Mobile terminal device, mobile terminal method, mobile terminal program, and electronic money server

• US 7,720,717 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nagai, Masaji, Ito, Koji, Fujita, Norihiko, Arai, Hisanori
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell; James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trotter; Scott S
• Application Number:
  US10/547,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,265 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/26.35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• 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 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/326 Payment applications installed on the mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• 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 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/10 Account details or usage
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/204 on-line recharging, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/24 with on-line recharging of an account or card, e.g. cashless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems

Abstract

A mobile terminal device has an information processing unit that processes electronic money information and a storage unit that stores the electronic money information. A receiving unit receives from an electronic money server an electronic money identification (ID), a mobile terminal identification (ID) identifying the mobile terminal device, and a money information processing program for enabling the information processing unit to execute processing of the money information stored in the storage unit. An installation unit installs into the storage unit the money information processing program and the IDs received by the receiving unit. A sending unit sends to the electronic money server information necessary for enabling the electronic money server to provide electronic money service, the necessary information being sent to the electronic server before the receiving unit receives the money information processing and the IDs.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal device having an Internet access function for access to the Internet to communicate the mobile terminal device with an electronic money server providing electronic money service, the mobile terminal device comprising:

information processing means for processing electronic information including money information;

storing means for storing the electronic information including the money information;

receiving means for receiving from the electronic money server secret information and an electronic money identification (ID);

means for downloading from the electronic money server a money information processing program using the received secret information and electronic money ID for enabling the information processing means to execute processing of the money information stored in the storing means;

installing means for installing into the storing means the money information processing program downloaded from the electronic money server and the electronic money ID and the secret information received by the receiving means while the mobile terminal device communicates only with the electronic money server;

sending means for sending to the electronic money server information necessary for enabling the electronic money server to provide electronic money service, the necessary information corresponding to the electronic money ID and being sent to the electronic server by the sending means before the money information processing program is downloaded from the electronic money server and the receiving means receives the electronic money ID and the secret information from the electronic money server; and

a log data storing unit for storing a history of electronic information processed by the information processing means;

wherein while the mobile terminal device communicates with the electronic money server or an electronic terminal device, the money information processing program enables the information processing means to perform a money-amount information receiving function for receiving from the electronic money server or the electronic terminal device information corresponding to a change in an amount of money corresponding to the money information stared by the storing means by using the secret information installed in the storing means, to perform a money information processing function for changing the amount of money in accordance with the received information corresponding to the change in the amount of money, and to perform a history information recording function for recording the history of electronic information processed by the information processing means and stored in the log data storing unit;

wherein the installing means generates the log data storing unit in the storing means when the installing means installs into the storing means the money information processing program, the electronic money ID, and the secret information;

wherein the information processing means and the storing means comprise at least one IC chip;

wherein the necessary information sent by the sending means to the electronic money server comprises information identifying the IC chip; and

wherein the receiving means receives the electronic money ID from the electronic money server after the electronic money server receives the information identifying the IC chip.

2. A mobile terminal device according to claim 1;

wherein the secret information comprises identification information that enables the mobile terminal device to be identified by the electronic terminal device or the electronic money server.

3. A mobile terminal device according to claim 1;

further comprising display means for displaying the electronic money ID received by the receiving means and installed by the installing means.

4. A mobile terminal device according to claim 2;

further comprising display means for displaying the electronic money ID received by the receiving means and installed by the installing means.

5. A mobile terminal device according to claim 3;

wherein the money information processing program enables the information processing means to send to the electronic terminal device the electronic money ID in response to receipt of the information corresponding to a change in the amount of money from the electronic terminal device when the information processing means performs the money-amount information receiving function.

6. A mobile terminal device according to claim 4;

wherein the money information processing program enables the information processing means to send to the electronic terminal device the electronic money ID in response to receipt of the information corresponding to a change in the amount of money from the electronic terminal device when the information processing means performs the money-amount information receiving function.

7. An electronic money server for providing electronic money service using the mobile terminal device according to claim 1, the electronic money server comprising:

connecting means for enabling Internet connection of the electronic money server to the mobile terminal device via the Internet access function of the mobile terminal device; and

sending means for sending the secret information, the money information processing program, and the electronic money ID to the receiving means of the mobile terminal device when the electronic money server and the mobile terminal device are connected via the Internet.

8. A method executed by a computer for performing communication between a mobile terminal device according to claim 1 and an electronic money server for providing electronic money service using the mobile terminal device, comprising:

enabling Internet connection of the electronic money server to the mobile terminal device via the Internet access function of the mobile terminal device; and

sending the secret information, the money information processing program, and the electronic money ID to the receiving means of the mobile terminal device when the electronic money server and the mobile terminal device are connected via the Internet.

9. A mobile terminal device according to claim 1;

wherein the mobile terminal device comprises a cellular mobile telephone having mobile phone functions.

10. A mobile terminal device according to claim 1;

wherein the mobile terminal device comprises one of a wireless communications device, a wirelessly-equipped personal digital assistant (PDA), and a portable computer.

11. A mobile terminal device according to claim 1;

wherein the sending means includes means for sending to the electronic money server user identification information for identifying a user of the mobile terminal device.

12. A mobile terminal device according to claim 11;

wherein the user identification information comprises the information identifying the IC chip.

13. A mobile terminal device according to claim 11;

wherein the user identification information comprises the electronic money ID.

14. A mobile terminal device according to claim 1;

wherein the installing means installs the secret information, money information processing program, and electronic money ID using the secret information.

15. A mobile terminal method executed by a computer having an information processing device for processing electronic information, a storage device for storing the electronic information, and an Internet access function for access to the Internet to communicate a mobile terminal device with an electronic money server providing electronic money service, the mobile terminal method comprising:

sending to the electronic money server information necessary for enabling the electronic money server to provide electronic money service;

receiving from the electronic money server, after the necessary information is sent to the electronic money server, secret information and an electronic money identification (ID) corresponding to the necessary information;

downloading from the electronic money server a money information processing program using the received secret information and electronic money ID for enabling the information processing device to execute processing of money information stored in the storing device;

installing into the storage device the money information processing program downloaded from the electronic money server and the electronic money ID and the secret information received from the electronic money server while the mobile terminal device communicates with the electronic money server; and

generating a log data storing unit in the storage device for storing a history of electronic information processed by the information processing;

wherein while the mobile terminal device communicates with the electronic money server or an electronic terminal device, the money information processing program enables the information processing device to perform a money-amount information receiving function for receiving from the electronic money server or the electronic terminal device information corresponding to a change in an amount of money corresponding to the money information stored by the storage device by using the secret information installed in the storage device, to perform a money information processing function for changing the amount of money in accordance with the received information corresponding to the change in the amount of money, and to perform a history information recording function for recording the history of electronic information processed by the information processing device and stored in the log data storing unit;

wherein the log data storing unit is generated in the storage device when the money information processing program, the electronic money ID, and the secret information are installed into the storage device;

wherein the information processing device and the storage device comprise at least one IC chip;

wherein the necessary information sent to the electronic money server comprises information identifying the IC chip; and

wherein the electronic money ID is received from the electronic money server after the electronic money server receives the information identifying the IC chip.

16. A computer program product including a computer readable medium having instructions for causing the execution of a mobile terminal method using a computer having an information processing device for processing electronic information, a storage device for storing the electronic information, and an Internet access function for access to the Internet to communicate a mobile terminal device with an electronic money server providing electronic money service, the instructions causing the computer to:

send to the electronic money server information necessary for enabling the electronic money server to provide electronic money service;

receive from the electronic money server, after the necessary information is sent to the electronic money server, secret information and an electronic money identification (ID) corresponding to the necessary information;

download from the electronic money server a money information processing program using the received secret information and electronic money (ID) for enabling the information processing device to execute processing of money information stored in the storing device;

install into the storage device the money information processing program downloaded from the electronic money server and the electronic money ID and the secret information received from the electronic money server while the mobile terminal device communicates only with the electronic money server; and

generate a log data storing unit in the storage device for storing a history of electronic information processed by the information processing device;

wherein while the mobile terminal device communicates with the electronic money server or an electronic terminal device, the money information processing program enables the information processing device to perform a money-amount information receiving function for receiving from the electronic money server or the electronic terminal device information corresponding to a change in an amount of money corresponding to the money information stored by the storage device by using the secret information installed in the storage device, to perform a money information processing function for changing the amount of money in accordance with the received information corresponding to the change in the amount of money, and to perform a history information recording function for recording the history of electronic information processed by the information processing device and stored in the log data storing unit;

wherein the log data storing unit is generated in the storage device when the money information processing program, the electronic money ID, and the secret information are installed into the storage device;

wherein the information processing device and the storage device comprise at least one IC chip;

wherein the necessary information sent to the electronic money server comprises information identifying the IC chip; and

wherein the electronic money ID is received from the electronic money server after the electronic money server receives the information identifying the IC chip.

17. A mobile terminal device for communication via an Internet connection to an electronic money server providing electronic money service, the mobile terminal device comprising:

an information processing unit that processes electronic money information;

a storage unit that stores the electronic money information;

a receiving unit that receives from the electronic money server an electronic money identification (ID) and a mobile terminal identification (ID) identifying the mobile terminal device;

a downloading unit that downloads from the electronic money server a money information processing program using the electronic money ID and the mobile terminal ID for enabling the information processing unit to execute processing of the money information stored in the storage unit;

an installation unit that installs into the storage unit the money information processing program downloaded by the downloading unit and the electronic money ID and the mobile terminal ID received by the receiving unit while the mobile terminal device communicates only with the electronic money server;

a sending unit that sends to the electronic money server information necessary for enabling the electronic money server to provide electronic money service, the necessary information being sent to the electronic server before the downloading unit downloads the money information processing program and the receiving unit receives electronic money ID and the mobile terminal ID; and

a log data storing unit for storing a history of electronic information processed by the information processing unit;

wherein while the mobile terminal device Communicates with the electronic money server or an electronic terminal device, the money information processing program enables the information processing unit to perform a money-amount information receiving function for receiving from the electronic money server or the electronic terminal device information corresponding to a change in an amount of money corresponding to the money information stored by the storage unit by using the mobile terminal ID installed in the storage unit, to perform a money information processing function for changing the amount of money in accordance with the received information corresponding to the change in the amount of money, and to perform a history information recording function for recording the history of electronic information processed by the information processing unit and stored in the log data storing unit;

wherein the installation unit generates the log data storing unit in the storage unit when the installation unit installs into the storage unit the money information processing program, the electronic money ID, and the mobile terminal ID;

wherein the information unit and the storage unit comprise at least one IC chip;

wherein the necessary information sent by the sending unit to the electronic money server comprises information identifying the IC chip; and

wherein the receiving unit receives the electronic money ID from the electronic money server after the electronic money server receives the information identifying the IC chip.

18. A mobile terminal device according to claim 17;

wherein the mobile terminal device comprises a cellular mobile telephone having mobile phone functions.

19. A mobile terminal device according to claim 17;

wherein the mobile terminal device comprises one of a wireless communications device, a wirelessly-equipped personal digital assistant (PDA), and a portable computer.

20. A mobile terminal device according to claim 17;

wherein the information processing unit and the storage unit comprise at least one IC chip; and

wherein the mobile terminal ID comprises information identifying the IC chip.

21. A mobile terminal device according to claim 20;

wherein the sending unit sends to the electronic money server user identification information for identifying a user of the mobile terminal device.

22. A mobile terminal device according to claim 21;

wherein the user identification information comprises the information identifying the IC chip.

23. A mobile terminal device according to claim 21;

wherein the user identification information comprises the electronic money ID.

24. A mobile terminal device according to claim 17;

wherein the installing unit installs the money information processing program and the electronic money ID using the mobile terminal ID.

25. An electronic money server for providing electronic money service using the mobile terminal device according to claim 17, the electronic money server comprising:

connecting means for enabling Internet connection of the electronic money server to the mobile terminal device; and

sending means for sending the mobile terminal ID, the money information processing program, and the electronic money ID to the receiving unit of the mobile terminal device when the electronic money server and the mobile terminal device are connected via the Internet.