Electronic settlement system, settlement apparatus and terminal

• US 7,457,782 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kioba Processing, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC), Keiichi Nakajima
• Original Assignee: Softbank BB Corporation (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nakajima, Keiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca; Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US11/344,131
• Publication Number:
  US 20060129504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 705/75, 705/72
• US Class Current: 705/75
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1075 PIN is checked remotely

Abstract

An electronic settlement system for settling a transaction through a communication network comprises a settlement apparatus which performs the settlement of the transaction; a billing terminal connecting to the settlement apparatus via the communication network; and a paying terminal, connecting to the settlement apparatus via the communication network, wherein the settlement apparatus performs the settlement of a transaction by synchronizing a communication to the billing terminal with a communication to the paying terminal when the settlement apparatus sets up a transaction identifying number which identifies the transaction and when the paying terminal transmits the same transaction identifying number to the settlement apparatus.

Claims

1. An authentication system for authenticating through a communication network, comprising:

a first terminal connecting to the communication network and having an information indicting unit;

a second terminal having a unique ID information and an input unit, said second terminal being located at a same site as said first terminal and connectable to said first terminal through the communication network, said second terminal being at least one of a cellular phone and a PDA; and

an authentication apparatus communicating with said first and second terminals through the communication network, said authentication apparatus storing in advance said unique ID information of said second terminal, said authentication apparatus setting up an authentication ID information to be indicated on said indicating unit of said first terminal, said authentication apparatus receiving from said second terminal said unique ID information of said second terminal together with said authentication ID information indicated on said information indicating unit of said first terminal and inputted through said input unit of said second terminal at the same site as said first terminal, said authentication apparatus performing the authentication by synchronizing a communication with said first terminal and said second terminal when said unique ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that stored in said authentication apparatus in advance and when said authentication ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that set up by said authentication apparatus and sent to said first terminal,

wherein said first and said second terminals send and receive messages therebetween via the authentication apparatus during synchronizing.

2. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said first terminal connects to said authentication apparatus via at least one of a commercial telephone line and a private line, and said second terminal connects to said authentication apparatus via a radiotelephone communication.

3. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said first terminal farther comprises a short range communication transmitting unit and said second terminal comprises a short range communication receiving unit for receiving the authentication ID information transmitted from said short range communication transmitting unit of said first terminal.

4. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said authentication apparatus presents said authentication ID information on the communication network.

5. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said authentication ID information relates to an order in the authentication.

6. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said input unit of said second terminal inputs said unique ID information thereof into said authentication apparatus and said authentication apparatus stores said unique ID information that is inputted by said input unit and said authentication ID information that is set up by said authentication apparatus in association with each other.

7. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said information indicating unit of said first terminal comprises at least one of a display and a speaker.

8. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said first terminal is a terminal for a plurality of unspecified users and said second terminal is a unique terminal for the user.

9. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said second terminal is a portable phone.

10. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said authentication apparatus synchronizes the communication with said first terminal and said second terminal one-to-one.

11. An authentication system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second terminals and wherein said authentication apparatus synchronizes the communication with said first terminal and said second terminal one-to-many.

12. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said authentication apparatus permits said first terminal to perform a function and said authentication apparatus permits said second terminal to perform another function during the synchronization between said first terminal and said second terminal.

13. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein said authentication apparatus permits a one way communication from said second terminal to said first terminal during the synchronization.

14. An authentication system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of first and second terminals, wherein said authentication apparatus sets up a plurality of authentication ID information different from each other, based on each instant of the current time, in accordance with each instruction from each of said first terminals.

15. An authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the authentication employs financial information that is not stored on said second terminal.

16. An authentication apparatus for authenticating through a communication network with a first terminal and a second terminal having a unique ID information, said second terminal being at least one of a cellular phone and a PDA, the authentication apparatus comprising:

a second terminal database for storing said unique ID information of said second terminal in advance;

a processing unit for setting up an authentication ID information to be indicated on said first terminal,

a first communication unit for connecting to the first terminal via a first communication network, said first communication unit sending the authentication ID information to be indicated on said first terminal to said first terminal; and

a second communication unit for connecting to the second terminal via a second communication network and receiving from said second terminal said unique ID information of said second terminal together with said authentication ID information that is indicated on said first terminal and inputted through said second terminal at the same site as said first terminal,

wherein said processing unit performs the authentication by synchronizing a communication with said first terminal and said second terminal when said unique ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that stored in said second terminal database and when said authentication ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that set up by said processing unit and sent to said first terminal,

wherein said first and said second terminals send and receive messages therebetween via the authentication apparatus during synchronizing.

17. An authentication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said first communication unit connects to the first terminal via at least one of a commercial telephone line and a private line, and said second communication unit connects to the second terminal via radiotelephone communication.

18. An authentication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first communication unit receives a purchase amount of the authentication from the first terminal;

said second communication unit transmits said purchase amount to the second terminal so that the second terminal confirms said purchase amount, and receives a final purchase confirmation signal;

said processing unit performs a settlement processing after said second communication unit receives the final purchase confirmation signal from the second terminal;

said first communication unit transmits a settlement completion notification, which notifies completion of the settlement processing performed by said processing unit to the first terminal; and

said second communication unit transmits to the second terminal a receipt which notifies the receiving of said purchase amount of the settlement processed by said processing unit.

19. An authentication apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a first terminal database storing information about the first terminal, wherein said first communication unit receives from the first terminal an identifying number to identify the first terminal, and said processing unit retrieves information about the first terminal from said first terminal database and confirms a registration of the first terminal, based on the identifying number.

20. An authentication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second communication unit transmits to the second terminal the information about the first terminal, for the second terminal to confirm the first terminal, retrieved from said first terminal database.

21. An authentication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said second terminal database stores information about the second terminal, including information about a user of the second terminal, wherein said second communication unit detects a calling telephone number of the second terminal, and said processing unit retrieves said information about the user of the second terminal from said second terminal database based on the calling telephone number, and said processing unit inquires about a registration status of the user, a payment history of the user, and/or an available amount of the user.

22. An authentication apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said processing unit retrieves at least a part of attribute information of the user of the second terminal from said second terminal database, and said first communication unit transmits to the first terminal at least a part of the attribute information of the user of the second terminal.

23. An authentication apparatus according to claim 22, wherein when said second communication unit receives a message which demands a purchase history of the user of the second terminal, said processing unit retrieves said purchase history of the user from said second terminal database, and said second communication unit transmits the purchase history to the second terminal.

24. An authentication apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first communication unit transmits to the first terminal a synchronization confirmation signal which indicates establishment of synchronization when the first terminal notifies said authentication ID information to the second terminal, and when the second terminal transmits to said authentication apparatus the same authentication ID information.

25. An authentication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said first terminal farther comprises a short range communication transmitting unit and said second terminal comprises a short range communication receiving unit for receiving the authentication ID information transmitted from said short range communication transmitting unit of said first terminal.

26. An authentication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said authentication apparatus presents said authentication ID information on the communication network.

27. An authentication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said authentication ID information relates to an order in the authentication.

28. An authentication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said second terminal database stores said unique ID information that is inputted by said input unit of said second terminal and said authentication ID information that is set up, in association with each other.

29. An authentication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said processing unit synchronizes the communication with said first terminal and said second terminal one-to-one.

30. An authentication apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising a plurality of first and second terminals, wherein said processing unit sets up a plurality of authentication ID information different from each other, based on each instant of the current time, in accordance with each instruction from each of said first terminals.

31. An authentication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said processing unit permits said first terminal to perform a function and said authentication apparatus permits said second terminal to perform another function during the synchronization.

32. An authentication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said processing unit permits a one way communication from said second terminal to said first terminal during the synchronization.

33. An authentication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the authentication employs financial information that is not stored on said second terminal.

34. A method of authenticating with an authentication system including a first terminal, a second terminal, said second terminal being at least one of a cellular phone and a PDA, and an authentication apparatus communicating with said first and second terminals through a communication network, said first terminal having a indicating unit, said second terminal having a unique ID information and an input unit, and said second terminal being located at the same site as said first terminal and being connectable to said first terminal through the communication network;

the method comprising;

storing said unique ID information of said second terminal in said authentication apparatus;

connecting said first terminal with said authentication apparatus through the communication network;

setting up an authentication ID information to be indicated on said first terminal in said authentication apparatus;

sending said authentication ID information to said first terminal;

indicating said authentication ID information in said indicating unit of said first terminal;

inputting said authentication ID information to said input unit of said second terminal at the same site as said first terminal;

receiving from said second terminal said unique ID information of said second terminal together with said authentication ID information indicated on said information indicating unit of said first terminal; and

performing the authentication by synchronizing a communication with said first and said second terminals when said unique ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that stored in said authentication apparatus and when said authentication ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that from said setting up step sent to said first terminal,

wherein said first and said second terminals send and receive messages therebetween via said authentication apparatus during synchronizing.

35. A method according to claim 34, further comprising inputting said unique ID information thereof from said input unit of said second terminal into said authentication apparatus, wherein said storing said unique ID information includes storing said authentication ID information in association with said unique ID information in advance.

36. A method according to claim 34, wherein the authentication system includes a plurality of first terminals and second terminals and said setting up the authentication ID information includes setting up a plurality of authentication ID information different from each other, based on each instant of the current time, in accordance with each instruction from each of said first terminals.

37. A method according to claim 34, further comprising permitting said first terminal to perform a function and permitting said second terminal to perform another function, during the synchronization.

38. A method according to claim 34, wherein said first terminal further comprises a short range communication transmitting unit and said second terminal comprises a short range communication receiving unit for receiving the authentication ID information transmitted from said short range communication transmitting unit of said first terminal.

39. A method according to claim 34, wherein the authentication employs financial information that is not stored on said second terminal.

40. A recording medium which stores a program for a computer for an authentication system including a first terminal, a second terminal that is at least one of a cellular phone and a PDA, and an authentication apparatus communicating with said first and second terminal through a communication network, said first terminal having an indicating unit, said second terminal having a unique ID information and an input unit, and said second terminal being located at a same site as said first terminal, the recording medium comprising:

a storing module which stores said unique ID information of said second terminal in said authentication apparatus;

a connecting module which connects said first terminal with said authentication apparatus through the communication network;

a setting up module which sets up an authentication ID information to be indicated on said first terminal in said authentication apparatus;

a sending module which sends said authentication ID information to said first terminal;

an indicating module for indicating said authentication ID information in said indicating unit of said first terminal;

an inputting module which inputs said authentication ID information to said input unit of said second terminal at the same site as said first terminal;

a receiving module which receives from said second terminal said unique ID information of said second terminal together with said authentication ID information indicated on said information indicating unit of said first terminal; and

a performing module which performs the authentication by synchronizing a communication with said first terminal and said second terminal when said unique ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that stored in said authentication apparatus and when said authentication ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that set up by said setting up module and sent to said first terminal,

wherein said first and said second terminals send and receive messages therebetween via the authentication apparatus during synchronizing.

41. A recording medium according to claim 40, wherein said first terminal farther comprises a short range communication transmitting unit and said second terminal comprises a short range communication receiving unit for receiving the authentication ID information transmitted from said short range communication transmitting unit of said first terminal.

42. A recording medium according to claim 40, wherein the authentication employs financial information that is not stored on said second terminal.

43. A method of authenticating with an authentication apparatus for authenticating through a communication network with a first terminal and a second terminal having unique ID information and that is at least one of a cellular phone and a PDA, the method comprising:

storing said unique ID information of said second terminal in advance;

connecting to the first terminal via a first communication network;

setting up an authentication ID information to be indicated on said first terminal;

connecting to the second terminal via a second communication network;

receiving from said second terminal said unique ID information of said second terminal together with said authentication ID information indicated on said first terminal and inputted through said second terminal at the same site as said first terminal; and

performing the authentication by synchronizing a communication with said first terminal and said second terminal when said unique ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that stored in advance and when said authentication ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that set up set up in said setting up step and indicated on said first terminal,

wherein said first and said second terminals send and receive messages therebetween via the authentication apparatus during synchronizing.

44. A method according to claim 43, wherein said storing said unique ID information of said second terminal includes storing both said unique ID information that is inputted by said input unit of said second terminal and said authentication ID information that is set up, in association with each other.

45. A method according to claim 43, wherein

said connecting to the first terminal via the first communication network includes connecting a plurality of first terminals;

said connecting to the second terminal via a second communication network includes connecting a plurality of second terminals; and

said setting up an authentication ID information includes setting up a plurality of authentication ID information different from each other, based on each instant of the current time, in accordance with each instruction from each of said first terminals.

46. A method according to claim 43, wherein said performing the authentication includes permitting said first terminal to perform at least a function and permitting said second terminal to perform another function during the synchronization.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein said performing the authentication further includes permitting a one way communication from said second terminal to said first terminal during the synchronization.

48. A method according to claim 43, wherein said first terminal comprises a short range communication transmitting unit and said second terminal further comprises a short range communication receiving unit for receiving the authentication ID information transmitted from said short range communication transmitting unit of said first terminal.

49. A method according to claim 43, wherein the authentication employs financial information that is not stored on said second terminal.

50. A recording medium which stores a program for a computer for an authentication apparatus for authenticating through a communication network with a first terminal and a second terminal having unique ID information and that is at least one of a cellular phone and a PDA, the recording medium comprising:

a storing module which stores said unique ID information of said second terminal in advance;

a setting up module which sets up an authentication ID information to be indicated on said first terminal;

a first connecting module which connects the authentication apparatus to the first terminal via a first communication network;

a second connecting module which connects the authentication apparatus to the second terminal via a second communication network;

a receiving module which receives from said second terminal said unique ID information of said second terminal together with said authentication ID information indicated on said first terminal and inputted through said second terminal at the same site as said first terminal; and

a performing module which performs the authentication by synchronizing a communication with said first terminal and said second terminal when said unique ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that stored in said storing module and when said authentication ID information received from said second terminal is identical with that set up by said setting up module and sent to said first terminal,

wherein said first and said second terminals send and receive messages therebetween via the authentication apparatus during synchronizing.

51. A recording medium according to claim 50, wherein said first terminal comprises a short range communication transmitting unit and said second terminal further comprises a short range communication receiving unit for receiving the authentication ID information transmitted from said short range communication transmitting unit of said first terminal.

52. A recording medium according to claim 50, wherein the authentication employs financial information that is not stored on said second terminal.