Electronic commerce settlement system

Abstract

In an electronic commerce, a processing unit in a financial institution freezes an account balance at a request from a purchaser, generates provisional settlement money, that is, money information, and transmits the money to a purchaser--s processing unit. The purchaser's processing unit transmits a goods order request and provisional settlement money to a seller's processing unit. The processing unit in the financial institution makes a final settlement for the provisional settlement money based on a final settlement admission request from the purchaser who received goods and a final settlement request from the seller who received the provisional settlement money.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A provisional settlement system comprising:

means for transferring money information, which is settled according to a notification of confirmation that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information to a payee; and

means for making final settlement for the money information based on the confirmation that the object item for which payment is to be made has been executed.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein

said money information containing the provisional settlement information is generated by an issuing financial institution, and an amount of the money information is freezed in a balance of an account of a payer in the issuing financial institution, and is non-transferable until the final settlement is made.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein

said money information containing the provisional settlement information includes object information indicating the object item for which payment is to be made.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein

said object information is assigned a blind signature using an encryption key of an issuing financial institution which is not public.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein

said money information containing the provisional settlement information is stored in a portable storage medium.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein

said portable storage medium is issued from a terminal unit connected to an issuing financial institution to a payer.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein

said portable storage medium can be applied to a terminal unit connected to an issuing financial institution by the payee, and the terminal unit comprises means for transmitting a final settlement request according to the provisional settlement information stored in the portable storage medium.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein

said terminal unit comprises means for collecting the portable storage medium after the payee has issued the final settlement request.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein

said terminal unit comprises means for writing information inhibiting a re-use to the portable storage medium upon normal completion of a process for the final settlement request.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for storing a final settlement request from the payee;

means for storing a final settlement admission request from the payer; and

means for performing the final settlement based on the stored final settlement request and final settlement admission request.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein

said final settlement request contains request for receipt of transfer information containing transfer destination.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a transaction management device for mediating transmission and receipt of transaction information.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein

said transaction management device comprises transaction information management means for storing the transaction information with authentication information about a transmitter.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for monitoring a transaction cancellation request from the payee.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for issuing a cancellation request on behalf of the payee when the transaction management device does not receive the cancellation request from the payee within a predetermined period.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for monitoring whether or not one of a final settlement admission request and a return-of-goods request is issued by a goods receiver after the goods receiver has received goods when the object item for which payment is to be made relates to goods.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for issuing the final settlement admission request on behalf of the goods receiver when neither of the final settlement admission request and the return-of-goods request are issued within a predetermined period.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for issuing a transaction cancellation request when a return-of-goods procedure is followed.

19. The system according to claim 12, wherein

said transaction management device comprises:

means for monitoring at least one of a final settlement admission request and a return-of-goods request; and

means for transmitting third-party delivery certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of goods as authentication information and issuing the final settlement admission request when none of the final settlement admission request and the return-of-goods request are issued.

20. The system according to claim 12, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for transmitting third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of goods as authentication information and issuing a transaction cancellation request.

21. The system according to claim 20, further comprising:

means for monitoring a return-of-goods claim notification from one of a seller and a transaction management device after the goods have been returned; and

means for reserving a transaction cancellation process when the return-of-goods claim notification is received within a predetermined period.

22. The system according to claim 21, further comprising:

means for immediately performing the transaction cancellation process even within the predetermined period when a returned goods receipt notification is received from one of the seller and the transaction management device.

23. The system according to claim 12, wherein

said transaction management device comprises:

means for monitoring an execution term, contained in payment condition information, of the object item for which payment is to be made; and

means for transmitting the payment condition information as authentication information and issuing a transaction cancellation request when the object item is not executed within the execution term.

24. The system according to claim 1, wherein

said object item for which payment is to be made relates to goods; and

at least one of a purchaser and a receiver of the goods has means for transmitting third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of the goods as authentication information, and issuing a transaction cancellation request.

25. The system according to claim 24, further comprising:

means for monitoring a return-of-goods claim notification from one of a seller and a transaction management device after the goods are returned; and

means for reserving a transaction cancellation process when the return-of-goods claim notification is received within a predetermined period.

26. The system according to claim 25, further comprising:

means for immediately performing the transaction cancellation process even within the predetermined period when a returned goods receipt notification is received from one of the seller and the transaction management device.

27. The system according to claim 1, wherein

said payee has:

means of monitoring at least one of a final settlement admission request and a return-of-goods request; and

means for issuing the final settlement admission request by transmitting third-party delivery certification information, as authentication information, containing a payment identifier related to purchase of goods when one of the final settlement admission request and the return-of-goods request is not issued within a predetermined period.

28. The system according to claim 1, wherein

a payer who transfers the money information containing the provisional settlement information to the payee is different from a confirmor who confirms the object item executed by the payee.

29. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for storing a final settlement request from the payee;

means for storing a final settlement admission request from a confirmor who confirms the object item for which payment is to be made; and

means for making the final settlement based on the stored final settlement request and final settlement admission request.

30. The system according to claim 1, wherein

said money information containing the provisional settlement information includes payment condition information indicating an execution term of the object item for which payment is to be made.

31. The system according to claim 30, further comprising:

means for issuing a transaction cancellation request by transmitting the payment condition information as authentication information from one of a payer and a confirmor who confirms an object item for which payment is to be made when the object item is not executed within the execution term of the object item.

32. The system according to claim 1, wherein

said payee has:

means for monitoring an execution term, contained in payment condition information, for the object item for which payment is to be made; and

means for notifying one of a payer and a confirmor who confirms the object item for which payment is to be made when the object item is not executed within the execution term.

33. An electronic money settlement system comprising:

means for transferring, to a payee, electronic money, that is, money information which contains information identifying whether or not provisional settlement information is contained, and is settled according to a notification of confirmation that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed; and

means for making final settlement for the money information containing the provisional settlement information based on confirmation that the object item for which payment is to be made has been executed.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein

said money information containing the provisional settlement information is stored in a portable storage medium.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein

said portable storage medium is issued from a terminal unit connected to an issuing financial institution to a payer.

36. The system according to claim 34, wherein

said portable storage medium can be applied to a terminal unit connected to an issuing financial institution by the payee, and the terminal unit comprises means for transmitting a final settlement request according to the provisional settlement information stored in the portable storage medium.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein

said terminal unit comprises means for collecting the portable storage medium after the payee has issued the final settlement request.

38. The system according to claim 37, wherein

said terminal unit comprises means for writing information inhibiting a re-use to the portable storage medium upon normal completion of a process for the final settlement request.

39. The system according to claim 33, further comprising:

means for storing a final settlement request from the payee;

means for storing a final settlement admission request from the payer; and

means for performing the final settlement based on the stored final settlement request and final settlement admission request.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein

said final settlement request contains request for receipt of transfer information containing transfer destination.

41. The system according to claim 33, further comprising:

a transaction management device for mediating transmission and receipt of transaction information.

42. The system according to claim 41, wherein

said transaction management device comprises transaction information management means for storing the transaction information with authentication information about a transmitter.

43. The system according to claim 41, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for monitoring a transaction cancellation request from the payee.

44. The system according to claim 43, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for issuing a cancellation request on behalf of the payee when the transaction management device does not receive the cancellation request from the payee within a predetermined period.

45. The system according to claim 41, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for monitoring whether or not one of a final settlement admission request and a return-of-goods request is issued by a goods receiver after the goods receiver has received goods when the object item for which payment is to be made relates to goods.

46. The system according to claim 45, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for issuing the final settlement admission request on behalf of the goods receiver when none of the final settlement admission request and the return-of-goods request are issued within a predetermined period.

47. The system according to claim 45, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for issuing a transaction cancellation request when a return-of-goods procedure is followed.

48. The system according to claim 41, wherein

said transaction management device comprises:

means for monitoring at least one of a final settlement admission request and a return-of-goods request; and

means for transmitting third-party delivery certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of goods as authentication information and issuing the final settlement admission request when none of the final settlement admission request and the return-of-goods request are issued.

49. The system according to claim 41, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for transmitting third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of goods as authentication information and issuing a transaction cancellation request.

50. The system according to claim 49, further comprising:

means for monitoring a return-of-goods claim notification from one of a seller and a transaction management device after the goods have been returned; and

means for reserving a transaction cancellation process when the return-of-goods claim notification is received within a predetermined period.

51. The system according to claim 50, further comprising:

means for immediately performing the transaction cancellation process even within the predetermined period when a returned goods receipt notification is received from one of the seller and the transaction management device.

52. The system according to claim 41, wherein

said transaction management device comprises:

means for monitoring an execution term, contained in payment condition information, of the object item for which payment is to be made; and

means for transmitting the payment condition information as authentication information and issuing a transaction cancellation request when the object item is not executed within the execution term.

53. An encryption intermediate system having a transaction management device for mediating transmission from a first party to a second party, comprising:

means for encrypting data using a unique encryption key between the first party and the transaction management device when the first party transmits the data to the second party; and

means for requesting the transaction management device to transmit encrypted data to the second party.

54. The system according to claim 53, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for decrypting data received from the first party using a unique decryption key between the first party and the transaction management device.

55. The system according to claim 54, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for encrypting decrypted data using a unique encryption key between the second party, that is, a destination of the data, and the transaction management device.

56. A delivery system having a processing unit of a seller of goods, a processing unit of at least one of a purchaser and a receiver of the goods, and a delivery management device provided for a deliverer of the goods, wherein

said delivery management device comprises:

means for storing delivery information based on a delivery request from the seller's processing unit; and

means for generating third-party delivery certification information containing a signature of the receiver of the goods and a payment identifier relating to purchase of the goods when the deliverer has delivered the goods to the receiver.

57. The system according to claim 56, further comprising:

a transaction management device for mediating transmission and receipt of at least a part of transaction information among the seller, purchaser, receiver, and deliverer, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for storing at least one of the third-party delivery certification information including the payment identifier, first third-party return-of-goods certification information, and second third-party return-of-goods certification information.

58. A delivery system having a processing unit of a seller of goods, a processing unit of at least one of a purchaser and a receiver of the goods, and a goods delivery management device provided for a deliverer of the goods, wherein

said goods delivery management device comprises:

means for storing return-of-goods delivery information based on a returned goods delivery request from the receiver; and

means for generating first third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a signature of the receiver and a payment identifier relating to purchase of the goods.

59. The system according to claim 58, further comprising:

a transaction management device for mediating transmission and receipt of at least a part of transaction information among the seller, purchaser, receiver, and deliverer, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for storing at least one of the third-party delivery certification information including the payment identifier, first third-party return-of-goods certification information, and second third-party return-of-goods certification information.

60. The system according to claim 58, further comprising a returned goods delivery management device provided for a deliverer for delivering returned goods, wherein

said returned goods delivery management device comprises means for generating second third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a receipt signature of the seller and the payment identifier in the returned goods delivery information.

61. The system according to claim 60, further comprising:

a transaction management device for mediating transmission and receipt of at least a part of transaction information among the seller, purchaser, receiver, and deliverer, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for storing at least one of the third-party delivery certification information including the payment identifier, first third-party return-of-goods certification information, and second third-party return-of-goods certification information.

62. A digital contents sales system having at least a seller's processing unit, a purchaser's processing unit, and a mediating transaction management device, wherein

said transaction management device comprises:

management means for managing a decryption key of digital contents to be sold through the seller's processing unit; and

means for transmitting the decryption key to the purchaser's processing unit at a demand from the purchaser's processing unit.

63. The system according to claim 62, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for generating third-party witness information by adding a signature of the purchaser and authentication of the transaction management device when the decryption key is transmitted to the purchaser's processing unit.

64. The system according to claim 62, wherein

said transaction management device comprises:

means for receiving a notification from the purchaser's processing unit that the digital contents cannot be decrypted using the decryption key; and

means for comparing the digital contents received from the seller's processing unit with the digital contents returned from the purchaser's processing unit.

65. The system according to claim 64, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for decrypting the digital contents using the decryption key when a comparison result indicates a coincidence.

66. The system according to claim 65, wherein

said transaction management device comprises:

means for re-demanding the seller's processing unit for digital contents encrypted using a unique encryption key between the transaction management device and the seller's processing unit; and

means for comparing decrypted digital contents with re-demanded digital contents.

67. The system according to claim 66, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for assuming that the decryption key transmitted to the purchaser's processing unit is defective when compared digital contents match each other, and re-transmitting a decryption key.

68. The system according to claim 66, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for assuming that the digital contents transmitted to the purchaser's processing unit is defective when compared digital contents do not match each other, and notifying the seller's processing unit of a defect.

69. The system according to claim 64, wherein

said transaction management device comprises means for retransmitting the digital contents received from the seller's processing unit to the purchaser's processing unit when compared digital contents do not match each other.

70. A transaction management device which mediates transmission of data from a first party to a second party, comprising:

means for receiving data through unique encryption protocol between the first party and the transaction management device; and

means for transmitting the received data through a unique encryption protocol between the second party and the transaction management device.

71. A transaction management device which mediates a provisional settlement process performed at a notification of confirmation that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, comprising:

means for monitoring at least one of a final settlement admission request and a return-of-goods request to be issued after a receiver of goods has received the goods; and

means for transmitting third-party delivery certification information as authentication information and issuing the final settlement admission request on behalf of the receiver when none of the final settlement admission request and the return-of-goods request are issued within a predetermined period.

72. A transaction management device which mediates a provisional settlement process performed at a notification of confirmation that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, comprising:

means for monitoring whether or not a seller issues a cancellation request through return of goods; and

means for transmitting third-party return-of-goods certification information as authentication information and issuing the cancellation request on behalf of the seller when the cancellation request is not issued within a predetermined period.

73. A transaction management device for mediating sales of digital contents, comprising:

means for managing a decryption key for digital contents encrypted by a seller and transmitted to a purchaser;

means for transmitting the decryption key to the purchaser; and

means for issuing third-party witness certification information.

74. A transaction management device for mediating sales of digital contents, comprising:

means for determining whether or not digital contents received by a purchaser are defective;

means for notifying the purchaser when it is determined that the digital contents are defective; and

means for re-transmitting a decryption key to the purchaser when it is determined that the decryption key is defective.

75. A transaction management device which mediates among a delivery management device provided for a deliverer of goods, a seller's processing unit, and a purchaser's and receiver's processing unit, comprising:

means for receiving an entry of third-party delivery certification information of the delivery management device;

means for receiving an entry of first third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that a return-of-goods request has been issued; and

means for receiving an entry of second third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that a seller has received returned goods.

76. A terminal unit connected to a financial institution, comprising:

means for storing a portable storage medium for storing money information containing provisional settlement information which is settled at a notification of confirmation that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed; and

means for issuing the portable storage medium.

77. A terminal unit connected to a financial institution, comprising:

means for reading information stored on a portable storage medium for storing money information containing provisional settlement information which is settled at a notification of confirmation that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed; and

means for transmitting a final settlement request to a financial institution according to read information.

78. A terminal unit connected to a financial institution, comprising:

means for reading information stored on an inserted portable storage medium; and

means for automatically collecting the portable storage medium after completion of a process when the portable storage medium stores collection information.

79. A delivery management device provided for a deliverer of goods, comprising:

means for storing goods delivery information based on a goods delivery request from a seller; and

means for generating third-party delivery certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of the goods and a signature of one of a receiver and a substitute when the deliverer delivered the goods to the receiver.

80. The device according to claim 79, further comprising:

means for entering the third-party delivery certification information in a transaction management device.

81. The device according to claim 79, further comprising:

means for notifying the seller of the third-party delivery certification information after delivering goods.

82. A delivery management device provided for a deliverer of goods, comprising:

means for storing returned goods delivery information based on a returned goods delivery request from a receiver of the goods; and

means for generating first third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of the goods and a signature of one of the receiver, who issued a return-of-goods request, and a substitute.

83. The device according to claim 82, further comprising:

means for entering the first third-party return-of-goods certification information in a transaction management device.

84. The device according to claim 82, further comprising:

means for generating second third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a receipt signature of the seller and the payment identifier relating to the purchase of the goods when returned goods are delivered to the seller.

85. The device according to claim 84, further comprising:

means for entering the second third-party return-of-goods certification information in a transaction management device.

86. The device according to claim 82, further comprising:

means for issuing, to the receiver, returned goods delivery acceptance receipt certification containing the payment identifier relating to the purchase of the goods.

87. A financial process device provided in a financial institution, comprising:

means for accepting a request for an issue of money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information;

means for freezing an amount of the money information within a balance of an account of a payer, and managing the amount as a non-transferable amount until the final settlement is made; and

means for issuing the money information containing the provisional settlement information.

88. The device according to claim 87, further comprising:

means for writing, in the money information, object information indicating the object item for which payment is to be made.

89. The device according to claim 88, further comprising:

means for accepting the money information transferred to a payee and details of an executed object item for which payment is to be made; and

means for checking validity between the object information included in the money information and the details of the executed object item.

90. The device according to claim 87, further comprising:

means for writing, in the money information, object information indicating the object item for which payment is to be made; and

means for providing a blind signature for the object information.

91. A financial process device provided in a financial institution, comprising:

means for accepting a request for receipt of transfer of provisional settlement money from a payee;

means for confirming whether or not a final settlement admission request has been issued;

means for performing one of money transfer and transfer of electronic money to the payee based on contents of the request for receipt of transfer when final settlement admission is issued; and

means for storing request for receipt of transfer information in a database when no final settlement admission is issued.

92. A financial process device provided in a financial institution, comprising:

means for accepting a final settlement admission request; and

means for checking validity of the accepted final settlement admission request.

93. The device according to claim 92, further comprising:

means for confirming acceptance of a final settlement request from a payee when contents of the final settlement admission request are correct;

means for making a payment based on contents of a request for receipt of transfer when the request is issued in the final settlement request; and

means for issuing a demand notification for a final settlement request process.

94. A financial process device provided in a financial institution, comprising:

means for accepting a provisional settlement cancellation request; and

means for checking validity of the accepted provisional settlement cancellation request.

95. The device according to claim 94, wherein

said means for checking the validity accepts and checks one of first third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that a return-of-goods request has been issued and second third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying a receipt of returned goods by payee, and setting the number of days for adjustment when the checked third-party return-of-goods certification information is correct.

96. A financial process device provided in a financial institution, comprising:

means for accepting a provisional settlement cancellation request;

means for accepting a return-of-goods claim; and

means for reserving a provisional settlement cancellation process when a return-of-goods claim corresponding to a provisional settlement cancellation request is issued.

97. A payment process device provided for a payer, comprising:

means for issuing a request for money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information; and

means for storing the money information including the provisional settlement information.

98. The device according to claim 97, comprising:

means for issuing an entry request for object information indicating the object item for which payment is to be made in the money information containing the provisional settlement information.

99. A payment process device provided for a payer, comprising:

means for requesting a payee to execute an object item for which payment is to be made; and

means for transferring, to the payee, money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that the object item has been executed, containing provisional settlement information.

100. The device according to claim 99, comprising:

means for issuing a final settlement admission request based on confirmation that the object item has been executed when an execution result is normal.

101. The device according to 99, further comprising:

means for issuing a return-of-goods request when the contents of goods, which are the object item for which payment is to be made, are not normal based on confirmation of the contents of the goods;

means for accepting third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that the return-of-goods request has been received; and

means for issuing a provisional settlement cancellation request.

102. A sales management device provided for a seller of goods, comprising:

means for accepting an order of goods from a purchaser of the goods;

means for accepting money information containing provisional settlement information from the purchaser; and

means for issuing a final settlement request after transmitting the goods to a receiver of the goods.

103. The device according to claim 102, further comprising:

means for monitoring at least one of a final settlement admission request and a return-of-goods request after the receiver receives the goods; and

means for transmitting third-party delivery certification information as authentication information certifying that the receiver has received the goods, and issuing the final settlement admission request on behalf of the receiver when neither of the final settlement admission request and the return-of-goods request are issued within a predetermined period.

104. The device according to claim 102, further comprising:

means for accepting a notification of a cancellation request through return of the goods;

means for issuing a provisional settlement cancellation request in response to the notification of the cancellation request; and

means for requesting a return-of-goods claim when the return of the goods is not normal based on confirmation of the contents of returned goods.

105. A receipt process device provided for a receiver of goods, comprising:

means for receiving a result of receipt confirmation of goods sent from a seller; and

means for issuing a final settlement admission request when the goods are normal based on the result of the receipt confirmation of the goods.

106. The device according to claim 105, further comprising:

means for issuing a return-of-goods request to return the goods when the goods are not normal based on the result of the receipt confirmation of the goods;

means for receiving third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that the return-of-goods request has been received; and

means for issuing a provisional settlement cancellation request.

107. A payment process device provided for one of a payer and a confirmor who confirms an object item for which payment is to be made, comprising:

means for monitoring an execution term for the object item for which payment is to be made contained in payment condition information; and

means for issuing a transaction cancellation request by transmitting the payment condition information as authentication information when the object item is not executed within the execution term.

108. A sales management device provided for a payee, comprising:

means for receiving an object item for which payment is to be made from a payer;

means for receiving money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that the object item has been executed, containing provisional settlement information;

means for monitoring an execution term for the object item for which payment is to be made; and

means for notifying one of the payer and a confirmor who confirms the object item when the object item has not been executed within the execution term.

109. A portable storage medium for storing money information, which is transferred to a payee and settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information.

110. The medium according to 109, wherein

said money information containing the provisional settlement information includes object information indicating the object item for which payment is to be made.

111. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a transaction management device for mediating transmission of data from a first party to a second party, to perform the functions of:

receiving data using a unique encryption protocol between the first party and the transaction management device; and

transmitting received data using a unique encryption protocol between the transaction management device and the second party.

112. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a transaction management device for mediating a provisional settlement process, to perform the functions of:

monitoring at least one of a final settlement admission request and a return-of-goods request to be issued after a receiver of goods has received the goods; and

transmitting third-party delivery certification information as authentication information and issuing the final settlement admission request on behalf of the receiver when neither of the final settlement admission request and the return-of-goods request are issued within a predetermined period.

113. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a transaction management device for mediating a provisional settlement process, to perform the functions of:

monitoring whether or not a seller issues a cancellation request through return of goods; and

transmitting third-party return-of-goods certification information as authentication information and issuing the cancellation request on behalf of the seller when the cancellation request is not issued within a predetermined period.

114. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a transaction management device for mediating sales of digital contents, to perform the functions of:

managing a decryption key for digital contents encrypted by a seller and transmitted to a purchaser;

transmitting the decryption key to the purchaser; and

issuing third-party witness certification information.

115. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a transaction management device for mediating sales of digital contents, to perform the functions of:

determining whether or not digital contents received by a purchaser are defective;

notifying the purchaser when it is determined that the digital contents are defective; and

re-transmitting a decryption key to the purchaser when it is determined that the decryption key is defective.

116. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a transaction management device for mediating among a delivery management device provided for a deliverer of goods, a seller's processing unit, and at least one of a purchaser's and receiver's processing unit, to perform the functions of:

receiving an entry of third-party delivery certification information of the delivery management device;

receiving an entry of first third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that a return-of-goods request has been issued; and

receiving an entry of second third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that a seller has received returned goods.

117. A storage medium storing a program used to direct a central processing unit and an input/output device of a terminal unit connected to a financial institution to perform the function of:

issuing a portable storage medium for storing money information, which is settled at a notification of confirmation that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information.

118. A storage medium storing a program used to direct a central processing unit and an input/output device of a terminal unit connected to a financial institution to perform the function of:

transmitting to the financial institution a final settlement request based on a portable storage medium storing money information, which is settled at a notification of confirmation that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information.

119. A storage medium storing a program used to direct a central processing unit and an input/output device of a terminal unit connected to a financial institution to perform the function of:

automatically collecting an inserted portable storage medium after completion of a process when the portable storage medium stores collection information.

120. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a delivery management device provided for a deliverer of goods, to perform the functions of:

storing goods delivery information based on a goods delivery request from a seller; and

generating third-party delivery certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of the goods and a receipt signature of one of a receiver and a substitute when the goods are delivered to the receiver.

121. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a delivery management device provided for a deliverer of goods, to perform the functions of:

storing return-of-goods delivery information based on a returned goods delivery request from a receiver of the goods; and

generating third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a payment identifier relating to purchase of the goods and a signature of one of the receiver, who issued a return-of-goods request, and a substitute.

122. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a financial process device provided in a financial institution, to perform the functions of:

accepting a request for an issue of money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information;

transferring money information from a balance of an account of a payer to a provisional settlement balance;

issuing the money information containing the provisional settlement information; and

issuing authentication of the financial institution.

123. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a financial process device provided in a financial institution, to perform the functions of:

accepting a request for receipt of transfer of money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information;

confirming whether or not a final settlement admission request has been issued;

transferring one of money and electronic money to a payee based on contents of the request for receipt of transfer when a final settlement is admitted; and

storing request for receipt of transfer information in a database when the final settlement is not admitted.

124. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a financial process device provided in a financial institution, to perform the functions of:

accepting a final settlement admission request for money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information; and

checking validity of the accepted final settlement admission request.

125. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a financial process device provided in a financial institution, to perform the functions of:

accepting a provisional settlement cancellation request for money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information; and

checking validity of the accepted provisional settlement cancellation request.

126. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a financial process device provided in a financial institution, to perform the functions of:

accepting a provisional settlement cancellation request for money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information;

accepting a return-of-goods claim; and

reserving a provisional settlement cancellation process when a return-of-goods claim corresponding to a provisional settlement cancellation request is issued.

127. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a central processing unit and an input/output device, which form a payment process device provided for a payer, to perform the function of:

requesting an issue of money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information.

128. A storage medium storing a program used to direct a central processing unit and an input/output device, which form a payment process device provided for a payer, to perform the functions of:

requesting a payee for an object item for which payment is to be made; and

transferring money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that the object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information.

129. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a sales management device provided for a seller of goods, to perform the functions of:

accepting an order of the goods from a purchaser of the goods;

accepting money information containing provisional settlement information from the purchaser; and

requesting for a final settlement after delivering the goods to a receiver.

130. A storage medium storing a program used to direct a central processing unit and an input/output device, which form a receipt process device provided for a receiver of goods, to perform the function of:

issuing a final settlement admission request when the goods are normal based on a receipt confirmation of the goods delivered from a seller.

131. A storage medium storing a program used to direct a central processing unit and an input/output device, which form a payment process device provided for one of a payer and a confirmor who confirms an object item for which payment is to be made, to perform the functions of:

monitoring an execution term for the object item for which payment is to be made included in payment condition information; and

issuing a transaction cancellation request by transmitting the payment condition information as authentication information when the object item is not executed within the execution term.

132. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer, which is a sales management device provided for a payee, to perform the functions of:

accepting an object item for which payment is to be made from a payer;

accepting money information, which is settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, containing provisional settlement information;

monitoring an execution term, for the object item for which payment is to be made, included in payment condition information;

notifying one of the payer and a confirmor who confirms the object item for which payment is to be made when the object item is not executed within the execution term.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a provisional settling system, an encryption interchange system, a delivery system, and a digital contents sales system in which payment for goods or services is made from a payer (purchaser, service requester, etc.) to a payee (seller, service provider, etc.) as provisional payment according to money information as digital data containing provisional settlement information, and the payer or a checker, who checks an object for which the payment is made, carefully checks the contents of the received goods and services before the final settlement.

2. Description of the Related Art

As for conventional payment means, payment is popularly made in cash, by check, note, transfer between banking accounts, prepaid card, and credit card.

Common payment methods are prepayment methods in which payment is made before receiving goods, immediate payment on receipt of goods, and delayed payment after receipt of goods. However, in any of these payment methods, a purchaser is subject to a risk of receiving goods and a payment risk, whereas a seller is subject to a collection risk of receiving payment.

That is, in the prepayment method, a purchaser is subject to the risk of receiving goods, namely that the purchaser may not receive goods even after the payment is made by any payment means, or the purchaser may not be satisfied with the received goods. There also may arise the payment risk that the already paid money will not be refunded.

In the immediate payment on receipt of goods, a payment means is limited to cash, check, etc. Furthermore, although a purchaser can receive goods in exchange for the payment, the purchaser cannot carefully check the received goods. Therefore, the purchaser is subject to the risk of receiving goods, in that the received goods are not satisfactory. There is also a payment risk as in the prepayment method.

In the delayed payment after receipt of goods, however, a seller is subject to the collection risk, in any of the above described payment means, that the expense cannot be collected even after goods are delivered.

When a purchaser is not satisfied with the contents of the received goods, he or she can return the goods to the seller of the goods. However, the purchaser is also subject to the risk that the paid money is not refunded, and it may take a long time to get it back even if it should be successfully refunded.

Furthermore, another problem may arise with digital contents such as software, image data, etc. transmitted through a communications network. That is, such intangible goods are subject to the risk that a purchaser may refuse the payment by insisting the poor quality of the received goods even after the goods have been successfully delivered to the purchaser.

When the above described digital contents are marketed through a network, there can be various risks such as an illegal use risk by the third party, an illegal substitution risk, a privacy infringement risk relating to interpretation (wiretapping) by the third party, etc.

At present, it is considered that an encryption process method is the most effective method for reducing the above described risks. However, since the present encryption process method requires a public key, a common key, etc. of each other between the source and the destination (receiver) of data, a complicated process should be performed including user authentication. Furthermore, encrypted data cannot be transmitted between the source and the destination unless the encryption interfaces including the application for encryption are optimally set at both sides.

As described above, in the conventional settlement system in any payment method with any payment means, a payee such as a seller of goods, a service provider, etc. is subject to a collection risk, and a payer such as a purchaser, service requester, etc. is subject to a risk of receiving goods or a payment risk. Both payer and payee are subject to a risk of returning goods.

In transactions through a network, both payer and payee are subject to various risks such as an illegal use risk by the third party, an illegal substitution risk, a privacy infringement risk by wiretapping by the third party, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims at providing a settlement system capable of safely trading in goods (or a commodity) through a network or without a network (of fline) with the above described various risks removed using a payment means such as electronic money (electronic cash) of money information including provisional settlement information, an electronic check, an electronic note, a provisional settlement card, etc. in a definite and simple procedure.

In the first configuration according to the present invention, a provisional settlement system includes a unit for transferring to the payee the money information containing the provisional settlement information, which is settled upon receipt of the confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed; and a unit for finally settling the money information based on a confirmation notification that the object item has been executed.

With the above described configuration, a payer (purchaser of goods, service requester, etc.) can indicate his or her payment capacity to the payee (seller, service provider, etc.) according to the provisional settlement information contained in the money information when he or she purchases goods or requests a service. The payee can secure the expenses for the goods or services according to the provisional settlement information. Therefore, the payee can solve the problem of a collection risk. When a transaction is processed through a network, a payee can easily authenticate a payer by issuing a request for final settlement of the money information containing the provisional settlement information.

The money information containing the provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of the confirmation notification that the object item has been executed is generated by an issuing financial institution. The information is fixed in the balance in the account of the payer in the issuing financial institution. It is desired that the money information contains the data about the amount of purchased goods or the amount of services which cannot be transferred until the final settlement is made, and contains the authentication of the issuing financial institution.

With the above described configuration, a payee can confirm with authentication of the issuing financial institution that the issuing financial institution has secured in the account of the payer the money information containing the provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of the confirmation notification that object item has been executed. Therefore, an object item (providing goods, services, etc.) can be executed without depending on a payer's personal credit. A service refers to, for example, nursing, white-ant exterminating, cooking, washing, cleaning, and field work of cleaning quilts, carpets, etc.

It is desired that the money information containing the provisional settlement information includes object information about an object for which payment is made. When the money information containing the provisional settlement information includes the object information about an object for which payment is made, the issuing financial institution can confirm necessary information according to more detailed information at the final settlement and can effectively avoid the occurrences of accidents in the settlement performed in response to an illegal settlement request. Furthermore, it prevents a payer from using the money information containing the provisional settlement information for other uses.

In addition to the above described configuration, the system can be designed to include a unit for storing a final settlement request from a payee, a unit for storing a final settlement admission request from a payer, and a unit for performing the final settlement in response to the stored final settlement request and the final settlement admission request.

With the above described configuration, the payment risk of a payer can be avoided because a final settlement request from a payee is accepted but the final settlement is not performed without a final settlement admission from the payer.

It is desired that the above described system includes a transaction management device for mediating transaction information to be transmitted and received. The proceedings of a transaction cannot be confirmed if the transaction is processed only between the parties involved. However, the transaction management device can correctly understand the entire proceedings of the transaction by transmitting and receiving transaction information among a payer, a payee, a confirmor (receiver of goods, services, etc.) who confirms an object for which payment is made, a financial institution, etc. through the transaction management device.

The above described system can include a unit for issuing a final transaction settlement admission request used when goods are purchased through the above described system, and a payer or a goods receiver transmits as authentication information the first third-party return-of-goods certification information containing a payment ID relating to the purchase of goods.

A goods purchaser issues a cancellation request together with, as authentication information, return-of-goods certification information certifying that a return-of-goods request has been received. Thus, the purchaser can also issue a transaction cancellation request to quickly proceed with the cancellation process.

In the above described system, the payee can be provided with a unit for monitoring a final settlement admission request or a return-of-goods request; and a unit for transmitting as authentication information the third-party delivery certification information containing a payment ID relating to the purchase of goods, and for issuing a final transaction settlement admission request when the final settlement admission request or the return-of-goods request is not issued within a predetermined period.

With the above described configuration, a payee manages the term from the receipt of goods by a purchaser to the issue of a final settlement admission request or a return-of-goods request, monitors whether or not a final settlement admission request or a return-of-goods request is issued during the term, and issues a final settlement admission request together with the delivery certification information, which informs that goods have been delivered to a purchaser, of the transaction management device as authentication information when none of the above described requests have been issued. As a result, the payee can issue a final settlement admission request on behalf of the purchaser to quickly proceed with the final settlement process.

According to the second configuration of the present invention, an encryption intermediate system, which includes a transaction management device for mediating data from the first party to the second party, has a unit for encrypting data using a unique encryption key between the first party and the transaction management device and issuing a request to the transaction management device to transmit the data to the second party when the first party transmits the data to the second party.

With the above described configuration, the transaction management device in the encryption intermediate system and the first and second parties who transmit and receive encrypted data manage unique encryption and decryption keys. A transmitter transmits encrypted data with a transmission request specifying a destination without caring about an encryption interface with the destination (receiver) whereas the transaction management device first decrypts the data using the unique decryption key shared between the transmitter and the transaction management device, and then re-encrypts using the unique encryption key shared between the specified destination and the transaction management device the data into encrypted data which can be decrypted by the destination only. The receiver receives the encrypted data from the transaction management device, and decrypts the data using the unique decryption key shared between the transaction management device and the receiver without caring about the encryption interface with the source of the encrypted data. Therefore, there is no risk that the third party may decrypt the data.

That is, since the transmitter transmits data encrypted using a unique encryption key shared between the transaction management device and the transmitter without caring about an encryption key or a decryption key shared between the transmitter and the destination, the transmitter need not transmit or receive any encryption or decryption keys to or from any receiver. Therefore, it is easy on both transmitting and receiving sides to manage an encryption key and a decryption key, and no attention should be paid to an encryption method, an encryption application interface, etc., thereby greatly improving the convenience and safety of data.

According to the third configuration of the present invention, a delivery system includes a seller's processing unit, a purchaser's or goods receiver's processing unit, and a delivery management device provided for a goods deliverer. The delivery management device includes a unit for storing delivery information based on the delivery request from the seller's processing unit; and a unit for generating the third party delivery certification information containing a receiver's signature and a payment ID relating to the purchase of goods.

With the above described configuration, when a delivery management device receives a delivery request from a seller, it manages the receiver's signature at the destination and generates the delivery certification information containing the payment ID relating to the delivered goods. Therefore, the delivery management device can certify the delivery of goods.

According to the fourth configuration of the present invention, the delivery system includes the seller's processing unit, the purchaser's or goods receiver's processing unit, and the delivery management device provided for the goods deliverer. The delivery management device includes a unit for storing return-of-goods delivery information at a returned goods delivery request from a goods receiver; and a unit for generating the first third party return-of-goods certification information containing the signature of the return-of-goods requester and the payment ID relating to the purchase of goods.

With the above described configuration, the delivery management device manages the signature of a return-of-goods requester at a returned goods delivery request from a goods receiver, and generates the delivery certification information containing the payment ID relating to the goods to be returned.

Therefore, the delivery management device can certify that the return-of-goods process has been started.

According to the fifth configuration of the present invention, the system for selling digital contents includes at least a seller's processing unit, a purchaser's processing unit, and an intermediating transaction management device. The transaction management device includes a management unit for managing a decryption key for digital contents on behalf of a seller of the digital contents; and a unit for sending the decryption key to the purchaser's processing unit at a request from the purchaser's processing unit.

With the above described configuration, the transaction management device in the digital contents sales system manages a decryption key for the digital contents on behalf of a seller of the digital contents, and sends the decryption key at a request from a purchaser of the digital contents. Therefore, the transaction management device can correctly manage whether or not the digital contents has been successfully transmitted to a purchaser.

According to the sixth configuration of the present invention, the transaction management device functions as an intermediate with the first party and the second party in the data transmission, and includes a unit for receiving data using a unique encryption protocol between the first party and the transaction management device; and a unit for transmitting the received data using a unique encryption protocol between the transaction management device and the second party.

With the above described configuration, a transaction is processed through a transaction management device. Therefore, a transmitter of transaction information need not request to receive a receiver's encryption key or send its own encryption key. Additionally, since the transmitter transmits data encrypted using a unique encryption key shared between the transaction management device and the transmitter, the transmitter need not transmit or receive any encryption or decryption keys to or from any receiver. Therefore, there is no risk that the third party may decrypt the transaction information. Furthermore, it is easy for the transmitter to manage an encryption key, and no attention should be paid to an encryption method, an encryption application interface, etc., thereby greatly improving the convenience and safety of data.

According to the seventh configuration of the present invention, the transaction management device for functioning as an intermediate in a provisional settlement process in which a settlement is made upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed. The transaction management device includes a unit for monitoring a final settlement admission request or a return-of-goods request issued by a goods receiver upon receipt of goods; and a unit for transmitting the third party delivery certification information as authentication information and issues a final settlement admission request as a substitute when no final settlement admission request or return-of-goods request are issued within a predetermined period.

With the above described configuration, the transaction management device monitors based on the receipt date and time of the goods whether or not the purchaser has issued a final settlement admission request. Therefore, the transaction condition can be correctly understood as to whether or not a provisional settlement should be switched to the final settlement, the transaction is to be canceled, etc.

According to the eighth configuration of the present invention, the transaction management device functions as an intermediate in a provisional settlement process in which a settlement is made upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed. The transaction management device includes a unit for monitoring whether or not the seller issues a cancellation request as a result of return of goods; and a unit for transmitting the third party return-of-goods certification information as authentication information and issues a cancellation request as a substitute when no cancellation requests are issued within a predetermined period.

With the above described configuration, when the seller (payee) has to issue a transaction cancellation request to the transaction management device after an unsuccessful transaction, the transaction management device monitors the existence of a transaction cancellation request process to be performed by the seller, and the purchaser or a goods receiver need not check the transaction cancellation state.

According to the ninth configuration of the present invention, the transaction management device which functions as an intermediate in the sales of digital contents includes a unit for managing a decryption key to the digital contents to be encrypted and transmitted from a seller to a purchaser; a unit for transmitting the decryption key to the purchaser; and a unit for issuing certification information of a third-party witness.

With the above described configuration, the transaction management device in an digital contents sales system manages a decryption key to digital contents on behalf of a seller of the digital contents, and transmits the decryption key at a request of an digital contents purchaser. Therefore, the transaction management device can correctly manage the information as to whether or not the digital contents has been successfully transmitted to the purchaser.

According to the tenth configuration of the present invention, the transaction management device which functions as an intermediate in the sales of digital contents includes a unit for determining whether or not the data received by a purchaser is defective; a unit for notifying the purchaser of the defect when it determines that the data is defective; and a unit for re-transmitting a decryption key to the purchaser when it is determined that the decryption key is defective.

With the above described configuration, the transaction management device in an digital contents sales system manages a decryption key to digital contents on behalf of a seller of the digital contents, and transmits the decryption key at a request of an digital contents purchaser. Therefore, the transaction management device can correctly manage the information as to whether or not the digital contents has been successfully transmitted to the purchaser.

According to the eleventh configuration of the present invention, the transaction management device functions as an intermediate with a delivery management device provided for a goods deliverer, a seller's processing unit, and a purchaser's or goods receiver's processing unit. The transaction management device includes a unit for accepting the entry of the third-party delivery certification information of the delivery management device; a unit for accepting the entry of the first third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that a return-of-goods request has been issued; a unit for accepting the entry of the second third-party return-of-goods certification information certifying that the seller has received the returned goods.

With the above described configuration, when the delivery management device generates the delivery certification information certifying that goods have been delivered, the return-of-goods certification information certifying that the returned goods have been accepted, and the final return-of-goods certification information certifying that the returned goods have been delivered to the seller, all the above mentioned information are entered in the transaction management device. Therefore, the transaction management device can understand exact situation in each process of a transaction. Furthermore, trouble with a transaction can be avoided by using each piece of the certification information as third-party admission information.

According to the twelfth configuration of the present invention, a portable storage medium stores money information containing provisional settlement information transferred to a payee and settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification informing that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed.

With the above described configuration, when the money information, which contains the provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of the confirmation notification that the object item has been executed, is stored in a portable storage medium such as a portable card, etc., a payee can receive payment online through a network, etc. when goods are purchased, or can receive the payment by directly providing a portable storage medium. As a result, the convenience in payment can be improved and the opportunities that the goods are sold can be extended.

According to the thirteenth configuration of the present invention, a terminal unit connected to a financial institution includes a unit for issuing a portable storage medium storing money information containing the provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of the confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed.

With the above described configuration, the portable storage medium can be issued from a terminal such as an ATM (automatic teller machine), etc. connected to an issuing financial institution. As a result, an issue of a forged portable storage medium can be suppressed.

Furthermore, since a portable storage medium can be issued by any terminal unit without designating a specific unit, a payer (a person who requests an issue of a portable storage medium) can obtain the medium at any time when a terminal unit is operable even after the windows of the issuing financial institution are closed.

According to the fourteenth configuration of the present invention, a terminal unit connected to a financial institution includes a unit for transmitting a final settlement request to the financial institution using a portable storage medium storing money information containing the provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of the confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed.

With the above described configuration, a payee puts the portable storage medium transferred as provisional settlement money from a payer into the terminal unit such as an ATM, etc. connected to the financial institution to issue a final settlement request. Therefore, even a payee not provided with a sales management device connected through a network can process a transaction using the provisional settlement system.

According to the fifteenth configuration of the present invention, a terminal unit connected to a financial institution includes a unit for automatically collecting an inserted portable storage medium after the completion of a process if the medium stores collection information.

With the above described configuration, when a portable storage medium is issued from a terminal unit such as an ATM, etc. connected to an issuing financial institution, it is indicated whether or not an automatic collection is performed upon completion of a process. If it is indicated that a portable storage medium is automatically collected, it can be collected upon confirmation of completion of a process, thereby avoiding illegal operations and saving resources by re-using the portable storage medium.

According to the sixteenth configuration of the present invention, the delivery management device provided for a goods deliverer includes a unit for storing goods delivery information at a goods delivery request from a seller, and a unit for generating third-party delivery certification information containing a goods receiver's or substitute's signature certifying the receipt of goods and a payment ID relating to the purchase of the goods when the goods are delivered to the goods receiver.

With the above described configuration, the delivery management device which accepts a delivery request from a seller manages the receiver's signature at the delivery destination and generates delivery certification information including a payment ID relating to the delivered goods, thereby certifies that the goods have been delivered.

According to the seventeenth configuration of the present invention, the delivery management device provided for a goods deliverer includes a unit for storing return-of-goods delivery information at a returned goods delivery request from a goods receiver, and a unit for generating the first third-party return-of-goods certification information containing the receiver's signature who issued a return-of-goods request or a substitute's signature and a payment ID relating to the purchase of goods.

With the above described configuration, when the delivery management device receives a returned goods delivery request from a goods receiver, it manages the signature of the requester, generates delivery certification information containing a payment ID relating to the goods to be returned, thereby certifying the fact that a return-of-goods process has been started.

According to the eighteenth configuration of the present invention, the financial process unit provided for a financial institution includes a unit for accepting a request for an issue of money information containing the provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of the confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed, a unit for freezing the amount of the money information within the balance of the account of the payer, and managing the amount as untransferable until the final settlement, and a unit for issuing money information containing the provisional settlement information.

With the above described configuration, the financial process unit can freeze the amount relating to an issue request within the balance of the account of the payer. Therefore, the receiver of the money information can be credited with the amount of money reserved in the financial institution.

According to the nineteenth configuration of the present invention, the financial process unit provided for a financial institution includes a unit for receiving a request for a transfer regarding provisional settlement money from a payee, a unit for confirming whether or not a final settlement request has been issued, a unit for transferring money or transferring electronic money to a payee based on the contents of the transfer request if the final settlement admission has been obtained, and a unit for storing request-for-receipt-of-transfer information in a database if the final settlement admission has not been obtained.

With the above described configuration, a payee need not issue a final settlement request to a financial process unit of his or her financial institution. A final settlement can be quickly made by directly notifying the financial process unit of payer's financial institution of the destination (payee's account in the financial institution, payee's electronic wallet, etc.) of the transfer of the finally settled amount of money. Since a notification about the destination of a transfer can be issued with a final settlement request, the entire process can be more conveniently performed. Furthermore, the final settlement can be automatically made by the financial process unit of the financial institution of a payer.

According to the twentieth configuration of the present invention, the financial process unit provided for a financial institution includes a unit for accepting a final settlement admission request, and a unit for checking the validity of the accepted final settlement admission request.

With the above described configuration, the financial process unit of the financial institution of the payer can quickly and correctly check the validity of the final settlement admission request, and automatically perform the final settlement.

According to the twenty-first configuration of the present invention, the financial process unit provided for a financial institution includes a unit for accepting a provisional settlement cancellation request, and a unit for checking the validity of the accepted provisional settlement cancellation request.

With the above described configuration, the financial process unit of a payer can stop the payment according to the money information containing the provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of the confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed if a payer or a goods receiver returns goods, or if the object item has not been executed. Therefore, the payer or the goods receiver can safely cancel a transaction or perform a return-of-goods process, etc.

According to the twenty-second configuration of the present invention, the financial process unit provided in a financial institution includes a unit for accepting a provisional settlement cancellation request, a unit for accepting a claim to return-of-goods (return-of-goods claim), and a unit for reserving the provisional settlement cancellation request when a return-of-goods claim is issued in response to the provisional settlement cancellation request.

With the above described configuration, a seller can reserve a one-directional provisional settlement cancellation request by issuing a return-of-goods claim that there is a problem with the returned goods (substituted goods, damaged goods, shortage in number) if there is certainly a problem with the returned goods even if the payer or the goods receiver has issued a provisional settlement cancellation request relating to the return of goods through the financial process unit of a payer.

According to the twenty-third configuration of the present invention, the payment process unit provided for a payer includes a unit for issuing a request to issue money information containing provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed.

With the above described configuration, money information containing provisional settlement information can be issued through the payment process unit.

According to the twenty-fourth configuration, the payment process unit provided for a payer includes a unit for requesting a payee to execute an object item for which payment is made; and a unit for transfer to the payee the money information containing provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that the object item for which payment is to be made has been executed.

With the above described configuration, the payment process unit can easily order goods, request for services, and transfer the money information for payment.

According to the twenty-fifth configuration of the present invention, the sales management device includes a unit for accepting an order of goods from a purchaser of goods, a unit for accepting money information containing provisional settlement information from the purchaser, and a unit for requesting a final settlement after delivering the goods to a goods receiver.

With the above described configuration, a seller uses the sales management device to confirm that the cost of the goods is reserved by a financial institution according to the money information containing provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that an object item for which payment is to be made has been executed. Therefore, goods can be safely sold without depending on personal credit.

According to the twenty-sixth configuration of the present invention, the sales management device provided for a seller includes a unit for monitoring a final settlement admission request or a return-of-goods request after a goods receiver receives the goods, and a unit for transmitting the third-party delivery certification information as authentication information informing that the goods receiver has received the goods when the final settlement admission request or the return-of-goods request is not issued within a predetermined period, and functioning as a substitute for issuing a final settlement admission request.

With the above described configuration, the sales management device can issue a final settlement admission request on behalf of a payer on condition that no cancellation request or returned goods is received from a payer or a goods receiver within a predetermined period, thereby collecting the cost of goods without fail.

According to the twenty-seventh configuration of the present invention, the receipt process unit provided for a goods receiver includes a unit for issuing a final settlement admission request when goods delivered from a seller are accepted based on a receipt confirmation of the goods.

With the above described configuration, the receipt process unit compares the received goods with the ordered goods, checks the details (manufacturer's name, quality, authentication, etc.) of the received goods, and the payment can be easily made.

According to the twenty-eighth configuration of the present invention, the payment process unit provided for a payer or a confirmor who confirms an object for which payment is made includes a unit for monitoring an execution term, that is, payment condition information, of an object item for which payment is to be made, and a unit for issuing a transaction cancellation request after transmitting the payment condition information as authentication information if the object item has not been executed within the execution term.

With the above described configuration, the payment process unit can easily issue a transaction cancellation request if a payer does not execute the object item for which payment is to be made within the execution term (delivery date of ordered goods, starting date of services, etc.).

According to the twenty-ninth configuration of the present invention, the sales management device provided for a payee includes a unit for accepting an object item for which payment is made from a payer, a unit for accepting money information containing provisional settlement information settled upon receipt of a confirmation notification that the object item has been executed, a unit for monitoring the execution term, which is payment condition information of the object item, and a unit for notifying a payer or a confirmor, who confirms the object item when the object item is not executed within the execution term.

With the above described configuration, the sales management device automatically notifies a payer or a confirmor, who confirms the object item for which payment is made, when the object item is not executed within the execution term, thereby establishing the mutual credit between the payer and the payee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the general configuration of the settlement system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the procedures of the process (settlement process for provisional settlement money) according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the procedures of the process (settlement process through provisional payment in settlement account money) according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the general configuration of the settlement system according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the procedures of the process (settlement process for provisional settlement money through the transaction management device) according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the procedures of the process (settlement process for purchase of digital contents) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the procedures of the process (final settlement admission request process for the purchase of digital contents) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows the procedures of the process (site monitor process for a final settlement admission request) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows the procedures of the process (cancellation request notification process) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows the procedures of the process (site monitor process for a cancellation request) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows the general configuration of the settlement system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows the procedures of the process (process for a final settlement request from a seller) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows the general configuration of the settlement system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows the procedures of the process (goods purchase process) according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 shows the procedures of the process (return-of-goods process) according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 shows the general configuration of the settlement system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 shows the procedures of the process (goods purchase process through the transaction management device) according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 shows the procedures of the process (return-of-goods process through the transaction management device) according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 shows the general configuration of the settlement system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 shows the procedures of the process (settlement process using a portable storage medium) according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 shows the general configuration of an embodiment of the transaction management device;

FIG. 22 shows the configuration of the databases of the transaction management device;

FIG. 23 shows the configuration of the encryption key management database;

FIG. 24 shows the characteristics of the encryption/decryption system through the transaction management device;

FIG. 25 shows the configuration of the transaction management database;

FIG. 26 shows the configuration of a transaction status;

FIG. 27A shows the configuration of the final settlement site monitor database;

FIG. 27B shows the configuration of the return-of-goods site monitor database;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the encryption/decryption process;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the goods order process.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the money issue (issue of provisional settlement money) process;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the money payment (provisional settlement) process;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the goods delivery acceptance entry process;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the goods delivery receipt entry process;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the final settlement request process;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the final settlement admission request process;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the digital contents decryption key acceptance process;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the digital contents receipt confirmation/cancellation process;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the provisional settlement cancellation request process;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the digital contents decryption check process;

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the returned goods delivery acceptance process;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the returned goods delivery receipt process;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the provisional settlement cancellation request acceptance process;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the return-of-goods confirmation/claim acceptance process.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the final settlement site monitor process and the forced payment process;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the return-of-goods site monitor process and the forced cancellation process;

FIG. 46 shows the general configuration according to an embodiment of a terminal unit of a financial institution;

FIG. 47 shows the general configuration of a provisional settlement money card (portable storage medium) applied to a terminal unit of a financial institution and the memory layout of an IC chip;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the storage medium issue process;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the final settlement admission process;

FIG. 50 is a flowchart (1) showing the procedure of the final settlement request process;

FIG. 51 is a flowchart (2) showing the procedure of the final settlement request process;

FIG. 52 shows the general configuration according to an embodiment of the deliverer process unit;

FIG. 53A shows the configuration of the delivery management database;

FIG. 53B shows the configuration of the delivery requester information management database and the delivery destination information management database;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the delivery acceptance process;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the delivery receipt process;

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the return-of-goods acceptance process;

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the returned goods receipt process;

FIG. 58 shows the general configuration according to an embodiment of the financial institution processing unit;

FIG. 59 shows the configuration of the databases of the financial institution processing unit;

FIG. 60A shows the configuration of the account management database;

FIG. 60B shows the configuration of the money management database;

FIG. 60C shows the configuration of the provisional settlement money management database;

FIG. 60D shows the configuration of the electronic money management database;

FIG. 60E shows the configuration of the final settlement information management database;

FIG. 61 shows the configuration of the return-of-goods management database;

FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the provisional settlement money/electronic money issue process;

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the final settlement request acceptance process;

FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the final settlement admission request acceptance process;

FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the provisional settlement cancellation request acceptance process;

FIG. 66 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the first third-party return-of-goods certification information acceptance process;

FIG. 67 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the second third-party return-of-goods certification information acceptance process;

FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the return-of-goods claim notification acceptance process;

FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the returned goods receipt notification acceptance process;

FIG. 70 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the provisional settlement cancellation site monitor process;

FIG. 71 shows the general configuration according to an embodiment of a purchaser's processing unit;

FIG. 72A shows the configuration of the goods purchase management database;

FIG. 72B shows the configuration of the money management database and the provisional settlement money management database;

FIG. 72C shows the configuration of the final settlement admission request management database;

FIG. 72D shows the configuration of the return-of-goods request management database;

FIG. 73 shows the configuration of the electronic money management database;

FIG. 74 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the money information (provisional settlement money) issue request process;

FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the goods order process;

FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing the procedures of the goods receipt and return-of-goods process;

FIG. 77 shows a general configuration according to an embodiment of a seller's processing unit;

FIG. 78 shows the configuration of the database of a seller's processing unit;

FIG. 79 shows the configuration of the goods management database;

FIG. 80 shows the configuration of the sales management database;

FIG. 81A shows the configuration of the provisional settlement money management database;

FIG. 81B shows the configuration of the final settlement request management database;

FIG. 82 shows the configuration of the return-of-goods management database;

FIG. 83 shows the configuration of the digital contents management database;

FIG. 84 is a flowchart (1) showing the procedure of the goods order acceptance, money information acceptance, and final settlement request process;

FIG. 85 is a flowchart (2) showing the procedure of the goods order acceptance, money information acceptance, and final settlement request process;

FIG. 86 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the digital contents transmission process;

FIG. 87 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the final settlement site monitor process;

FIG. 88 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the return-of-goods acceptance process;

FIG. 89 is a flowchart showing the process of cancellation request acceptance process after return of goods of digital contents;

FIG. 90 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the cancellation process after return of goods;

FIG. 91 is a flowchart (1) showing the procedure of the execution term monitor process;

FIG. 92 is a flowchart (2) showing the procedure of the execution term monitor process;

FIG. 93 is a flowchart (1) showing the procedures of the execution term monitor and non-execution notification process;

FIG. 94 is a flowchart (2) showing the procedures of the execution term monitor and non-execution notification process;

FIG. 95 shows the configuration of an information processing device; and

FIG. 96 shows storage media.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below by referring to FIGS. 1 through 96. The above described delivery management device corresponds to the deliverer's processing unit according to the present embodiment. The above described financial process unit corresponds to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution or the processing unit of the seller's financial institution. The above described payment process unit corresponds to the purchaser's processing unit according to the present embodiment. The above described sales management device corresponds to the eller's processing unit according to the present embodiment. If a goods receiver is the purchaser, the above described receipt process unit corresponds to the purchaser's processing unit according to the present embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes eight embodiments from the first to the eighth embodiments. In this specification, the general configuration and process of the first through eighth embodiments are briefly explained by referring to FIGS. 1 through 20. Then, embodiments of the components of the system according to the present invention are described by referring to FIGS. 21 through 96.

First, the general configuration and the procedure of the process according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described below by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a purchaser's processing unit 1 is provided for a purchaser of goods. A seller's processing unit 2 is provided for a seller of goods.

A processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 is provided at a financial institution in which a purchaser has opened an account. A processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4 is provided at a financial institution in which a seller has opened an account. A financial institution corresponds to, for example, a bank.

The purchaser's processing unit 1 comprises a goods management database (hereinafter referred to as DB) 10 for storing information about goods to be purchased; a money management DB 11 for use in managing the information about electronic money (money information) of a purchaser of goods; and a return-of-goods request management DB 12 for use in managing a request for return of purchased goods.

The seller's processing unit 2 comprises a goods sales management DB 20 for use in managing the sales of goods; a money management DB 21 for use in managing the information about electronic money received from a purchaser; and a return-of-goods management DB 22 for use in managing the return of goods from a purchaser.

The processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 comprises an account management DB 30 for use in managing an account of a customer (purchaser) of a financial institution; a provisional settlement money management DB 31 for use in managing the provisional settlement money issued at a request of a customer; a final settlement management DB 32 for use in managing the payment process (final settlement) of the provisional settlement money issued by the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3.

`Provisional settlement money` refers to electronic money (money information containing provisional settlement information) issued by a financial institution, and can be actually credited to a seller's account at a financial institution only after a purchaser has confirmed the receipt of goods. As described later, a process of, for example, confirming the receipt of goods, etc. can be performed by a third party on behalf of the purchaser.

The processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4 comprises an account management DB 40 for use in managing the account of a customer (seller) in the financial institution; and a final settlement execution request management DB 41 for use in managing the final settlement request of the provisional settlement from the customer having an account in the processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4.

The final settlement process according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described below by referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, each of the processes performed by the purchaser's processing unit 1, the seller's processing unit 2, the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3, and the processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4 (in order from left column to right column) is represented as an item in each column. The process line covering more than one column indicates the relationship between the processes of respective units. For convenience in explanation, the purchaser's processing unit 1 can be indicated by (A), the seller's processing unit 2 can be indicated by (B), the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 can be indicated by (F1), and the processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4 can be indicated by (F2).

In FIG. 2, the purchaser's processing unit 1 transmits a goods purchase request to the seller's processing unit 2 (step 100 (hereinafter referred to as S100)). The seller's processing unit 2 which has received a goods purchase request checks the stock, sales price, etc. of the goods related to the request by searching the goods sales management DB 20, and transmits the result to the purchaser's processing unit 1 (S102). Upon receipt of the information about sales price, etc., the purchaser's processing unit 1 stores the information in the goods management DB 10.

The purchaser's processing unit 1 transmits to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 a provisional settlement money issue request for the price of the goods related to the purchase request (S104). The purchaser's processing unit 1 simultaneously transmits identification information (detailed purchase information), as a use of provisional settlement money, about the goods to be purchased.

The processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 which has received the provisional settlement money issue request determines whether or not the provisional settlement money for the specified amount (price) can be issued through the account of the purchaser by referring to the balance information, etc. in the account management DB 30. If yes, the amount in the balance of the account is frozen and the provisional settlement money is issued. The provisional settlement money is issued by transmitting the provisional settlement money information to the purchaser after the provisional settlement money information has been stored in the provisional settlement money management DB 31 (S106).

The provisional settlement money contains amount information, issuing financial institution identification information, information which identifies the provisional settlement money or a corresponding transaction (money ID or payment ID hereinafter referred to as payment ID), goods identification information which identifies a use of provisional settlement money, seller information, etc.

When the provisional settlement money is issued, the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 assigns a blind signature to the important contents (amount, goods identification information, seller information) of the provisional settlement money in order to avoid an illegal write to the provisional settlement money or an illegal use other than a specified use. A blind signature relates to a method of encrypting data using a private encryption key, which is not open to the public, so as not to allow a third party to decrypt the encrypted data. When a seller issues a final settlement request to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3, the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 decrypts the blind signature using the private decryption key, and compares the contents of the blind signature with the corresponding contents of the non-encrypted description (plain text) of the provisional settlement money. If a person who has received provisional settlement money with a blind signature has changed any of the contents of the blind signature or the contents of the non-encrypted description of the provisional settlement money, then the two contents do not match each other, and indicate that the provisional settlement money has been illegally rewritten. When the purchaser's processing unit 1 transmits the provisional settlement money to the seller's processing unit 2, it encrypts the un-encrypted description of the provisional settlement money, the blind signature, and the authentication of a financial institution using a common key of the purchaser. The seller receives the provisional settlement money, and decrypts it after obtaining the purchaser's common key.

As described above, when the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 issues provisional settlement money, it freezes the amount of the issued provisional settlement money in the balance of the purchaser's account. That is, the specified amount is subtracted from the balance information of the purchaser's account in the account management DB 30, and the money information of the provisional settlement money issued corresponding to the customer's account is stored in the provisional settlement money management DB 31 with the information identifying the transaction (payment ID). The amount information stored in the provisional settlement money management DB described later in detail indicates that the provisional settlement money corresponding to the payment ID can be credited to the seller's account when the notification that the goods corresponding to the payment ID have been delivered to the purchaser (or goods receiver) is received. On the other hand, if the notification that the transaction has been canceled due to return of goods corresponding to the payment ID is received, the provisional settlement money corresponding to the payment ID is added to the balance of the account of the purchaser in the account management DB 30, and then the purchaser can use the amount for another use.

When the purchaser's processing unit 1 receives provisional settlement money (including a payment ID, identification information of a financial institution, and use identification information)(S106), it stores the information about the provisional settlement money in the money management DB 11. Simultaneously, the purchaser's processing unit 1 stores the payment ID assigned to the provisional settlement money corresponding to the goods to be purchased, so that which provisional settlement money has been used for payment can be identified.

Next, the purchaser's processing unit 1 transmits the provisional settlement money to the seller's processing unit 2 (payment of provisional settlement money in S108). As described above, the payment ID assigned to the provisional settlement money is also transmitted. The payment ID can be money ID for use in identifying the provisional settlement money by the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3, but can be optionally generated by the purchaser and the seller and entered in the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 when the provisional settlement money is issued.

When the seller's processing unit 2 receives the provisional settlement money, it checks the legality (validity) of the provisional settlement money as follows. Assume that the provisional settlement money contains as authentication information the un-encrypted description of financial institution identification information, a message digest function of the financial institution (one-directional function such as a hash function, etc.), and the digital signature of the authentication station for the financial institution identification information. At this time, the seller's processing unit 2 first applies a message digest function to the un-encrypted description of the financial institution identification information. Then, it obtains a public key of the authentication station to decrypt the digital signature of the authentication station. Then, the seller's processing unit 2 compares the application result of the message digest function with the decryption result of the digital signature. If they match each other, the provisional settlement money is recognized as valid. In addition to the check of the financial institution identification information, the authentication of the purchaser, the validity of the payment ID, etc. can also be checked. If the authentication is checked about the purchaser, it is checked in a method similar to the method of checking the financial institution identification information. If the check result is `OK`, then the provisional settlement money information is stored in the money management DB 21, and the corresponding payment ID is stored in the goods sales management DB 20.

As another method, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14 described later, the validity of the provisional settlement money can be confirmed by the financial institution using the identification information about the financial institution and the payment ID contained in the provisional settlement money before the transmission of goods (upon receipt of the provisional settlement money). At this time, the identification information about the goods to be sold is transmitted to the financial institution to have the validity of its use checked in order to detect an illegal copy of the provisional settlement money.

Then, the seller's processing unit 2 instructs the transmission of goods (S110). If there is provisional settlement money corresponding to the transmission of the goods, then a final settlement execution request is issued to the processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4 containing the seller's account relating to the corresponding provisional settlement money (S112). This execution request refers to a request for a substitute service of issuing a final settlement request to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3. At this time, the account number of the seller and the goods list are transmitted with the provisional settlement money. It is obvious that the seller's processing unit 2 can transmit the final settlement request directly to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 which has issued the provisional settlement money without transmitting a final settlement execution request (request for a substitute service) to the processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4.

When the processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4 receives from the seller's processing unit 2 a final settlement execution request for the provisional settlement money, it stores the information about the received final settlement execution request in the final settlement execution request management DB 41 together with the account information according to which payment is performed, and transmits to the processing unit of the financial institution which has issued the provisional settlement money (processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3) the final settlement request with the specified account to which the amount is credited (S114).

When goods are transmitted to (or received by) a purchaser, the purchaser checks the received goods. If the goods are what the purchaser has ordered (OK), then the purchaser inputs the information that the goods have been confirmed as `OK`. If the received goods are defective and the purchaser is not satisfied with them, then, a return-of-goods process is performed as shown in FIG. 2. The return-of-goods process is described later in details by referring to FIG. 15, but can be summarized as a process of canceling the provisional settlement money to nullify the final settlement and restore the account of the purchaser to the balance before the provisional settlement.

When the purchaser's processing unit 1 receives input information that the goods have been confirmed as `OK`, it transmits a final settlement admission request for the provisional settlement money corresponding to the goods to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 (S116). The final settlement admission request is provided with at least a payment ID for use in identifying the provisional settlement money.

Upon receipt of a final settlement request from a seller, the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 checks the validity of the request by, for example, comparing the goods list transmitted together with the final settlement request with the goods information stored in the provisional settlement money. If the check result is `OK`, the final settlement request is stored in the final settlement management DB 32.

Upon receipt of the final settlement admission request from a purchaser, the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 stores the request in the final settlement management DB 32.

When a final settlement request and a final settlement admission request having the same payment ID are entered, the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 performs a final settlement process based on the final settlement request (S120). The final settlement process is, for example, to transfer the amount of the provisional settlement money if the account to be credited to is specified. If the transfer of electronic money is specified when a final settlement request is transmitted from the seller's processing unit 2 to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3, the electronic money is transmitted to the corresponding processing unit (S124).

The processing unit of the seller's financial institution 4 transmits the final settlement request to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3, receives the transfer from the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3, updates the account balance information corresponding to the account management DB 40, and records the completion of the requested process in the final settlement execution request management DB 41. Then, it notifies the seller's processing unit 2, which issued a final settlement execution request, of the transfer (S122). Thus, the final settlement is completed.

According to the above described first embodiment of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

First, the settlement is made using the provisional settlement money available based on a final settlement request. Therefore, neither the seller nor the purchaser takes a risk.

That is, the seller can be informed that the purchase amount of the goods is frozen and reserved in the financial institution of the purchaser by confirming the contents of the provisional settlement money. Therefore, the seller can safely deliver the goods to the purchaser.

On the other hand, when the purchaser confirms the goods, the settlement can be made by issuing a final settlement admission request. As a result, the purchaser is not subject to the risk of receiving undesired goods with the price prepaid.

Furthermore, since the information about the purchase of goods and the provisional settlement money information are managed by the database and can be used in automatically performing each process, the operator (purchaser or seller) is not prompted to input data except when an order of goods is issued or confirmed. This realizes a safe and easy purchase.

Next, the process flow according to the second embodiment is described by referring to FIG. 3. The units also involved in the above described first embodiment are assigned the same identification numbers, and the detailed explanation is omitted here.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a purchaser issues to the processing unit of the purchaser's financial institution 3 a request to issue the provisional settlement money each time goods are purchased. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 1. However, the settlement account money is preliminarily stored in the purchaser's processing unit 1 as the electronic money which can be used as if it were cash, and can be selectively used as provisional settlement money or common electronic money when goods are purchased.

The settlement account money contains amount information and is circulated as electronic money. However, it is issued based on the account of a purchaser, and can be credited only after the final settlement is made for the account at a valid final settlement request.

The process flow according to the second embodiment is described below by referring to FIG. 3.

First, the purchaser's processing unit 1 transmits a final settlement account money issue request for a desired amount to the processing unit at the purchaser's financial institution 3 (S130).

Upon receipt of the final settlement account money issue request, the processing unit at the purchaser's financial institution 3 determines whether or not the final settlement account money can be issued from the purchaser's account for the specified amount (whether or not the balance or the creditable amount is enough for the issue) by referring to the balance information, etc. of the account management DB 30 as in the case of the provisional settlement money shown in FIG. 2. If yes, the specified amount is subtracted from the balance information of the purchaser's account in the account management DB 30, and the amount information is stored in the settlement account management record in the account management DB 30 together with the information (money ID) for identifying the settlement account money corresponding to the amount. The settlement account money for the amount is transmitted (issued) to the purchaser's processing unit 1 (S132).

Described below is the procedure for purchasing goods using the settlement account money.

First, the purchaser's processing unit 1 storing the settlement account money transmits a goods purchase request to the seller's processing unit 2 (S140). Upon receipt of the goods purchase request, the seller's processing unit 2 checks the stock, sales price, etc. of the goods by searching the goods sales management DB 20, and transmits the result to the purchaser's processing unit 1 (S142). Upon receipt of the goods sales prices, etc., the purchaser's processing unit 1 stores the received information in the goods management DB 10.

The purchaser's processing unit 1 prompts the purchaser to select and input the method of a payment to the seller. For example, the purchaser selects one of the following methods.

(1) final settlement using settlement account money without receipt confirmation

(2) final settlement using settlement account money after receipt confirmation

Unlike the provisional settlement money according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the use of the settlement account money is not preliminarily determined. Therefore, a person who receives the settlement account money can be actually credited with the settlement account money only by showing the valid final settlement request and the settlement account money ID to the issuing financial institution (processing unit at the purchaser's financial institution 3). The seller is allowed to this process according to the above described selection (1). According to the above described selection (2), the first embodiment of the present invention can be realized.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the above described selection (2), that is, the process of final settlement using settlement account money after receipt confirmation, is described below.

In this case, the purchaser's processing unit 1 generates the settlement account money for the cost of the purchased goods according to the settlement account money information stored in the money management DB 11, and subtracts the amount for the purchased goods from the balance of the settlement account money. The purchaser's processing unit 1 generates `provisional settlement money` by adding to the generated settlement account money for the cost of the purchased goods the identification information indicating that the settlement account money is for a provisional settlement, and the ID added to the money ID (for example, the payment ID which is identification information specifying the transaction), and generates the blind signature of the purchaser. The blind signature of the purchaser is generated so that the processing unit at the purchaser's financial institution 3 which finally received the settlement account money can confirm that a valid customer issued the money.

Next, the purchaser's processing unit 1 transmits the genera