Computer implemented method, system and apparatus for processing various transactions using a plurality of transaction cards

• US 5,963,926 A
• Filed: 03/04/1997
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kumomura, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Irshadullah, M.
• Application Number:
  US08/810,470
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/40, 705/41, 395/241, 379/91, 379/266, 382/240, 235/375, 235/380, 380/25
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program for processing plural types of transactions by a transaction processor connected to plural companies of different industries via a network. Use of the invention enables the efficient performance of a variety of transactions related to insurance utilizing one or a plurality of cards. In the invention the insurance card of a transactor is input, and a transaction screen including transaction keys related to preset transactions appropriate to the transactor is displayed. A transaction key showing a desired transaction is selected on the displayed screen and another card or other plurality of cards required for the desired transaction are inserted sequentially. The personal identification numbers of the cards are entered, and loan, inquiry, payment of insurance, contract, voidance/cancellation of a contract or payment of a premium transaction can be executed.

Claims

1. A method of processing a transaction with plural institutions via a transaction processor using plural transaction cards, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first transaction card of a transactor;

inputting and then checking identification numbers corresponding to said first transaction card;

displaying a screen which includes a plurality of transaction keys;

permitting said transactor to select a transaction key of a desired transaction;

receiving one or more other transaction cards further required for said desired transaction;

judging whether identification numbers corresponding to said one or more other transaction cards in accordance with said desired transaction selected in said permitting step are required to be entered; and

executing transaction processing between one or more of said institutions based on the input of identification numbers of said first transaction card or the input of identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards required to be entered.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

if transaction processing of said one or more other transaction cards is not related to withdrawal of cash, omitting input of personal identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards when said transaction processing is executed.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:

if transaction processing of said one or more other transaction cards is related to withdrawal of cash, inputting personal identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards when said transaction processing is executed.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

storing attribute information related to said transactor in said transaction card; and

changing a selective screen for transactions depending upon said attribute information.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein said transactions include loan transactions from plural financial institutions, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

when loan processing is selected, calculating a total loanable sum of plural transaction cards;

displaying said total loanable sum;

prompting said transactor to enter a sum to be loaned; and

executing loan transaction processing by allocating the entered sum to plural financial institutions.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transactions include inquiry transactions from plural financial institutions, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

when said inquiry transaction is selected, merging attribute information and transaction information of said transaction card;

totalizing said attribute information held by said plural financial institutions; and

displaying said totalized attribute information.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transactions include a payment of insurance transactions, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

when transaction of payment of insurance is selected, determining whether said payment of insurance is to be deposited in a bank; and

when said payment of insurance is to be deposited in said bank, automatically opening an account of said bank.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

when said in said bank is opened, receiving information of an application entered by said transactor; and

if signature or a seal by said transactor of another bank card or a credit card has been stored, executing a transaction processing for a new insurance contract based upon said signature or seal and a balance of said account of said transaction.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transactions include payment of insurance transactions, and wherein said method further comprises the step of:

if a balance of a bank account of said transaction is short of a required payment, executing transaction processing for obtaining a bank card loan or a credit card issued by a credit card issuance company.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transactions include cancellation transactions for cancelling insurance, and wherein said method further comprises the step of:

when cancellation transaction is selected and information for cancelling insurance is entered by said transactor, executing transaction processing for transferring a total insurance or repayment to a bank account of said transactor.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein each transaction card comprises:

a magnetic stripe for storing attribute information of transactions which can be conducted by said transactor with said institutions;

a first integrated circuit (IC) chip for storing a record of electronic money in possession of said transactor; and

a second IC chip which stores a record of transactions conducted by said transactor with said institutions.

12. A transaction system for performing a transaction with plural institutions using plural transaction cards, said transaction system comprising:

a server;

a database connected to said server, said database stores attribute information of transactions which can be conducted by transactors with said institutions;

a plurality of transaction processors for permitting a transactor to perform transactions with said institutions using one or plural transaction cards; and

a network which interconnects said server with said transaction processors,

wherein each transaction processor receives a first transaction card of a transactor, inputs and then checks identification numbers corresponding to said first transaction card based on attribute information retrieved from said database by said server, displays a screen which includes a plurality of transaction keys based on attribute information retrieved by said server, permits said transactor to select a transaction key of a desired transaction, receives one or more other transaction cards required for said desired transaction, judges whether identification numbers corresponding to said one or more other transaction cards in accordance with said desired transaction are required to be entered based upon attribute information retrieved by said server from said database and executes transaction processing between one or more of said institutions based on attribute information retrieved by said server from said database and the input of identification numbers of said first transaction card or the input of identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards required to be entered.

13. A transaction system according to claim 12, wherein said transaction processor, if transaction processing of said one or more other transaction cards is not related to withdrawal of cash, omits input of personal identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards when said transaction processing is executed.

14. A transaction system according to claim 13, wherein said transaction processor, if transaction processing of said one or more other transaction cards is related to withdrawal of cash, inputs personal identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards when said transaction processing is executed.

15. A transaction system according to claim 14, wherein said transaction processor stores attribute information related to said transactor in said transaction card, and changes a selective screen for transactions depending upon said attribute information.

16. A transaction system according to claim 14, wherein said transactions include loan transactions from plural financial institutions, and wherein said transaction processor, when loan processing is selected, calculates a total loanable sum of plural transaction cards, displays said total loanable sum, prompts said transactor to enter a sum to be loaned, and executes loan transaction processing by allocating the entered sum to plural financial institutions.

17. A transaction system according to claim 12, wherein said transactions include inquiry transactions from plural financial institutions, and wherein said transaction processor, when said inquiry transaction is selected, merges attribute information and transaction information of said transaction card, totals said attribute information held by said plural financial institutions, and displays said totalized attribute information.

18. A transaction system according to claim 12, wherein said transactions include a payment of insurance transactions, and wherein said transaction processor, when transaction of payment of insurance is selected, determines whether said payment of insurance is to be deposited in a bank, and when said payment of insurance is to be deposited in said bank, automatically opens an account in said bank.

19. A transaction system according to claim 18, wherein said transaction processor, when said in said account bank is opened, receives information of an application entered by said transactor, and if signature or a seal by said transactor of another bank card or a credit card has been stored in said database, executes a transaction processing for a new insurance contract based upon said signature or seal and a balance of said account of said transaction.

20. A transaction system according to claim 12, wherein said transactions include payment of insurance transactions, and wherein said transaction processor, if a balance of a bank account of said transaction is short of a required payment, executes transaction processing for obtaining a bank card loan or a credit card issued by a credit card issuance company.

21. A transaction system according to claim 12, wherein said transactions include cancellation transactions for cancelling insurance, and wherein said transaction processor, when cancellation transaction is selected and information for cancelling insurance is entered by said transactor, executes transaction processing for transferring a total insurance or repayment to a bank account of said transactor.

22. A transaction system according to claim 12, wherein each transaction card comprises:

a magnetic stripe for storing attribute information of transactions which can be conducted by said transactor with said institutions;

a first integrated circuit (IC) chip for storing a record of electronic money in possession of said transactor; and

a second IC chip which stores a record of transactions conducted by said transactor with said institutions.

23. A computer program stored on a storage medium for execution in a transaction system to cause said transaction system to perform a transaction with plural institutions using plural transaction cards, said computer program when executed in said transaction system causes said transaction system to perform the steps of:

receiving a first transaction card of a transactor;

inputting and then checking identification numbers corresponding to said first transaction card;

displaying a screen which includes a plurality of transaction keys;

permitting said transactor to select a transaction key of a desired transaction;

receiving one or more other transaction cards required for said desired transaction;

judging whether identification numbers corresponding to said one or more other transaction cards in accordance with said desired transaction selected in said permitting step are required to be entered; and

executing transaction processing between one or more of said institutions based on the input of identification numbers of said first transaction card or the input of identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards required to be entered.

24. A computer program according to claim 23, wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the step of:

if transaction processing of said one or more other transaction cards is not related to withdrawal of cash, omitting input of personal identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards when said transaction processing is executed.

25. A computer program according to claim 24, wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the step of:

if transaction processing of said one or more other transaction cards is related to withdrawal of cash, inputting personal identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards when said transaction processing is executed.

26. A computer program according to claim 25, wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the steps of:

storing attribute information related to said transactor in said transaction card; and

changing a selective screen for transactions depending upon said attribute information.

27. A computer program according to claim 25, wherein said transactions include loan transactions from plural financial institutions, and wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the steps of:

when loan processing is selected, calculating a total loanable sum of plural transaction cards;

displaying said total loanable sum;

prompting said transactor to enter a sum to be loaned; and

executing loan transaction processing by allocating the entered sum to plural financial institutions.

28. A computer program according to claim 23, wherein said transactions include inquiry transactions from plural financial institutions, and wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the steps of:

when said inquiry transaction is selected, merging attribute information and transaction information of said transaction card;

totalizing said attribute information held by said plural financial institutions; and

displaying said totalized attribute information.

29. A computer program according to claim 23, wherein said transactions include a payment of insurance transactions, and wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the steps of:

when transaction of payment of insurance is selected, determining whether said payment of insurance is to be deposited in a bank; and

when said payment of insurance is to be deposited in said bank, automatically opening an account in said bank.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the steps of:

when said account in said bank is opened, receiving information of an application entered by said transactor; and

if signature or a seal by said transactor of another bank card or a credit card has been stored, executing a transaction processing for a new insurance contract based upon said signature or seal and a balance of said account of said transaction.

31. A computer program according to claim 23, wherein said transactions include payment of insurance transactions, and wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the step of:

if a balance of a bank account of said transaction is short of a required payment, executing transaction processing for obtaining a bank card loan or a credit card issued by a credit card issuance company.

32. A computer program according to claim 23, wherein said transactions include cancellation transactions for cancelling insurance, and wherein said computer program when executed further causes said transaction system to perform the step of:

when cancellation transaction is selected and information for cancelling insurance is entered by said transactor, executing transaction processing for transferring a total insurance or repayment to a bank account of said transactor.

33. A computer program according to claim 23, wherein said transaction system comprises:

a server connected to a database which stores attribute information;

a plurality of transaction processors each transaction processor executes transaction processing with said institutions using one or more transaction cards based on input from a transactor and attribute information retrieved by said server from said database; and

a network which interconnects said server and said transaction processors.

34. A computer program according to claim 33 wherein said computer program is executed by said server.

35. A computer program according to claim 33, wherein said computer program is executed in each of said transaction processors.

36. A computer program according to claim 23, wherein each transaction card comprises:

a magnetic stripe for storing attribute information of transactions which can be conducted by said transactor with said institutions;

a first integrated circuit (IC) chip for storing a record of electronic money in possession of said transactor; and

a second IC chip which stores a record of transactions conducted by said transactor with said institutions.

37. A transaction processor for use in a transaction system for performing a transaction with plural institutions using plural transaction cards, said transaction system includes a server, a database connected to said server, said database stores attribute information of transactions which can be conducted by transactors with said institutions, a plurality of said transaction processors and a network which interconnects said server with said transaction processors, said transaction processor comprising:

a display;

a card reader;

an input apparatus; and

a controller with controls and display, card reader and input apparatus such that said transaction processor receives a first transaction card of a transactor, inputs and then checks identification numbers corresponding to said first transaction card based on attribute information retrieved from said database by said server, displays a screen which includes a plurality of transaction keys based on attribute information retrieved by said server, permits said transactor to select a transaction key of a desired transaction, receives one or more other transaction cards required for said desired transaction, judges whether identification numbers corresponding to said one or more other transaction cards in accordance with said desired transaction are required to be entered based upon attribute information retrieved by said server from said database and executes transaction processing between one or more of said institutions based on attribute information retrieved by said server from said database and the input of identification numbers of said first transaction card or the input of identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards required to be entered.

38. A transaction processor according to claim 37, wherein said controller, if transaction processing of said one or more other transaction cards is not related to withdrawal of cash, omits input of personal identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards when said transaction processing is executed.

39. A transaction processor according to claim 38, wherein said controller, if transaction processing of said one or more other transaction cards is related to withdrawal of cash, inputs personal identification numbers of said one or more other transaction cards when said transaction processing is executed.

40. A transaction processor according to claim 39, wherein said controller stores attribute information related to said transactor in said transaction card, and changes a selective screen for transactions depending upon said attribute information.

41. A transaction processor according to claim 39, wherein said transactions include loan transactions from plural financial institutions, and wherein said controller, when loan processing is selected, calculates a total loanable sum of plural transaction cards, displays said total loanable sum, prompts said transactor to enter a sum to be loaned, and executes loan transaction processing by allocating the entered sum to plural financial institutions.

42. A transaction processor according to claim 37, wherein said transactions include inquiry transactions from plural financial institutions, and wherein said controller, when said inquiry transaction is selected, merges attribute information and transaction information of said transaction card, totals said attribute information held by said plural financial institutions, and displays said totalized attribute information.

43. A transaction processor according to claim 37, wherein said transactions include a payment of insurance transactions, and wherein said controller, when transaction of payment of insurance is selected, determines whether said payment of insurance is to be deposited in a bank, and when said payment of insurance is to be deposited in said bank, automatically opens an account in said bank.

44. A transaction processor according to claim 43, wherein said controller, when said in said bank is opened, receives information of an application entered by said transactor, and if signature or a seal by said transactor of another bank card or a credit card has been stored in said database, executes a transaction processing for a new insurance contract based upon said signature or seal and a balance of said account of said transaction.

45. A transaction processor according to claim 37, wherein said transactions include payment of insurance transactions, and wherein said controller, if a balance of a bank account of said transaction is short of a required payment, executes transaction processing for obtaining a bank card loan or a credit card issued by a credit card issuance company.

46. A transaction processor according to claim 37, wherein said transactions include cancellation transactions for cancelling insurance, and wherein said controller, when cancellation transaction is selected and information for cancelling insurance is entered by said transactor, executes transaction processing for transferring a total insurance or repayment to a bank account of said transactor.

47. A transaction processor according to claim 37, wherein each transaction card comprises:

a magnetic stripe for storing attribute information of transactions which can be conducted by said transactor with said institutions;

a first integrated circuit (IC) chip for storing a record of electronic money in possession of said transactor; and

a second IC chip which stores a record of transactions conducted by said transactor with said institutions.