WO2002033639A1

WO2002033639A1 - Method and system for providing a store with credit and managing the credit on the basis of credit card sales of the store

Info

Publication number: WO2002033639A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001719
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Soo Pyo
Original assignee: Good E.F Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-10-14
Filing date: 2001-10-12
Publication date: 2002-04-25
Also published as: AU2001296062A1

Abstract

A system for providing a member store with a credit and managing the credit on the basis of transaction information of a credit card of the member store is disclosed, wherein the transaction information includes transaction dates, transaction amounts, member stores' identification number, and credit-card numbers, and the system comprises a communication device for collecting the transaction information of the member store from the member store, a value added network (VAN) provider, or a credit-card company via on-line, a device for storing the collected transaction information, and a host having a processor connected to and for controlling the device for storing and the communication device, and the host analyzes the stored transaction information and determines credit limit, provides credit and manages the credit provided to the member store.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A STORE WITH CREDIT AND MANAGING THE CREDIT ON THE BASIS OF CREDIT CARD SALES

OF THE STORE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a credit card member store ("member store") with credit and managing the credit on the basis of credit card sales of the store. In particular, the present invention is directed to a system and method for providing credit and managing the credit on the basis of transaction information, which provides the store with credit money that is calculated with ready-happened transaction amounts or the money that is added by amounts that may happen in the future ("transaction amount"). The system of the present invention enables the member store to borrow necessary money at any time and makes the cash flow of the member store healthy. The credit card member store is a business entity, such as a general store, a home-shopping company, an Internet contents provider, and an electronic commercial company, which sells goods or services via credit cards.

The credit card transaction amount is the money that the member store will receive from the credit -card company after selling any goods via credit cards.

The credit money is the money that is provided to the member store according to the store's request for credit money or the predetermined criteria without such request .

BACKGROUND ART

The transaction amount via credit cards tends to be increased year by year.

The credit card member store receives money corresponding to the transaction amount from the credit- card company after 3 to 7 days from the transaction date. This results in deterioration of the cash flow as the transaction amounts via credit cards increase. In this case, one of the solutions to resolve the problem is that the store borrows its necessary money from a financial company by mortgage or clean credit so that the store that has mortgage or clean credit can resolve the above problem. However, such a solution as borrowing money from a financial company can be performed by the member store that has high credit or high power of mortgage, and though such member stores, it takes relatively long time to evaluate the value of mortgage or the level of credit. Therefore, the member stores that can resolve the problems in this way are generally limited.

Accordingly, there is a problem that a member store having low credit and no enough mortgage or a member store that has a high credit or high power of mortgage but cannot borrow 100% for a deficit from the financial company cannot resolve the problem. This problem results in that the member stores rely on pseudo- inancial entities, such as private moneylenders charging extremely high interest. As the foregoing, many member stores borrow money from the private moneylenders, not from the normal financial company, and this makes the member stores ' business capability deteriorated. Furthermore, this results in abnormal expansion of private moneylenders and relative reduction of fund management of the financial companies .

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to resolve such problems as the conventional financial system has. To resolve the problems, a system for providing a member store with credit and managing the credit on the basis of transaction information of the member store, wherein the transaction information includes transaction dates, transaction amounts, member stores' identification number, and credit -card numbers is provided. And, the system comprises: a) communication means for collecting the transaction information of the member store from the member store, a value added network (VAN) provider, or a credit-card company, b) means for storing the collected transaction information, and c) a host having a processor connected to and for controlling the storing means and the communication means, wherein said host analyzes the stored transaction information and determines a credit limit for said member store..

The system of the present invention can make a credit card member store raise necessary money, and prevent the member store from the burden resulted from money borrowed with high interest and dispersion of its business power, and activate the financial market by enlarging the scope of the financial employment of financial companies.

To achieve the objectives, a system for providing a member store with credit and managing the credit on the basis of transaction information of the member store, wherein the transaction information includes transaction dates, transaction amounts, member stores' identification number, and credit-card numbers is provided. And, the system comprises: a) communication means for collecting the transaction information of the member store from the member store, a value added network (VAN) provider, or a credit-card company, b) means for storing the collected transaction information, and c) a host having a processor connected to and for controlling the storing means and the communication means, wherein said host analyzes the stored transaction information and determines credit limit for the member store.

It is further preferred that the host provides the member store with credit money and collects the transaction amounts from the credit card company. Furthermore, it is preferred that in case that the host received a request for credit money from the member store, the host provides the member store with said credit money as long as said credit money does not exceed said credit limit. In addition, it is further preferred that the request for said credit money is received from an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), a telephone, an Internet device, or a terminal of member store.

And, it is further preferred that the host provides the member store with said credit money corresponding to predetermined criteria if upon analyzing said transaction information the analyzed information meets said predetermined criteria.

In addition, it is further preferred that the host subtracts an interest from the transaction amount received from the credit-card company and provides the remainder to the member store.

To achieve the objectives, a method for providing a member store with credit and managing the credit on the basis of credit card transaction information, wherein the transaction information includes transaction dates, transaction amounts, member stores' identification number, and credit card numbers is provided. And, the method comprises the steps of: a) collecting the credit card transaction information from a terminal of the member store, a VAN company server, or a credit card company server; b) storing the collected transaction information; c) determining a credit limit for said member store by analyzing the stored transaction information; d) providing the member store with credit money; and e) receiving the transaction amounts from the credit-card company.

It is further preferred that in step c) , said credit limit is determined on the basis of the mean and variance of said transaction amounts.

And, it is further preferred that in step d) , in case that the host receives the request for the credit money from the member store, the host provides said credit money to the member store as long as said credit money does not exceed said credit limit.

And, it is further preferred that in step d) , said credit money is provided to the member store if upon analyzing the transaction information the analyzed information meets a predetermined criteria.

And, it is further preferred that the predetermined criteria is determined by the transaction amounts, the number of transactions, and the transaction dates. And, it is further preferred that said request for the credit money is received from an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), a telephone, an Internet device, or a terminal of another member store.

And, it is further preferred that the method further comprises the step of storing the amount of said credit money, a date of providing the credit money, an expiration date for the credit, and member stores' identification number as credit information and determining an interest, arrear, and a default of the member store on the basis of said credit information.

And, it is further preferred that the method further comprises the step of subtracting said interest from the transaction amounts collected from the credit card company and providing the remainder to the member store. And, it is further preferred that the subtracting step extends the expiration date for said credit on the basis of newly collected transaction information.

Along with the above, the present invention is characterized by a method for determining a credit limit on the basis of transaction information of a credit card member store, wherein the transaction information includes transaction dates, transaction amounts, member stores' identi ication number, and credit card numbers, and the method comprising the steps of a) collecting the credit card transaction information from a terminal of the credit card member store, a VAN company server, or a credit-card company server; b) storing the collected transaction information; and c) determining the credit limit by analyzing the stored credit card transaction information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an on-line connection constitutional diagram of a system for providing and managing credit on the basis of transaction information of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a constitutional block diagram of a system for providing and managing credit on the basis of transaction information of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3a illustrates a processing flowchart of a system for providing and managing credit on the basis of transaction information of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3b illustrates an exemplary information storing means in a system for providing and managing credit on the basis of transaction information of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4a illustrates a flowchart in which a system for providing and managing credit collects transaction information of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4b illustrates a flowchart in which a system for providing and managing credit collects transaction information of a member store when the system is merged with a payment gate according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4c illustrates a flowchart in which a system for providing and managing credit collects transaction information of a member store when the system is merged with a VAN company according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4d illustrates a flowchart in which a system for providing and managing credit collects transaction information of a member store when the system has a payment gate of financial system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of the step of determining credit limit of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a illustrates an on-line connection diagram showing that a credit card member store requests credit money through an ATM or something of a financial company according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6b specifically illustrates a flowchart of the step of providing a member store with credit when the member store requests credit money through an ATM or something of a financial company according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6c illustrates an on-line connection diagram showing that a credit card member store requests credit money through a telephone according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6d specifically illustrates a flowchart of the step of providing a member store with credit when the member store requests credit money through a telephone according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6e illustrates an on-line connection diagram showing that a credit card member store requests credit money through the Internet according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6f specifically illustrates a flowchart of the step of providing a member store with credit when the member store requests credit money through the Internet according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6g illustrates an on-line connection diagram showing that a credit card member store requests credit money through electronic money according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6h specifically illustrates a flowchart of the step of providing a member store with credit when the member store requests credit money through electronic money according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6i illustrates an on-line connection diagram showing that a credit card member store requests credit money through a credit card terminal according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6j specifically illustrates a flowchart of the step of providing a member store with credit when the member store requests credit money through a credit card terminal according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6k illustrates an on-line connection diagram showing that the system of the present invention automatically provides a member store with credit money after analyzing transaction information stored therein and determining that the analyzed information meets predetermined criteria according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 61 specifically illustrates a flowchart of the step of providing a member store with credit after analyzing transaction information stored therein and determining that the analyzed information meets predetermined criteria according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGs . 7a to 7e illustrate flowcharts of the step of subtracting an interest from credit money that was provided to a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an on-line connection constitutional diagram of system for providing and managing credit on the basis of transaction information of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a system for providing and managing the credit on the basis of transaction information of the member store according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises system server 40 connected to at least one of member store's terminal 30, credit -card company server 10, and VAN provider server 20, bank server 50 connected to system server 40, and means for requesting credit money 60 connected to system server 40 or bank server 50.

FIG. 2 illustrates a constitutional block diagram of system for providing and managing credit on the basis of transaction information of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, a system server of the present invention comprises host portion 41 that stores OS (Operating System), files, and programs for controlling a processor and controls the overall operation of the system, a means 42 for storing information that classifies and stores credit card transaction information of a member store and credit information, a terminal portion 43 for user interface, a communication means 44 for communicating with external devices, and a network interface for connecting the system to a network, such as the Internet. FIG. 3a illustrates a processing flowchart of system for providing and managing credit on the basis of transaction information of a member store according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3a, a processing method for the system comprises the step of starting operation (S10), a step of collecting transaction information via on-line (S20) , a step of determining credit limit on the basis of the transaction information (S30), a step of providing a store with credit (S40) , a step of managing the credit (S50) , a step of receiving transaction amount from a credit-card company (S60) , a step of subtracting an interest from the transaction money (S70) , a step of providing the store with the subtracted amount (S80) , and a step of ending operation. The operational flow of the system and processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

Upon power on, the operation of the system begins the routine of FIG. 3a that will be performed by system server 40 (S10) . Upon starting the operation, host 41 of system server 40 controls the overall operation, and stores all data in information storing device 42 or read them from information storing device 42 , and receives user commands and data through terminal portion 43, and communicates with external devices through means for communication 44 and network interface 45. FIG. 3b illustrates an exemplary information storing means 42. The information storing means includes several databases, and the brief explanation on each database is as follows . Credit card transaction information DB 421 is a database that stores several information, such as a transaction dates, transaction amount, member stores' identification number, and credit-card numbers, which all relate to credit card transaction of the member store. Credit information DB 422 is a database that stores the information of credit limit that is determined on each member store and the information associated with the credit after the credit is provided, such as member stores' identification number, credit limit, credit money provided to the store, a date of providing the credit money, and an expiration date of the credit.

Upon beginning, system server 40 collects information of the transaction amount by credit card from credit card terminal 30, VAN provider server 20, or credit-card company server 10 via copper wire, wireless, dedicated line, or Internet and inputs the information (S20) .

The information of the transaction amount settled by credit card includes any information that is directly relevant to credit card transaction, such as transaction dates, a credit-card company, credit-card numbers, date and time of approval, approval number, or approval amount, and any information that is indirectly relevant to credit card usage, such as member stores' identification number, terminal number, or means for settlement.

FIG. 4a illustrates an example process performed by a program 48 to collect transaction information, wherein a credit card is used in a store.

A request Pll for transaction approval is sent from a terminal 30 in a store to a credit-card company server 10 via a VAN provider server 20. When a transaction approval P12 is transferred to the terminal 30, a system server 40 collects information on credit card transaction from the terminal 30, the VAN provider server 20 and the credit-card company server 10. The collected information P13 is stored in a storing device 42 inside the system server 40. Communications for collecting transaction information may take place via a wire network, wireless network, or dedicated line. The collection of the information may be performed each time a transaction happens or performed periodically based on a certain condition.

FIG. 4b illustrates another example process performed by a program 48 to collect transaction information, wherein a system server 40 operates as a payment gate in the electronic commerce.

A request P21 for transaction approval is sent from a terminal 30 of an electronic commerce store to a credit- card company server 10 via the system server 40. When a transaction approval P22 is transferred to the system server 40, the system server 40 collects and stores transaction information P23 from a VAN provider server 20.

FIG. 4c illustrates yet another example process performed by a program 48 to collect transaction information, wherein a system server 40 operates as a VAN company. A request P31 for transaction approval is sent from a terminal 30 of the store to a credit-card company server 10 via the system server 40. When a transaction approval P32 is transferred to the terminal 30, the system server 40 collects and stores transaction information. FIG. 4d illustrates yet another example process performed by a program 48 to collect transaction information, wherein a separate payment gate 20 exists in the electronic commerce. A request P41 for transaction approval is sent from a terminal 30 of the electronic commerce store to a credit-card company server 10 via the payment gate 20. When a transaction approval P42 is transferred to the terminal 30, the system server 40 collects and stores transaction information P43.

Using the stored transaction information according to the above embodiments, the system server 40 determines a credit limit that will be provided to the store.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of how credit limit is determined according to the present invention. At step 32, the server 40 checks if all the transactions are counted only once. Then, if transaction amount does not exceed a certain criteria al , the system server checks the validity of the transaction at step 34. The criteria al may be represented as follows.

al = A(S) + Z x σl

where A(S) denotes an average of transaction amounts based on each transaction or daily transactions, Z is a factor of reliability, and σl is a standard deviation of the amounts. al is used to filter out abnormal transactions by testing the validity of transactions with the average of amounts, the reliability factor, and standard deviation.

At step 36, a credit limit may be determined by subtracting a store fee and an interest from transaction amounts. Alternatively, future transactions S for a certain period N days may be added to the credit limit. The future transactions S may be estimated by the following equation.

S = SI + Z x σ

where S denotes the transactions that may happen in the future, SI is an average of transaction amounts for N days, Z is a reliable period, and σ is a standard deviation of estimated amounts.

Therefore, the credit limit varies as an averaged amount varies. When future transactions are taken into account to determine the credit limit, the credit limit depends on the period N.

Once a credit limit on each store is determined, the system server 40 stores the credit limit in a credit information DB 422 (S37) .

A store may withdraw credit money within a credit limit using an ATM, telephone, PC and electronic money. Alternatively, a store may buy a product or get a service by using credit money as payment means . Alternatively, the system server 40 may automatically supply credit money to a store without receiving any requests from the store if credit-card transactions meet a predefined condition.

After the system server 40 provides credit money to a store, it subtracts the credit money from the credit limit of the store to update the credit limit .

FIG. 6a illustrates an example on-line connection when a store requests the system server 40 to provide credit money using an ATM in a bank. FIG. 6b illustrates a flowchart of how the system server 40 provides a store 30 with credit money under the on-line connection shown in FIG. 6a. An ATM card and a password are checked at steps 4012 and 4013. The store enters credit money (S4014) . The requested credit money is compared with the credit limit (S4015) that is stored in the credit information DB 422. If the requested credit money exceeds the credit limit, the server 40 sends a message to enter credit money again (S4016) . If the requested credit money is below the credit limit, the system server 40 supplies the credit money to the store (S4017) and then subtracts the credit money from the credit limit of the store to update the credit limit (S4018) . The updated credit information including the amount, date of providing credit and expiration date of the credit is stored in a credit information DB 422. Using this credit information, the system server 40 will manage the credit that is provided to a store.

FIG. 6c illustrates an example on-line connection when a store requests the system server 40 to provide credit money using a telephone. FIG. 6d illustrates a flowchart of how the system server 40 provides a store 30 with credit money under the on-line connection shown in FIG. 6c . A store 30 establishes a phone connection to the system server 40 (S4022) . An account number and a password are sent to the system sever 40 (S4023 and S4024) . Then, a store ID and credit money are entered and confirmed (S4026 and S4027) . The requested credit money is compared with the credit limit (S4028) . If the requested credit money exceeds the credit limit, the server 40 sends a message to enter credit money again (S4029) . If the requested credit money is below the credit limit, the system server 40 supplies the credit money to the account of the store (S4030) . Then, the system server 40 subtracts the credit money from the credit limit of the store to update the credit limit (S4031) . The updated credit information is stored in a credit information DB 422 (S4032) .

FIG. 6e illustrates an example on-line connection when a store requests the system server 40 to provide credit money using an Internet device. FIG. 6f illustrates a flowchart of how the system server 40 provides a store with credit money under the online connection shown in FIG. 6e. A store 30 establishes an Internet connection to the system server 40 (S4042) . A store ID and password are entered (S4043) . An account number of the store and credit money are sent to the system sever 40 and confirmed at steps 4044 and 4045. Then, The requested credit money is compared with the credit limit (S4046) . If the requested credit money exceeds the credit limit, the server 40 sends a message to enter credit money again (S4047) . If the requested credit money is below the credit limit, the system server 40 supplies the credit money to the account of the store

(S4048) . Then, the system server 40 subtracts the credit money from the credit limit of the store to update the credit limit (S4049) . The updated credit information is stored in a credit information DB 422 (S4050) .

FIG. 6g illustrates an example on-line connection when a store requests the system server 40 to provide credit money using electronic money.

FIG. 6h illustrates a flowchart of how the system server 40 provides a store 30 with credit money under the on-line connection shown in FIG. 6g. A store 30 pays electronic money for a product or a service at another store 64. Then, a request for credit money corresponding to the electronic money is transferred to the system server 40 through a terminal of the store 64 (S4052) . The requested credit money is compared with the credit limit of the store 30 (S4053) . If the requested credit money exceeds the credit limit, the server 40 sends a non- approval message (S4054) . If the requested credit money is below the credit limit, the system server 40 sends an approval message and then supplies the credit money to the account of the store 64 (S4055 and S4056) . The system server 40 subtracts the credit money from the credit limit of the store 30 to update the credit limit (S4057) . The updated credit information is stored in a credit information DB 422 (S4058) .

The use of electronic money for providing credit to a store implies a birth of new electronic money that can eliminate the need of recharging a conventional IC card. FIG. 6i illustrates an example on-line connection when a store requests the system server 40 to provide credit money using a credit-card terminal.

FIG. 6j illustrates a flowchart of how the system server 40 provides a store with credit money under the on- line connection shown in FIG. 6i . The system server 40 checks if a credit card and password are valid (S4062) . Then, the server 40 receives an account number and credit money from a credit card terminal installed at the store 30 (S4063) . The requested credit money is compared with the credit limit (S4064) . If the requested credit money exceeds the credit limit, the server 40 sends a non- approval message (S4065) . If the requested credit money is below the credit limit, the system server 40 supplies the credit money to the account of the store (S4066) . A message for credit completion is sent to the store (S4067) . Then, the system server 40 subtracts the credit money from the credit limit of the store 30 to update the credit limit (S4068) . The updated credit information is stored in a credit information DB 422 (S4069) .

FIG. 6k illustrates an example on-line connection when the system server 40 automatically supplies credit money to a store without receiving any credit requests from a store.

FIG. 61 illustrates a flowchart of how the system server 40 provides a store with credit money under the on- line connection shown in FIG. 6k. The system server 40 checks if transaction information including transaction date, transaction amounts, and the number of transactions reaches a certain conditions (S4072) . If at least one of the transaction information meets certain conditions, the system server 40 may supply credit money to the account of a store 30 (S4073) . Then, the system server 40 subtracts the credit money from the credit limit of the store 30 to update the credit limit (S4074) . The updated credit information is stored in a credit information DB 422 (S4075) .

The certain conditions for automatically supplying credit money may be determined using the transaction information stored in a transaction information DB 421. The certain condition may be one of the followings; A certain period has lapsed since the transaction happened; Collected transaction amounts exceed a certain amount; The number of transactions has reached a certain number since the system server supplied credit money last . The credit money corresponding to the certain conditions may depend on the predetermined agreements between a store and server system.

As explained above, after credit money is supplied to a store and the corresponding credit information is updated and then stored in a credit information DB 422, the system server 40 manages the credit of stores using the stored credit information. An interest for the credit money may be determined based on the credit amount and the date of providing credit . The determined interest is stored in a credit information DB 422. If future transactions are taken into account to provide credit, when a credit-card company 10 delays the payment for the transactions, an arrear for the credit happens. When it is impossible to draw back the credit money from the store or a similar event happens, a default for the credit happens. The system server 40 stores the happenings of an arrear or a default.

According to the present invention, instead of a store, the system server 40 collects transaction amounts related to use of credit card from a credit-card company at step 60 in FIG. 3a. Based on the received transaction amount, the system server determines the remainder that will be provided to a store.

FIGs . 7a-7e illustrate a variety of embodiments of how the system server 40 determines the amount of remainder that will be provided to a store. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7a, the system server first takes the interest from the received transaction amounts (S7012) . The credit money is compared with the current credit limit of a store 30 (S7013) . If the credit money exceeds the current credit limit, the system server 40 takes again an excess of the credit limit (S7014). Otherwise, the expiration date of credit is checked (S7015 ) . If some of the credit expires, then the system server 40 takes the expired credit money (S7016) . And, if all of the credit does not expire, the system server 40 may exchange the credit money with newly credited money and thus extend the expiration date of the credit money (S7017) .

Above explained steps may be summarized by the following equations.

RP1 = Al - II

RP2 = RP1 - (Dl - CL1) , if Dl > CL1 RP3 = RP2 - MAI

where Al : transaction amounts received from a credi -card company

II : an interest for the credit money RP1 : residual money subtracted an interest Dl : credit money supplied to a store CL1 : credit limit of a store

RP2 : residual money subtracted an excess of credit limit

MAI : expired credit money

RP3 : remainder that will provided to a store

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7b, the system server first takes the interest from the received transaction amounts

(S7022) . The credit money is compared with the current credit limit of a store (S7023) . If the credit money exceeds the current credit limit, the system server 40 takes again an excess of the credit limit (S7024) .

Otherwise, the system server 40 may continuously exchange the credit money with newly credited money and thus extend the expiration until the date the store desires (S7025) .

Above explained steps may be summarized by the following equations.

RP1 = Al - II

RP2 = RP1 - (Dl - CL1) , if Dl > CL1

where

Al : transaction amounts received from a credit-card company

II : an interest for the credit money RP1 : residual money subtracted an interest Dl : credit money supplied to a store CL1 : credit limit of a store RP2 : remainder that will provided to a store

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7c, the system server first takes the interest from the received transaction amounts (S7032) . The credit money is compared with the current credit limit of a store (S7033) . If the credit money exceeds the current credit limit, the system server 40 takes again an excess of the credit limit (S7034) . Otherwise, the system server 40 may take a certain portion of the credit money (S7035) and then extend the expiration date of the remaining credit money (S7036) . The portion may depend on the agreements between a store and server system 40.

Above explained steps may be summarized by the following equations.

RP1 = Al - II

RP2 = [RP1 - (Dl - CL1 ) ] x API , if Dl > CL1

where

Al : transaction amounts received from a credit-card company

II -. an interest for the credit money RP1 : residual money subtracted an interest Dl : credit money supplied to a store

CL1 credit limit of a store API remainder ratio RP2 remainder that will provided to a store

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7d, the system server takes first the interest and then the credit money from the received transaction amounts (S7042) .

Above explained steps may be summarized by the ollowing equations .

RP1 = (Al - II) - Dl

where

Al : transaction amounts received from a credit-card company

II : an interest for the credit money Dl : credit money supplied to a store

RP1 : remainder that will provided to a store

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7e, the system server first takes the interest from the received transaction amounts

(S7052) . The credit money is compared with the current credit limit of a store (S7053) . If the credit money exceeds the current credit limit, the system server 40 takes again an excess of the credit limit (S7054) . Additionally, if the current credit money is less than the initial credit money, the difference between the current and initial credit money is added to remainder to a store (S7056) . The expiration date of credit is checked (S7057) . If some of the credit expires, then the system server 40 takes the expired credit money (S7058) . And, if all of the credit does not expire, the system server 40 may exchange the credit money with newly credited money and thus extend the expiration date of the credit money (S7059) .

Above explained steps may be summarized by the following equations.

RP1 = Al - - 11

RP2 = RP1 - (Dl CL1) , if Dl > CL1

RP3 = RP2 + (D2 Dl) , if D2 > Dl

RP4 — RP3- - MAI

where

Al : transaction amounts received from a credit-card company II -. an interest for the credit money

RP1 : residual money subtracted an interest

Dl : current credit money supplied to a store

CL1 -. credit limit of a store

RP2 : residual money subtracted an excess of credit limit

D2 : initial credit money supplied to a store

MAI : expired credit money

RP3 : residual money considering the initial credit money

RP4 : remainder that will provided to a store

After determining remainder, the system server 40 supplies the remainder to an account of a store.

While particular embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications, as fall within the scope of this invention.

99

Claims

1. A system for providing a member store with credit and managing the credit on the basis of credit card transaction information of the member store, wherein the transaction information includes transaction dates, transaction amounts, member stores' identi ication number, and credit-card numbers, and the system comprises: a) communication means for collecting said credit card transaction information from the member store, a value added network (VAN) provider, or a credit card company; b) means for storing the collected transaction information; and c) a host having a processor coupled to and for controlling the storing means and the communication means, wherein said host analyzes the stored transaction information and determines a credit limit for said member store .

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the host provides the member store with a credit money and collects the transaction amounts from the credit card company.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein in case that the host received a request for credit money from the member store, the host compares the requested credit money with the credit limit and provides the member store with said credit money as long as said credit money does not exceed said credit limit.

. The system of claim 3 , wherein the request for said credit money is received from an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) , a telephone, an Internet device, or a terminal of member store.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the host provides the member store with said credit money corresponding to predetermined criteria if upon analyzing said transaction information the analyzed information meets said predetermined criteria.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the host subtracts an interest from the transaction amount collected from the credit-card company and provides the remainder to the member store.

7. A method for providing a member store with credit and managing the credit on the basis of credit card transaction information, wherein the transaction information includes transaction dates, transaction amounts, member stores' identification number, and credit- card numbers, and the method comprises the steps of: a) collecting the credit card transaction information from a terminal of the member store, a VAN company server, or a credit card company server via online; b) storing the collected transaction information; c) determining a credit limit for said member store by analyzing the stored transaction information; d) providing the member store with credit money; and e) receiving the transaction amounts from the credit-card company.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, in step c) , said credit limit is determined on the basis of the mean and variance of said transaction amounts included in the stored transaction information of the member store.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, in step d) , in case that the host received the request for the credit money from the member store, the host compares the requested credit money with the credit limit and provides said credit money to the member store as long as said credit money does not exceed said credit limit.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein, in step d) , said credit money is provided to the member store if upon analyzing the transaction information the analyzed information meets a predetermined criteria.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined criteria is determined by the transaction amounts, the number of transactions, and the transaction dates .

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said request for the credit money is received from an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), a telephone, an Internet device, or a terminal of another member store .

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: storing the amount of said credit money, a date of providing the credit money, an expiration date for the credit, and member stores' identification number as credit information and determining an interest, arrear, and a default of the member store on the basis of said credit information.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of : subtracting said interest from the transaction amounts collected from the credit -card company and providing the remainder to the member store .

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the subtracting step extends the expiration date for said credit on the basis of newly collected transaction information.

16. A method for determining a credit limit on the basis of transaction information of a credit card member store, wherein the transaction information includes transaction dates, transaction amounts, member stores' identification number, and credit-card numbers, and the method comprises the steps of : a) collecting the credit card transaction information from a terminal of the credit card member store, a VAN company server, or a credit -card company server; b) storing the collected transaction information; and c) determining the credit limit by analyzing the stored credit card transaction information.