KR20020009773A - Multi-functional card reader system and method of communicating using internet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multifunctional card reader system capable of supporting an Internet phone card and an Internet calling method are provided to increase the utility of resources by supporting a connection with an external phone connected to a PSTN through the Internet including a function for reading cards. CONSTITUTION: A multifunctional card reader system(10) is equipped with a multifunctional card reader(20) connected through an interface and a member store computer(40). The multifunctional card reader system(10) performs a phone communication through an Internet telephone office(60) connected through the Internet(50). The Internet telephone office(60) is equipped with a specific Internet address. An Internet calling driver capable of processing an Internet calling connection with the Internet phone office(60) according to a calling connection signal received through an interface is installed in a member store computer(40). The multifunctional card reader(20) is connected to the interface and the first port. In addition, the multifunctional card reader(20) is equipped with a control unit which processes signals inputted from each unit including a card reading unit and performs a connection with the external phone.

Description

Multi-functional card reader system and method of communicating using internet}

The present invention relates to a multifunctional card reader system and an internet calling method for supporting an internet call, and more particularly, to a multifunction card reader system for supporting an internet call for supporting a call with a public line telephone network through a card transaction processing and the Internet; It relates to an internet call method.

A typical card reader installed in an affiliated store is connected and used through a communication network with an affiliated card management server that processes card transaction approval of the affiliated store. Therefore, the owner of the merchant performs the task of causing the card reader to read the card of the customer requesting the card transaction, and the card reader is required information for approval and processing of the transaction, that is, the read card related information such as the card number and the card. Type, expiration date information and input transaction amount information is sent to the card management company server through the communication network. In addition, the card reader processes the ticket issuing according to the approval signal transmitted from the card management company server.

A typical card reader for supporting such a function is provided with a modem for relaying a connection to a card management company server through a public line telephone network (PSTN), and a numeric key button for inputting an amount of money.

On the other hand, according to the trend that the service that returns part of the profit to the customer according to the number of times the customer uses the store and the transaction amount is becoming popular, in most merchants, a card reader is used to manage data on the card transaction history of the customer. It is common to connect and use a computer provided in an affiliated store. In this case, a program for storing and managing card transaction information of the customer generated from the card reader is installed in the computer in the affiliated store.

However, in view of the recent technology trend to reduce the number of devices while increasing the utilization of resources by integrating the independent functions of various electronic devices, which have been conventionally used for homes or businesses, the conventional card reader has the resource utilization rate. low.

The present invention was devised to solve the above problems, and in addition to the card reading function, it is possible to support a call connection with an external telephone connected to a public line telephone network through the Internet, thereby making an internet call capable of increasing resource utilization. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-function card reader system and internet calling method.

1 is a block diagram showing a multi-function card reader system according to the present invention,

2 is a view showing the multifunction card reader of FIG.

3 is a view showing a connector portion provided on the side of the multifunction card reader of FIG.

4 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction card reader of FIG.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a user computer of FIG. 1;

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

10: Multifunction Card Reader System 20: Multifunction Card Reader

21: control unit 22: key input unit

23: handset receiver 24: card reader

25: human body sensor 26: display device

27: first port 28: second port

29: Transmitter / receiver connection port 40: Merchant computer

50: Internet telephone office 70: exchange office

80: public line telephone network (PSTN) 90: card management server

100: telephone

In order to achieve the above object, the multifunction card reader system supporting the Internet call according to the present invention is connected to the call connection signal received through the interface of the Internet call connection with the Internet telephone company performing the public line telephone network call service over the Internet. A merchant computer having an internet call driver installed therein for processing; It is connected through the interface and the first port, and processes signals input from each part including a key input unit and a card reader, and makes a call with an external telephone through the Internet telephone station through the interface with the support of the Internet call driver. And a multifunction card reader provided with a control unit for processing.

Preferably, the multifunction card reader has a second port directly connected to the public line telephone network, and the controller is configured to handle a call connection with an external telephone through the second port.

In order to achieve the above object, the Internet of the multi-function card reader system having a card management server supporting card transaction approval and payment processing, a merchant computer connected through the Internet and a multifunctional card reader connected through the interface with the merchant computer. A call method, comprising: when an internet call connection signal is input from the multifunction card reader, the affiliated computer links with an internet telephone station that performs a public line telephone network call service through the Internet; And the affiliated computer transmits a dial signal input from the card reader to the Internet telephone station to connect a call with a receiver telephone.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in more detail a multi-function card reader system and an Internet call method for supporting Internet calls according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a multi-function card reader system according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the multifunction card reader system 10 includes a multifunction card reader 20 and an affiliated store computer 40 interconnected via an interface.

The multifunction card reader system 10 is capable of conducting telephone calls through an Internet telephone station 60 connected via the Internet 50. Here, the Internet telephone station 60 has its own Internet address, and the switchboard 70 and the wired (and / or wireless) public network according to the dial signal input from the member's computer 40 which has undergone a predetermined procedure, for example, a member authentication procedure. Through 80, it is said to be configured to connect the call with the telephone 100 of the reception number. An example of such an Internet telephone company 60 is an Internet telephone company currently using a free Internet telephone service while using a domain name (www.dialpad.co.kr) called a dial pad. Therefore, a detailed description of the Internet telephone company 60 will be omitted. do.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the multifunction card reader 20 and the merchant computer 40 to support the Internet call function will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the multifunction card reader 20 includes a key input unit 22, a printing unit 26, a transmitter / receiver 23, an unmanned security sensor 25, a card reading unit 24, a display device 26 and a control unit ( 21).

The key input unit 22 includes a plurality of numeric keys 22a and a function manipulation key provided outside the main body.

The numeric key 22a is used for entering an amount in a card transaction or for dialing to attempt a call. Many of the function control keys are for setting various functions supported by the card reader system. Reference numeral 22b is an unmanned security guard key, and when operated in an on state, the human body sensor 25 is operated.

A hook switch (not shown) operated at the mounting position of the handset 23 is also included in the function operation key.

On the rear side 20a of the main body of FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 3, a power supply lamp 30 indicating whether power is applied, a first port 27, a second port 28, and a receiver / receiver connection port 29 Is provided.

The first port 27 is a terminal for interfacing with the computer 40. Preferably, the first port 27 is connected to the RS-232 serial port of the computer 40 by a cable.

The second port 28 is a terminal for connecting a public line telephone network (PSTN) 80.

The printing unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 21 to print out the slip to be issued when the card transaction is approved and printed on the sheet 26a.

The control unit 21 is a microcomputer equipped with a program for processing supported functions.

When the card transaction request signal is input following the card information read by the card reader unit 24, the control unit 21 sends the card to the server 90 of the card manager connected to the Internet 50 via the affiliate computer 40. Process the transaction related information. When the controller 21 receives the information indicating that the Internet 50 is temporarily unavailable from the affiliate computer 40, the controller 21 transmits the card transaction related information to the server 90 of the card manager through the second port 28. It is desirable to do so. Here, the server 90 of the card management company is connected so as to support transaction approval for the communication networks of the Internet 50 and the PSTN 80, respectively.

On the other hand, the merchant computer 40 for supporting the multi-function including the card approval transaction and the Internet call of the multi-function card reader 20, referring to Figure 5, the central processing unit (CPU) 41, ROM (ROM) 42, a RAM 43, an input device 44, a display device 45, a memory device 46, and a communication device 47. Note 48 is a bus.

The storage device 46 is provided with an internet call driver 46a, an operating system (O / S) 46b such as Windows 98, Windows 2000, or the like. In addition, the storage device 46 is provided with a web browser such as EXPORE, a card processing driver (not shown) which performs card transaction processing while interfacing with the card reader 20.

In addition, it is preferable to install and use a program in the storage device 46 for additional management such as customer management, store management, etc. in addition to the Internet communication support function in order to increase its resource utilization. .

The Internet call driver 46a is configured to handle a call connection between the card reader 20 and the Internet telephone station 60. The Internet call driver 46a may provide connection information necessary for connection with the Internet phone company 60, for example, an Internet address of the Internet phone company 60, or member authentication information registered for the Internet phone company 60 when the authentication procedure is requested. It is set in advance. Therefore, when the internet call connection signal is input from the card reader 20, the phone call is processed through the internet telephone station 60 using the stored connection information.

In this multi-functional card reader system 10, merchant computer 40 transfers the card transaction-related information transmitted from the control unit 21 of the card reader 20 to the server 90 of the card management company, the server of the card management company ( The information replied from 90 is processed and transmitted to the card reader. Reference 91 92 is a credit card company server 91, credit card company server 92 is connected to the card management company server 90 through the network to process the transaction inquiry and approval of the corresponding card.

Hereinafter, the internet call process of the multifunction card reader system will be described.

Prior to the description, the card reader 20 is provided with a key (not shown) for setting to any one of a normal call mode through the second port 28 or an internet call mode through the first port 27. Alternatively, it may be programmed to prioritize internet call connection when a call connection request (signal generated by the operation of the hook when the transmitter / receiver 23 is detached from the mounting position of the main body) signal is generated.

If it is determined that the internet call connection request signal is input by any one of the above methods, the control unit 21 of the card reader 20 is connected to the Internet telephone station 60 through the affiliated computer 40 to make a call. The process for making a call is made. That is, when an internet call connection request signal is input, the controller 21 transmits a call connection attempt signal to the computer 40. The internet call driver 46a of the computer 40 maintains the call connection state for connecting to the Internet telephone station 60 in a dialable state by using the set information. The control unit 21 of the card reader 20 processes the dial signal input through the numeric keys of the card reader 20 to be transmitted to the Internet telephone station 60 via the computer 40 after the call connection is enabled. . When the dial signal transmitted from the card reader 20 is transmitted to the receiving telephone 100 through the Internet telephone station 60, the switching center 70 and the public line telephone network 80, and the receiver telephone 100 responds to the call connection, The phone call is normally made.

On the other hand, the control unit 21 of the card reader 20 processes the normal telephone reception process when an incoming signal for telephone connection is received from the outside via the first port 27 or the second port 28.

On the other hand, when the unmanned guard setting button 25a is turned on, the card reader 20 processes the signal input from the unmanned guard human body sensor 25. That is, when the human body detection signal is input from the human body sensor 25, the control unit 21 transmits a security request signal to the communication address (Internet address or public line telephone number) of the security guard system, that is, the server 93 of the security guard. Process so that it can be sent. That is, the control unit 21 transmits a security request signal to the server 93 of the security guard who supports the security guard service through the Internet path or the second port 28 via the affiliate computer 40. When the human body detection sensor 25, which is an unmanned security support device, which is necessary for a communication path, is mounted on the communication support function of the card reader system 10, so that the card reader system 10 can be linked with the unmanned security guard server 93, compared with the conventional method. There is no need to establish a separate communication path for card readers to receive unmanned expenses.

In the illustrated example, the card manager server 90 is linked with the unmanned security officer server 93 to relay the security request signal transmitted from the card reader system 10 through the Internet 50.

As described above, according to the multifunction card reader system and the internet calling method which support the internet call according to the present invention, there are advantages as follows.

First, since most card transaction inquiry and approval can be processed through the Internet, the inquiry time and inquiry cost are reduced compared to the inquiry through general public network.

Second, it is possible to use the bypass communication path that is supported even when one communication network is in a broken state.

Third, the unmanned expenses of the affiliated store can be supported through the connected communication network, so there is no need to establish a separate unmanned expense communication network.

Fourth, in addition to the Internet communication support function, the merchant computer can install and use a program for additional management such as customer management and store management using the merchant, thereby increasing resource utilization.

Fifth, the card reader is used to share some resources, such as numeric keys when dialing and input transaction amount for voice calls, thereby increasing resource utilization.

Claims (5)

A merchant computer provided with an internet call driver for processing an Internet call connection with an Internet telephone company performing a public line telephone network call service through the Internet according to a call connection signal received through the interface; It is connected through the interface and the first port, and processes signals input from each part including a key input unit and a card reader, and makes a call with an external telephone through the Internet telephone station through the interface with the support of the Internet call driver. Multifunction card reader system that supports the Internet call, characterized in that it comprises a; The method of claim 1, The multifunction card reader has a second port that is directly connected to the public line telephone network, and the controller is configured to process a call connection with an external telephone through the second port. Reader system. According to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the multi-function card reader so that the card-related information read from the card reader is transmitted to the merchant card management server that is connected to the Internet from the merchant computer to process the card transaction approval service of merchants Processing, The merchant computer; a card transaction relay driver for processing the card transaction approval request information and the request result information between the multi-function card reader and the card management server is installed; Card reader system. According to claim 1 or 3, wherein the multi-function card reader is equipped with an unmanned guard human body sensor, When a human body detection signal is input from the human body sensor, the controller of the multifunction card reader transmits a security request signal to a security guard system supported by a security guard service through the interface of the affiliated computer or the general call connection terminal. Multifunctional card reader system that supports Internet calls. In the Internet call method of the multi-function card reader system having a card management server that supports card transaction approval and payment processing, a merchant computer connected through the Internet and a multifunction card reader connected through the interface with the merchant computer, When the internet call connection signal is input from the multifunction card reader, the affiliated computer linking with an internet telephone station performing a public line telephone network call service through the Internet in a call enabled state; Linking the call with the Internet telephone station, and then transmitting a dial signal input from the card reader to the Internet telephone station to connect a call with a receiver telephone; Internet calling method of a multifunction card reader system, comprising: .