JP2000040116A - Gateway device for electronic money and electronic money transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To instantaneously move funds even between different electronic money systems. SOLUTION: This gateway device 101 is provided with an electronic money card settlement part 103, a card socket 104 and a control part 105 and is connected to a second electronic money system managed and operated by a bank B (second financial institution) for instance on-line. The card socket 104 is for inserting an electronic money card 102 (first money card) usable in a first electronic money system managed and operated by the bank A (first financial institution). By the device 101, between the electronic money systems for which the transfer form of electronic money information such as an instruction form and a processing sequence is different from each other, the transfer form of the electronic money information is converted and it is recorded in the electronic money card 102.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gateway device for converting a transfer format between electronic money systems having different transfer formats of electronic money information, and an electronic money transfer method using the gateway device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic commerce (Electron
In ic Commerce (electronic commerce), the settlement function of cash currency (the function of transferring economic value from a buyer to a seller) is replaced by electronic currency information called electronic money (hereinafter referred to as electronic money information). .

[0003] Generally, in order for electronic money to function as a settlement means, a financial institution such as a bank is not interposed.
Either an IC card type electronic money system for distributing electronic money or a network type electronic money system for online settlement of electronic money information by interposing settlement by a bank in a transaction must be constructed. In the former electronic money system, electronic money information is recorded as digital data on an IC card, and can be rewritten as currency information. The money card used in the electronic money system has various functions such as a communication function, a mobile function, a calculation function, and a management function. As a result, compared to cash currency, IC cards that record electronic money information can be sent instantly to a remote location via a network, can be stored in an electronic wallet without being bulky, and can be used to calculate sales. There is an advantage that recording can be easily performed, and when and how much is used.

[0004] Today's experimentally operated IC card type electronic money card system is linked to the settlement mechanism of an individual financial institution due to threats such as data forgery and tampering. Therefore, an IC card (electronic money card) is issued to transfer funds between a financial institution and a user or between users, and withdrawal of electronic money to the electronic money card. In order to manage payment of electronic money from an electronic money card, transfer processing between accounts, and the like, a money management center is required. Further, as an example of the latter network type, there is an electronic settlement by a network between banks and the like, which is operated through a dedicated line to ensure security.

[0005]

When the money management center is managed and operated by different financial institutions, it is often constructed as mutually different electronic money systems, and there is often no compatibility between the systems. For example, when a retailer who is a user of a certain electronic money system makes a transaction with a user (customer) of another electronic money system, even if the user tries to make a payment using electronic money, the electronic money card is used. Closed system for each system (closed loop)
Since the instruction format and the processing sequence are different from each other, it is impossible to directly transfer the value. Therefore, payments are made via a network between banks, but since such payments generally take time,
The convenience of electronic money is lost.

[0006] In addition, when payment by cash between financial institutions or electronic payment between banks by a dedicated line is necessary, the inherent function of electronic money, ie, re-distribution, is hindered, and IC card transfer is not possible. The benefits of value transfer functions at the same time are also undermined.

Further, in a virtual mall (virtual store) using the Internet or the like, in order to use different systems that coexist, the user must prepare an electronic money card for each system, which is inconvenient. .

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic money gateway device and an electronic money transfer method that can transfer funds instantly between different electronic money systems.

[0009]

An electronic money gateway device according to the present invention is an electronic money gateway device for converting a transfer format between electronic money systems having different transfer formats of electronic money information. A first money card usable in the electronic money system;
An electronic money card settlement unit that is connected to the second electronic money system and transfers value to and from a second money card that can be used in the second electronic money system; A control unit for converting the electronic money information into electronic money information unique to the first electronic money system, and when performing a transaction between the first and second electronic money systems, the electronic money card settlement unit uses the second Exchange of money processing data with other money cards,
The money processing data whose transfer format has been converted by the control unit is transferred to the first money card, and the money processing data is exchanged within the first electronic money system.

[0010] Further, the electronic money transfer method of the present invention comprises:
A method of transferring electronic money between money cards that can be used in electronic money systems each having a different transfer format of electronic money information, comprising: a third money card usable in a first electronic money system; A gateway device for transferring value to and from a second money card usable in the electronic money system of
Exchange of money processing data between the money card and the money card settlement unit, and the money processing data whose transfer format has been converted by the gateway device is given to the first money card, and the first money card is used as an intermediary. The third money card is provided with money processing data from the second money card.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The electronic money transfer method of the present invention is a method for smoothly transferring value between different electronic money systems. According to the electronic money gateway device of the present invention, Electronic money can be smoothly and reliably transferred between different electronic money card systems.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electronic money gateway device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic money system, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a value transfer procedure between different electronic money systems, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an electronic money transfer method according to the present invention.

First, a value transfer function between IC cards performed in an electronic money system constructed by one financial institution (bank A) will be described.

In the electronic money system shown in FIG. 2, a bank A manages and operates a money management center 201 and issues electronic money cards 202 and 203 to each user. When the individual who owns the electronic money card 202 becomes a customer and purchases a product or receives a service from a company or a store that owns the electronic money card 203, the value of the purchase is transferred to the electronic money card. Can be paid by.

That is, the money management center 201 transfers (value transfer) an amount specified by the user from the account of the bank A to the electronic money card 202 as electronic money through a predetermined terminal, for example, an IC card telephone.
The individual who owns the electronic money card 202 withdraws the electronic money previously withdrawn from his / her account or withdraws the electronic money using a predetermined settlement terminal when making payment, and the electronic money card 203 owned by the company or store. Make a payment to.

Such electronic money cards 202, 20
The transfer of value by exchanging data between the three
The electronic money information is rewritten by the encryption processing in the card, and the security is ensured by further generating and verifying the digital signature data. Companies,
The store uses the electronic money and sales information stored in the payment terminal,
After the business, they are transmitted to the money management center 201 collectively. The transmitted electronic money is stored in an electronic safe, and sales information is stored in a database.

As described above, the electronic money issued by the bank A to the user is returned to the money management center 201 via another user (shop, etc.) in the same electronic money system in a closed loop. Moving.

Next, a procedure of value transfer between different electronic money systems which has been conventionally considered will be described.

In FIG. 3, a company or store that owns the electronic money card 301 sends the electronic money card 302
The electronic money card 301 is issued by the money management center 303 of the bank A, and the electronic money card 302 is issued by the money management center 304 of the bank B when the individual who owns the product purchases or receives the provision of the service. Shall be issued. Such value transfer (payment and receipt) between the cards 301 and 302 cannot be performed directly because security methods such as encryption processing methods for each IC card are different. Therefore, first, the user of the electronic money card 302
Deposit the amount of electronic money corresponding to the payment in 4, then Bank B
Only after the remittance between the accounts from the bank A to the bank A is completed, the electronic money card 301 can be withdrawn from the money management center 303 of the bank A.

In such a settlement between two electronic money systems, instantaneous transfer of funds becomes impossible because a remittance procedure in a network between banks mediates.

Therefore, in the present invention, the gateway device 101 as shown in FIG. 1 converts the transfer format of electronic money information between electronic money systems having different transfer formats of electronic money information, such as a command format and a processing sequence. Thus, the information is recorded on the electronic money card 102.

The gateway device 101 has an electronic money card settlement unit 103, a card socket 104, and a control unit 105. For example, a bank B (second financial institution)
Is connected online to a second electronic money system managed by the company. Card socket 104 is bank A
This is for inserting the electronic money card 102 (first money card) usable in the first electronic money system managed and operated by the (first financial institution).

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the electronic money transfer method of the present invention. As in the case of FIG. 3, the electronic money card 301 (third money card) is issued by the money management center 303 managed and operated by the bank A, and the electronic money card 302 (second money card) is issued by the bank B
Is issued by the money management center 304 managed and operated by the company. Therefore, value cannot be directly transferred between the money cards 301 and 302 between the two electronic money systems. The gateway device 101 is configured as shown in FIG.
Bank B or bank B
Possessed by a third party commissioned by.

An electronic money card 102 to which a predetermined amount of electronic money has been transmitted as a pseudo card is inserted into the card socket 104 of the gateway device 101. The electronic money card 102 is issued by the money management center 303 by the bank A as described above, but is purchased and owned by the bank B. Here, the bank B has an account in its own name in the bank A, and a predetermined amount of electronic money is transmitted from the account to the electronic money card 102 in advance and replenished.

The electronic money card settlement unit 103 accepts the payment of the electronic money by the electronic money card 302, and performs a receiving process to the money management center 304. That is, the money management center 304 performs a process for transferring funds between the electronic money card 302 and a bank account in the name of the card owner. At this time, the payment information between the electronic money card 302 and the settlement unit 103 is instantaneously transmitted to the money management center 304. It should be noted that batch processing is performed between the money management center 304 and the bank account, and transmission of payment information may have a slight delay.

In the control unit 105, the money management center 30
4 deciphers the encrypted data unique to the electronic money system managed by the electronic money system 4 and converts necessary money processing information such as payment information into a protocol. Further, the electronic money card 102 is connected to the electronic money card 3 via the control unit 105.
02, the payment information (payment amount and payment partner) is received. At this time, if the electronic money card 102 is replenished with a predetermined amount of electronic money, the amount specified by the payment information is paid to the electronic money card 301 of the partner specified by the payment information.

That is, when a company that owns the electronic money card 301 or an individual who owns the electronic money card 302 from a store purchases a product or receives a service, the electronic money information is mediated through the gateway device 101. Is converted, and the payment of the consideration is divided into respective payments in the two electronic money systems, so that even if the systems are not compatible, the value can be smoothly transferred by the electronic money, Moreover, its security is ensured.

The gateway device 101 manages the balance of the electronic money of the electronic money card 102 based on the payment information, and when the electronic money balance of the electronic money card 102 falls below a predetermined amount, the electronic money card settlement unit. 103 instructs bank B to transfer the funds necessary for replenishing electronic money to the bank A's own account. Thereby, the bank A replenishes the electronic money card 102 with the electronic money from the account in the name of the bank B.

In the above-described embodiment, only the description between the two electronic money systems has been described. However, the gateway device 101 issues an electronic money issued by a third electronic money system different from the system managed and operated by the money management center 303. If you have a money card as a pseudo card,
By changing the pseudo card inserted into the card socket 104, it is possible to transfer the value between the pseudo card and the electronic money card of the third electronic money system.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic money gateway device capable of instantaneously transferring funds between different electronic money systems,
And an electronic money transfer method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electronic money gateway device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic money system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for transferring a value between different electronic money systems.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an electronic money transfer method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 gateway device, 102 electronic money card (first money card), 103 electronic money card settlement unit, 104 card socket, 105 control unit, 301 electronic money card (third money card), 302 electronic money card (second money card) 303) a money management center managed and operated by Bank A; and 304 a money management center managed and operated by Bank B.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E044 AA20 BA04 CA06 DA05 DB02 DC01 DC05 DD01 DE01 DE02 5B055 BB16 CB09 EE02 EE15 EE21 KK05

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electronic money gateway device for converting a transfer format between electronic money systems having different transfer formats of electronic money information, comprising: a first money card usable in a first electronic money system; An electronic money card settlement unit that is connected to the second electronic money system and transfers a value to and from a second money card that can be used in the second electronic money system; And a control unit for converting the electronic money information into electronic money information unique to the first electronic money system. When a transaction is made between the first and second electronic money systems, the electronic money card settlement unit Exchanges money processing data with the second money card, and transfers the money processing data whose transfer format has been converted by the control unit. Data transfer to the first money card to exchange money processing data in the first electronic money system. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first money card is owned by a second financial institution that manages and operates the second electronic money system, and a predetermined amount of electronic money is transmitted. Item 2. The gateway device according to item 1. 3. The electronic money card settlement unit, wherein the second financial institution has a self-named account in the first financial institution that manages and operates the first electronic money system. When the electronic money balance of the money card falls below a predetermined amount, instructs the second financial institution to transfer funds necessary for replenishment of electronic money from the second financial institution to the first financial institution. 3. The gateway device according to claim 2, wherein electronic money is replenished to the first money card from the account of the first financial institution based on the instruction. 4. 4. An electronic money transfer method for transferring electronic money between money cards that can be used in electronic money systems in which electronic money information transfer formats are different from each other, wherein the electronic money information can be used in a first electronic money system. 3 when transferring a value between the third money card and a second money card usable in the second electronic money system, comprising the gateway device according to claim 1 or 2; Exchanging money processing data between the second money card and the money card settlement unit, giving the money processing data whose transfer format has been converted by the gateway device to the first money card, The money processing data from the second money card is given to the third money card via one money card. Child money transfer method. 5. The electronic money balance of the first money card when the first money card is owned by a second financial institution that manages and operates the second electronic money system. When the amount is less than a predetermined amount, the gateway device transfers funds necessary for replenishment of electronic money from the second financial institution to the first financial institution.
And instructing the second financial institution to transfer to the first financial institution that manages and operates the electronic money system, wherein the first financial institution replenishes the first money card with electronic money. The electronic money transfer method according to claim 4, wherein