JP2002099852A - Settlement method and settlement system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a settlement method and a settlement system suitable for electronic commerce of small amounts and allowing participation of even minors not allowed to have credit cards or the like in online shopping. SOLUTION: In this settlement method to be used between a shopping site on the Internet selling merchandise or providing service in exchange for virtual money guaranteed by cash and a portal site on the Internet mediating the shopping site and customers, the shopping site encashes the virtual money obtained by selling the merchandise or providing the service into cash after accumulating it until a certain condition such as a predetermined period or a predetermined amount is achieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a payment method and a payment system, and more particularly to a payment method and a payment system suitable for small-scale electronic commerce.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a shopping mall operated by a portal site, a large number of shopping sites are opened and various products and services are provided.
For example, services such as selling products such as books and automobiles, downloading music software, and using network games are provided, and are provided for a wide range of ages, including minors. However, in such e-commerce, settlement by credit card is generally used, and minors who cannot have a credit card cannot directly participate in such e-commerce, It was necessary to have someone with a credit card settle the payment.

[0003] In order to solve such a problem, I-Canbay.com, Inc. of the United States has prepared an environment in which parents can use a credit card for their children to transfer pocket money, and have not been able to have a credit card. Adults can now enjoy online shopping with their parents' paid money. There are several shopping sites participating in the shopping mall opened by iCanbay.com, and children can purchase products and other items from these sites by using the funds they had previously given as pocket money. . You can also deposit your prepaid money with iCanbay.com to a partner bank.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional system, it is necessary to transfer the trading funds between the account of iCanbay.com and the account of the shopping site by account transfer. However, there is a problem that a transfer fee to be paid to a bank increases with an increase in the number of transfers. In particular, there is a tendency for children to purchase small items more than once in shopping, and if virtual money is cashed for each shopping, the settlement fee paid to the bank from the shopping site will increase. was there. On the other hand, it is difficult to easily transfer the burden of the settlement fee to the product price, and the increase in the settlement fee has been one of the causes of pressure on the management of shopping sites.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and enables a minor or the like who cannot have a credit card to participate in online shopping and is suitable for small-scale electronic commerce. It is an object to provide a simple settlement method and a settlement system.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a settlement method according to the present invention provides a shopping site on the Internet for selling goods or providing services in exchange for virtual money secured by cash. And a settlement method used between the shopping site and a portal site on the Internet that mediates a customer, wherein the shopping site transmits virtual money acquired by selling the product or providing the service for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, the money is accumulated until a certain condition such as a predetermined amount is reached and then cashed. In addition, open a net account of the recipient of the fund on the portal site,
The recipient of the fund may receive a purchase of a product or a service from the shopping site based on the approval of the recipient of the fund. In addition, the portal site may perform collection and delivery of goods sold by the shopping site using a home delivery company.

Further, the settlement system according to the present invention provides a shopping site on the Internet that provides sales or services of goods in exchange for virtual money secured by cash, and a shopping site on the Internet that mediates between the shopping site and customers. In a payment system used with a portal site, the shopping site accumulates virtual money acquired by selling the product or providing the service until a predetermined condition such as a predetermined period or a predetermined amount is reached. And a settlement management server for converting the cash into cash. Further, the payment management server may be installed in the portal site.

[0008] With this configuration, the present invention provides:
Transfer fees paid to financial institutions can be reduced, and even small shopping sites can easily participate in electronic commerce. In addition, by reducing the transfer fee, the product price can be kept low, and small-sized products and services that are in great demand by minors can be enriched.

[0009]

Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where a parent gives pocket money to a child will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if there is a relationship between the fund provider (sponsor) and the person who receives the fund under the supervision of the fund provider, other human relationships may be established. The same can be applied. For example, there may be a grandfather and grandchild, between a married couple, or between an employer and an employee, and the fund provider and the person receiving the fund may be the same person.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the payment system according to the present embodiment mainly has a portal site 5 that performs a payment process and a product delivery process. The parent terminal 1, the child terminal 2, the courier terminal 6 and the portal site 5 are connected to the Internet 7, respectively.
Through the Internet 7, it is possible to mutually exchange e-mails, browse home pages, and the like.

The parent's terminal 1, the child's terminal 2, and the courier terminal 6 are information devices such as a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or a mobile phone or a game machine having an Internet connection function. Internet connection is possible by dial-up connection or dedicated line connection via a business operator. The financial institution 4 is a financial institution such as a bank, and has a deposit account 4a opened by the parent, a deposit account 4b opened by the portal site 5 (or an account opened for this system by the financial institution 4), and It has a deposit account 4c opened by the shopping site. In addition, the financial institution 4 deposits cash from the depositor (parent, portal site 5, and shopping sites 31 to 3N) and transfers / transfers funds in response to a request from the depositor or a person to whom the depositor has previously agreed. Perform general financial operations.

The portal site 5 has a LAN (Local Area)
Network) and the like, specifically, a customer data management server 51 that manages customer data (such as personal information) and an order management server that manages ordering information of products and the like. 52, a net account and a cash account for each customer (net account management DB (database)
An account management server 53 that manages a settlement process using virtual money, which will be described later;
A shopping mall management server 55 for registering a shopping site on a homepage and managing other shopping malls, and a web server 56 for connecting the portal site 5 to the Internet 7 and managing the publication of the homepage are provided. Here, the portal site 5 manages the settlement processing using virtual money, but the settlement may be performed using an online bank (or internet banking) installed separately from the portal site 5. Good. In some cases, the cash account management DB 53b is installed and managed in the financial institution 4.

Here, the information of the net account managed by the account management server 53 includes the net account of the parent or child using the terminals 1 and 2 and the shopping site 3
Information such as the amount information of virtual money pooled in 1, 32, and 3N net accounts, the net account number, and the like. As will be described later, the user of the net account is a financial institution 4
By depositing money into the deposit account 4b, the virtual money of the user's own net account can be increased. Also, virtual money can be cashed by transferring money from the deposit account 4b to its own deposit account (4a, 4c).

Next, various processing procedures in the settlement system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In each of the drawings, components having the same reference numerals in FIG. 1 indicate the same components.

[(1) Opening a Deposit Account and a Net Account] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an opening process of a deposit account and a net account. In the figure, information on the net account 5a of the child and the net account 5b of the shopping site 3 described in the portal site 5 are stored in the net account management DB 53a, and these information are managed by the account management server 53 of FIG. Have been. The shopping site list page 5c is opened on the Internet 7 by the web server 56 based on information of each shopping site managed by the shopping mall management server 55 in FIG. That is, it is displayed on the terminal of the accessing user as a part of the homepage.

First, a user of the present settlement system needs to open a deposit account for handling actual cash and a net account for handling virtual money secured by the cash. Therefore, the parent and the shopping site 3 access the financial institution 4 and the portal site 5, respectively, and deposit accounts 4a, 4c and the net account 5
a, 5b (steps 1-1a, 1-1b, 1)
-2a, 1-2b). The deposit account 4a is an account for pooling the cash owned by the parent, and the deposit account 4c is a shopping site 3 for processing the settlement from virtual money to cash.
Is the account to use. The deposit account 4b is a deposit account of the portal site 5 or an account opened for this system by the financial institution 4, and is an account for pooling cash for securing virtual money. On the other hand, the net account 5a is an account in which pocket money (virtual money) of a child is transferred, and the net account 5b is an account for pooling virtual money obtained by the shopping site 3 through online shopping.

At the time of opening an account, an e-mail address for confirming the contents of shopping is registered in the portal site 5. The parent can restrict the shopping content of the child, and can designate "approval required", "approval not required", "approval is required if the amount exceeds a certain amount" or the like for portal site 5 in advance. it can. Therefore, since these confirmations are performed by e-mail, it is necessary to register the parent e-mail address. Further, the portal site 5 issues a unique ID number for each net account along with the establishment of the net account. This ID number is issued separately for the parent and the child, and the parent and the child can access the same net account screen displayed on the terminals 1 and 2 using different ID numbers. Also, users (parents and children) of the Internet account need to set a password, and enter an ID number and a password at the time of access. It is also possible to set the screen accessed by the parent separately from the child's net account screen, and to receive services such as giving the approval on the screen and viewing the shopping history in the net account. Further, the same applies to the net account 5b of the shopping site 3, and the administrator of the shopping site 3 has the ID
By inputting the number and the password, the user can access the net account 5b.

[(2) Processing of Transferring Pocket Money to Child's Internet Account] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing processing of transferring pocket money to a child's net account. As shown in the figure, the parent uses the ID and the password to request a transfer of pocket money (virtual money) to the portal site 5 (step 2-1).
a). At this time, it is necessary that funds for securing virtual money have been deposited in the deposit account 4b of the portal site 5. If the deposit has not been made, the financial institution 4 is requested to transfer cash equivalent to the pocket money from the deposit account 4a to the deposit account 4b (step 2-1b), and the financial institution 4 responds to this request and Are pooled in the deposit account 4b (step 2-2). After that, portal site 5
Confirms payment to the deposit account 4b (step 2
-3), money (virtual money) is transferred to the child's net account 5a using the cash in the deposit account 4b as collateral (step 2-4).

Although the bank transfer is made here using the financial institution 4, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, payment may be made together with a telephone charge via a telephone company, or paid using a credit card, or by other methods. If these are desired, any of them is selected on the screen for performing the virtual money remittance procedure on the home page of the portal site 5. The portal site 5 requests the telephone company or the credit card company to charge according to the selection by the user, and deposits the virtual money into the child's net account 5a when the deposit is made in the deposit account 4b of the portal site 5 from the request destination. . The details will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[(3) Commodity purchase and order confirmation processing] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing commodity purchase and order confirmation processing. As shown in the figure, when purchasing a product, a child accesses the portal site 5 using the terminal 2 and inputs an ID number and a password (step 3-1). Upon receiving these inputs, the portal site 5 performs an authentication process. If the user who accesses the portal site 5 is determined to be a legitimate user, the portal site 5 permits access and uses a screen (net) for using the net account 5a. Account screen) Terminal 2
To be displayed. Therefore, the child can check the balance pooled in the net account 5a through this screen (step 3-2), and can purchase goods if the balance is sufficient. After displaying on the terminal 2 a shopping site list page 5c to which a plurality of shopping sites are linked, the user accesses the shopping site 3 through this page to purchase a product. That is, when the desired product is determined, the order information (order) of the product is input (step 3-3), and the input order is transmitted to the shopping site 3 which is the sales source (step 3-3).
4). The portal site 5 transmits the order confirmation to the child terminal 2 (step 3-4a), and sends an e-mail to the parent terminal 1 as to whether the child may purchase the product according to this order. (Step 3-4b). As a result, if the confirmation from the child and the approval from the parent are obtained, the product can be purchased.

[(4) Collection / Delivery and Settlement Processing of Commodity] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing collection / delivery and settlement processing of the commodity. As shown in the figure, when the order is confirmed, the shopping site 3 requests the portal site 5 to collect goods (step 4-1).
The portal site 5 requests the parcel delivery company 5 to collect and deliver the goods (step 4-2), and in response to the request, the parcel provider collects the goods from the shopping site 3 and delivers them to the child's home (step 4). -3, 4-4). When the delivery is completed, the delivery company notifies the portal site 5 of the completion of the delivery using the terminal 6 (step 4-5). Portal site 5
Receives the notification of the completion of delivery, transfers the price (virtual money) of the product from the child's net account 5a to the shopping site's net account 5b (step 4-).
6). At this time, the virtual money returned to the net account 5b is not immediately converted into cash, but may be, for example, for one month (or until a predetermined amount is reached, or a condition set in advance by agreement between the portal site 5 and the shopping site 3). When these periods elapse or the amount of money is reached, the financial institution 4 is requested to settle and redeem (step 4-7). That is, the cash corresponding to the virtual money accumulated in the net account 5b is transferred from the deposit account 4b to the deposit account 4c of the shopping site 4, and the cash amount is instead reduced from the deposit amount of the net account 4b (step). 4-8).
By accumulating virtual money in the net account 5b in this manner, the number of settlement processes at the financial institution can be reduced, and the transfer fee paid to the financial institution 4 can be reduced.

In the above description, the sale of merchandise has been described. However, when the distribution of merchandise is not required, such as when downloading music software, it is not necessary to use a home delivery company.
Instead of picking up and delivering products, a child's net account 5a
After transferring the price to 5b of the shopping site 3, the music software may be downloaded to the child's terminal 2. Of course, when downloading music software,
As described above, parent approval or the like is performed according to the settings.

Next, another embodiment of the pocket money transfer process will be described. In FIGS. 2 to 5, an example in which pocket money is transferred to a net account via a bank has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown below, it is also possible to use a method in which a credit card company or a telephone company temporarily reimburses the expenses, and later collects the expenses reimbursed by credit settlement or deduction of telephone charges.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing for transferring money using a credit card. As shown in the figure, when the parent requests a pocket money transfer (step 5-1),
The portal site 5 requests the card company 8 to charge (step 5-2). That is, the pocket money is changed by the card company 8, and the card company 8 transfers cash corresponding to the pocket money to the deposit account 4b of the portal site 5 (step 5-3). Portal site 5 is deposit account 4b
When it is confirmed that the data is pooled (step 5-4),
Transfer money to the child's net account 5a (step 5
-5). Note that the telephone company 8 requests the parent to pay the refunded funds, for example, once a month (step 5).
-6), the parent pays the billing amount to the card company 8 by bank debit or the like (step 5-7). Further, the financial institution 4 can perform the role of the card company 8 in the same procedure (however, using the ID and password of the parent instead of the credit card) to give credit to the parent.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a pocket money transfer process using a telephone charge. As shown in the figure, when there is a money transfer request from the parent (step 6-1), the portal site 5 requests the telephone company 9 to charge (step 6-2). The telephone company 9 requests the parent to pay the fund together with the normal telephone charge, for example, once a month (step 6-3), and the parent pays the charged amount to the telephone company 9 by bank debit or the like (step 6). -4). The telephone company confirms the payment and transfers cash corresponding to pocket money to the deposit account 4b of the portal site 5 (step 6-5). When confirming that the portal site 5 has been pooled in the deposit account 4b (step 6-6), the portal site 5 transfers the pocket money to the child's net account 5a (step 6-7). In the above, it is also possible to determine in advance that a fixed amount should be charged at the time of paying the telephone charge.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a pocket money transfer process using a telephone charge. As shown in the figure, when there is a request for money transfer from the parent (step 7-1), the portal site 5 requests the telephone company 9 to charge (step 7-2). Thereafter, the telephone company 9 requests the credit providing company 10 to provide the credit (step 7-3).
The requested amount is paid in b (step 7-4). Therefore, the pocket money is replaced by the credit providing company 10. When the portal site 5 confirms that the money has been pooled in the deposit account 4b (step 7-5), the pocket money is transferred to the child's net account 5a (step 7-).
6). Note that the telephone company 9 requests the parent to pay the refunded funds, for example, once a month (step 7-).
7), the parent pays the bill to the telephone company 9 by debiting the bank or the like (step 7-8). The telephone company 9 receiving the payment pays the credit amount of the credit providing company 10 (step 7-).
9). In the above, financial institution 4 is credit provider 1
0, or the telephone company 9 can also serve as the credit providing company 10.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, even a child can participate in electronic commerce by receiving virtual money transferred from a sponsor on a net account. Further, since the sales of the shopping site are accumulated with virtual money until the predetermined condition is satisfied and then converted into cash, the commission paid to the financial institution can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing processing for opening a deposit account and a net account.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of transferring a pocket money to a child's net account.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing purchase processing of a product and confirmation processing of an order.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing collection / delivery and settlement processing of a product.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a pocket money transfer process using a credit card.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a pocket money transfer process using a telephone charge.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a pocket money transfer process using a telephone charge.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 6 terminal, 3, 31, 32, 3N shopping site, 4 financial institution, 4a, 4b, 4c deposit account, 5 portal site, 51 customer data management server, 52 order management server , 53 ... account management server,
53a: net account management DB, 53b: cash account management D
B, 54: Payment management server, 55: Shopping mall management server, 56: Web server, 5a, 5b: Internet account, 5c: Shopping site list page, 7: Internet, 8: Card company, 9: Telephone company, 10 ... Credit provider.

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claims 1. An Internet shopping site that provides sales or services of goods in exchange for virtual money secured by cash, and a portal site on the Internet that mediates between the shopping site and customers. In the settlement method, the shopping site accumulates virtual money acquired by selling the product or providing the service until a predetermined condition such as a predetermined period or until a predetermined amount is reached, and then converting the virtual money to cash. Settlement method characterized by the following. 2. The settlement method according to claim 1, wherein a net account of a recipient of the fund is opened on the portal site, and the recipient of the fund is authorized by the recipient of the fund. A payment method for receiving a purchase of a product or provision of a service from the shopping site on the basis of the request. 3. The settlement method according to claim 1, wherein the portal site performs collection and delivery of goods sold by the shopping site using a home delivery company. 4. Used between a shopping site on the Internet that provides sales or services of goods in exchange for virtual money secured by cash, and a portal site on the Internet that mediates between the shopping site and customers. A settlement system for accumulating virtual money acquired by the shopping site by selling the product or providing the service until a predetermined condition such as a predetermined period or until a predetermined amount is reached, and then converting the virtual money to cash. A payment system comprising a payment management server. 5. The settlement system according to claim 4, wherein the settlement management server is installed in the portal site.