EP0793206A2

EP0793206A2 - IC card reader/writer and operation method thereof

Info

Publication number: EP0793206A2
Application number: EP97301203A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masayuki Ohki; Atsuhiko Urushihara; Takao Ohsawa; Yuhei Abe; Shigeyuiki Itoh
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 1996-02-29
Filing date: 1997-02-24
Publication date: 1997-09-03
Also published as: CA2197933A1; EP0793206A3

Abstract

An IC card reader/writer with a built-in modem has easy-access card slots, and is capable of transferring electronic money between one IC card put in a card slot and other IC card which is linked through the telephone line based on the communication function of an associated telephone set. The IC card reader/writer has a display window and operation board including a ten-key set and control keys arranged on the top of the casing, a front card slot for one IC card provided on the front wall of the casing, and a rear card slot for another IC card provided on the rear wall of the casing. The casing accommodates functional circuitries for the linkage of the IC cards to the telephone line and for the processing of electronic money transfer. The rear card slot is provided in a cylindrical card holder which is fitted rotatably on the casing so that the card insertion angle can be set arbitrarily.

Description

The present invention relates to an IC card reader/writer equipped with a modem device and used for an electronic money transaction system. The invention particularly relates to an IC card reader/writer which is useful for carrying out the monetary settlement in terms of electronic money between IC cards which can store electronic money and also useful as an adapter of a telephone set, and to a method of operation of the IC card reader/writer.
In recent years, there has been proposed an electronic money transaction system for transferring electronic money based on the communication between IC cards which can store electronic money. The IC card used in this system incorporates a microprocessor having a communication function and a memory, e.g., EEPROM, for storing a processing program and the balance of electronic money. The IC card can be used for electronic money transaction with other IC cards through the electronic money transaction system which includes terminals installed in banks, retail stores, individual residences, etc. linked by the public telephone line, or by use of dedicated terminals.
The above-mentioned electronic money transaction system is still at the stage of development, with its constituent devices being left indeterminate for their functions and configurations.
The present invention seeks to provide an IC card reader/writer which is useful for the above-mentioned electronic money transaction system, and is capable of transferring electronic money between IC cards, e.g., the person-to-person, person-to-bank and person-to-retailer transactions, based on the communication function of the associated telephone set, while protecting the IC card user from illegal draw out of electronic money.
The present invention may also provide an IC card reader/writer which is capable of transferring electronic money between two IC cards coupled to the card reader/writer, or between one or both of two IC cards coupled to the card reader/writer and other IC card linked through the telephone line.
The present invention may also provide an IC card reader/writer having card inlets which allow easy insertion and ejection of IC cards.
The present invention may provide a method of operation of IC card reader/writer which is useful for the electronic money transaction system, and is capable of allowing the user to transfer electronic money easily and reliably between IC cards, e.g., the person-to-person, person-to-bank and person-to-retailer transactions, based on the communication function of the associated telephone set.
Preferably, the present invention resides in an IC card reader/writer which is used for the electronic money transaction system for transferring electronic money between IC cards which can store electronic money, the card reader/writer having at least one card slot in which one IC card is put in and a modem device by which the IC card is linked to other IC card through the telephone line.
Preferably, the IC card reader/writer has at least two card slots, with one card slot being provided inside a cylindrical card holder which is fitted rotatably on the casing of card reader/writer so that the insertion angle of the card slot is variable.
Preferably, the IC card reader/writer has at least one card slot provided on the front wall or side wall of the casing of card reader/writer.
Preferably, the IC card reader/writer has a processing function for electronic money stored in IC cards and a modem device for interfacing with the telephone line so that the card reader/writer is capable of transferring electronic money between two IC cards put in two card slots or between one IC card and other IC card linked through the telephone line.
preferably, the IC card reader/writer may serve as an adapter of a telephone set, the casing of card reader/writer having a flat top section, and possibly a slant section joining with the flat section, so that the telephone set can be placed on the flat top section and a display window and operation board are arranged in portions that are not occupied by the telephone set.
The invention permitsa method of operation of an IC card reader/writer having a modem device which interfaces with the telephone line so that one IC card which can store electronic money is linked to other IC card of electronic money through the telephone line, the method comprising the steps of putting in the IC card in a card slot of the card reader/writer, linking the IC card to the other IC card through the telephone line, selecting the transfer direction of electronic money, and entering an amount of money to be transferred.
In the drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the organization of the electronic money transaction system to which the inventive IC card reader/writer is applied;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the IC card reader/writer based on an embodiment of this invention, with a telephone set being placed beside it;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the IC card reader/writer of this embodiment;
Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are a set of diagrams showing the cross section and installation of the IC card reader/writer of this embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of the IC card reader/writer with a built-in modem based on an embodiment of this invention;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of the IC card;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the IC card reader/writer based on another embodiment of this invention;
Figs. 8A and 8B are perspective views of the IC card reader/writer based on still another embodiment of this invention;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the IC card reader/writer based on an embodiment of this invention, with a wireless telephone set being integrated with it;
Figs. 10A and 10B are a flowchart explaining the operational procedure in one case for carrying out the electronic money transaction between IC card a coupled to IC card reader/writer A and IC card b coupled to IC card reader/writer B;
Figs. 11A and 11B are a flowchart explaining the operational procedure in another case for carrying out the electronic money transaction between IC card a coupled to IC card reader/writer A and IC card b coupled to IC card reader/writer B;
Figs. 12A and 12B are a flowchart explaining the operational procedure in one case for carrying out the electronic money transaction between IC card a and IC card b
Figs. 13A and 13B are a flowchart explaining the operational procedure in another case for carrying out the electronic money transaction between IC card a and IC card b;
Figs.14 is a diagram showing an example of the key layout on the operation board of the IC card reader/writer based on an embodiment of this invention;
Fig.15 is a diagram showing the wiring of the inventive IC card reader/writer with a built-in modem and a usual home telephone set to the telephone line; and
Fig.16 is a flowchart explaining the operational procedure of carrying out a telephone call to other telephone subscriber based on a pre-recorded telephone number read out of the IC card.

An IC card reader/writer used for the electronic money transaction system based on an embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.
The electronic money transaction system will first be explained with reference to Fig. 1. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a bank branch system, 2 is a retail store system, 3 is an individual user system, 4 is a vending machine system, 5 is a bank computing center, 6 is an electronic money originator, 7 is a public telephone line, 10 is an IC card, 11 is an attached IC card reader/writer unit, 12 is a banking teller terminal, 13 is an internal communication line, 14 is an auto-teller machine (ATM), 15 is a value box, 16 is an electronic money transaction management terminal, 17 is a relay computer, 21 is an electronic money POS terminal, 22 is a usual POS terminal, 23 is a store controller, 24 is a center facility, 25 is a value control/management system, 26 is a workstation, 31 is an electronic wallet, 32 is a personal computer, 33 is a PC-attached card reader/writer, 34 is an IC card telephone, 41 is a built-in IC card reader/writer, 42 is a vending machine, 51 is a host accounting system, 52 is an external accounting system, and 53 is an external management terminal.
The electronic money transaction system shown in Fig.1 is made up of a bank branch system 1, retail store system 2 installed in a large retail dealer such as a department store or supermarket, individual user system 3 including a personal computer 32 and IC card telephone 34 all linked through a public telephone line 7, and a vending machine system 4 which is not linked to the telephone line 7.
Although shown in Fig. 1 are one set of several kinds of systems, it is possible to organize a plurality of these systems linked through the public telephone line 7. The bank branch system 1 also has a direct connection through a leased line to a bank computing center 5, which is connected to an electronic money originator 6.
IC cards 10, each including a microprocessor with a communication function and a memory, e.g., EEPROM, for storing a processing program and the balance of electronic money, are possessed by individual users, banks, retail stores, vending machines, etc. that are members of the electronic money transaction system.
The bank branch system 1, which already has the connection with an existing banking teller terminals 12 and auto-teller machine 14 through an internal communication line 13, is further connected with the bank computing center 5 by way of a relay computer 17. For carrying out the monetary settlement of electronic money, the banking teller terminals 12 have associated IC card reader/writer units 11 and the auto-teller machine 14 has a built-in IC card reader/writer, and these terminals and machine are connected with a value box 15 by way of an electronic money transaction control terminal 16.
The bank computing center 5 includes a host accounting system 51 and an external accounting system 52, which includes an external system control terminal 53, relay computer 17 and value box 15.
The retail store system 2, with its POS terminals being generally connected to a center facility 24 through an internal communication line 13 by way of a store controller 23, is further provided with IC card reader/writer units 11 attached to a usual POS terminals 22 or provided with electronic money POS terminals 21. The center facility 24 includes a value control/management system 25, work station 26 and value box 15.
The user system 3 which mainly supports individual users can be as simple as only an electronic wallet 31 with the ability of reading out the balance of electronic money stored in the IC card and possibly with an additional calculator function. In addition, the user's personal computer 32 has the provision of a PC-type IC card reader/writer 33 for the monetary settlement of electronic money and the ability of linkage to the public telephone line 7. The user can also use the IC card telephone 34 which can handle IC cards 10 of electronic money.
The personal computer 32 and IC card telephone 34 of the individual user system 3 have the provision of two IC card reader/writers so as to perform the electronic money transfer between two IC cards, and it is possible, for example, to transfer electronic money from the husband's IC card to the wife's IC card.
The vending machine system 4 includes a vending machine 42 having a built-in IC card reader/writer 41.
Next, the method of use of the electronic money transaction system organized as described above, with the inventive IC card reader/writer being applied thereto, will be explained.
The electronic money originator 6 distributes IC cards 10 to banks, retail stores, vending machines and individual users that are members of the system. The bank receives electronic money in exchange for currency, and stores the electronic money in the value box 15 in the external accounting system 52. The value box 15 stores many IC cards, to which electronic money received from the electronic money originator 6 is distributed and stored. Electronic money stored in the IC cards in the value box 15 of the external accounting system 52 is distributed to IC cards in the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1.
Each individual member as a user of the electronic money transaction system possesses a distributed IC card 10. The user draws one's deposit of bank account in the form of electronic money and stores it in one's IC card 10 by using the banking teller terminals 12 or auto-teller machine 14 in the bank branch system 1. The user connects one's personal computer 32 equipped with the PC-type IC card reader/writer 33 or one's card telephone 34 to the bank branch system 1 through the public telephone line 7 and can convert the deposit account money into electronic money and store it in one's IC card 10.
At the drawing of electronic money, the user's IC card is linked based on its communication function to a specific IC card in the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1 by way of the banking teller terminal 12, auto-teller machine 14, personal computer 32, or card telephone 34. Electronic money stored in the IC card 10 of the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1 is transferred and stored in the user's IC card 10 under control of the transaction management terminal 16. At the same time, the balance of electronic money stored in the IC card 10 in the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1 is subtracted by the amount of electronic money transferred to the user's IC card 10. The drawing of deposits of bank accounts of individuals is the same as the convention.
It is also possible for the user to convert currency into electronic money and store it in one's IC card at the bank or IC card originator, instead of drawing the deposit of bank account explained above.
Electronic money stored in the user's IC card can be transferred back to the IC card in the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1 by way of the banking teller terminal 12, auto-teller machine 14 or personal computer 32, and deposited in the user's bank account.
The user having electronic money stored in one's IC card as explained above can use the IC card to buy goods and services in retail stores that are members of the system.
Specifically, for example, the IC card user who intends to buy goods brings the things to the POS terminal counter in the retail store. The clerk operates the POS terminal 21 or 22 to read the barcode label of each thing thereby to enter its price and total the prices of all things, and charges the total price to the customer.
The customer who intends to pay for the goods with the IC card puts the card into the card inlet of the electronic money POS terminal 12 or the IC card reader/writer unit 11 attached to the usual POS terminal 22. The user's IC card is linked to the relevant IC card in the value box 15 in the center facility 24 of the retail store by way of the work station 26 over the internal communication line 13. Electronic money in the user's IC card is transferred to the IC card in the value box 15 of the center facility 24, and the POS terminal issues a receipt to complete the transaction process. Electronic money in the user's IC card is subtracted by the amount of payment, and it is added to electronic money in the IC card of the retail store.
Different from the foregoing case of a retail store having a number of POS terminals and a value box in the center facility 24 for storing many IC cards, a small retail shop having only a cash register has the installation of an IC card reader/writer and has a shop's IC card for the cash register, thereby allowing customers to pay with their IC cards through the linkage to the shop's IC card by the IC card reader/writer attached to the cash register. Electronic money stored in the shop's IC card can be deposited to the bank account or can also be cashed at the bank.
As a manner of organizing a retail store system having POS terminals, these POS terminals are provided with individual IC cards so that transactions with customer's IC cards are carried out temporarily based on the IC cards of POS terminals, and the contents of the IC cards are transferred from the POS terminals to the IC cards in the value box 15 of the center facility 24 afterward when necessary.
The vending machine 42 included in the electronic money transaction system is provided with an IC card reader/writer 41 built in the machine and its own IC card so that transaction is carried out with a customer's IC card put in the IC card reader/writer 41 by the customer.
Next, an embodiment of the IC card reader/writer with a built-in modem used in the foregoing electronic money transaction system will be explained with reference to Fig. 2, Fig.3 and Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C showing its perspective and cross-sectional structure. Throughout the figures, reference numeral 35 denotes a telephone set, 36 is an IC card reader/writer, 361 is the casing of card reader/writer, 362 and 363 are card slots, 364 is a card holder, 365 is a display window, 366 is an operation board, 367 is a circuit board.
The IC card reader/writer 36 of this embodiment is intended to serve as an adapter of the usual telephone set 35, thereby carrying out the electronic money transaction between two IC cards coupled to this card reader/writer, or between one IC card coupled to this card reader/writer and other IC card linked through the telephone line.
As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig.3, the IC card reader/writer 36 has a display window 365, e.g., liquid crystal device, and an operation board 366 including a ten-key set, control keys, etc. all arranged on the top of the casing 361, and has a card slot 362 for one IC card 10 provided on the front wall and another card slot 363 for another IC card 10' provided on the side wall of the casing 361.
The casing 361 accommodates a circuit board 367, on which circuits for the processing of electronic money transfer, key operation and information display, and of the modem for interfacing with the telephone line are packaged, as shown in Fig. 4A. The IC cards 10 and 10' are in electrical contact with the circuit board 367 by means of a contact device (not shown).
The card holder 364 has a cylindrical structure in which the card slot 363 for the IC card 10' is provided, and it can be turned to provide a proper card insertion angle. For example, the cylindrical card holder 364 is slightly turned counterclockwise on the drawing so that the user can easily put in the IC card 10' from the front as compared with the vertical setting of the card slot shown in Fig.4A.
In another case of the installation of the IC card reader/writer 36 on the wall as shown in Fig.4B, the card holder 364 is slightly turned clockwise on the drawing so that the user can easily put in the IC card 10' oblique-downwardly for example. Shown in Fig.4C is the case of the slant installation of the IC card reader/writer 36 on the wall, with the card holder 364 being turned properly, so that the user in sitting attitude can easily put in the IC card 10' vertically or at an arbitrary angle.
The IC card reader/writer of this embodiment can be used for transferring electronic money between the user's IC card 10 and other IC card 10' possessed by one's child, for example, by putting it in the card reader/writer. It can also be used for the electronic money transaction between the user's IC card 10 and other IC card of other person, bank, etc. (not shown) in a remote place through the telephone line.
For the electronic money transaction through the telephone line, only one IC card is needed, which is put in one of the card slots 362 and 363, and electronic money can be transferred between this card and other IC card linked through the telephone line. Accordingly, for the electronic money transaction through the telephone line, the IC card reader/writer suffices to have only one card slot, and even the IC card reader/writer with only one card slot can attain the objectives of this invention.
The manner of electronic money transaction proposed by the inventors of the present invention is described in detail in Japanese patent publication JP-A-Hei-7-320646.
Next, the internal arrangement of the IC card reader/writer with a built-in modem based on an embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to the block diagram of Fig.5. In the figure, reference numeral 1104 denotes a loading/unloading circuit, 1105 is a connector, 1106 is an IC card activation control circuit, 1107 is a clock generation circuit,1108 is a reader/writer, 1109 is a read/write control circuit,1110 is a ROM, 1111 is a wavef orm shaping/data extracting circuit, 1112 is an I/O port, 1113 is a main program ROM, 1114 is a RAM, 1115 is a CPU, 1116 is a card check data memory, 1117 is a modem interface circuit, and 1118 is a power supply circuit. The modem interface circuit 1117 is included since the IC card reader/writer of this embodiment is designed to be connected to the telephone line as an adapter of a usual telephone set.
Namely, the IC card reader/writer 36 of this embodiment incorporates inside the casing 361 a card slot 362 in which an IC card 10 is put in, a loading/unloading circuit 1104 which manipulates the IC card 10, a connector 1105 which couples with the IC card 10, an IC card activation control circuit 11 which supplies the power voltage and clock signal to the IC card 10, a clock generation circuit 1107, a reader/writer 1108 which writes and reads data to/from the IC card 10, read/write control circuit 1109 which controls the operation of the reader/writer 1108, a ROM 1110 which stores a program run by the CPU 1115 for implementing the ISO-stated basic IC card operations, a wave form shaping/data extracting circuit 1111 which shapes the wavef orm of the signal read out of the IC card 10 and extracts data, an I/O port 1112 which implements data transfer between the reader/writer 1108 and CPU 1115, a ROM 1113 which stores the main program run by the CPU 1115 for the process of electronic money transfer for the IC card 10, a RAM 1114 used for data processing by the CPU 1115, a card check data memory 1116 which stores identification (ID) data used for verifying as to whether the IC card 10 stores electronic money information, a modem interface circuit 1117 which implements the data communication of the card reader/writer with other IC card through the telephone line, and a power supply circuit 1118 which distributes electric power fed in through a connector to the whole circuitry.
Although the arrangement of Fig. 5 is shown to treat only one IC card 10, the IC card reader/writer 36 actually has two sets of loading/unloading circuits 1104, connectors 1105, reader/writers 1108 and I/O ports 1112, thereby dealing with two IC cards simultaneously.
The IC card reader/writer 36 of this embodiment operates as follows. The user puts the IC card 10 into the card slot 362, and the card is loaded automatically by the operation of the loading/unloading circuit 1104.
The CPU 1115 detects the IC card 10 in a state of contact with the connector 1105, and operates on the control circuit 1106 to supply the power voltage and clock signal to the IC card 10. Subsequently, the CPU 1115 reads out the ID data from the IC card 10 through the connector 1105 and reader/writer 1108.
These operations are carried out in compliance with the ISO standard by the program stored in the ROM 1110. The program includes a format converting routine which makes the data format match with the IC card protocol, an IC card activating routine, and a card reading/writing routine.
The CPU 1115 compares the ID data read out of the IC card 10 with the record in the card check data memory 1116 thereby to verify the electronic money information in the IC card 10. Upon certifying the information stored in the IC card 10, the IC card reader/writer 36 is ready to run the main program of electronic money processing stored in the ROM 1113. The foregoing operations take place automatically regardless of the operational state of other IC card handling apparatus which is linked to the IC card reader/writer 36 through the telephone line.
Fig. 6 shows the internal arrangement of the IC card 10 of electronic money. In the figure, reference numeral 103 denotes a contact device, 104 is a CPU, 105 is an EEPROM, and 106 is a ROM.
Namely, the IC card 10 has a contact device 103 for the communication of the power voltage and the clock, reset, data and other signals with the circuitry of card reader/writer, and incorporates a CPU 104 which controls the operation of the card, a re-writable EEPROM 105 which memorizes data of electronic money, etc., and a ROM 106 which stores a program of the card.
The CPU 104 implements the data input/output protocol in compliance with the ISO standard and the encryption process based on the program in the ROM 106. Electronic money information and transaction history information are memorized in the EEPROM 105.
The IC card reader/writer 36 of this embodiment has its basic operation carried out by the main program stored in the ROM 1113 which is accommodated in the casing 361 of card reader/writer 36. Based on the confinement within the IC card reader/writer of the function of access to electronic money in the IC card 10, the security against incorrect operations on the IC card and illegal access to electronic money in it can be enhanced.
Fig. 7 shows a different external structure of the inventive IC card reader/writer. This IC card reader/writer has a liquid crystal display window 368 which takes up the entire top surface of the casing 361. The display window 368 displays information, and also displays the keytops of a ten-key set and function keys, thereby functioning as a touch-panel operation board. This structure provides the enhanced visibility of display and operability of the IC card reader/writer.
Figs. 8A and 8B show still another external structure of the inventive IC card reader/writer. This IC card reader/writer is designed to place a usual telephone set 35 atop the casing as shown in Fig.8A. Specifically, the casing 361 has a flat top section 361' which is wide enough to place the telephone set and a slant section 361" which joins with the top section, with the display window 365 and operation board 366 being arranged in the slant section, as shown in Fig. 8B. This IC card reader/writer has a third card slot 362' formed in the front wall of the casing 361.
One or both of the two front card slots 362 and 362' are used. For example, one IC card 10 is used for the transaction of electronic money, while another IC card 10" is used for recording the history of transactions of household affairs. Alternatively, two IC cards 10 and 10' of electronic money are used simultaneously for a large amount transaction with a bank or retail store in excess of the storage capacity of one IC card.
This IC card reader/writer is also capable of transferring electronic money between one of IC cards 10 and 10" put in the front card slots and another IC card 10' put in the rear card slot 363.
Instead of forming the card slots 262 and 262' in the front wall of the casing 361 as shown in Figs.8A and 8B, the inventive IC card reader/writer can have these card slots formed in the side wall of the casing 361, and they can be used in the same manner as the former case.
Fig. 9 shows the IC card reader/writer based on another embodiment of this invention, which is integrated with a wireless telephone set. This IC card reader/writer is integrated with a portable wireless telephone set which is prevailing recently, allowing the user to carry out the card-based transaction in any place.
In addition to the convenient use by individual users at home of the IC card reader/writers of the foregoing embodiments, they can be installed in a small-size retail shop or can be attached to a conventional POS terminal in a large or medium-size retail store so that customers can pay for commodities in terms of electronic money.
The IC card reader/writers of the foregoing embodiments of this invention, which have the card slots of easy insertion and ejection of IC cards and can be used with a telephone set, enable the transfer of electronic money between IC cards, e.g., the person-to-person, person-to-bank and person-to-retailer transactions, based on the communication function of the associated telephone set, while protecting the IC card user from illegal draw out of electronic money.
Next, the operational method of IC card reader/writer based on an embodiment of this invention will be explained.
Figs.10A , 10B and Figs.11A and 11B show one operational procedure of electronic money transaction between IC card a coupled to IC card reader/writer A and IC card b coupled to IC card reader/writer B which is linked to the card reader/writer A. Figs.12A,12B and Figs.13A,13B show another operational procedure of electronic money transaction between IC cards a and b coupled to the linked IC card reader/writers A and B.
Fig. 14 shows an example of the key layout on the operation board 366 of an IC card reader/writer based on an embodiment of this invention. Among the keys on the operation board 366, Balance key 1401 is used to read out the balance of electronic money in the immediate IC card, History key 1402 is used to display the history of electronic money transactions which have been carried out with the card, Money Type key 1403 is used to select a kind of money of transaction in case the IC card can treat more than one kind of money, Card Select key 1404 is used to designate one of IC cards in the card slots 362 and 363 and other IC card linked through the telephone line, a lock/unlock key 1405 is used to lock or unlock the IC card, Transfer key 1406 is used to transfer electronic money between IC cards on the card reader/writer, another Transfer key 1407 is used to transfer electronic money from the immediate IC card to other IC card linked through the telephone line, still another Transfer key 1408 is used to transfer electronic money from other IC card linked through the telephone line to the immediate IC card, Clear 1409 is used to cancel the keyed-in data or terminate the operation, Menu key 1410 is used to select an operational mode, Cursor-Up/Down keys 1411 and 1412 are used to move the cursor of the display window 365 or select an IC card, Enter key 1413 is used to establish the keyed-in data or proceed to the action, a ten-key set 1414 is used to key in numerals for the entry of an amount of money or the like, and Star key and Sharp key 1415 and 1416 are used for mode selection and the like.
Fig. 15 shows the wiring of the inventive IC card reader/writer 1502 with a built-in modem and a usual home telephone set 1501, which is connected to the telephone line 1503 by way of the card reader/writer 1502. Based on this wiring, electronic money transaction is carried out between the IC card coupled to the IC card reader/writer 1502 and other IC card linked through the telephone line.
The operational procedure of sending electronic money from IC card a on the IC card reader/writer A to IC card b on the IC card reader/writer B which is linked to the card reader/writer A through the telephone line will be explained on the flowchart of Figs.10A and 10B. This is the case where the amount of money transfer is determined mainly by the sending party, e.g., for money transfer from a parent to one's child.
Initially, the user puts the IC card into the IC card reader/writer A (will be called simply "device A"):(step 1001), and pushes Transfer key 1406:(step 1002). The device proceeds to the initial mode of money transfer between two IC cards on the device A, with a sign being displayed as shown by 1003.
The user, who intends to have an electronic money transaction with IC card b linked through the telephone line, pushes Star key 1415:(step 1004). In this embodiment, the device is designed to switch to the mode of electronic money transaction over the telephone line in response to the operation of Star key 1415. The user next pushes Card Select key 1404 (step 1005), and then uses Up key 1411 or Down key 1412 to select the transfer direction:(step 1006).
A sign of the money transfer direction is displayed by being switched in response to the operation of the Up key 1411 and Down key 1412 as shown by 1007. Among the signs displayed at this stage, "Card ↓" indicates the lower IC card in the front card slot 362, "Card ↑ " indicates the upper IC card in the rear card slot 363, and "Remote" indicates the external IC card linked through the telephone line. With the sign of intended transfer direction being displayed, i.e., as shown by 1009 in this example, the user pushes Enter key 1413 to determine the money transfer direction:(step 1008). The operations and sign displays up to this stage are also relevant to the receiving IC card reader/writer B (will be called simply "device B") as shown by steps 1001'-1009'.
Subsequently, the user of the sending device A enters an amount of money to be transferred (step 1010), and upon confirming the keyed-in amount displayed as shown by 1011 (step 1012), the user pushes Enter key 1413:(step 1013). This sending user's operation for money transfer is validated in response to the pushing of Enter key on the receiving device B within a prescribed time length:(step 1013'). The operational procedure of needing the confirmation by both the sending and receiving users enhances the security of electronic money transfer. Following the normal confirming operations of steps 1013 and 1013' by both users, the outgoing and incoming of electronic money take place (steps 1014 and 1014'), with displays being presented during the transfer process as shown by 1015 and 1015'.
On completion of money sending (step 1016) and reception (step 1016'), the devices A and B have displays on their display windows as shown by 1017 and 1017'. In this example, ¥3000 of electronic money has been transferred from IC card a to IC card b.
Next, the operational procedure of receiving electronic money into IC card a on the IC card reader/writer A from IC card b on the IC card reader/writer B which is linked to the card reader/writer A through the telephone line will be explained on the flowchart of Figs.11A and 11B. This is the case where the amount of money transfer is determined mainly by the receiving party, e.g., money reception by a mail-order retailer from a customer who has bought commodities.
In the figure, operations and displays 1701-1717 on the part of the device A and operations and displays 1701'-1717' on the part of the device B are identical to those 1001-1017 and 1001'-1017', respectively, shown in Fig.10. The procedure of Figs.11A and 11B is different from Figs.10A and 10B in that the user of the sending device B has operations (steps 1718'-1720') of confirming the amount of money to be sent which has been determined and entered by the user of the receiving device A.
Following the entry of money amount to be received on the device A and the operations on both devices in steps 1713 and 1713', a sign of prompting the confirmation of the amount is displayed on the display window of the device B as shown by 1719'. In response to the pushing of Enter key 1413 (step 1720') by the user of device B upon confirming the money amount (step 1718'), the outgoing and incoming of electronic money take place:(steps 1714 and 1714'). In this example, V3000 of electronic money is transferred from IC card b to IC card a.
Next, another operational procedure of sending electronic money from IC card a on the device A to IC card b on the device B which is linked through the telephone line, as in the case of the preceding example of Figs.10A and 10B, will be explained on the flowchart of Figs.12A and 12B. This is the same case where the amount of money transfer is determined mainly by the sending party, e.g., for money transfer from a parent to one's child.
Initially, the user of the device A puts the IC card into the card slot 362 or 363 (step 1201), and pushes Transfer key 1406:(step 1202). The device proceeds to the initial mode of money transfer from the IC card on the device A to the IC card on the device B. The device A detects automatically the number of IC cards put in it:(step 1203).
In case more than one IC card are detected, the user is required to select a card as the sending card:(step 1204). In the case of a single card put in the device or following the selection of sending card in step 1204, a sign of money transfer direction is displayed on the display window 365 of the device A as shown by 1206:(step 1205).
Subsequently, the user enters an amount of money to be sent:(step 1207), and a display as shown by 1208 appears. Upon confirming the keyed-in amount (step 1209), the user pushes Enter key 1413:(step 1210). The device A remote-controls the device B over the telephone line, thereby performing the money transfer from it and money reception on the device B (steps 1211 and 1211'), with displays being presented on the devices A and B as shown by 1212 and 1212', respectively, during the money transfer process.
On completion of money sending by the device A (step 1213'), it has a display as shown by 1214', and on completion of money reception by the device B (step 1213'), it has a display as shown by 1214'. In this example, ¥3000 of electronic money has been transferred from IC card a to IC card b. According to the operational manner shown in Figs.12A and 12B, the user of the receiving device B is simply required to put in the IC card (step 1201'), and can receive electronic money by the automatic operation on the side of the sending device A.
Next, another operational procedure of receiving electronic money into IC card a on the device A from IC card b on the device B which is linked through the telephone line, as in the case of the preceding example of Figs.11A and 11B, will be explained on the flowchart of Figs.13A and 13B. This is the same case where the amount of money transfer is determined mainly by the receiving party, e.g., money reception by a mail-order retailer from a customer who has bought commodities.
In the figures, operations and displays 1301-1314 on the part of the device A and operations and displays 1301'-1314' on the part of the device B are identical to those 1201-1214 and 1201'-1014', respectively, shown in Figs.12A and 12B. The procedure of Figs.13A and 13B is different from Figs.12A and 12B in that the user of the sending device B has operations (1315'-1317') of confirming the amount of money to be sent which has been determined and entered by the user of the receiving device A.
Following the entry of money amount to be received, the device A remote-controls the device B over the telephone line to display a sign of prompting the confirmation of the amount on the display window of the device B as shown by 1316'. In response to the pushing of Enter key 1413 (step 1317') by the user of device B upon confirming the money amount (step 1315'), the outgoing and incoming of electronic money take place:(steps 1311 and 1311'). In this example, ¥3000 of electronic money,is transferred from IC card b to IC card a.
Fig.16 shows the operational procedure of carrying out a telephone call to other telephone subscriber based on a pre-recorded telephone number read out of the IC card.
Initially, the user puts the IC card having a record of telephone numbers into the card slot 362 or 363:(step 1601). The user pushes Menu key 1410 (step 1602) to have the operation menu displayed. The user uses Up key 1411 or Down key 1412 (step 1603) to point the intended label "TEL.CODE LIST" with the cursor:(step 1604).
The user checks the menu selection pointed by the cursor, and pushes Enter key 1413:(step 1605), then a list of telephone numbers is displayed:(step 1606). The user uses Up key 1411 or Down key 1412 (step 1607) to point an intended telephone number with the cursor:(step 1608). Finally, the user pushes Enter key 1413 (step 1609), and the IC card reader/writer 1502 with a built-in modem operates to dial the specified telephone number automatically:(step 1610).
When the user takes up the handset of the telephone set 1501 (step 1611), the modem device switches the connection of telephone line from the card reader/writer 1502 to the telephone set 1501 automatically (step 1612), allowing the user to use the telephone set as usual.
This operational method eliminates the need of dialing a telephone number with the ten-key set 1414, and the telephone calling operation is simplified. This function further facilitates the electronic money transaction through the telephone line. In addition, in the event of failure of the telephone set, data recorded in the IC card can be used intact on a replaced telephone set, in contrast to the conventional telephone set with a data memory, in which case the user is obliged to record a list of telephone numbers or the like all over again in a replaced telephone set.
According to the present invention as described above, it becomes possible to transfer electronic money between IC cards, e.g., the person-to-person, person-to-bank and person-to-retailer transactions, based on the communication function of the associated telephone set, while protecting the IC card user from illegal draw out of electronic money.
The inventive IC card reader/writer facilitates the insertion and ejection of IC cards based on its unique card slots. The inventive operation method of IC card reader/writer facilitates the electronic money transaction through the telephone line.

Claims

An IC card reader/writer used for an electronic money transaction system in which electronic money is transferred between IC cards which can store electronic money, said card reader/writer comprising at least one card slot in which one IC card is put in, and a modem device by which said IC card reader/writer can be connected to a communication line so that said one IC card is linked to other IC card through the communication line.
An IC card reader/writer according to claim 1, wherein said communication line is a telephone line, and wherein said IC card reader/writer can be connected to said telephone line and a telephone set.
An IC card reader/writer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one card slot has a variable card insertion direction.
An IC card reader/writer according to claim 1 or 2 including at least two card slots, with at least one of said card slots having a different card insertion direction relative to other card slot(s).
An IC card reader/writer according to claim 1 or 2 including at least two card slots, with at least one of said card slots being provided on the casing of said IC card reader/writer such that the card insertion direction thereof is variable.
An IC card reader/writer used for an electronic money transaction system in which electronic money is transferred between IC cards which can store electronic money, said card reader/writer having at least two card slots, with at least one of said card slots being fitted on the casing of said IC card reader/writer such that the card insertion direction thereof is variable.
An IC card reader/writer according to claim 6, wherein said card slot on said casing is provided inside a cylindrical card holder which is fitted rotatably on said casing.
An IC card reader/writer according to claim 1 or 2 having at least one card slot provided on the front wall or side wall of the casing of said IC card reader/writer.
An IC card reader/writer according to claim 6, 7 or 8 having a function of processing electronic money stored in IC cards and a modem device which interfaces with the telephone line, thereby performing the transfer of electronic money between two IC cards put in said at least two card slots or between one IC card and other IC card linked to it through the telephone line.
An IC card reader/writer according to any of claims 5 through 9, wherein said IC card reader/writer is used as an adapter of a telephone set and used with said telephone set.
An IC card reader/writer according to any of claims 5 through 10, wherein said casing has a flat top section in which at least a telephone set can be placed, with a display window and operation board being arranged in portions of top section that are not occupied by said telephone set.
A method of operation of an IC card reader/writer having a modem device for linking one IC card which can store electronic money to other IC card of electronic money through a communication line, said method comprising the steps of:
inserting said one IC card in a card slot of said IC card reader/writer;

linking said one IC card to said other IC card through the communication line;

selecting an electronic money transfer direction between said IC cards; and

entering an amount of electronic money to be transferred.
An operation method of IC card reader/writer according to claim 12, wherein said step of linking said one and other IC cards through the communication line comprises the step of reading out data of a telephone number recorded in said one IC card and linking said IC cards in accordance with the readout data.