WO2004049235A1 - System, apparatus for inquiring credit card using wireless lan and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging inquiring credit card and method thereof - Google Patents

System, apparatus for inquiring credit card using wireless lan and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging inquiring credit card and method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004049235A1
WO2004049235A1 PCT/KR2003/000956 KR0300956W WO2004049235A1 WO 2004049235 A1 WO2004049235 A1 WO 2004049235A1 KR 0300956 W KR0300956 W KR 0300956W WO 2004049235 A1 WO2004049235 A1 WO 2004049235A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
credit card
unit
card
wireless
inquiry
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2003/000956
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yong-Soon Park
Do-Won Kim
Original Assignee
Armitel Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Armitel Co., Ltd. filed Critical Armitel Co., Ltd.
Priority to AU2003235222A priority Critical patent/AU2003235222A1/en
Publication of WO2004049235A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004049235A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
    • G06Q20/40—Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
    • G06Q20/322—Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/04—Payment circuits
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/22—Payment schemes or models
    • G06Q20/24—Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/18—Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and apparatus for making an inquiry about a credit card using wireless LAN and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging the inquiry about the credit card and method thereof, and in more detail, a credit card inquiry method and apparatus that can make a credit card inquiry at high speed with at less expense by being equipped with a wireless bridge and media conversion unit.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system using the prior wire method.
  • a credit card inquiry unit 17 reads credit card information and transmits the credit card information to a VAN server 10 through a wire network, which comprises a telephone network 21 or a private network 23, and core network 13. Thereafter the VAN server 10 transmits the received credit card information to a card company server 15 and then receives credit card commerce approval information and transmits the credit card commerce approval information to the credit card inquiry unit 17.
  • the service which uses a telephone network 21, requires a long connection time and because the service occupies the telephone network 21, voice service is impossible. Also, the economic burden of a member store increases as a result of imposing telephone charges separately in addition the basis service charge. Moreover, if the service uses the private network 23, then a high-speed inquiry is available but this service requires much higher maintenance costs.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system using the prior wireless method.
  • the credit card information read by the credit card inquiry unit 17, is transmitted to the VAN server 10 via a PCS repeater 19 through a wireless network 25 and a core network 13.
  • one object of the present invention is to provide a system and apparatus for making an inquiry about a credit card using a wireless LAN and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging the inquiry about the credit card and method thereof that can make a credit card inquiry at high speed with low cost by being equipped with a wireless bridge and media conversion unit that can apply wireless LAN way to the credit card inquiry system.
  • another object of the present invention is to provide a system and an apparatus for making an inquiry about a credit card using wireless LAN and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging the inquiry about the credit card and method thereof that can make a credit card inquiry by using a prior credit card inquiry unit by equipping a wireless LAN card unit and media conversion unit that can apply the wireless LAN solution to the credit card inquiry system.
  • a wireless credit card inquiry system is connected with VAN server and card company server through a network via wireless bridge and access point, the system comprises a wireless LAN card unit for transmitting credit card information to the wireless bridge, and receiving credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server via access point and the credit card commerce approval information is received from the VAN server and the card company server via the access point, a card reader for reading the credit card and transmitting the credit card information to the wireless LAN card unit and receiving the credit card commerce approval information from the wireless LAN card unit and displaying the credit card commerce approval information, and a media conversion unit for matching a physical signal between the wireless LAN card unit and the card reader.
  • the wireless LAN card unit comprises an RF amplifier for amplifying an RF signal, a frequency conversion unit for executing signal conversion between the RF signal and an IF signal, a modulator and demodulator for executing signal conversion between digital data and the IF signal, a baseband signal processor for spreading or spreading to the contrary the digital data and a physical layer connector for connecting the wireless LAN card unit and said media conversion unit physically.
  • the media conversion unit comprises a physical layer connector for connecting the wireless LAN card unit and the media conversion unit physically, wherein the physical layer connector comprises a connector of the wireless LAN card unit and a connector of the card reader, a storage for storing an operation module for operating the media conversion unit and a controller for controlling operation of the physical layer connector and the storage and matching the form of physical signal, transmitted and received between the wireless LAN card unit and the card reader.
  • the media conversion unit further comprises an operator, and the operator comprises more than one among the group consisting of an upgrade module for upgrading the operation module, a TCP/IP supporting module and telnet application module for making an inquiry about a credit card through wire network and a DHCP client module for applying dynamic IP to the wireless credit card inquiry system.
  • the card reader comprises an output unit for outputting the credit card commerce approval information, a display unit for displaying the credit card commerce approval information, a card reader for reading the credit card information of the credit card, a key input unit for inputting price information and installment payment amount and a controller for controlling the composition means.
  • a wireless bridge for making an inquiry about a credit card, which connects an access point with wireless credit card inquiry unit
  • the wireless bridge comprises a serial input/output unit for transmitting and receiving data to the access point, storage for storing an operation module, which operates the wireless bridge, signal matching module and address conversion module, a power supply unit for supplying power and a controller for controlling the serial input/output unit, wherein the storage and the power supply unit are connected with the wireless credit card inquiry unit and operate the modules, stored on the storage, matching a physical signal between the access point and a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units and converting network address.
  • the wireless bridge further comprises a modem unit for executing wire communications process by using a wire network.
  • a method for making an inquiry about a credit card by wireless credit card inquiry unit connected with VAN server and card company server via wireless bridge and access point and comprises a media conversion unit and card reader
  • the method comprises the steps of reading and transmitting credit card information by the card reader, converting the credit card information into physical signal form, which can be processed by wireless LAN card unit, by the media conversion unit, converting the credit card information into RF signal and transmitting the RF signal to the wireless bridge by the wireless LAN card unit, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server via access point, receiving credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge converting the credit card commerce approval information into baseband frequency by the wireless LAN card unit, wherein the credit card commerce approval information is received from the card company server via the access point and the VAN server, converting the credit card commerce approval information, which is received from the wireless LAN card unit, into physical signal form, which can be processed by the card reader, by media conversion unit and receiving
  • a credit card inquiry system using wireless comprises a storage device and a processor coupled with the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor and the processor operative with the program to perform the method for making an inquiry about a credit card by wireless credit card inquiry unit.
  • a method for relaying credit card inquiry on a wireless bridge for making an inquiry about a credit card, which is coupled with access point and a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units and connects the access point and the wireless credit card inquiry unit
  • the method comprises the steps of connecting the wireless credit card inquiry unit with the access point, receiving credit card information from the wireless credit card inquiry unit, converting the credit card information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the access point, transmitting the credit card information to the access point, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server, receiving credit card commerce approval information from the access point, wherein the credit card commerce approval information is received from the card company server via the VAN server, converting the credit card commerce approval information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the wireless credit card inquiry unit, and transmitting the credit card commerce approval information to the wireless credit card inquiry unit.
  • a system for relaying a credit card inquiry on a wireless bridge comprising a storage device and a processor coupled with the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor and the processor operative with the program to perform the method for relaying a credit card inquiry on a wireless bridge.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system in the prior wire method.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system in the prior wireless method.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of credit card inquiry system by using wireless LAN in the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of wireless bridge in the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of wireless credit card inquiry unit in the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of wireless LAN card unit of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of media conversion unit of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of card reader of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of achieving credit card inquiry in the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of relaying a credit card inquiry in the present invention. ⁇ A key of numerical references for the major parts of the drawings>
  • wireless LAN card unit 65 media conversion unit
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system by using wireless LAN in the present invention.
  • the credit card inquiry system using wireless LAN is composed of a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units 60, a wireless bridge 50, an access point 41, a VAN server 30, and a card company server 35.
  • the wireless credit card inquiry units 60 read a credit card and transmit credit card information through wireless LAN and display and output credit card commerce approval information.
  • the wireless bridge 50 is coupled with an access point 41 and a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units 60 and connects the access point 41 with a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units 60. We will describe the wireless bridge 50 in more detail in FIG. 4.
  • the access point 41 connects a wire network with a wireless network and couples with the wireless bridge 50 through the wireless network according to a wireless LAN way. Also, the access point 41 is connected with the card company server 35 via hub 39 and router 37 through a core network 33.
  • the VAN server 30 receives credit card information through the core network 33 and transmits the credit card information to the card company server 35. Also the VAN server 30 receives credit card commerce approval information from the card company server 35 and transmits the credit card commerce approval information to the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 through the core network 33 and wireless LAN.
  • the card company server 35 receives the credit card information from the VAN server 30 and compares the credit card information with data, which is stored on the customer database, and creates the credit card commerce approval information and transmits the credit card commerce approval information to the VAN server 35.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram displaying the interior structure of a wireless bridge in the present invention.
  • the wireless bridge 50 is composed of a serial input/output unit, storage 50-3, modem unit 50-7, power supply unit 50-4, and controller 50-5.
  • the serial input/output unit transmits data to the access point and receives data from the access point.
  • the RS-232C port is used with the serial input/output unit.
  • the RS-232C is an interface to exchange data with other serial devices.
  • the storage 50-3 is composed of nonvolatile memory (for example, ROM, flash memory, etc.), which stores an operating module for operating the wireless bridge and a private IP creating module for a plurality of credit card inquiry units 60 and a data matching module, and volatile memory (for example, RAM) to load each module when the modules are executed.
  • nonvolatile memory for example, ROM, flash memory, etc.
  • volatile memory for example, RAM
  • the modem unit 50-7 achieves wire communication processing by using a wire network except for wireless LAN.
  • a modem for a wire network such as dial-up modem, ADSL modem, VDSL modem, and cable modem can be used in the modem unit 50-7.
  • the modem unit 50-7 provides credit card inquiry service through a telephone network continuously when an interruption occurs within the wireless LAN system.
  • the power supply unit 50-4 supplies serial power in each composition.
  • the controller 50-5 controls the serial input/output unit, the storage 50-3, and the power supply unit 50-4.
  • the controller 50-5 is connected with the credit card inquiry unit. Also the controller 50-5 matches a physical signal between the access point and a plurality of credit card inquiry units 60 and converts the network address.
  • the controller 50-5 operates the data matching module, which is stored in the storage 50-3, converts the PCMCIA data form, which is transmitted by the wireless LAN card unit 63, into a serial data form and transmits it to the access point 41 through the serial input/output unit.
  • PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
  • PCMCIA is an industry standard of memory or input/output unit of credit card size for use with a notebook computer.
  • PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
  • the controller 50-5 operates the private IP creating module, which is stored in the storage 50-3, and creates private IP. Therefore, the system can communicate with plural wireless credit card inquiry units 60 by one official recognized IP.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram displaying the interior structure of wireless credit card inquiry unit in the present invention.
  • the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 is composed of wireless LAN card unit 63, media conversion unit 65, and card reader 67.
  • the wireless LAN card unit 63 transmits credit card information to the wireless bridge 50 and receives credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge
  • the wireless LAN card unit 63 has a credit card and transmits the read credit card information to the wireless LAN card unit 63. Also the card reader 67 receives the credit card commerce approval information from the wireless LAN card unit 63 and outputs the credit card commerce approval information. We will describe the card reader 67 in more detail in FIG. 7.
  • the media conversion unit 65 matches a physical signal between the wireless LAN card unit 63 and the card reader 67.
  • the media conversion unit 65 is a matching device that connects IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN card unit with UART part of the card inquiry unit.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram displaying the interior structure of wireless LAN card unit of FIG. 5.
  • the wireless LAN card unit 63 is composed of RF amplifier 63-1, frequency conversion unit 63-3, modulator and demodulator 63-5, baseband signal processor 63-7, and physical layer connector 63-9.
  • the RF amplifier 63-1 amplifies the RF signal.
  • the power amplifier(PA) is used in order to spread the RF signal by amplifying power of the signal.
  • a low noise amplifier(LNA) is used in order to amplify the received high frequency signal without noise.
  • the RF amplifier 63-1 is coupled with an antenna 61.
  • the frequency conversion unit 63-3 achieves signal conversion between RF signal and IF signal.
  • the frequency conversion unit 63-3 converts the RF signal(2412 ⁇ 2472 MHz), which is received from the wireless bridge 50 and amplified by the RF amplifier 63-1, into the IF signal(about 374 MHz). Also, the frequency conversion unit 63-3 converts the IF signal(about 374 MHz) into the RF signal(2412 ⁇ 2472 MHz) when the signal is transmitted to the wireless bridge 50.
  • the modulator and demodulator 63-5 add a digital signal, baseband signal, to carrier, analog signal or undertake the reverse process. Also, the modulator and demodulator 63-5 convert a digital signal into an IF signal by using a conversion method such as BPSK or QPSK or undertake the reverse process.
  • the baseband signal processor 63-7 spreads or spreads on the contrary digital signal, baseband signal and transmits information to wide frequency area by using spread encoding technology.
  • the physical layer connector 63-9 connects the wireless LAN card unit 63 with the media conversion unit 65 physically and achieves interface of PCMCIA type.
  • the MAC layer of the physical layer connector 63-9 equips a protocol that processes according to the communication rules for wireless LAN service and controls so that normal wireless LAN service can be available.
  • the representative function of the MAC layer is a power supply administration function for reducing electronic power consumption amount, assistance algorithm, etc.
  • the service structure of MAC layer is infrastructure of centralized control way and Ad-hoc structure that undertakes direction communication between terminals, etc.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram displaying the interior structure of media conversion unit of FIG. 5.
  • the media conversion unit 65 is composed of a physical layer connector 65-1, 65-9, storage 65-3, a controller 65-5, and an operator 65-7.
  • the physical layer connector 65-1, 65-9 connects the wireless LAN card unit 63 with the media conversion unit 65 physically, and equips the connector with the wireless
  • the storage 65-3 stores an operating module for operating the media conversion unit 65 and a signal matching module. Also the storage 65-3 is composed of nonvolatile memory to store the modules and volatile memory to load the modules when the modules are run.
  • the controller 65-5 controls the operation of the physical layer connector 65-1, 65-9 and the storage 65-3. Also, the controller 65-5 matches the form of a physical signal, which is transmitted and received between the wireless LAN card unit 63 and the card reader 67, by operating the signal matching module, which is stored in the storage 65-3.
  • the normal interface of wireless LAN card is PCMCIA
  • the normal interface of the card inquiry unit is serial communication.
  • the controller 65-5 converts PCMCIA into the serial communication and converts the serial communication into PCMCIA in order to provide wireless network service by using the card inquiry unit. That is, the controller 65-5 matches the physical signal form and protocol in order to physically connect with an arbitrary terminal.
  • the operator 65-7 provides an upgrade module for upgrading the operating module, TCP/IP support module for enabling the inquiry of a credit card through wire network, and telnet application module and DHCP client module for supporting dynamic IP of the wireless credit card inquiry unit.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of card reader of FIG. 5.
  • the card reader 67 is composed of output unit 67-3, display unit 67-5, card reading unit 67-7, key input unit 67-9, and controller 67-1.
  • the output unit 67-3 outputs a slip comprising information such as credit card commerce approval information, installment payment period, and settlement price. Dot-matrix printer, laser printer, etc. are used mainly as the output unit 67-3.
  • the display unit 67-5 requires the credit card holder to confirm information of credit card commerce approval information, installment payment period, settlement price, etc. by displaying the credit card commerce approval information, which is received from
  • VAN server 30 A display element such as CRT, LCD, El, etc. is used as the display unit 67-5.
  • the card-reading unit 67-7 is a device for reading the credit card information recorded on the credit card and reads the information of the credit card holder through the magnetic band part of the credit card.
  • the key input unit 67-9 is a device for inputting the settlement price and the installment payment amount.
  • a keyboard, touch screen, etc. are used as the key input unit 67-9.
  • the controller 67-1 is a device for controlling the composition means.
  • the controller 67-1 creates a command signal to transmit the credit card information, which is read by the card reading unit 67-7, the settlement price and the installment payment period, which is inputted by the key input unit 67-9, to the media conversion unit 65.
  • controller 67-1 transmits a control command signal, which displays and outputs the credit card commerce approval information received from the media conversion unit 65, to the output unit 67-3 and the display unit 67-5.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of accomplishing a credit card inquiry in the present invention.
  • the media conversion unit 65 converts the credit card information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the wireless LAN card unit 63 S20. That is, the media conversion unit 65 makes the wireless LAN card unit 63 process by converting the credit card information of serial data form into PCMCIA data form. Thereafter, the wireless LAN card unit 63 converts the converted credit card information into an RF signal and transmits the RF signal to the wireless bridge 50 S30, S 40.
  • the wireless LAN card unit 63 achieves digital data spread, modulation, RF frequency conversion, and RF signal amplification and then transmits the RF signal to the wireless bridge 50.
  • the credit card information which is transmitted to the wireless bridge 50, is transmitted to the VAN server 30 and the card company server 35 via the access point 41 S50.
  • the wireless bridge 50 receives the credit card commerce approval information from the VAN server and the card company server via the access point S60.
  • the received credit card commerce approval information is transmitted to the wireless LAN card unit 63 of the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 by the wireless bridge 50 S70.
  • the wireless LAN card unit 63 receives the credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge 50 and converts it into digital data S80. Also, the wireless LAN card unit 63 achieves RF signal low noise amplification, IF frequency conversion, demodulation, and digital data reverse spread and then transmits the credit card commerce approval information via digital data form.
  • the media conversion unit 65 converts the credit card commerce approval information, which is received from the wireless LAN card unit 63, into physical signal form, which can be processed by the card reader 67 S90. That is, the media conversion unit
  • the card reader 67 receives and displays the converted credit card commerce approval information S100. That is, the output unit 67-3 of the card reader 67 outputs a slip comprising information such as credit card commerce approval information, installment period payments, and settlement price.
  • the display unit 67-5 of the card reader 67 requires the credit card holder to confirm information of credit card commerce approval information, installment period payments, settlement price, etc. by displaying them on the screen.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of relaying the credit card inquiry in the present invention.
  • the wireless bridge 50 connects the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60, which is requested for connection, with the access point 41 S110 ⁇ S140. Because the access point 41 has only one official recognition IP, which is granted by the router 37, the access point 41 creates a private IP by using NAT(Network Address Transformation) function and can communicate with plural wireless credit card inquiry units 60 by using one official recognized IP. Then the access point extension unit receives the credit card information from the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 S150.
  • NAT Network Address Transformation
  • the received credit card information is converted into physical signal form, which can be processed by the access point 41, S160. That is, the controller of the wireless bridge operates the signal-matching module and converts PCMCIA data into serial data.
  • the controller 50-5 transmits the converted credit card information to the access point 41 S170. That is, the credit card information, which is converted into serial data, is transmitted to the access point 41 through the serial input/output unit.
  • the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server 30 and the card company server 35 by the access point 41 S180. Also the access point 41 receives the credit card commerce approval information from the VAN server 30 and the card company server S190, S200.
  • the controller converts the credit card commerce approval information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the wireless LAN card unit 63 of the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60, S210. That is, the controller converts the credit card commerce approval information, which is serial data form, into PCMCIA data, which can be processed by the wireless LAN card unit 63, and transmits the converted credit card commerce approval information to the wireless credit card inquiry unit S220.
  • the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 outputs and displays the received credit card commerce approval information S230.
  • the present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments. Also, though we explained the embodiments that the system connects the access point with the wireless bridge through a wire network, the system can connect the access point with the wireless bridge through a wireless network.
  • the present invention provides a system and an apparatus for making an inquiry about a credit card using wireless LAN and method thereof, and a wireless bridge for bridging the inquiry about the credit card and method thereof that can undertake the credit card inquiry at high speed but with less expense by introducing the wireless LAN environment into the credit card inquiry unit.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wireless credit card inquiry system connected with a VAN server and a card company server through a network via wireless bridge and access point, comprising wireless LAN card unit for transmitting credit card information to the wireless bridge and receiving credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge, a card reader for reading the credit card and transmitting the credit card information to the wireless LAN card unit and receiving the creit card commerce approval information from the wireless LAN card unit and displaying the credit card commerce approval information; and media conversion unit for matching physical signal between the wireless LAN card unit and the card reader.

Description

SYSTEM, APPARATUS FOR INQUIRING CREDIT CARD USING
WIRELESS LAN AND METHOD THEREOF, AND WIRELESS
BRIDGE FOR BRIDGING INQUIRING CREDIT CARD AND
METHOD THEREOF
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a system and apparatus for making an inquiry about a credit card using wireless LAN and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging the inquiry about the credit card and method thereof, and in more detail, a credit card inquiry method and apparatus that can make a credit card inquiry at high speed with at less expense by being equipped with a wireless bridge and media conversion unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Because of convenience of use and ease to carry, a credit card is used extensively as a settlement means for the purchase of goods and services. Also, government offices commonly encourage active use of credit cards to maintain a more transparent commercial transaction order.
Thus the number of credit card users has constantly increased; however, related losses due to insolvent people and bankrupts, along with fraudulent use, is also on the rise. Therefore credit card companies use a card inquiry unit, which can confirm the settlement person's credit status, to prevent potential losses as much as possible when the credit card is being used.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system using the prior wire method. Referring to FIG. 1, a credit card inquiry unit 17 reads credit card information and transmits the credit card information to a VAN server 10 through a wire network, which comprises a telephone network 21 or a private network 23, and core network 13. Thereafter the VAN server 10 transmits the received credit card information to a card company server 15 and then receives credit card commerce approval information and transmits the credit card commerce approval information to the credit card inquiry unit 17.
However, the service, which uses a telephone network 21, requires a long connection time and because the service occupies the telephone network 21, voice service is impossible. Also, the economic burden of a member store increases as a result of imposing telephone charges separately in addition the basis service charge. Moreover, if the service uses the private network 23, then a high-speed inquiry is available but this service requires much higher maintenance costs.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system using the prior wireless method.
In the wireless credit card inquiry system, the credit card information, read by the credit card inquiry unit 17, is transmitted to the VAN server 10 via a PCS repeater 19 through a wireless network 25 and a core network 13.
However, if the service uses the wireless network 25, then setup and mobility are superior while the service requires a high rental fee.
The demand for a credit card inquiry system that can overcome the major disadvantages of the prior credit card inquiry system and yet still be inexpensive and make inquiries at high speed is growing.
Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a system and apparatus for making an inquiry about a credit card using a wireless LAN and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging the inquiry about the credit card and method thereof that can make a credit card inquiry at high speed with low cost by being equipped with a wireless bridge and media conversion unit that can apply wireless LAN way to the credit card inquiry system.
Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a system and an apparatus for making an inquiry about a credit card using wireless LAN and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging the inquiry about the credit card and method thereof that can make a credit card inquiry by using a prior credit card inquiry unit by equipping a wireless LAN card unit and media conversion unit that can apply the wireless LAN solution to the credit card inquiry system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To accomplish the objects of the present invention according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wireless credit card inquiry system is connected with VAN server and card company server through a network via wireless bridge and access point, the system comprises a wireless LAN card unit for transmitting credit card information to the wireless bridge, and receiving credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server via access point and the credit card commerce approval information is received from the VAN server and the card company server via the access point, a card reader for reading the credit card and transmitting the credit card information to the wireless LAN card unit and receiving the credit card commerce approval information from the wireless LAN card unit and displaying the credit card commerce approval information, and a media conversion unit for matching a physical signal between the wireless LAN card unit and the card reader.
The wireless LAN card unit comprises an RF amplifier for amplifying an RF signal, a frequency conversion unit for executing signal conversion between the RF signal and an IF signal, a modulator and demodulator for executing signal conversion between digital data and the IF signal, a baseband signal processor for spreading or spreading to the contrary the digital data and a physical layer connector for connecting the wireless LAN card unit and said media conversion unit physically. The media conversion unit comprises a physical layer connector for connecting the wireless LAN card unit and the media conversion unit physically, wherein the physical layer connector comprises a connector of the wireless LAN card unit and a connector of the card reader, a storage for storing an operation module for operating the media conversion unit and a controller for controlling operation of the physical layer connector and the storage and matching the form of physical signal, transmitted and received between the wireless LAN card unit and the card reader.
The media conversion unit further comprises an operator, and the operator comprises more than one among the group consisting of an upgrade module for upgrading the operation module, a TCP/IP supporting module and telnet application module for making an inquiry about a credit card through wire network and a DHCP client module for applying dynamic IP to the wireless credit card inquiry system.
The card reader comprises an output unit for outputting the credit card commerce approval information, a display unit for displaying the credit card commerce approval information, a card reader for reading the credit card information of the credit card, a key input unit for inputting price information and installment payment amount and a controller for controlling the composition means.
To accomplish the objects of the present invention according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a wireless bridge for making an inquiry about a credit card, which connects an access point with wireless credit card inquiry unit, the wireless bridge comprises a serial input/output unit for transmitting and receiving data to the access point, storage for storing an operation module, which operates the wireless bridge, signal matching module and address conversion module, a power supply unit for supplying power and a controller for controlling the serial input/output unit, wherein the storage and the power supply unit are connected with the wireless credit card inquiry unit and operate the modules, stored on the storage, matching a physical signal between the access point and a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units and converting network address.
The wireless bridge further comprises a modem unit for executing wire communications process by using a wire network.
To accomplish the objects of the present invention according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for making an inquiry about a credit card by wireless credit card inquiry unit, connected with VAN server and card company server via wireless bridge and access point and comprises a media conversion unit and card reader, the method comprises the steps of reading and transmitting credit card information by the card reader, converting the credit card information into physical signal form, which can be processed by wireless LAN card unit, by the media conversion unit, converting the credit card information into RF signal and transmitting the RF signal to the wireless bridge by the wireless LAN card unit, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server via access point, receiving credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge converting the credit card commerce approval information into baseband frequency by the wireless LAN card unit, wherein the credit card commerce approval information is received from the card company server via the access point and the VAN server, converting the credit card commerce approval information, which is received from the wireless LAN card unit, into physical signal form, which can be processed by the card reader, by media conversion unit and receiving and displaying the credit card commerce approval information by the card reader.
To accomplish the objects of the present invention according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a credit card inquiry system using wireless comprises a storage device and a processor coupled with the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor and the processor operative with the program to perform the method for making an inquiry about a credit card by wireless credit card inquiry unit.
To accomplish the objects of the present invention according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for relaying credit card inquiry on a wireless bridge, for making an inquiry about a credit card, which is coupled with access point and a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units and connects the access point and the wireless credit card inquiry unit, the method comprises the steps of connecting the wireless credit card inquiry unit with the access point, receiving credit card information from the wireless credit card inquiry unit, converting the credit card information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the access point, transmitting the credit card information to the access point, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server, receiving credit card commerce approval information from the access point, wherein the credit card commerce approval information is received from the card company server via the VAN server, converting the credit card commerce approval information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the wireless credit card inquiry unit, and transmitting the credit card commerce approval information to the wireless credit card inquiry unit.
To accomplish the objects of the present invention according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for relaying a credit card inquiry on a wireless bridge comprising a storage device and a processor coupled with the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor and the processor operative with the program to perform the method for relaying a credit card inquiry on a wireless bridge.
Other purposes of the present invention, particular advantages, and new characteristics will become clearer from the detailed description and proper embodiments in association with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system in the prior wire method.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system in the prior wireless method. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of credit card inquiry system by using wireless LAN in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of wireless bridge in the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of wireless credit card inquiry unit in the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of wireless LAN card unit of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of media conversion unit of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of card reader of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of achieving credit card inquiry in the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of relaying a credit card inquiry in the present invention. <A key of numerical references for the major parts of the drawings>
30: VAN server
33: core network
35: card company server 41: access point
50: wireless bridge
60: wireless LAN credit card inquiry unit
61: antenna
63: wireless LAN card unit 65: media conversion unit
65-1, 65-9: physical layer connector
65-3: storage
65-5: controller
65-7: operator 67: card reader
EMBODIMENT
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it should be understood that the present invention should not be limited to the following embodiments. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a credit card inquiry system by using wireless LAN in the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the credit card inquiry system using wireless LAN is composed of a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units 60, a wireless bridge 50, an access point 41, a VAN server 30, and a card company server 35. The wireless credit card inquiry units 60 read a credit card and transmit credit card information through wireless LAN and display and output credit card commerce approval information. We will describe the wireless credit card inquiry units 60 in more detail in FIG. 5.
The wireless bridge 50 is coupled with an access point 41 and a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units 60 and connects the access point 41 with a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units 60. We will describe the wireless bridge 50 in more detail in FIG. 4.
The access point 41 connects a wire network with a wireless network and couples with the wireless bridge 50 through the wireless network according to a wireless LAN way. Also, the access point 41 is connected with the card company server 35 via hub 39 and router 37 through a core network 33.
The VAN server 30 receives credit card information through the core network 33 and transmits the credit card information to the card company server 35. Also the VAN server 30 receives credit card commerce approval information from the card company server 35 and transmits the credit card commerce approval information to the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 through the core network 33 and wireless LAN.
The card company server 35 receives the credit card information from the VAN server 30 and compares the credit card information with data, which is stored on the customer database, and creates the credit card commerce approval information and transmits the credit card commerce approval information to the VAN server 35.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram displaying the interior structure of a wireless bridge in the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the wireless bridge 50 is composed of a serial input/output unit, storage 50-3, modem unit 50-7, power supply unit 50-4, and controller 50-5. The serial input/output unit transmits data to the access point and receives data from the access point. The RS-232C port is used with the serial input/output unit. The RS-232C is an interface to exchange data with other serial devices.
The storage 50-3 is composed of nonvolatile memory (for example, ROM, flash memory, etc.), which stores an operating module for operating the wireless bridge and a private IP creating module for a plurality of credit card inquiry units 60 and a data matching module, and volatile memory (for example, RAM) to load each module when the modules are executed.
The modem unit 50-7 achieves wire communication processing by using a wire network except for wireless LAN. A modem for a wire network such as dial-up modem, ADSL modem, VDSL modem, and cable modem can be used in the modem unit 50-7. The modem unit 50-7 provides credit card inquiry service through a telephone network continuously when an interruption occurs within the wireless LAN system.
The power supply unit 50-4 supplies serial power in each composition.
The controller 50-5 controls the serial input/output unit, the storage 50-3, and the power supply unit 50-4. The controller 50-5 is connected with the credit card inquiry unit. Also the controller 50-5 matches a physical signal between the access point and a plurality of credit card inquiry units 60 and converts the network address.
The controller 50-5 operates the data matching module, which is stored in the storage 50-3, converts the PCMCIA data form, which is transmitted by the wireless LAN card unit 63, into a serial data form and transmits it to the access point 41 through the serial input/output unit. PCMCIA(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) is an industry standard of memory or input/output unit of credit card size for use with a notebook computer. PCMCIA(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) is usually used as an interface of wireless LAN card. Also, the controller 50-5 operates the private IP creating module, which is stored in the storage 50-3, and creates private IP. Therefore, the system can communicate with plural wireless credit card inquiry units 60 by one official recognized IP.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram displaying the interior structure of wireless credit card inquiry unit in the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 is composed of wireless LAN card unit 63, media conversion unit 65, and card reader 67.
The wireless LAN card unit 63 transmits credit card information to the wireless bridge 50 and receives credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge
50. We will describe the wireless LAN card unit 63 in more detail in FIG. 6. The card reader 67 reads a credit card and transmits the read credit card information to the wireless LAN card unit 63. Also the card reader 67 receives the credit card commerce approval information from the wireless LAN card unit 63 and outputs the credit card commerce approval information. We will describe the card reader 67 in more detail in FIG. 7. The media conversion unit 65 matches a physical signal between the wireless LAN card unit 63 and the card reader 67. The media conversion unit 65 is a matching device that connects IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN card unit with UART part of the card inquiry unit.
We will describe the media conversion unit 65 in more detail in FIG. 8.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram displaying the interior structure of wireless LAN card unit of FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 6, the wireless LAN card unit 63 is composed of RF amplifier 63-1, frequency conversion unit 63-3, modulator and demodulator 63-5, baseband signal processor 63-7, and physical layer connector 63-9.
The RF amplifier 63-1 amplifies the RF signal. When the wireless LAN card unit
63 transmits a signal to the wireless bridge 50, the power amplifier(PA) is used in order to spread the RF signal by amplifying power of the signal. When the wireless LAN card unit 63 receives the signal from the wireless bridge 50, a low noise amplifier(LNA) is used in order to amplify the received high frequency signal without noise. Also the RF amplifier 63-1 is coupled with an antenna 61.
The frequency conversion unit 63-3 achieves signal conversion between RF signal and IF signal. The frequency conversion unit 63-3 converts the RF signal(2412 ~ 2472 MHz), which is received from the wireless bridge 50 and amplified by the RF amplifier 63-1, into the IF signal(about 374 MHz). Also, the frequency conversion unit 63-3 converts the IF signal(about 374 MHz) into the RF signal(2412 ~ 2472 MHz) when the signal is transmitted to the wireless bridge 50. The modulator and demodulator 63-5 add a digital signal, baseband signal, to carrier, analog signal or undertake the reverse process. Also, the modulator and demodulator 63-5 convert a digital signal into an IF signal by using a conversion method such as BPSK or QPSK or undertake the reverse process.
The baseband signal processor 63-7 spreads or spreads on the contrary digital signal, baseband signal and transmits information to wide frequency area by using spread encoding technology.
The physical layer connector 63-9 connects the wireless LAN card unit 63 with the media conversion unit 65 physically and achieves interface of PCMCIA type. The MAC layer of the physical layer connector 63-9 equips a protocol that processes according to the communication rules for wireless LAN service and controls so that normal wireless LAN service can be available.
Because the function and way of the MAC layer is quite varied, the MAC layer needs to be adjusted properly according to the network that is desired for use. The representative function of the MAC layer is a power supply administration function for reducing electronic power consumption amount, assistance algorithm, etc.
The service structure of MAC layer is infrastructure of centralized control way and Ad-hoc structure that undertakes direction communication between terminals, etc.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram displaying the interior structure of media conversion unit of FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 7, the media conversion unit 65 is composed of a physical layer connector 65-1, 65-9, storage 65-3, a controller 65-5, and an operator 65-7.
The physical layer connector 65-1, 65-9 connects the wireless LAN card unit 63 with the media conversion unit 65 physically, and equips the connector with the wireless
LAN card unit 63 and connector with the card reader 65. Because the physical layer connector 65-1, 65-9 and the physical layer connector 63-9 of the wireless LAN card unit 63 are the same, we will omit explanation of the physical layer connector 65-1, 65-9.
The storage 65-3 stores an operating module for operating the media conversion unit 65 and a signal matching module. Also the storage 65-3 is composed of nonvolatile memory to store the modules and volatile memory to load the modules when the modules are run. The controller 65-5 controls the operation of the physical layer connector 65-1, 65-9 and the storage 65-3. Also, the controller 65-5 matches the form of a physical signal, which is transmitted and received between the wireless LAN card unit 63 and the card reader 67, by operating the signal matching module, which is stored in the storage 65-3.
The normal interface of wireless LAN card is PCMCIA, and the normal interface of the card inquiry unit is serial communication. The controller 65-5 converts PCMCIA into the serial communication and converts the serial communication into PCMCIA in order to provide wireless network service by using the card inquiry unit. That is, the controller 65-5 matches the physical signal form and protocol in order to physically connect with an arbitrary terminal.
The operator 65-7 provides an upgrade module for upgrading the operating module, TCP/IP support module for enabling the inquiry of a credit card through wire network, and telnet application module and DHCP client module for supporting dynamic IP of the wireless credit card inquiry unit. FIG. 8 is a block diagram displaying interior structure of card reader of FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 8, the card reader 67 is composed of output unit 67-3, display unit 67-5, card reading unit 67-7, key input unit 67-9, and controller 67-1.
The output unit 67-3 outputs a slip comprising information such as credit card commerce approval information, installment payment period, and settlement price. Dot-matrix printer, laser printer, etc. are used mainly as the output unit 67-3. The display unit 67-5 requires the credit card holder to confirm information of credit card commerce approval information, installment payment period, settlement price, etc. by displaying the credit card commerce approval information, which is received from
VAN server 30. A display element such as CRT, LCD, El, etc. is used as the display unit 67-5.
The card-reading unit 67-7 is a device for reading the credit card information recorded on the credit card and reads the information of the credit card holder through the magnetic band part of the credit card.
The key input unit 67-9 is a device for inputting the settlement price and the installment payment amount. A keyboard, touch screen, etc. are used as the key input unit 67-9.
The controller 67-1 is a device for controlling the composition means. The controller 67-1 creates a command signal to transmit the credit card information, which is read by the card reading unit 67-7, the settlement price and the installment payment period, which is inputted by the key input unit 67-9, to the media conversion unit 65.
Also, the controller 67-1 transmits a control command signal, which displays and outputs the credit card commerce approval information received from the media conversion unit 65, to the output unit 67-3 and the display unit 67-5.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of accomplishing a credit card inquiry in the present invention. When the credit card passes the card reading unit 67-7 of the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 equipped in the credit card member store, then the credit card information is read and transmitted to the media conversion unit 65 by a control signal of the controller
67-1 S10. Also, the settlement price and the installment period payment, which is inputted by the key input unit 67-9, are transmitted to the media conversion unit 65.
The media conversion unit 65 converts the credit card information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the wireless LAN card unit 63 S20. That is, the media conversion unit 65 makes the wireless LAN card unit 63 process by converting the credit card information of serial data form into PCMCIA data form. Thereafter, the wireless LAN card unit 63 converts the converted credit card information into an RF signal and transmits the RF signal to the wireless bridge 50 S30, S 40.
As described above, the wireless LAN card unit 63 achieves digital data spread, modulation, RF frequency conversion, and RF signal amplification and then transmits the RF signal to the wireless bridge 50. The credit card information, which is transmitted to the wireless bridge 50, is transmitted to the VAN server 30 and the card company server 35 via the access point 41 S50.
The wireless bridge 50 receives the credit card commerce approval information from the VAN server and the card company server via the access point S60. The received credit card commerce approval information is transmitted to the wireless LAN card unit 63 of the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 by the wireless bridge 50 S70.
The wireless LAN card unit 63 receives the credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge 50 and converts it into digital data S80. Also, the wireless LAN card unit 63 achieves RF signal low noise amplification, IF frequency conversion, demodulation, and digital data reverse spread and then transmits the credit card commerce approval information via digital data form.
The media conversion unit 65 converts the credit card commerce approval information, which is received from the wireless LAN card unit 63, into physical signal form, which can be processed by the card reader 67 S90. That is, the media conversion unit
65 converts the credit card commerce approval information of PCMCIA data form into serial data form, which can be processed by the card reader 67.
The card reader 67 receives and displays the converted credit card commerce approval information S100. That is, the output unit 67-3 of the card reader 67 outputs a slip comprising information such as credit card commerce approval information, installment period payments, and settlement price. The display unit 67-5 of the card reader 67 requires the credit card holder to confirm information of credit card commerce approval information, installment period payments, settlement price, etc. by displaying them on the screen.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of relaying the credit card inquiry in the present invention. The wireless bridge 50 connects the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60, which is requested for connection, with the access point 41 S110 ~ S140. Because the access point 41 has only one official recognition IP, which is granted by the router 37, the access point 41 creates a private IP by using NAT(Network Address Transformation) function and can communicate with plural wireless credit card inquiry units 60 by using one official recognized IP. Then the access point extension unit receives the credit card information from the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 S150.
The received credit card information is converted into physical signal form, which can be processed by the access point 41, S160. That is, the controller of the wireless bridge operates the signal-matching module and converts PCMCIA data into serial data.
The controller 50-5 transmits the converted credit card information to the access point 41 S170. That is, the credit card information, which is converted into serial data, is transmitted to the access point 41 through the serial input/output unit.
The credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server 30 and the card company server 35 by the access point 41 S180. Also the access point 41 receives the credit card commerce approval information from the VAN server 30 and the card company server S190, S200.
The controller converts the credit card commerce approval information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the wireless LAN card unit 63 of the wireless credit card inquiry unit 60, S210. That is, the controller converts the credit card commerce approval information, which is serial data form, into PCMCIA data, which can be processed by the wireless LAN card unit 63, and transmits the converted credit card commerce approval information to the wireless credit card inquiry unit S220. The wireless credit card inquiry unit 60 outputs and displays the received credit card commerce approval information S230.
Though we explained the embodiments corresponding to the wireless credit card inquiry unit, it should be understood that the present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments. Also, though we explained the embodiments that the system connects the access point with the wireless bridge through a wire network, the system can connect the access point with the wireless bridge through a wireless network.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
As described above and according to the present invention, the present invention provides a system and an apparatus for making an inquiry about a credit card using wireless LAN and method thereof, and a wireless bridge for bridging the inquiry about the credit card and method thereof that can undertake the credit card inquiry at high speed but with less expense by introducing the wireless LAN environment into the credit card inquiry unit.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A wireless credit card inquiry system connected with a VAN server and a card company server through network via a wireless bridge and an access point, said system comprising: a wireless LAN card unit for transmitting credit card information to the wireless bridge and receiving credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server via the access point, and the credit card commerce approval information is received from the VAN server and the card company server via the access point; a card reader for reading the credit card and transmitting credit card information to said wireless LAN card unit and receiving the credit card commerce approval information from said wireless LAN card unit and displaying the credit card commerce approval information; and a media conversion unit for matching a physical signal between said wireless LAN card unit and said card reader.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless LAN card unit comprises: an RF amplifier for amplifying an RF signal; a frequency conversion unit for executing signal conversion between the RF signal and an IF signal; a modulator and demodulator for executing signal conversion between digital data and the IF signal; a baseband signal processor for spreading or spreading to the contrary the digital data; and a physical layer connector for connecting said wireless LAN card unit and said media conversion unit physically.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said media conversion unit comprises: a physical layer connector for connecting said wireless LAN card unit and said media conversion unit physically, wherein said physical layer connector comprises a connector of said wireless LAN card unit and a connector of said card reader; a storage for storing an operation module for operating said media conversion unit; and a controller for controlling operation of said physical layer connector and said storage and matching the form of physical signal, which is transmitted and received between said wireless LAN card unit and said card reader.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said media conversion unit further comprises an operator, and said operator comprises more than one among the group consisting of: an upgrade module for upgrading said operation module; a TCP/IP support module and telnet application module for making an inquiry about a credit card through wire network; and a DHCP client module for applying dynamic IP to said wireless credit card inquiry system.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said card reader comprises: an output unit for outputting the credit card commerce approval information; a display unit for displaying the credit card commerce approval information; a card reader for reading the credit card information of said credit card; a key input unit for inputting price information and installment payment amount; and a controller for controlling said composition means.
6. A wireless bridge for making an inquiry about a credit card, which connects an access point with a wireless credit card inquiry unit, the wireless bridge comprising: a serial input/output unit for transmitting and receiving data to the access point; a storage for storing an operation module, which operates the wireless bridge, a signal matching module, and an address conversion module; a power supply unit for supplying power; and a controller for controlling said serial input/output unit, said storage, and said power supply unit and being connected with the wireless credit card inquiry unit and operating the modules, which are stored in said storage, matching a physical signal between the access point and a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units and converting a network address.
7. The wireless bridge of claim 6, further comprising: a modem unit for executing wire communications process by using a wire network.
8. A method for making an inquiry about a credit card by a wireless credit card inquiry unit, which is connected with a VAN server and a card company server via a wireless bridge and an access point and comprises a media conversion unit and a card reader, the method comprising the steps of: reading and transmitting credit card information by the card reader; converting the credit card information into physical signal form, which can be processed by a wireless LAN card unit, by the media conversion unit; converting the credit card information into a RF signal and transmitting the RF signal to the wireless bridge by the wireless LAN card unit, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server via the access point; receiving credit card commerce approval information from the wireless bridge converting the credit card commerce approval information into baseband frequency by the wireless LAN card unit, wherein the credit card commerce approval information is received from the card company server via the access point and the VAN server; converting the credit card commerce approval information, which is received from the wireless LAN card unit, into physical signal form, which can be processed by the card reader, by media conversion unit; and receiving and displaying the credit card commerce approval information by the card reader.
9. A credit card inquiry system using wireless comprising: a storage device; and a processor coupled with the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the method of claim 8.
10. A method for relaying a credit card inquiry on a wireless bridge, for making a credit card inquiry, which is coupled with an access point and a plurality of wireless credit card inquiry units and connects the access point and the wireless credit card inquiry unit, the method comprising the steps of: connecting the wireless credit card inquiry unit with the access point; receiving credit card information from the wireless credit card inquiry unit; converting the credit card information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the access point; transmitting the credit card information to the access point, wherein the credit card information is transmitted to the VAN server and the card company server; receiving credit card commerce approval information from the access point, wherein the credit card commerce approval information is received from the card company server via the VAN server; converting the credit card commerce approval information into physical signal form, which can be processed by the wireless credit card inquiry unit; and transmitting the credit card commerce approval information to the wireless credit card inquiry unit.
11. A system for relaying a credit card inquiry on a wireless bridge comprising: a storage device; and a processor coupled with the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to perform the method of claim 10.
PCT/KR2003/000956 2002-11-25 2003-05-15 System, apparatus for inquiring credit card using wireless lan and method thereof, and wireless bridge for bridging inquiring credit card and method thereof WO2004049235A1 (en)

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JPS61139872A (en) * 1984-12-12 1986-06-27 Fujitsu Ltd Communication system of credit transaction system
KR200229038Y1 (en) * 2000-11-16 2001-07-31 스프레드텔레콤(주) Wireless Credit-card Checker
KR20020016965A (en) * 2000-08-28 2002-03-07 서평원 A internet connecting system by wll united with wlan

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JPS61139872A (en) * 1984-12-12 1986-06-27 Fujitsu Ltd Communication system of credit transaction system
KR20020016965A (en) * 2000-08-28 2002-03-07 서평원 A internet connecting system by wll united with wlan
KR200229038Y1 (en) * 2000-11-16 2001-07-31 스프레드텔레콤(주) Wireless Credit-card Checker

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