the browser of the amount of cash received,
The provider stores the password printed on the prepaid card purchased in advance in the electronic device using the browser, and when the user puts cash in the cash receiving device to purchase a product, The cash receiving device notifies the money amount notifying device of the content of the inserted cash as a normal currency and the amount thereof as result information, and the money amount notifying device notifies the browser of the result information, If the result information is equal to or higher than the price of the product to be purchased, the browser reads out the stored password and displays an availability notification screen that allows the user to purchase the product.

[0012] A second prepaid card substitution system according to the present invention is the first prepaid card substitution system, wherein when the browser receives the result information, it is less than a price of an abnormal currency or a purchased commodity. If so, the money amount notifying device is notified of the refund information to refund the cash. When the money amount notifying device receives the refund information, the money amount notifying device notifies the cash receiving device and refunds the inserted cash to the user.

[0013] A third prepaid card replacement system according to the present invention is the first or second prepaid card replacement system, wherein the electronic device has a purchase button for a user to purchase a product.

The first prepaid card substitution method of the present invention comprises: (a) a first procedure of displaying a password storage screen for purchasing a prepaid card and inputting a password and storing the input password; b) a second procedure for displaying a product selection screen for selecting a product to be purchased, (c) a third procedure for displaying a product purchase screen for deciding to purchase a product, and (d) a selected procedure. A fourth procedure of displaying the price of the purchased product and displaying a purchase price determination screen for determining whether or not to purchase; and (e) performing a process in which the user does not purchase the product on the purchase price determination screen. A fifth procedure to return to the second procedure,
(F) a sixth procedure of displaying a cash input screen for prompting the user to input cash when the user performs a process of purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen; A seventh procedure for determining whether or not the inserted cash is normal money and whether or not the amount is equal to or higher than the purchase price of the product; and (h) reading and using the password input in the first procedure. Eighth procedure for confirming that it is possible, (i) Ninth procedure for displaying an availability notification screen indicating that a product can be purchased, and (j) Judge whether there is a balance A tenth procedure, and (k) an eleventh procedure for refunding the cash when the cash inserted in the seventh procedure is not normal currency, or when it is determined that there is a balance in the tenth procedure. Procedure and (l) purchased It includes a twelfth step of displaying the shipment information input screen for inputting information required for shipping, and a thirteenth step of performing a process of returning to the (m) the second step.

A second prepaid card substitution method of the present invention realizes the first prepaid card substitution method by a browser using the Internet.

The first recording medium of the present invention comprises: (a) a first procedure for displaying a password storage screen for purchasing a prepaid card and inputting a password and storing the entered password; and (b) A second procedure for displaying a product selection screen for selecting a product to be purchased, (c) a third procedure for displaying a product purchase screen for deciding to purchase a product, and (d) a selected product. A fourth procedure of displaying the price of the product and displaying a purchase price determination screen for determining whether or not to purchase, and (e) a process in which the user does not purchase a product on the purchase price determination screen A fifth procedure for returning to the second procedure, and (f) cash input for prompting the user to input cash when the user performs a process of purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen. Sixth procedure for displaying the screen , And the seventh of procedure to determine whether a (g) whether or not the cash that has been turned on by the user is a normal currency and the amount is more than the purchase price of the goods,
(H) an eighth procedure for reading out the password entered in the first procedure and confirming that the password is usable;
(I) a ninth procedure for displaying an availability notification screen indicating that a product can be purchased; (j) a tenth procedure for determining whether there is a balance remaining; and (k) a seventh procedure. An eleventh procedure for refunding the cash when the cash inserted in the procedure is not normal currency, or when it is determined in the tenth procedure that there is a balance, and (l) for sending out purchased goods. A program for causing an electronic device to execute a twelfth procedure for displaying a commodity shipping information input screen for inputting necessary information and (m) a thirteenth procedure for performing processing for returning to the second procedure is recorded. I do.

The second recording medium of the present invention comprises: (a) a first procedure for displaying a password storage screen for purchasing a prepaid card and inputting a password and storing the entered password; and (b) A second procedure for displaying a product selection screen for selecting a product to be purchased, (c) a third procedure for displaying a product purchase screen for deciding to purchase a product, and (d) a selected product. A fourth procedure of displaying the price of the product and displaying a purchase price determination screen for determining whether or not to purchase, and (e) a process in which the user does not purchase a product on the purchase price determination screen A fifth procedure for returning to the second procedure, and (f) cash input for prompting the user to input cash when the user performs a process of purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen. Sixth procedure for displaying the screen , And the seventh of procedure to determine whether a (g) whether or not the cash that has been turned on by the user is a normal currency and the amount is more than the purchase price of the goods,
(H) an eighth procedure for reading out the password entered in the first procedure and confirming that the password is usable;
(I) a ninth procedure for displaying an availability notification screen indicating that a product can be purchased; (j) a tenth procedure for determining whether there is a balance remaining; and (k) a seventh procedure. An eleventh procedure for refunding the cash when the cash inserted in the procedure is not normal currency, or when it is determined in the tenth procedure that there is a balance, and (l) for sending out purchased goods. Using the Internet to cause the electronic device to execute a twelfth procedure for displaying a commodity shipping information input screen for inputting necessary information and (m) a thirteenth procedure for performing processing for returning to the second procedure Record your browser program.

[0018]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a system including the Internet 100 and an electronic device 110 (which can include a personal computer) on which a browser 120 capable of accessing the Internet 100 operates. In FIG. 2, the system includes an Internet 100, an electronic device 110, and an electronic device 11
And a browser 120 operating on the Internet. The electronic device 110 has a built-in cash receiving device 111 and a money amount notifying device 112 that notifies the browser 120 of the amount of cash received. Further, the embodiment of the present invention is realized as a procedure for performing the processing of the browser 120. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing screens displayed on the browser 120 during the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3A shows a password storage screen 11 for a provider of the electronic device 110 to temporarily purchase a prepaid card including a password and to input a password of the prepaid card in a password input field.
FIG. 3B shows a product selection screen 12 for the user to select a product. FIG. 3C shows a product purchase screen 13 for the user to purchase a product. FIG. 4A shows a purchase price determination screen 14 displaying the price of a product. FIG.
(B) shows the cash input screen 15 which prompts the user to input cash. FIG. 4C shows an availability notification screen 16 that indicates to the user that a product can be purchased. FIG. 4D shows a product shipping information input screen 17 for shipping the product to the user.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, in the embodiment of the present invention, a first procedure S1 for displaying a password storage screen 11 for purchasing a prepaid card and inputting a password and storing the entered password, A second procedure S2 for displaying a product selection screen 12 for selecting a product and a product purchase screen 13 for deciding to purchase a product
, A fourth procedure S4 for displaying the price of the selected product, and displaying a purchase price determination screen 14 for determining whether or not to purchase, and a purchase price determination screen 14. If the user has performed a process of not purchasing the product, the process returns to the second procedure S2.
And a sixth procedure S6 for displaying a cash input screen 15 for prompting the user to input cash when the user performs a process of purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen 14. A seventh procedure S7 for determining whether the cash is normal currency and whether or not the amount is equal to or more than the purchase price of the product, and the password input in the first procedure S1 are read and usable. An eighth procedure S8 for confirming the fact, a ninth procedure S9 for displaying an availability notification screen 16 indicating that a product can be purchased,
A tenth procedure S10 for determining whether there is a balance,
An eleventh step S11 of performing a cash refund if the cash inserted in the seventh step S7 is not normal currency, or if it is determined in the tenth step S10 that there is a balance, A twelfth screen displaying a product shipping information input screen 17 for inputting information necessary for shipping
Step S12 and the first step of performing the process returning to the second step S2
3 procedure S13.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

1. A provider providing the electronic device 110 to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied purchases a prepaid card on which a password is printed, activates the browser 120 of the electronic device 110, and purchases the card on the password storage screen 11. Enter the password printed on the prepaid card. This password is stored as password information in a storage device (not shown) of the electronic device 110 (S1 in FIG. 1).

2. A user who purchases an electronic device 11
In this case, the browser 120 of “0” is started, and the product selection screen 12 is viewed. The product selection screen 12 is linked to a plurality of homepages and is displayed by the browser 120 (S2 in FIG. 1). Next, when the user detects a product to be purchased, the user clicks on the product to select it.

3. Next, the browser 120 displays the product purchase screen 13 and prompts the user to determine whether to purchase the product. The user decides to purchase the product by clicking the “Purchase” button on the screen (FIG. 2S
3).

4. Next, the browser 120 displays a purchase price determination screen 14 indicating the price of the product selected by the user (S4 in FIG. 1). In FIG. 4 (b), the user has selected "Miscellaneous Archeology" by Michel Foucault,
Zero yen is shown. If the user is satisfied with the amount, he or she clicks the "purchase" button on the purchase amount determination screen 14, and if not satisfied, clicks the "do not purchase" button. In the latter case, the browser 120 displays the product selection screen 1
It returns to the display of No. 2 (S5NO in FIG. 1).

[5] Next, the browser 120 displays the cash input screen 15 indicating the price of the product, and prompts the user to insert cash into the electronic device 110 (FIG. 1S).
6).

6. When the user inserts cash, the cash receiving device 111 detects whether or not the received cash is normal money and the amount thereof, and transfers the result information to the amount notifying device 112.

7. The amount notification device 112 notifies the browser 120 of the result information received from the cash receiving device 111.

8. The browser 120 uses the amount notification device 11
If the result information is received from No. 2, if the money is not normal or the price of the purchased product is less, the amount notifying device 112 is notified of the refund information to refund the cash (FIG. 1S7NO).

9. Upon receiving the refund information, the amount notification device 112 notifies the cash receiving device 111 and refunds the inserted cash to the user.

10. Next, if the inserted amount is equal to or more than the price of the product (YES in S7 in FIG. 1), the browser 120
The password (the one previously stored in item No. 1) stored in the storage device is read, and it is confirmed that the password can be used (S8 in FIG. 1). This password cannot be confirmed by the user.

11. Next, the browser 120 displays the availability notification screen 16 and confirms again with the user whether to purchase a product (S9 in FIG. 1).

12. When the user clicks the “do not purchase” button on the availability notification screen 16 (FIG. 1S9N)
O), the browser 120 returns to the display of the product selection screen 12 again.

13. When the user clicks the “purchase” button on the availability notification screen 16 (S9YE in FIG. 1)
S), the browser 120 checks whether or not the amount of the inserted cash is higher than the price of the product.
10YES), the balance notification device 112 is notified of balance information indicating that there is a balance (S11 in FIG. 1).

14. Upon receiving the balance information, the amount notification device 112 notifies the cash receiving device 111 and repay the balance to the user.

15. Next, the browser 120 sends product purchase information (address, name, etc.) for shipping the purchased product.
Is displayed (S12 in FIG. 1).

16. When the user inputs the product purchase information, the browser 120 returns to the display of the product selection screen 12 (S13 in FIG. 1).

It is also possible to adopt a form in which the electronic device 110 has the [Purchase] button described in item 13 as hardware. In addition, a program (for example, browser 120) including each procedure shown in FIG. 1 can be recorded on the recording medium 200, loaded into the storage device of the electronic device 110, and executed.

[0038]

A first effect of the present invention is that a user can purchase a product sold with a prepaid card without purchasing a prepaid card. The reason is that the provider of the electronic device purchases a prepaid card in advance and stores the password printed on the prepaid card in the electronic device.

A second advantage of the present invention is that fraudulent use of a prepaid card can be prevented. The reason is that cash can be used to purchase products sold with a prepaid card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a browser.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on a browser.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Password Storage Screen 12 Product Selection Screen 13 Product Purchase Screen 14 Purchase Price Determination Screen 15 Cash Input Screen 16 Available Notification Screen 17 Product Shipping Information Input Screen 100 Internet 110 Electronic Equipment 111 Cash Receiving Device 112 Amount Notification Device 120 Browser 200 Recording Medium

Claims (7)

[Claims] An electronic device on which an Internet and a browser capable of accessing the Internet operate;
The electronic device incorporates a cash receiving device that receives cash inserted by a user and an amount notifying device that notifies the browser of the amount of cash received,
When the password printed on the prepaid card purchased in advance is stored in the electronic device using the browser, and the user puts cash in the cash receiving device to purchase a product, the cash receiving device is ,
The content of whether the inserted cash is normal currency and the amount thereof are notified to the amount notification device as result information, the amount notification device notifies the result information to the browser, and the browser If the result information is equal to or higher than the price of the product to be purchased, the stored password is read out, and a usable notice screen for allowing the user to purchase the product is displayed, whereby a prepaid card alternative system is provided. 2. When the browser receives the result information, the browser notifies the amount notification device of refund information for refunding cash if the value is less than the price of the abnormal money or the product to be purchased. 2. The prepaid card system according to claim 1, wherein the device, upon receiving the refund information, notifies the cash receiving device and refunds the inserted cash to a user. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device has a purchase button for a user to purchase a product.
Or the prepaid card replacement system according to 2. 4. A first step of displaying a password storage screen for purchasing a prepaid card and inputting a password and storing the entered password, and (b) selecting a product to be purchased. Second to display product selection screen
And (c) a third procedure for displaying a product purchase screen for deciding to purchase a product, and (d) a price for displaying the price of the selected product and deciding whether or not to purchase the product. A fourth procedure for displaying a price determination screen; and (e) a fifth procedure for returning to the second procedure when the user performs a process of not purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen; (F) a sixth procedure of displaying a cash input screen for prompting the user to input cash when the user performs a process of purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen;
(G) a seventh procedure for determining whether or not the cash input by the user is normal currency and whether or not the amount is equal to or greater than the purchase price of the product; and (h) a procedure for inputting in the first procedure. An eighth procedure for reading the password and confirming that it is available; (i) a ninth procedure for displaying an availability notification screen indicating that a product can be purchased;
(J) a tenth procedure for determining whether there is a balance,
(K) An eleventh cash-out operation when the cash input in the seventh procedure is not normal currency, or when it is determined in the tenth procedure that there is a balance remaining.
And (l) a twelfth screen displaying a product shipping information input screen for inputting information necessary for shipping the purchased product.
And (m) a first step of performing processing for returning to the second step.
3. A prepaid card replacement method, comprising the steps of: 5. A method for replacing a prepaid card, wherein the method according to claim 4 is realized by a browser using the Internet. 6. A first procedure for displaying a password storage screen for purchasing a prepaid card and inputting a password and storing the entered password, and (b) selecting a product to be purchased. Second to display product selection screen
And (c) a third procedure for displaying a product purchase screen for deciding to purchase a product, and (d) a price for displaying the price of the selected product and deciding whether or not to purchase the product. A fourth procedure for displaying a price determination screen; and (e) a fifth procedure for returning to the second procedure when the user performs a process of not purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen; (F) a sixth procedure of displaying a cash input screen for prompting the user to input cash when the user performs a process of purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen;
(G) a seventh procedure for determining whether or not the cash input by the user is normal currency and whether or not the amount is equal to or greater than the purchase price of the product; and (h) a procedure for inputting in the first procedure. An eighth procedure for reading the password and confirming that it is available; (i) a ninth procedure for displaying an availability notification screen indicating that a product can be purchased;
(J) a tenth procedure for determining whether there is a balance,
(K) An eleventh cash-out operation when the cash input in the seventh procedure is not normal currency, or when it is determined in the tenth procedure that there is a balance remaining.
And (l) a twelfth screen displaying a product shipping information input screen for inputting information necessary for shipping the purchased product.
And (m) a first step of performing processing for returning to the second step.
A recording medium for recording a program for causing an electronic device to execute the steps of (3) and (4). 7. A first procedure for displaying a password storage screen for purchasing a prepaid card and inputting a password and storing the entered password, and (b) selecting a product to be purchased. Second to display product selection screen
And (c) a third procedure for displaying a product purchase screen for deciding to purchase a product, and (d) a price for displaying the price of the selected product and deciding whether or not to purchase the product. A fourth procedure for displaying a price determination screen; and (e) a fifth procedure for returning to the second procedure when the user performs a process of not purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen; (F) a sixth procedure of displaying a cash input screen for prompting the user to input cash when the user performs a process of purchasing a product on the purchase price determination screen;
(G) a seventh procedure for determining whether or not the cash input by the user is normal currency and whether or not the amount is equal to or greater than the purchase price of the product; and (h) a procedure for inputting in the first procedure. An eighth procedure for reading the password and confirming that it is available; (i) a ninth procedure for displaying an availability notification screen indicating that a product can be purchased;
(J) a tenth procedure for determining whether there is a balance,
(K) An eleventh cash-out operation when the cash input in the seventh procedure is not normal currency, or when it is determined in the tenth procedure that there is a balance remaining.
And (l) a twelfth screen displaying a product shipping information input screen for inputting information necessary for shipping the purchased product.
And (m) a first step of performing processing for returning to the second step.
3. A recording medium recording a browser program using the Internet, which causes the electronic device to execute step 3).