WO2002035415A1

WO2002035415A1 - Meter-rate system through network and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2002035415A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001720
Authority: WO
Inventors: Soo-Yong Im
Original assignee: Tobeweb Co Ltd; Song Jong Hak; Im Soo Yong
Priority date: 2000-10-17
Filing date: 2001-10-12
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: KR20020030400A

Abstract

There is provided a meter-rate charging system and method through a network. When a request from meter-rate charging is received from a contents providing system or Internet cafe terminal together with the card number of a settlement card, it is judged if the card is available, and meter-rate charging for the card number when the card is available. When a request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the contents providing system of Internet cafe terminal, meter-rate charging for the card number is finished, and a quantity charged and an amount of money to be settled based on the quantity of charging are calculated for the card number, to perform settlement for the card number. The settlement card is a charged card capable of being charged with a quantity corresponding to a predetermined amount of money if required.

Description

METER-RATE SYSTEM THROUGH NETWORK AND METHOD

THEREOF

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a meter-rate charging system and method and, more particularly, to a meter-rate charging system and method through a network to perform meter-rate charging for using an Internet cafe or contents through a network such as Internet.

Background Art

With the explosive growth in the Internet over the past several years, electronic commerce has been carried out among people in the whole world through the Internet. The electronic commerce includes not only a commercial transaction accompanied with flow of money, which is generally performed between a business and a business, a person and a person or a government and a business using electronic media, electronic techniques and means under integrated automated information system environments, but also a series of actions of marketing for customers, advertisement, supply, service, production, transportation, purchase and providing contents.

In this electronic commerce, contents are provided through the Internet for free at the initial stage. However, the amount of paid contents has been increasing in recent years. This requires more reliable settlement ways for paying for the paid contents provided through the Internet.

A flat-rate method that pays a specific amount of money for a specific period of time is generally used as a settlement way for payment for the paid contents provided through the Internet. With this flat-rate method, however, its user spends an unnecessary cost in case where he is provided with a small amount of contents because he should pay a predetermined specific amount of money for using the contents. Furthermore, even a contents provider may suffer damage because the contents provider receives a predetermined specific amount of money from a user even when it provides a considerably vast amount of contents to the user.

In addition, a charge for using contents corresponds to a small amount of money so that it is not easy to pay for it using a credit card or bank account. Accordingly, settlement of a small amount of money is generally made using electronic money. The electronic money includes card-type e-money constructed in a manner that information corresponding to an amount of money is inputted in a charged IC chip attached to a card, and network e-money configured in such a manner that the information is stored in the hard disk of its user.

In case where payment for using contents or for purchasing goods is carried out using the card-type e-money, the e-money is previously charged with a predetermined amount of money before distribution. Accordingly, an intermediary business proprietor who actually supplies the e-money to users should pay all of the predetermined amount money charged in the e-money to an e-money provider in order to receive the e-money from the e-money provider. Thus, the intermediary business proprietor may suffer damage when the e-money provided thereto is not actively circulated, resulting in inactivation of settlement using e-money.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a meter-rate charging system and method to carry out meter-rate charging for using contents provided through networks or for using the networks, resulting in reliable electronic commerce.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a meter-rate charging system and method by which a user easily performs small-sum settlement using a settlement card capable of being freely charged with a quantity corresponding to a predetermined amount of money (simply referred to as a predetermined amount of money hereinafter) by the user.

To accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a meter-rate charging system for carrying out settlement between a plurality of clients and a settlement request system through a network, the system comprising: a card database for storing information about settlement cards by card numbers; and a processing server which starts meter-rate charging for a card number when a charging request signal is inputted thereto together with the card number from the settlement request system, finishes the meter-rate charging for the card number when a charging completion signal is inputted thereto from the settlement request system, calculates a quantity charged and an amount of money to be settled based on the quantity of charging, and then performs settlement for the card number.

The settlement card is a charged card that can be charged with specific amount money if required and has a card number recorded thereon.

The meter-rate charging system according to an aspect of the present invention to settle using the settlement card may further includes: a user database for storing information about users who want meter-rate charging and settlement using the settlement card; a client database for storing information about the settlement request system which requires the meter-rate charging and settlement using the settlement card; and a charging database for storing charging items and charging processing state by card numbers. The processing server may comprises: a charging data processor for judging if charging is carried out for a corresponding card number based on the information stored in the charging database, to perform meter-rate charging; a cooperation data processor for judging if a route which requests meter-rate charging is a valid route based on the information stored in the client database; and a settlement data processor for judging if a corresponding settlement card is available or not.

The charging data processor starts meter-rate charging for the corresponding card number when it judges that other charging procedures for the card number are not being carried out based on the information stored in the charging database in case where the meter-rate charging request signal is received together with the card number from the settlement request system. The cooperation data processor judges that the meter-rate request signal has been inputted through a valid connection route when the settlement request system that requests the meter-rate charging has been registered on the client database. In addition, the cooperation data processor finishes the meter-rate charging procedure if the settlement request system that request completion of meter-rate charging is the same settlement request system that request meter-rate charging on the basis of the information stored in the charging database, in case where the settlement request system requests the cooperation data processor to complete the meter-rate charging. The settlement request system can be a contents providing system that provides contents to clients and wants to be paid for it. The charged quantity is a period of time during which a client has received contents from the contents providing system or the number of contents provided.

The settlement request system can be an Internet cafe terminal which wants to be paid for allowing a user to use it, and the charged quantity is a period of time during which the user has used the Internet cafe terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the meter-rate charging system further comprises a card issuing system that includes: a card reading unit for reading the card number recorded on the settlement card; a card charging unit for charging the settlement card with a predetermined mount of money; and an issuance processing unit for transmitting the card number to request utilization of the card and driving the card charging unit according to the result of the request to charge the settlement card with a predetermined amount of money. In this case, when the processing server receives a request for authentication of utilization of the card together with the card number from the card issuing system, the processing server judges if the settlement card is available based on the information stored in the card database, and then notifies the card issuing system of the authentication result The meter-rate charging system according to the present invention may further comprises a database for storing information about settlement means other than the settlement card, corresponding to the card numbers. Here, the processing server finds a card number corresponding to the information of other settlement means from the database and then carries out meter-rate charging for the found card number when the processing server receives the request for meter-rate charging from the settlement request system together with the information of the settlement means.

The information of the settlement means can be the radio communication number of a radio communication terminal, a credit card number of a bank account number.

To accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is also provided a meter-rate charging method for settling a charge for using contents between a plurality of clients and a contents providing system through a network, comprising the steps of: upon reception of a request for meter-rate charging together with a card number from the contents providing system, judging if a settlement card corresponding the card number is available; starting meter-rate charging for the card number if the settlement card is available; finishing meter-rate charging for the card number when a request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the contents providing system; and calculating a quantity charged and an amount of money based on the charged quantity with respect to the card number, to carry out settlement for the card number.

The meter-rate charging method may further comprise the steps of judging if other meter-rate charging procedures are being carried out for the card number when the contents providing system requests meter-rate charging. Here, the step of starting meter-rate charging is performed in case where other meter-rate charging procedures are not being carried out for the card number and the settlement card is available.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a meter-rate charging for settling a charge for using an Internet cafe terminal through a network comprises the steps of: upon reception of a request for meter-rate charging from the Internet cafe terminal together with a card number, judging if other charging procedures for the Internet cafe terminal are being carried out with respect to the card number; judging if a settlement card corresponding to the card number is available or not; starting meter-rate charging for the card number in case where other charging procedures for the Internet cafe terminal are not being made and the settlement card is available; finishing meter-rate charging for the card number when a request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the Internet cafe terminal; and calculating a period of time during which the Internet cafe terminal has been used and an amount of money according to the period of time for the card number, to perform settlement for the card number.

The meter-rate charging method may further includes the step of judging if charging for using contents is being made for the card number when the request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the Internet cafe terminal. Here, the meter-rate charging finishing step is performed in case where the charging for using contents for the card number is not being carried out.

A meter-rate charging method for settling a charge for using contents through a settlement card between a radio terminal and a contents providing system through a network according to another aspect of the invention comprises the steps of: upon reception of a request for meter-rate charging from the contents providing system together with the radio communication number of the radio terminal, finding a card number from a database, in which radio communication numbers are being stored corresponding to settlement card numbers, based on the radio communication number; judging if a settlement card corresponding to the found card number is available; starting meter-rate charging for the card number in case where other charging procedures are not being carried out and the settlement card is available; finishing meter-rate charging for the card number when a request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the contents providing system; and calculating a quantity charged and an amount of money according to the charged quantity for the card number, to perform settlement for the card number. The meter-rate charging method may further comprises the steps of: upon reception of a card number and a request for authentication of a settlement card corresponding to the card number from the card issuing system, judging if the card number is being stored in the database storing the card numbers of all registered settlement cards; and recording authentication of utilization for the card number and notifying the card issuing system of the authentication when the card number is being stored in the database.

In addition, the meter-rate charging method may further comprises the^' step of, when a request for charging the card is received from the card issuing system together with the card number and information on an amount to be charged, notifying the card issuing system of authentication of charging of the card, the card issuing system recording the amount to be charged in the settlement card when it has been notified of the authentication.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a meter-rate charging system through a network according to an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of a settlement card according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of authenticating a settlement card according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of charging a settlement card according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a membership registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 6 A and 6B illustrate a process of meter-rate charging and settlement for using an Internet cafe according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 A and 7B illustrate a process of meter-rate charging and settlement for using contents according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a process of meter-rate charging and settlement using the identification number of other settlement means according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a process of advance settlement using a settlement card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Best mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The present invention will now be described in connection with

preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A meter-rate charging system through a network according to the present

invention calculates and bills a charge for using contents based on a period or

time during which a user received the contents, an amount of the contents

received or a period of time during which the user used a terminal for receiving

the contents. Especially, the meter-rate charging is performed using an electronic

money card (referred to as "settlement card" hereinafter) which can be freely

charged with a quantity corresponding to an amount of money its user wants to

spend.

Specifically, by using the meter-rate charging system through a network of

the present invention, a user can pay a charge for using contents received through

his personal terminal with the settlement card. Even when the user receives the

contents through a terminal of an Internet cafe which provides pay terminals such

as PCs through which the user can access to networks, the user can pay the charge for using the contents with the settlement card. In addition, the charge for

using the Internet cafe can be paid using the settlement card. Thus, the user of the

charged settlement card activates provision and utilization of contents charged by

meter rate.

There are explained below the meter-rate charging system and method through a network according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which charges for using information a user received through a terminal of an Internet cafe and for using the Internet cafe are meter-rate charged and the charges are paid using the settlement card. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the meter-rate charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the meter-rate charging system through a network of the present invention includes a client 20, a card issuing system 30, a charging and settlement system 40, a contents providing system 50 and an authentication system 60, which are connected through a network 10 (including all wired or wireless networks such as Internet, radio communication networks, future networks and so on).

The client 20 is a communication device that can be connected with the charging and settlement system 30 and the contents providing system 50 through the network 10. Specifically, the client 20 is constructed of a wired terminal 21 including a computer through which its user can be wired-connected with the network 10 and an Internet-accessible TV, a radio terminal 22 such as a cellular phone and a PDA which can be connected to the network 10 in radio. In addition, the client 20 further has Internet cafe terminals 23 -2n including computers managed by an intermediary business proprietor such as Internet cafe proprietor. Accordingly, a user can connect with the network 10 through his personal wired terminal 21 or radio terminal 22. Otherwise, he can connect with the network 10 through the terminal 23 -2n managed by the Internet cafe proprietor. Here, "Internet cafέ terminal" means a terminal owned by the intermediary business proprietor who provides pay terminals, and "intermediary business proprietor" means the Internet cafe which provides terminals to users or business proprietors which issue and charge the settlement card.

The card issuing system 30 includes a card reading unit 32 for reading a card number recorded in a charged settlement card 31 according to the present invention or reading an available charged amount of money, a card charging unit 33 for charging the settlement card 31 with a quantity corresponding to an amount of money a user requests, an issuance processing unit 34 for performing procedures for authenticating utilization of the settlement card 31 and charging of the card, and a connection unit 35 for transmitting and receiving information to/from the charging and settlement system 40 through the network 10. This card issuing system 30 can be located in places where users can conveniently purchase the settlement card, for example, Internet cafes or convenient stores.

The charging and settlement system 40 includes an interface server 41, a mail server 42, a data server 43 and a processing server 44. The interface server 41 allows a plurality of clients 20 to connect with the charging and settlement system 40 through the network 10. In addition, the interface server 41 converts a variety of information items provided through the processing server 44 to satisfy a communication protocol and sends them to the client 20, card issuing system 30, contents providing system 50 or authentication system 60. Furthermore, it receives information from the systems 30, 50 and 60 to transmit the information to the processing server 44. The interface server 41 may have a database interlock for transmitting and receiving information to/from a web server or other systems. The mail server 42 transmits and receives electronic mails to/from the client 20 or the systems 30, 50 and 60. The data server 43 stores a variety of information items for performing the meter-rate charging according to the present invention. Specifically, the data server 43 includes a user database 431, a client database 432, a card database 433, a charging database 434, a settlement database 435 and a mileage database 436. The user database 431 stores information about users registered as members capable of paying for meter-rate charging using the settlement card. Specifically, the user database 431 stores user information corresponding to a user identification number (user ID) assigned to each user, the user information including a log password for log-in, a settlement password for security of payment, a social security number, a name, a mail address, an e-mail address, a telephone number or cellular phone number and so on, for example. In addition, the user database 431 can store information of other settlement means, such as a credit card number, a bank account number and the radio communication number of a radio terminal (cellular phone and PDA) corresponding to the user ID to allow the user to be able to pay using settlement means other than the settlement card. The client database 432 stores information about business proprietors registered as clients who issue the settlement card or who want to be paid through the settlement card for providing terminals or information to users. That is, the client database 432 stores information about terminals of an Internet cafe which cooperates with the meter-rate charging system, the card issuing system and the contents providing system.

The business proprietors can be classified into card issuing business proprietors, Internet cafe proprietors who want to be paid for providing terminals, and contents providing business proprietors who want to be paid for providing contents. Specifically, corresponding to IDs respectively assigned to the card issuing business proprietors, the Internet protocol (IP) address, name and mail address of each card issuing system are stored in the client database 432. Furthermore, the IP address, name and mail address of each of Internet cafe terminals owned by an Internet cafe proprietor are stored in the client database corresponding to IDs respectively assigned to the Internet cafe proprietors. In addition, information such as IP address, URL and name of each contents providing system is stored in the client database corresponding to IDs respectively assigned to the contents providing business proprietors. The ID of each business proprietor is referred to as "client ID" hereinafter.

The card database 433 stores information for judging authentication of utilization of a settlement card, and information about all of settlement cards issued by the charging and settlement system 40. For example, it stores information, such as the kind of each card issued, the term of validity of each card, the ID of each business proprietor who issues the cards, the ID of each user having the issued card, the amount of money charged in each card and a balance of each card, by the card numbers of the issued cards. In addition, the card database may store a flag indicating whether the card has been authenticated or not.

The charging database 434 stores charging items for calculating charges for using the plurality of Internet cafe terminals 23 -2n registered as the clients and charges for using information of the contents providing system. For instance, it can store information (IP address) enabling identification of an Internet cafe terminal or contents providing system, a point of time at which charging starts and a point of time at which the charging is finished, and a flag (contents flag and Internet cafe charging flag) that indicates whether charging is being processed or not, corresponding to the card number of a settlement card to be used for payment. In case of charging for contents, especially, the charging database can store the number of contents provided.

The settlement database 435 stores settlement items by the card numbers of the settlement cards. Specifically, it stores information such as a total charging time (from the point of time at which charging starts to the point of time at which the charging is finished), a total charged amount (the number of contents provided), an amount of money for settlement, an amount of money before payment and an amount of money after payment, by the card numbers of the settlement cards.

The mileage database 436 stores information about various services, which can be, added to the settlement items by the card numbers of the settlement cards or by users. For example, it stores a mileage given to a user when contents are provided to the user by the contents providing system 50 by user IDs.

While the information is stored in the data server 43, being classified corresponding to the plurality of databases 431-436 in this embodiment, the information stored in the databases can be stored in one database and classification of the information is not restricted by the description described above.

The processing server 44 which performs meter-rate charging and settlement using the settlement card based on the information stored in the database server 43 includes a cooperation data processor 441, a settlement data processor 442 and a charging data processor 443. The cooperation data processor 441 manages information about a plurality of personal users, intermediary business proprietors (Internet cafes) and contents providing business proprietors (sites on Internet). Specifically, the cooperation data processor 441 includes a membership registration module 4411 which registers a user as a member who is capable of meter-rate charging and settling using the settlement card, and a membership authentication module 4412 for authenticating users, intermediary business proprietors and sites registered as members based on data stored in the user and client databases 431 and 432. Especially, the membership authentication module 4412 judges if a route to which the client 20 is connected is a valid route to which the client is connected through a client registered as the member, based on the data stored in the client database 432.

The settlement data processor 442 performs actual payment using the settlement card. Specifically, it includes a card authentication module 4421 for authenticating utilization of the settlement card and settlement based on information stored in the card database 433 and the settlement database 435, a settlement processing module 4422 for performing settlement based on charging items of a corresponding settlement card, and a mileage processing module 4423 for giving a mileage to a user according to an amount of contents the user utilized or a period of time during which the user used an Internet cafe. Although the mileage-processing module 4423 can give the mileage by card numbers, it gives the mileage by user IDs in this embodiment because the user may use multiple settlement cards.

The charging data processor 443 carries out meter-rate charging for settlement of a charge for using contents and a charge for using an Internet cafe by a user. Specifically, it includes a charging authentication module 4431 for authentication charging at the request of the contents providing system 50 or Internet cafe terminals 22-2n, and a charging processing module 4432 for storing charging items, that is, a point of time at which the charging starts, a point of time at which the charging is finished or an amount of contents provided, in the charging database 444.

Here, although the constituent elements 441, 442 and 443 are illustrated in a manner that they operate within the processing server 44, they can be realized as individual servers to process corresponding functions. Furthermore, the functions of the elements are separated from one another, for convenience of explanation, but they may not be separated.

The contents providing system 50 can be the server of a shopping mall site providing goods information to help users to purchase goods or a paid site providing contents such as games. In addition, it can be the server of a radio communication company providing contents to radio terminals through radio communication networks.

The authentication system 60 that is a system for authenticating credit card numbers, radio communication numbers or bank account number can be the server of a credit card company, radio communication company or bank. The operation of the meter-rate charging system through a network according to an embodiment of the present invention is explained below in detail based on the aforementioned configuration.

The charging and settlement system 40 manufactures settlement cards to distribute them to the intermediary business proprietors (Internet cafes, convenient stores and so on) and records the card numbers of all of the distributed settlement cards in the card database 443. FIG. 2 roughly illustrates the structure of the settlement card. As shown in FIG. 2, a bar code 1 indicating the kind of the card is recorded on the front side of the card, and a bar code 2 indicating the card number and the charged amount of money of the settlement card and an authentication number are recorded on the back side. The backside further has a card serial number given to the card when it is issued. The authentication number is set on the card in the form of taping or a thin film using paint, not being seen, when the card is manufactured or delivered. The card serial number is recorded on the card, being seen to its user. Meanwhile, Internet cafes, shopping mall sites and game mall sites who want to meter-rate charge for using the Internet cafes or contents (including prices of goods) to be paid using the settlement card are registered as members to construct the client database 432 before distribution of the settlement cards. Personal users who want to pay charges for using the Internet cafes and contents through their settlement cards apply for membership through various ways such as Internet, a radio communication network, a telephone network or a mailing system to construct the user database 431. When the settlement cards are distributed to the intermediary business proprietors as described above and users purchase the cards, the intermediary business proprietors request the charging and settlement system 40 to authenticate the cards through the card issuing system 30.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of authenticating utilization of the settlement card according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the issuance processing unit 34 of the card issuing system 30 drives a program for permitting utilization of the card, and then the card reading unit 32 reads the card number recorded in the settlement card 31 that requires to be authenticated. If the card number has been inputted through the card reading unit 32, the issuance processing unit 34 connects with the charging and settlement system 40 through the connection unit 35 to transmit the card number, the amount paid by the card user and a client ID to the charging and settlement system 40 to request authentication (S 10-S30).

In case of connection through the network 10, especially, Internet, the IP address of a corresponding connection apparatus is provided so that the connection apparatus can be identified using its IP address. Accordingly, the charging and settlement system 40 can identify the connection route using the IP address of the client 20 or each system 30, 50 or 60. Information transmitted from the card issuing system 30 is inputted to the processing server 44 through the interface server 41 of the charging and settlement system 40. Then, the cooperation data processor 441 of the processing server 44 judges if the connection route is valid according to the input information (S40). Specifically, it searches the client database 432 based on the input client ID or the IP address of the card issuing system to judge if the card issuing system registered as a client has requested authentication of utilization of its card. In case where the card issuing system 30 registered as a client made the request, the cooperation data processor 441 judges that the connection route is valid. When the connection route is valid, the card authentication module 4421 of the settlement data processor 442 searches the card database 433 to judge if the transmitted card number has been registered. When the card number has been registered and the amount of money charged in the card paid by the user is larger than a predetermined amount which can be authenticated, the card authentication module 4421 determines that the corresponding settlement card is available (S50).

When a request for authentication of utilization of a card is received from a card issuing system which was not registered as a client or the card number has not been registered or the amount of money charged in the card is not larger than the predetermined amount at the steps 40 and 50, the card authentication module 4421 transmits error information indicating that there is an error in authentication of utilization of the card to the corresponding card issuing system (S60).

On the other hand, when the card issuing system that requests authentication of utilization of the card has been registered as a client, the card number has been registered, and the amount of money charged in the card is larger than the predetermined amount, the card authentication module authenticates utilization of the corresponding settlement card and records authentication items in the card database 433 (S70). That is, it enables a card utilization authenticating flag corresponding to the card number and records the ID of the client who sold the corresponding settlement card and the amount of money of the card. In addition, the mileage-processing module 4423 may give a predetermined mileage corresponding to the card number (or user ID) upon purchasing of the card.

Next, the card authentication module 4421 informs the card issuing system

30 of the authentication of utilization of the card. Then, the issuance processing unit 34 of the card issuing system 30 charges an amount of money the user purchased in the settlement card 31 through the card charging unit 33 and provides it to the user.

As described above, the settlement card according to the embodiment of the present invention is finally authenticated by the charging and settlement system 40 to be provided to the user. Then, the user can charge a predetermined amount of money in the settlement card to use it whenever he needs it.

A process of charging an available amount of money in the settlement card is explained below. FIG. 4 illustrates the settlement card charging process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when a user make a requests for charging of his settlement card, the issuance processing unit 34 of the card issuing system 30 drives a charging program, and then sends the card number and an amount of money to be charged or the user ID, which were inputted thereto, to the charging and settlement system 40, requesting charging of the card (SI 00 and SI 10).

Then, the cooperation data processor 441 of the charging and settlement system 40 confirms if the card issuing system 30 has been registered as a client based on the IP address of the card issuing system 30 or a client ID to judge if the connection route is valid or not, as described above. The card authentication module 4421 of the settlement data processor 442 searches the card database 433 if the connection route is valid and judges that the card is available when the card utilization authenticating flag is enabled for the corresponding card number and the charged amount of money is larger than a predetermined amount, authenticating the request for charging of the card (S120 and S130). However, when the connection route is not valid and card charging is not possible, the card authentication module performs the error indication process (S140). When charging of the card is authenticated for the corresponding card number, the card authentication module 4421 records charging items, such as charging date and time, amount to be charged and available balance, with respect to the corresponding card number of the card database 433. The mileage processing module 4423 gives a mileage according to the charged amount of money to record it corresponding to the card number or user ID, and then notifies the card issuing system 30 of permission to charge the card (SI 50 to SI 70).

Upon the notification of permission to charge the card, the issuance processing unit 34 charges an amount of money requested in the settlement card 31 through the card charging unit 33. This charged settlement card 31 is given to the user so that he can receive paid contents or use an Internet cafe using the settlement card 31.

Meantime, information of settlement means other than the settlement card, for example, a credit card number, a bank account number or a radio communication number of a cellular phone, may be substituted for the card number of the settlement card the user purchased. By doing so, the user can pay charges for using or being provided with contents through a radio communication terminal or he can pay a bill through his credit card or bank card transfer with the amount of money charged in his settlement card using his credit card number, radio communication number of bank account number without inputting the card number of the settlement card. FIG. 5 illustrates the process of registering a personal user who wants meter-rate charging and settlement through the settlement card as a member and registering the user's radio communication number, credit card number of bank account number.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a user who wants to becomes a member of the charging and settlement system 40 inputs URL for connecting with the charging and settlement system 40 while a program for connection with Internet (web browser, for instance) is being driven on the client 20, this URL information is converted and packetized according to HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) in the web browser, and then transmitted to the charging and settlement system 40 through the Internet. Subsequently, the interface server 41 of the charging and settlement system 40 sends a web page corresponding to the URL information to the client 20, and the transmitted web page is displayed on the web browser in a window state. Accordingly, the user can confirm various information items provided by the charging and settlement system 40 through the web page displayed on the screen of the client 20 (S200 to S230).

When the user clicks on a membership registration menu in order to become a member capable of using meter-rate charging and settlement system on the web page provided, the web browser of the client 20 brings a membership sign-in menu and a membership registration text connected through hyper-link from the interface server of the charging and settlement system 40. When the user inputs information in the membership registration text displayed through the web browser, the inputted information is sent to the processing server 44 through the interface server 41 of the charging and settlement system 40 to be processed. The membership registration module 4411 stores inputted information items by user IDs in the user database 431 to register the user as a member (S240).

When the user requests registration of information of settlement means other than the settlement card while having the membership (S250), the membership registration module 4411 receives the information of the settlement means from the client 20 and provides it to the authentication system 60 which authenticates the settlement means, inquiring if the settlement means is available. For instance, when the user inputs his credit card number, the credit card number is provided to the authentication system 60 of the corresponding credit card company to request the system to authenticate utilization of the credit card. Furthermore, when the user inputs his bank account number, the bank account number is sent to the authentication system 60 of the corresponding bank to request authentication of utilization of the bank account. In addition, in case of the radio communication number of a cellular phone, for example, this number is provided to the authentication system 60 of the corresponding radio communication company to request authentication of utilization of the cellular phone (S260 and S270). Accordingly, the corresponding authentication system 60 determines authentication based on the credit rating of the credit card number or radio communication number or a balance of the bank account, and then notifies the charging and settlement system 40 of the authentication result (S280). The membership registration module 4411 performs error indication process when it is notified by the authentication system 60 that the corresponding settlement means is not available (S290 and S300). On the other hand, it records the credit card number, bank account number or radio communication number corresponding to the user ID to match it with the settlement card number later when notified by the authentication system that the corresponding settlement means is available. In addition, the membership registration module 4411 receives a settlement password for security to record it (S310). Accordingly, the user can pay through the charged settlement card according to the embodiment of the present invention by using the information of the settlement means other than the settlement card.

There will be explained below a process of paying a charge for using an Internet cafe through the settlement card in case where a user who purchased the settlement card uses a network through an intermediary business proprietor providing terminal such as Internet cafe. FIGS. 6 A and 6B illustrate the process of meter-rate billing and paying a charge for using an Internet cafe according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When a user inputs an "enter key" in order to connect with the network 10 through a certain Internet cafe terminal (23 in FIG. 1, for example), the terminal 23 displays a screen that requests the user to input user information (S400), as shown in FIG. 6A. Here, the terminal 23 is set in a lock state in which the user cannot connect with the network 10.

When the user inputs the user information, user ID and password for log-in, for example, the Internet cafe terminal 23 inquires of the user if he wants to register as a member or if he wants to change the user information (S410). Upon request of the user for registration or variation of user information, the terminal performs a corresponding process (S420). If the user does not want to register as a member or change the user information, the terminal 23 receives the card number of the user's settlement card and password for settlement from the user and then sends the user ID, password for log-in, card number and password for settlement to the charging and settlement system 40, requesting meter-rate charging for using the Internet cafe (S430). Here, the terminal 23 transmits data identifying itself (identification data), that is being stored in an encoded file therein, when it requests the meter-rate charging, and delivers the ID of the Internet cafe, that is, client ID, to allow the charging and settlement system 40 to identify the terminal itself.

At the request of the terminal 23 for meter-rate charging for using the Internet cafe, the charging authentication module 4433 of the charging data processor 443 in the charging and settlement system 40 judges if charging for using contents or using the Internet cafe is being carried out for the transmitted card number, for the purpose of security (S440). In case of the Internet cafe, onetime charging for using the contents or Internet cafe is made for one settlement card in this embodiment because personal information of a user is easily exposed to other users so they can use the card number of the settlement card of the specific user. The charging authentication module 4431 searches the charging database

434 based on the transmitted card number to judge if a flag indicating charging for using contents or Internet cafe is enabled for the corresponding card number. It judges that charging for using the contents or Internet cafe is being carried out for the corresponding card number when the flag is set in the enabled state to perform error indication process for the corresponding Internet cafe terminal (S450 and S460). The error indication prevents the Internet cafe terminal from charging for using the contents or terminal.

On the other hand, when the charging is not being made for the corresponding card number, the membership authentication module 4412 of the cooperation data processor 441 judges if the connection route is valid using the identification data (demodulated to be used), client ID and IP address transmitted thereto (S470). The membership authentication module 4412 determines that the connection route is valid when the IP address or identification data of the Internet cafe terminal 23 that requests billing is stored corresponding to the client ID of the client database 432. In case of the valid connection route, the card authentication module 4421 judges if the corresponding settlement card is available (S480).

The card authentication module 4421 searches the card database 433 based on the transmitted card number to judge if the corresponding card was authenticated and a charge for using the Internet cafe can be paid using a balance of the card for the corresponding card number, determining if the corresponding settlement card is available.

Each of the module 4411 and 4412 carries out error process when the connection route is not valid or the card is not available (S490), and the charging processing module 4432 starts miter-rate charging and records charging items when the connection route is valid and the card is available (S500).

The charging processing module 4432 records the identification data or IP address of the Internet cafe terminal 23, a time at which charging for using the terminal starts and a maximum time period during which the user can use the terminal in comparison to a balance of the card in the billing database 434 corresponding to the card number, and sets the flag indicating charging of the Internet cafe in the enabled state. Furthermore, the charging processing module 4432 starts to measure a billed time, that is, a time period during which the user has used the Internet cafe, and informs the corresponding Internet cafe terminal 23 that the card was authenticated and charging started. Accordingly, the terminal 23 cancels the lock state thereof to allow the user to be able to freely use the network 10 (S510 and S520).

In addition, the charging processing module 4432 starts to count time from a point of time at which charging begins to measure a period of time during which the terminal is used from the point time at which the charging starts to a point of time at which charging is finished. In case where the counted time exceeds a maximum period of time during which the terminal can be used, the module 4432 informs the corresponding terminal of completion of utilization of the terminal even when a request for completion of charging is not inputted, to prevent utilization of the terminal above a balance of the card. Upon starting of charging for using the Internet cafe, the user can be provided with various information items from a plurality of sites through the network 10. In case where the user selects completion of charging for using the Internet cafe in order to stop using of the terminal 23, the terminal 23 provides the user ID, identification data, card number and password for settlement to the charging and settlement system 40, requesting completion of charging, as shown in IFG. 6B. The charging authentication module 4431 of the charging data processor 443 first judges if charging for using contents is being carried out for the corresponding card number (S600 to S620).

In case where the user is provided with pay contents from a specific site so that charging for using the contents is being done, for example, the user may select the completion of charging for using the terminal before he does not finish the completion of charging for using the contents. Thus, the charging data processor 443 confirms if the charging for using the contents is carried out through the charging database 434 and, when the charging is being performed, displays a message requesting completion of charging for using the contents on the terminal 23, allowing the user to finish the charging for using the contents first (S630).

When the charging for the contents is not being made for the corresponding card number, the membership authentication module 4412 of the cooperation data processor 41 checks if the Internet cafe terminal that requests completion of charging for using the contents for the corresponding card number is the same terminal that requests charging for using the contents, to judge if the connection route is valid. The card authentication module 4421 of the settlement data processor 442 judges if the card is available according as a balance of the card corresponding to the card number is larger than a predetermined amount of money which can be used for settlement or not (S640 and S650). In case where the connection route is not valid and the card is not available, error indication process is performed (S660). When the terminal 23 that requests completion of charging for using the Internet cafe is the same terminal that requests charging for using the Internet cafe and a balance of the card corresponding to the card number is available for settlement, the charging processing module 4432 records completion of the charging for using the Internet cafe corresponding to the card number. In other words, the module 4432 disables the flag indicating that the charging is being carried out to record that the charging has been finished. In addition, the charging processing module 4432 records the year, month and time at which the charging is finished, and a period of time during which the charging has been made (a period of time during which the user has used the Internet cafe) (S670).

The settlement processing module 4422 of the settlement data processor 442 calculates a unit cost (variable) per a unit time with respect to charging items, especially, charging time, to produce an amount of money to be settled, and performs settlement process based on the amount of money. That is, the module 4422 subtracts the amount of money to be paid from an available amount of money corresponding to the card number to carry out settlement, and updates the balance of the card corresponding to the card number (S680 and S690). In addition, the settlement processing module 4422 records settlement items (a time at which the terminal starts to be used, a time at which utilization of the terminal is finished, a total period of time during which the terminal has been used, an amount of money paid, a balance before transaction, a balance after transaction, a client ID, the identification number (identification data or IP address) of the Internet cafe terminal and so on) in the settlement database 435 corresponding to the card number, and sends the settlement items to the Internet cafe terminal 23 to allow the user to confirm it (S700). After this, the terminal 23 goes into the lock mode in which the user cannot use it.

According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, settlement is automatically made for each terminal through the settlement card based on a period of time during which a user has used each terminal even when the Internet cafe proprietors do not individually charge users for using their terminals. Accordingly, management of the Internet cafes can be performed very efficiently. Furthermore, a period of time during which the user has used a terminal is accurately measured through the settlement card, and the charge for using the Internet cafe is billed based on the measured time, enabling reliable transaction.

There will be explained below a process of meter-rate charging for pay contents using the settlement card in case where a user connects with a specific contents providing system 50 through an Internet cafe terminal or a personal terminal (especially, wired terminal) to receive the pay contents. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates the process of meter-ray charging for using the contents according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring FIG. 7A, when a user connects with the contents providing system 50 through the client 20 such as a PC terminal or personal terminal to request pay contents, the contents providing system 50 inquires of the user how he pays for it and, when the user selects payment means (credit card, for example) other than the settlement card, performs a corresponding settlement process (S800 to S830). On the contrary, when the user selects the settlement card, the contents providing system 50 accepts the user ID, card number and password for settlement from the client 20 and then inquires of the user whether the settlement process is cancelled or not. When the user cancels the process, the contents providing system displays error indication denoting that corresponding contents are not provided (S840 to S860). When the user does not cancel the settlement process, however, the contents providing system 50 transmits the inputted user ID, card number, password for settlement and transaction items (the name of contents the user requests, a unit cost, a transaction date and time and so on) to the charging and settlement system 40, requesting charging for using the contents. In this case, the contents providing system 50 also sends data identifying itself that is being stored in an encoded file therein when charging is requested. Furthermore, the system 50 transmits the client ID to allow the charging and settlement system 40 to identify itself (S860-1).

When the contents providing system 50 requests meter-rate charging for the contents, the charging authentication module 4431 judges if other charging procedures for contents or for an Internet cafe for the transmitted card number are being carried out. Specifically, the charging authentication module 4431 judges if charging for the contents or/and charging for using the Internet cafe is being performed in order to prevent the settlement card number from being used by other people due to exposure of personal information. In case that charging for the Internet cafe is being made, the charging authentication module 4431 judges if the corresponding client 20 is the same terminal that requests charging for the internet cafe because other users may request charging for contents through other terminals. For instance, the module 4431 judges if the terminal that requests charging for the Internet cafe is the same terminal that requests charging for the contents based on the IP address of the terminal (S870 to S890).

In case that charging for the contents or charging for the Internet cafe is being carried out for the corresponding card number, the charging authentication module 4431 displays error indication denoting that charging for the contents is impossible when the terminal that requests charging for the contents is not the same terminal for which charging for the Internet cafe is being made (S900).

When charging for the contents or charging for the Internet cafe is not being carried out for the corresponding card number, or charging for the Internet cafe is being made, it is judged that that a valid user requests if the terminal that request charging for the contents is the same terminal for which charging for the Internet cafe is being performed, and the membership authentication module 4412 judges if the connection route is valid. In this case, it is confirmed that the corresponding client is a client cooperating in the charging procedure through the settlement card using the identification data (encoded to be used) or client ID transmitted from the contents providing system 50, judging the validity of the connection route (S910). In case of the valid connection route, the card authentication module 4431 searches the card database 433 based on the transmitted card number to judge if the card number has been authenticated and a balance of the card corresponding to the card number can pay a charge for using the contents, checking if the corresponding settlement card is available (S920). The modules 4411 and 4421 perform error indication process (S930) when the connection route is not valid or the card is not available, and the charging processing module 4432 starts to record charging items when the connection route is valid and the card is available (S940). The charging processing module 4432 records the identification data or ID of the contents providing system, a time at which charging starts, the number of charging procedures, a maximum available time for using contents and the maximum number of times of using contents with respect to a balance of the card the charging database 434 corresponding to the card number, and sets a contents flag that indicates charging for the contents in the enabled state. The charging processing module 4432 starts to count the maximum available time or maximum number of times of using the contents and informs the corresponding contents providing system 50 of authentication of the card and beginning of charging. Accordingly, the contents providing system 50 provides contents requested by the user to the client 20, to allow the user to be able to use the contents. When the user who has been using the contents, for example, doing games or downloading MP3 files upon starting of the meter-rate charging using the settlement card selects completion of charging for the contents, the contents providing system 50 sends the user ID, identification data, card number and password for settlement to the charging and settlement system 40, requesting completion of charging (S 1000), as shown in FIG. 7B.

Accordingly, the membership authentication module 4412 of the charging and settlement system 40 judges if the connection route is valid according as the contents providing system 50, which requests completion of charging for the contents for the corresponding card number, is the same system that requests charging for the contents or not, for example. The card authentication module 4421 of the settlement data processor 442 judges if the card is available according as a balance of the card corresponding to the card number is larger than a predetermined amount to be able to pay the charge or not (S1010 to S1030).

The charging and settlement system performs error indication process (SI 040) when the connection route is not valid and the card is not available. On the contrary, when the connection route is valid and the card is available, the charging processing module 4432 records completion of charging for the contents corresponding to the card number. That is, the module 4432 disables the contents flag indicating that charging is being carried out to record that the charging is finished. In addition, it records a year, month and time at which the charging has been completed, a time period during which the contents have been used or the number of times of using the contents, the ID of the contents providing system and so on (S1050).

Next, the settlement processing module 4422 of the settlement data processor 442 calculates a cost (variable) for the time period during which the contents have been used or the number of times of using the contents, to produce an amount of money to be paid. Furthermore, the module 4422 performs settlement procedure based on the amount of money to be paid (S1060). In addition, it records settlement items (a time at which the user begins to use the contents, a time at which the user finish utilization of the contents, a total utilization time (or the total number of contents used), an amount of money to be paid, a balance of the card before transaction, a balance of the card after transaction, a client ID and so on) in the settlement database 435, transmitting the settlement items to the corresponding contents providing system 50. As described above, accurate charging and settlement are carried out through the settlement card based on the number of contents provided by the contents providing system to the user or the period of time during which the user has used the contents so that reliable electronic commerce can be performed between the contents providing system and the user. There will be explained below a process of meter-rate charging and settlement using the identification number of other settlement means according to an embodiment of the present invention even in case that a user does not input his settlement card number. In this embodiment, especially, a case that the user wants to pay for using contents through a radio terminal is explained as an example. FIGS. 8 A and 8B illustrate the process of carrying out meter-rate charging and settlement using the identification number of settlement means other than the settlement card.

When a user makes a request for access to the network on the radio terminal 22 in order to receive contents through the radio terminal 22, a corresponding access word is converted into a wireless markup language (WML) through a wireless application protocol (WAP) gateway to be provided to a radio communication service system through a radio communication network. Then, the radio communication service system connects the radio terminal 22 to a specific contents providing system 50 according to the access word or the system itself provides contents to the user. Detailed description for procedures identical to those described above will be omitted for convenience of explanation.

Referring to FIG. 8A, when the user connects with the contents providing system 50 through the radio terminal 20 to request the system 50 to provide contents (games, for example) to him, the contents providing system 50 inquires of the user how he pays for the contents. If the user selects a settlement way using the settlement card, the contents providing system 50 requests the user to input his password for settlement for the purpose of security, and transmits the password inputted together with the radio communication number of the radio terminal to the charging and settlement system 40, requesting meter-rate charging for the contents (SHOO to SI 140). In general, it is possible to know the radio communication number of the radio terminal connected through the radio communication system even when the user does not input it.

When the contents providing system 50 requests the meter-rate charging for the contents, the charging authentication module 4431 of the charging and settlement system 40 searches the user database 431 based on the transmitted radio communication number to find a corresponding user ID, and then searches the card database 432 based on the found user ID to find the card number of the settlement card the user purchased (SI 150). Here, the method of finding the card number on the basis of the radio communication number is not limited to this and it can be varied according to a method of matching the card number with the radio communication number to construct a database.

In order to prevent the settlement card number from being used by other users due to exposure of personal information, the charging authentication module 4431 judges if charging for contents or charging for an Internet cafe is being made, as described above. The charging authentication module 4431 performs the error indication process (SI 160 to SI 180) when the charging is being carried out, and it starts meter-rate charging for the contents according as the connection route is valid or not and as the card is available or not, and then informs the contents providing system 50 of authentication of the card and beginning of the meter-rate charging (SI 190 to SI 230) when the charging for the contents or charging for the Internet cafe is not being made for the corresponding card number. Accordingly, the contents are provided to the radio terminal 22 from the contents providing system 50 (S1240 and S1250).

Upon starting of the meter-rate charging for the contents through the identification number (radio communication number in this embodiment) of other settlement means, if the user selects completion of the charging for the contents, the contents providing system 50 provides the radio communication number to the charging and settlement system 40 to request completion of the charging (SI 330 and S1310), as shown in FIG. 8B. Subsequently, the membership authentication module 4412 of the charging and settlement system 40 judges if the connection route is valid, and the card authentication module 4421 finds a corresponding card number based on the radio communication number and then judges if the card corresponding to the card number is available according as a balance of the card is larger than a predetermined amount to be able to pay the charge or not (S1320 and S1330). The charging and settlement system 40 performs error indication (SI 340) when the connection route is not valid and the card is not available, and the charging processing module 4432 records completion of charging for the contents corresponding to the card number and records charging items (SI 350). Next, the settlement processing module 4422 of the settlement data processor 442 calculates an amount to be paid to settle the charge, and then sends the settlement items to the contents providing system 50. Accordingly, the user confirms the completion of charging for the contents (S1360 and S1370).

While the above embodiment described the payment procedure performed through the settlement card using the radio communication number, it is also possible to use a credit card number or bank account number to find the card number of the settlement card for the meter-rate charging. Accordingly, a credit card company, radio communication company or bank can cooperate with the charging and settlement system to easily perform the meter-rate charging procedure without installing a program for cooperating with the charging and settlement system or without changing the program being used.

Meanwhile, although the payment process is made after the user has completed using of the Internet cafe or he has finished reception or using of contents, that is, deferred payment is carried out in the aforementioned embodiments, advance payment can be performed using the settlement card for charging for using contents. FIG. 9 illustrates a process for advance payment using the settlement card according to an embodiment of the present invention. The advance payment is preferable when a user purchases goods at a shopping mall or downloads specific contents such as MP3 files rather than in the case that the user receives contents like games.

Referring to FIG. 9, when a user connects with the contents providing system 50 through the client 20 (personal wired terminal or Internet cafe terminal) to request the system to provide contents to him and selects advance payment using the settlement card as a payment way, the contents providing system 50 transmits the ID, card number and password for settlement inputted from the client 20 to the charging and settlement system 40 to request advance payment. Even in this case, the contents providing system 50 sends information identifying itself (encoded identification data, IP address and so on) together with the ID, card number and password to the charging and settlement system 50 (S1400 to S1440). Accordingly, the charging authentication module 4431 of the charging and settlement system 40 judges if other charging procedures for using contents or an Internet cafe are being made for the transmitted settlement card number, for the purpose of security, and judges if the client 20 is the same terminal that requests charging for the Internet cafe in case that charging for the Internet cafe is being carried out (S1450 to S1480).

In case where charging for the contents or charging for the Internet cafe is not being made for the corresponding card number, the membership authentication module 4412 judges if the connection route is valid when the terminal that requests charging for the contents is the same terminal for which charging for the Internet cafe is being carried out. When the connection route is valid, the card authentication module 4421 judges if the transmitted card number has been authenticated and a balance of the card corresponding to the card number can be used for payment, checking if the settlement card is available or not (S1490 to S1510). When the connection route is valid and the card is available, the settlement processing module 422 of the settlement data processor 442 calculates an amount of money to be paid based on transaction items and performs settlement according to the amount to be paid (SI 520). Then, it records settlement items corresponding to the card number and transmits information about settlement authentication and settlement items to the contents providing system 50 (SI 530). Accordingly, the contents providing system 50 provides requested contents to the client 20, and the user pays for the contents in advance using his settlement card and then uses the contents (SI 540).

In addition, advance payment can be carried out using the identification number of payment means other than the settlement card. In this case, the charging and settlement system finds the card number of the corresponding settlement card using a radio communication number, credit card number or bank account number. Then, it pays for the contents according as charging for the contents is made for the card number or not, the connection route is valid or not and the card is available or not, and then informs the contents providing system of payment authentication and payment items to allow the contents to be provided to a corresponding client.

Furthermore, instead of the method of charging the settlement card, a method of transferring a predetermined amount of money to the settlement card through credit card transfer, bank account transfer of cyber money transfer can be employed. In this case, the charging and settlement system inquires of an authentication system such as a credit card company and bank whether transfer is possible or not for a corresponding credit card number or bank account number, and records a corresponding amount of money in the card information database corresponding to the settlement card number according to the inquired result.

The charging and settlement system can judges the connection type (connection through Internet, connection through a radio communication network, connection through a telephone line or connection through wired communication network) of the client that requests settlement or the type of connection device (Internet cafe terminal, terminal other than registered Internet cafe terminals, radio terminal or telephone) whenever the client is connected thereto in the aforementioned embodiments. Furthermore, the terminals of an Internet cafe proprietor can be managed in a manner that a unique identification number is given to each of the terminals instead of using the IP addresses of the terminals. The Internet cafe terminals or contents providing systems may be referred to as "settlement request system".

Industrial Availability

As described above, according to the present invention, charging is carried out based on an amount of contents a user actually received, a period of time during which the contents were provided to the user, or a period of time during which the user actually used a terminal. Owing to this meter-rate charging, reliable commerce can be made between a user and a contents providing business proprietor or between a user and an Internet cafe business proprietor, to activate utilization of contents and utilization of Internet cafes through networks.

Moreover, a user actually purchases the settlement card capable of being charged with an amount of money available for payment and meter-rate charging is carried out using this card so that intermediary business proprietors distributing the settlement cards can circulate the settlement cards even if they do not pay additional costs for buying the cards. Accordingly, in case that electronic money is not actively circulated, damages due to this inactive circulation of e-money are prevented.

Furthermore, an intermediary business proprietor such as an Internet cafe proprietor can manage his business more efficiently because an additional means for settling a charge for using his Internet cafe is not required. In addition, small- sum settlement for a charge for using the Internet cafe or charge for using contents provided through a network can be immediately carried out with reliability to activate electronic commerce.

Moreover, according to the quantity of utilization of settlement cards through the intermediary business proprietors, sales can be distributed to the intermediary business proprietors so that circulation of the settlement cards can be expanded due to an increase in the sales of the intermediary business proprietors.

In addition, in case where a user wants to be provided with contents through a radio terminal and to pay for it, settlement is automatically carried out through his settlement card using the radio communication number of the radio terminal even when the user does not input his settlement card number. Thus, the user can use contents more conveniently.

Although embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A meter-rate charging system for carrying out settlement between a plurality of clients and a settlement request system through a network, the system comprising: a card database for storing information about settlement cards by card numbers; and a processing server which starts meter-rate charging for a card number when a charging request signal is inputted thereto together with the card number from the settlement request system, finishes the meter-rate charging for the card number when a charging completion signal is inputted thereto from the settlement request system, calculates a quantity charged and an amount of money to be settled based on the quantity of charging, and then performs settlement for the card number.

2. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the settlement card is a charged card that can be charged with specific amount money if required, the settlement card having a card number recorded thereon.

3. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a user database for storing information about users who want meter-rate charging and settlement using the settlement card; a client database for storing information about the settlement request system which requires the meter-rate charging and settlement using the settlement card; and a charging database for storing charging items and charging processing state by card numbers, the processing server comprises: a charging data processor for judging if charging is carried out for a corresponding card number based on the information stored in the charging database, to perform meter-rate charging; a cooperation data processor for judging if a route which requests meter- rate charging is a valid route based on the information stored in the client database; and a settlement data processor for judging if a corresponding settlement card is available or not.

4. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the charging data processor starts meter-rate charging for the corresponding card number when it judges that other charging procedures for the card number are not being carried out based on the information stored in the charging database in case where the meter-rate charging request signal is received together with the card number from the settlement request system.

5. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cooperation data processor judges that the meter-rate request signal has been inputted through a valid connection route when the settlement request system that requests the meter-rate charging has been registered on the client database.

6. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cooperation data processor finishes the meter-rate charging procedure if the settlement request system that request completion of meter-rate charging is the same settlement request system that request meter-rate charging on the basis of the information stored in the charging database, in case where the settlement request system requests the cooperation data processor to complete the meter-rate charging.

7. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the settlement request system is a contents providing system that provides contents to clients and wants to be paid for it.

8. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the charged quantity is a period of time during which a client has received contents from the contents providing system or the number of contents provided.

9. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the settlement request system is an Internet cafe terminal which wants to be paid for allowing a user to use it.

10. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the charged quantity is a period of time during which the user has used the Internet cafe terminal.

11. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a card issuing system that includes: a card reading unit for reading the card number recorded on the settlement card; a card charging unit for charging the settlement card with a predetermined mount of money; and an issuance processing unit for transmitting the card number to request utilization of the card and driving the card charging unit according to the result of the request to charge the settlement card with a predetermined amount of money.

12. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the card number is recorded on the settlement card in the form of bar code.

13. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 11, wherein, when the processing server receives a request for authentication of utilization of the card together with the card number from the card issuing system, the processing server judges if the settlement card is available based on the information stored in the card database, and then notifies the card issuing system of the authentication result

14. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a database for storing information about settlement means other than the settlement card, corresponding to the card numbers, wherein the processing server finds a card number corresponding to the information of other settlement means from the database and then carries out meter-rate charging for the found card number when the processing server receives the request for meter-rate charging from the settlement request system together with the information of the settlement means.

15. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the information of the settlement means is the radio communication number of a radio communication terminal.

16. The meter-rate charging system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the information of the settlement means is a credit card number of a bank account number.

17. A meter-rate charging method for settling a charge for using contents between a plurality of clients and a contents providing system through a network, comprising the steps of: upon reception of a request for meter-rate charging together with a card number from the contents providing system, judging if a settlement card corresponding the card number is available; starting meter-rate charging for the card number if the settlement card is available; finishing meter-rate charging for the card number when a request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the contents providing system; and calculating a quantity charged and an amount of money based on the charged quantity with respect to the card number, to carry out settlement for the card number.

18. The meter-rate charging method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the steps of judging if other meter-rate charging procedures are being carried out for the card number when the contents providing system requests meter-rate charging, wherein the step of starting meter-rate charging is performed in case where other meter-rate charging procedures are not being carried out for the card number and the settlement card is available.

19. The meter-rate charging method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the charged quantity is the number of contents provided by the contents providing system to the clients or a period of time during which the contents haven been provided.

20. A meter-rate charging method for settling a charge for using an

Internet cafe terminal through a network, comprising the steps of: upon reception of a request for meter-rate charging from the Internet cafe terminal together with a card number, judging if other charging procedures for the Internet cafe terminal are being carried out with respect to the card number; judging if a settlement card corresponding to the card number is available or not; starting meter-rate charging for the card number in case where other charging procedures for the Internet cafe terminal are not being made and the settlement card is available; finishing meter-rate charging for the card number when a request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the Internet cafe terminal; and calculating a period of time during which the Internet cafe terminal has been used and an amount of money according to the period of time for the card number, to perform settlement for the card number.

21. The meter-rate charging method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising the step of judging if charging for using contents is being made for the card number when the request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the Internet cafe terminal, wherein the meter-rate charging finishing step is performed in case where the charging for using contents for the card number is not being carried out.

22. A meter-rate charging method for settling a charge for using contents through a settlement card between a radio terminal and a contents providing system through a network, comprising the steps of: upon reception of a request for meter-rate charging from the contents providing system together with the radio communication number of the radio terminal, finding a card number from a database, in which radio communication numbers are being stored corresponding to settlement card numbers, based on the radio communication number; judging if a settlement card corresponding to the found card number is available; starting meter-rate charging for the card number in case where other charging procedures are not being carried out and the settlement card is available; finishing meter-rate charging for the card number when a request for completion of meter-rate charging is received from the contents providing system; and calculating a quantity charged and an amount of money according to the charged quantity for the card number, to perform settlement for the card number.

23. The meter-rate charging method as claimed in one of claims 17 to 22, further comprising the steps of: upon reception of a card number and a request for authentication of a settlement card corresponding to the card number from the card issuing system, judging if the card number is being stored in the database storing the card numbers of all registered settlement cards; and recording authentication of utilization for the card number and notifying the card issuing system of the authentication when the card number is being stored in the database.

24. The meter-rate charging method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising the step of, when a request for charging the card is received from the card issuing system together with the card number and information on an amount to be charged, notifying the card issuing system of authentication of charging of the card, the card issuing system recording the amount to be charged in the settlement card when it has been notified of the authentication.