KR200387150Y1 - Power Line Communication System for Use with Credit Card Reader - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power line communication system for a credit card inquiry machine.

According to the present invention, at least one power line communication slave is connected to a credit card inquiry and transmits credit card information data received from the credit card inquiry through a power line, and receives authorization information data through a power line and transmits it to the credit card inquiry. ; And control and manage the power line communication slave by being connected to the power line communication slave through a power line, receive the credit card information data from the power line communication slave, and transmit the credit card information data to a backbone network through the Internet, and the authorization information from the backbone network. It provides a power line communication system for a credit card inquiry machine comprising a power line communication master for receiving data and transmitting the data to the power line communication slave.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power line communication system for credit card inquiry / payment by using a power line as a communication line.

Description

Power Line Communication System for Use with Credit Card Reader

The present invention relates to a power line communication system for a credit card inquiry machine. More specifically, it uses power line communication technology instead of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a public switched switched data network (PSDN) to which a credit card inquiry machine is connected for inquiry of a conventional credit card. The present invention relates to a power line communication system for quickly and accurately processing inquiry / payment of a credit card.

A credit card is usually an identification card made of a plastic material issued by a bank or a large store. The credit card user pays for the goods purchased by the user of the credit card or receives a service fee, or a cash dispenser (CD). Used to withdraw cash from the back.

Credit cards generally come in two varieties: magnetic and chip-based. In the magnetic type, the magnetic stripe of the credit card stores information such as identification information and password of the credit card user. In the chip-based type, an integrated circuit chip is embedded in a credit card, and information such as identification information and password of a credit card user is stored in the integrated circuit chip. In order to authenticate such a credit card, check a credit card usage limit, and perform a payment, a credit card checker (CAT) is installed at a credit card merchant.

1 is a diagram briefly showing the internal configuration of each function of the existing credit card inquiry machine 100 using a public telephone network.

As shown in FIG. 1, in general, the credit card inquiry device 100 may include a screen display unit 110, a receipt issuer 120, a card reader 130, a key input unit 140, a microprocessor 150, The dialup modem 160, the memory unit 170, the serial communication unit 180, and the dialup communication unit 190 may be configured to include the same.

The screen display unit 110 performs a function of displaying the result of the communication status, inquiry request, payment process, etc. of the credit card query device 100 on the liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, and the receipt issuing unit 120 displays the inquiry. It prints out the authorization information (credit card number, payment date, payment amount, authorization number, merchant code) for the result as a receipt.

The card reader 130 reads the credit card information recorded on the magnetic strip or the integrated circuit chip formed on the credit card and transmits the credit card information to the microprocessor 150. The key input unit 140 inputs an authorization request amount, Consists of numeric keys, function keys, etc. to perform menu selection, option selection, etc. The microprocessor 150 is a device that controls the overall functions of the credit card query device 100. The microprocessor 150 controls and adjusts a series of processes for receiving and processing input data and delivering the processed results to various input / output devices. Do this.

The dial-up modem 160 transmits a digital signal of 1,200 bits per second as an analog signal within 3,400 Hz and performs communication to set up a call with an exchange installed in a public telephone network of a telephone station. The memory unit 170 is driven by the control of the microprocessor 150 to perform a ROM function for storing various programs for processing data and a memory function for driving the program, and the credit card inquiry device 100 RAM for storing data generated by the < RTI ID = 0.0 > The serial communication unit 180 enables the credit card inquiry device 100 to perform serial communication with an external communication device using RS (Recommended Standard) -232C and RS-485C methods, and the dial-up communication unit 190 It is connected to the external public exchange network to allow the credit card query 100 to access the public exchange network.

Most credit card inquiry / payment systems currently in use utilize the conventional credit card inquiry system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1, and the dial-up modem 160 and dial-up mounted on the credit card inquiry system 100 are used. The communication unit 190 accesses the public telephone network and processes the inquiry and / or payment of the credit card.

Therefore, in the case of a credit card merchant using a public telephone network, credit card information data is transmitted after about 7 to 8 seconds, which is basically required for a telephone exchange to set up a call. The disadvantage is that it takes a relatively long time of about 15 seconds. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the use of the phone is not possible during the inquiry or payment of the credit card.

In addition, the credit card merchants must access the public telephone network in order to perform the inquiry or payment of the credit card, so that each connection requires a separate payment of about 40 won. In addition, since a long time since the public telephone network was established, the telephone line is old and easily affected by various external noises. Therefore, a connection failure to the public telephone network frequently occurs during the inquiry or payment of a credit card.

Therefore, some credit card merchants use low-speed public data exchange networks such as Hinet-P, CO-LAN, and Dacom's DNS of 9.6 Kbps or less, rather than using a public telephone network for credit card inquiry / payment. .

Using a low-speed public data exchange network instead of such a public telephone network has the advantage of reducing the time required to access a call for a credit card inquiry or payment, by about 4 to 6 seconds. The service usage fee is also expensive compared to the public telephone network. Accordingly, the low-speed public data exchange network is not used nationwide, and is mainly used only at department stores, large discount stores, gas stations, and large restaurants, which are large affiliated stores in large cities.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention uses a power line communication technology instead of a public telephone network or a low-speed public data exchange network to which a credit card inquiry system is connected for a conventional credit card inquiry. An object of the present invention is to provide a power line communication system for quickly and accurately processing inquiry / payment.

According to the object of the present invention, the power line communication is connected to the backbone network (Internet) connected to various financial institution server and value added network (VAN) server through the Internet, and transmit and receive data for credit card inquiry or payment by using the power line A system, comprising: at least one power line communication slave coupled to a credit card lookup device for transmitting credit card information data received from the credit card lookup device over a power line, and receiving authorization information data over the power line for delivery to the credit card lookup device. ; And control and manage the power line communication slave by being connected to the power line communication slave through a power line, receiving the credit card information data from the power line communication slave, transmitting the credit card information data to the backbone network through the Internet, and granting the authorization from the backbone network. It provides a power line communication system for a credit card query machine comprising a power line communication master for receiving the information data and transmits to the power line communication slave.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First of all, in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are used as much as possible even if displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known configuration or function may obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Power line communication (PLC) refers to a communication technology that transmits communication data such as voice, text, and video data using a power line. Electronic devices used at work and at home are powered by power lines connected to each company and home, which typically use an alternating frequency of about 60 Hz. In power line communication, a high frequency signal of several tens of MHz including communication data is transmitted through a power line, and the communication data included in the high frequency signal is separated using a filter that separates two signals having different frequencies at the power line end. Therefore, if the power line communication technology is used, Internet communication is possible by using an existing power line as a communication line, and the system of the present invention, which will be described later, provides a credit card inquiry service using power line communication.

2 is a view showing the configuration of a power line communication system for a credit card inquiry machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power line communication system 200 for a credit card inquiry machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213 and power line communication slaves 220 to 223. , A power line communication repeater 230, a power line communication master 240, the Internet 250, and a backbone network 260.

Credit card inquiry (210 ~ 213) is a device installed in the credit card merchant, by reading the credit card information through the card reader 130 described in Figure 1 to process the operation, such as inquiry or payment of the credit card, It performs the function of issuing a receipt. The credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213 transmit credit card information read from the credit card to the connected power line communication slaves 220 to 223.

The power line communication slaves 220 to 223 are connected to the credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213, respectively, and transmit the credit card information data received from the credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213 to the power line communication master 240 through the power line. It transmits, and receives the authorization information data transmitted to the power line communication master 240 from various financial institution server and VAN (Value Added Network) server connected to the backbone network 260 through the power line credit card query (210 ~) 213). The power line communication slaves 220 to 223 may recognize Ethernet packet data at the credit card inquiring unit 210 to 213 to exchange credit card related information with the credit card inquiring unit 210 to 213. In addition to converting to a format, data conversion software may be embedded to convert data received from the credit card inquiries 210 to 213 into Ethernet packet data.

The power line communication slaves 220 to 223 are equipped with a serial communication interface such as RS-232 to transmit and receive data by connecting to the credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213, Mini-Din connector for serial communication interface, It can include a 9-pin serial connector, a 25-pin serial connector, a universal serial bus (USB) connector, and the like. Therefore, the serial communication interface of the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 is connected to the serial communication port formed in the credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213 through a serial communication cable. In addition, the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 may mount an Ethernet interface connected to an RJ-45 connector so that the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 can interoperate with a PC operating a sales management system such as a point of sale (POS).

The power line communication slaves 220 to 223 may embed a plurality of security software for each VAN company to support all the credit card checkers used by the multiple VAN companies, and each security software supports the credit card inquiry or payment service. It stores the security protocol used for this purpose.

In a credit card inquiry / payment system, one or more servers of a VAN company are connected to a credit card inquiry machine. Therefore, in general, in order to use a credit card inquiry or payment service, security software provided by the corresponding VAN company should be mounted in the credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213. On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 process the communication function of the credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213, the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 embed security software. VAN, which provides security software installed in the power line communication slaves 220 to 223, is equipped with Korea Information and Communications (KICC), KSNET, KMPS, Nice Information and Communications, KIS Information and Communications, Smart Road and Finance. It includes KFTC, Korea Credit Card Payment (KOCES), NCVAN and CCKVAN.

The power line communication repeater 230 relays power line communication data between the power line communication master 240 and the power line communication slaves 210 and 211. The power line communication repeater 230 may be installed at any position between the power line communication master 240 and the power line communication slaves 220 to 223. The power line communication repeater 230 may be installed at a location where transmission / reception status of the power line channel is not good. Serves to improve. In addition, since the power line communication repeater 230 may be connected to a plurality of power line communication slaves 220 to 223, an extender for increasing the number of power line communication slaves 220 to 223 that may be connected to the power line communication master 240. It can act as an extender to extend the service range of the power line communication system without installing the power line communication master 240 and the backbone network 260 additionally.

The power line communication master 240 controls and manages a plurality of power line communication slaves 220 to 223, receives credit card information data from the power line communication slaves 220 to 223, and receives the backbone network 260 through the Internet 250. It receives and transmits the approval information data from the backbone network 260 to the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 through the power line. That is, since the power line communication master 240 and the plurality of power line communication slaves 220 to 223 transmit and receive communication data through the power line, when an external Internet line is connected to the power line communication master 240, a credit card inquiry / payment is performed. There is no need to install a separate Internet dedicated line for each credit card inquiry machine (210 to 213).

The power line communication master 240 monitors and manages the plurality of power line communication slaves 220 to 223 and / or the power line communication repeater 230, and may be equipped with EMS (Element Management System) software for this purpose. The EMS software mounted on the power line communication master 240 registers an installation location and user information to register and manage the equipment installed on the power line network, and displays the equipment operation status. The EMS software checks items such as data traffic volume, channel status, transmission speed, and error probability over the power line to periodically store and manage the communication status of the power line communication equipment. The EMS software may output a warning message in real time when an error such as a communication failure or a channel failure of the power line communication equipment occurs, and may remotely control the devices connected to the power line communication master 240.

The power line communication master 240 may perform a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) function to dynamically allocate and manage an IP address to the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 connected to the credit card lookup machines 210 to 213. have.

In Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), each computer must have a unique IP address to access the Internet. If you are not using DHCP, you will need to manually enter an IP address for each computer and enter new IP addresses when the computers are moved to a different part of the network. On the other hand, the advantage of using DHCP is that a DHCP server automatically assigns an IP address to a DHCP client even if the computer, that is, the DHCP client, is moved to another part of the network without the administrator having to manually enter the IP address.

Accordingly, the power line communication master 240 of the present invention assigns a private IP address to the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 so as to open a primary access link for performing communication. The slaves 220 to 223 may allocate a public IP address to access the Internet. On the other hand, since the IP address can be changed from time to time using the DHCP function, in the above-described EMS software, the dynamic IP (Internet Protocol) situation of the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 connected to the credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213 is real-time. It can provide the ability to monitor.

The power line communication master 240 may be configured to accommodate one Internet line or to accommodate a plurality of Internet lines for connection with the backbone network 260 via the Internet 250. When the power line communication master 240 accommodates a plurality of Internet lines, some of the Internet lines are used for credit card inquiry / payment and the other Internet lines are set as a backup network so that the line for credit card inquiry / payment has failed. In this case, it can be set to use the backup network. In addition, to reduce the load on the Internet line, it is also possible to set a plurality of lines to be used simultaneously for credit card inquiry / payment. To this end, the power line communication master 240 may arbitrarily set one of the simultaneous use mode and the backup mode for the plurality of Internet lines.

The power line communication master 240 constituting the power line communication network, the power line communication slaves 220 to 223, and / or the power line communication repeater 230 may share a recognizer to recognize the same network between devices having the same identifier. That is, the recognizer may be used so that the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 and / or the power line communication repeater 230 connected to the power line communication master 240 may be independently managed from other networks.

Here, the recognizer may be set using a dip switch provided in the power line communication master 240, the power line communication slaves 220 to 223, and the power line communication repeater 230. For example, if the above-described power line equipments have eight dip switches, 256 identifier combinations are possible, and among them, the dip switch of the power line communication master 240 is adjusted to have a specific identifier combination, and the power line communication slave ( 220 to 223 and the power line communication repeater 230 may be set to share the same identifier by adjusting a dip switch to have the same identifier combination as that of the power line communication master 240.

The power line communication master 240, the power line communication slaves 220 to 223, and the power line communication repeater 240 of the present invention convert packet data, which is a form of communication data used in the Internet, into power line communication data that can be communicated on a power line. Conversely, it has a function of converting power line communication data into packet data. In the power line communication master 240, the power line communication slaves 220 to 223, and the power line communication repeater 230, a power line communication chip is mounted to perform the above-described functions. The configuration will be described later in the description of FIG. 3.

The Internet 250 provides a data movement path between the backbone network 260 and the power line communication master 240. The Internet 250 connects an Internet dedicated line to the power line communication master 240 through a cable modem or an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) modem. It provides the backbone network 260 and the power line communication master 240. The backbone network 260 is a network including a network consisting of a plurality of VAN companies for inquiry or payment of credit cards and a financial settlement network composed of a plurality of banks and credit card companies.

3 is a view showing the internal configuration of the power line communication equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the power line communication master 240, the power line communication slaves 220 to 223, and the power line communication repeater 230 may use a coupler 300 and a filter to perform power line communication. 310, a power line communication chip 320, a flash memory 330, a RAM 340, and the like. Of course, as described above in FIG. 2, the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 further include a serial communication interface and an Ethernet interface, and each power line communication device has different software for its operation. In general, the components described above are included.

Coupler 300 is a device for coupling a signal containing power line communication data to a power line. Here, the coupler 300 may use a magnetic contactless coupler having excellent stability. The filter 310 removes power frequency components and noise components from signals received through the power lines, and selects signal components of frequency bands used for transmitting power line communication data in the power line communication system 200 of the present invention. Do this.

The power line communication chip 320 converts packet data and power line communication data to enable data transmission and reception through a power line, and includes a modulator 321, a demodulator 322, a medium access control (MAC) controller 323, and Microprocessor 324 or the like.

The modulator 321 converts the packet data received from the MAC controller 323 into power line communication data, and transmits the packet data to the coupler 300. The modulator 321 may use a Discrete Multi Tone (DMT) modulation scheme to generate power line communication data. The demodulator 322 converts the power line communication data received from the filter 310 into packet data and delivers the packet data to the MAC controller 323.

The MAC controller 323 performs MAC address management, frame division control, and the like to prevent collisions between packet data and reliably transmit and receive, and for this purpose, a multiple access scheme based on carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) / collision avoidance (CA). Hierarchical Medium Access Control (HMAC) can be applied.

The microprocessor 324 transfers control signals to the modulator 321, the demodulator 322, and the MAC controller 323 so as to convert the packet data and the power line communication data to each other, thereby modulating and demodulating the MAC controller 323. Control packet processing.

The flash memory 330 stores various software for operating the power line communication equipment. For example, the flash memory 330 of the power line communication master 240 may store EMS software, software for performing a DHCP function, and the like. The flash memory 330 of the power line communication slaves 220 to 223 may store data for credit card inquiry. And data conversion software for converting packet data to and from a plurality of security software.

The RAM 340 stores credit card information data received from the credit card inquiry machines 210 to 213, authorization information data received from the backbone network 260, and various data for credit card inquiry / payment.

On the other hand, the power line communication chip 320 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, it is also possible to configure different components of the power line communication chip 320 as necessary. For example, the power line communication chip 320 may be configured and used as an integrated chip including the coupler 300, the filter 310, the flash memory 330, and the RAM 340.

4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a configuration of a power line communication system connected to a credit card inquiry device installed for each household.

As shown in FIG. 4, a power line communication master connected to a backbone network is connected to a power line communication slave installed for each generation through a power line, and each power line communication slave is connected to a credit card inquiry machine. In addition, if necessary, a power line communication repeater may be installed between the power line communication master and the power line communication slave to extend the service range. Therefore, if the Internet line is connected only to the power line communication master without installing the Internet line for each generation, it is possible to provide a credit card inquiry / payment service through the power line.

In addition, since components of a powerline network connected to one powerline communication master share an identifier, as shown in FIG. 4, the powerline network has a network that is logically separated from the components of the powerline network connected to another powerline communication master.

5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a configuration of a power line communication system connected to a credit card inquiry installed in a building.

In a high-rise building, a plurality of power line communication slaves may be installed in each floor to connect with a credit card checker and may be connected to a power line communication master through a power line. As shown in FIG. 5, when the number of power line communication slaves is large, a power line communication system may be configured using a plurality of power line communication masters. Of course, since the Internet line only needs to be connected to the power line communication master, providing as many Internet lines as the number of power line communication masters can provide a credit card inquiry / payment service through the power line to the entire high-rise building.

The above description is merely illustrative of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be capable of various modifications without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are not intended to limit the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited thereto. The scope of the present invention should be construed by the claims below, and all the technologies within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, if the Internet line is connected only to the power line communication master and the power line communication slave is connected to the credit card inquiry without having to install the Internet line at each place where the credit card inquiry machine is installed, the existing power line is installed. It can be used as a communication line to provide credit card inquiry / payment services.

In addition, since it uses the Internet network instead of a public telephone network, it is possible to use a general telephone while performing credit card inquiry / payment, processing speed is about 2 seconds on average, and there is almost no possibility of connection failure. In addition, the VAN company pays the cost of the Internet line for credit card inquiry / payment.

1 is a view briefly showing the internal configuration of each function of the existing credit card query machine using a public telephone network,

2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a power line communication system for a credit card inquiry machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a view showing the internal configuration of a power line communication equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a configuration of a power line communication system connected to a credit card inquiry device installed for each household;

5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a configuration of a power line communication system connected to a credit card inquiry installed in a building.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

200: power line communication system for credit card

210 to 213: Credit card inquiry 220 to 223: Power line communication slave

230: power line communication repeater 240: power line communication master

250: Internet 260: Backbone Network

300: coupler 310: filter

320: power line communication chip 321: modulator

322: demodulator 323: MAC controller

324: microprocessor 330: flash memory

340: RAM

Claims (13)

In a power line communication system that is connected to a backbone network connected to various financial company servers and value added network (VAN) servers through the Internet, and transmits and receives data for credit card inquiry or payment using a power line, One or more power line communication slaves connected to a credit card inquiry device to transmit credit card information data received from the credit card inquiry device through a power line, and to receive authorization information data through a power line to transmit the credit information to the credit card inquiry device; And The power line communication slave is connected to the power line communication slave to control and manage the power line communication slave, and receives the credit card information data from the power line communication slave and transmits the credit card information data to the backbone network through the Internet, and the authorization information from the backbone network. Power line communication master receiving data and transmitting to the power line communication slave Power line communication system for a credit card query, characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 1, The power line communication system, A power line communication repeater for relaying data transmission and reception through a power line between the power line communication master and the power line communication slave. Power line communication system for a credit card query, characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 2, The power line communication master, the power line communication slave and the power line communication repeater, A power line communication chip for converting packet data and power line communication data; A coupler receiving the power line communication data from the power line communication chip and coupling the power line communication data; A filter for selecting a signal of a specific frequency band used for transmitting the power line communication data from a signal received through a power line and transferring the signal to the power line communication chip; A flash memory storing operating software for power line communication; And RAM for storing the credit card information data and the authorization information data Power line communication system for a credit card query, characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 3, wherein The power line communication master, the power line communication slave and the power line communication repeater, Dip switch for setting the identifier for recognizing the power line communication master, the power line communication slave and the power line communication repeater connected through the power line to the same network Power line communication system for a credit card query, characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 4, wherein The power line communication chip, A Medium Access Control (MAC) controller for applying the Hierarchical Medium Access Control (HMAC) to process the packet data; A modulator for converting the packet data received from the MAC controller into the power line communication data; A demodulator for converting the power line communication data into the packet data and delivering the packet data to the MAC controller; And Microprocessor for transmitting a control signal to the MAC controller, the modulator and the demodulator to control the modulation / demodulation process and packet data processing process Power line communication system for a credit card query, characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 5, wherein And the power line communication master is equipped with element management system (EMS) software for monitoring and managing the power line communication slave and / or the power line communication repeater. The method of claim 6, The power line communication master includes a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) function for dynamically allocating and managing an IP address to the power line communication slave. The method of claim 7, wherein And the power line communication master is configured to accommodate a plurality of internet lines, and is connected to the backbone network via a plurality of the internet lines. The method of claim 8, The power line communication master selects and uses one mode among a simultaneous use mode in which the plurality of Internet lines are simultaneously used for credit card inquiry / payment or a backup mode in which some of the plurality of Internet lines are set as a backup network. Power line communication system for credit card inquiry. The method of claim 9, The EMS software includes a function for monitoring in real time the floating IP address of the power line communication slave. The method of claim 10, And the power line communication slave includes data conversion software for converting packet data and data in a format recognizable by the credit card inquiring machine. The method of claim 11, The power line communication slave is a power line communication system for a credit card inquiry machine, characterized in that it is equipped with a plurality of VAN security software for credit card inquiry / payment. The method of claim 12, The power line communication slave, A serial communication interface including at least one of a Mini-Din connector, a 9-pin serial connector, a 25-pin serial connector, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector for connecting with the credit card checker; And Ethernet interface with RJ-45 connector for connecting to a computer Power line communication system for a credit card query, characterized in that it comprises a.