WO2004090821A1 - Credit transaction system and method using fingerprint information - Google Patents

Credit transaction system and method using fingerprint information Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004090821A1
WO2004090821A1 PCT/KR2004/000763 KR2004000763W WO2004090821A1 WO 2004090821 A1 WO2004090821 A1 WO 2004090821A1 KR 2004000763 W KR2004000763 W KR 2004000763W WO 2004090821 A1 WO2004090821 A1 WO 2004090821A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
card
fingeφrint
user
credit
terminal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2004/000763
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ki Deak Lee
Original Assignee
Cecrop Co. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cecrop Co. Ltd. filed Critical Cecrop Co. Ltd.
Publication of WO2004090821A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004090821A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K17/00—Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/10—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means together with a coded signal, e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
    • G07F7/1008—Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/341—Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/347—Passive cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/22—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
    • G07C9/25—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
    • G07C9/257—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition electronically
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/10—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means together with a coded signal, e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/10—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means together with a coded signal, e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
    • G07F7/1025—Identification of user by a PIN code
    • G07F7/1075—PIN is checked remotely
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/10—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means together with a coded signal, e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
    • G07F7/1025—Identification of user by a PIN code
    • G07F7/1083—Counting of PIN attempts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a credit transaction system, and more particularly, to a credit transaction system and method using fingerprint information.
  • a related art credit transaction system includes a point of sales system (POS) provided in a member store, a server of a value added network (VAN) service provider that provides a credit card VAN service, and a server of a credit card company that approves the transactions after confirming the credit information of the customer.
  • POS point of sales system
  • VAN value added network
  • the related art credit transaction system as constructed above reads out information of the credit card for settlement of the purchased good through a POS, and then requests an approval of the credit card to the server of the VAN service provider. Then, the credit card company approves the transactions after confirming the credit information such as a membership and a credit limit of the credit card user who requested the settlement.
  • the related art credit transaction system approves the credit card transactions only after confirming the credit information of the credit card without any procedure of authenticating whether the card holder is the person himself/herself who is registered in the corresponding credit card company, an illegal use of a card may be approved. That is, the approval of the transactions may be obtained even through the use of a robbed or forged card, and this may cause the original customer to be greatly damaged.
  • an object of the present invention is to solve the problems involved in the related art and to provide a credit transaction system and method using fingerprint information that can strengthen an authentication function of a card user's identity.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a credit transaction system and method using finge ⁇ rint information that can perform an authentication of a card user's identity even when a network is disconnected, and reduce the time required for credit card transactions.
  • the present invention provides a credit transaction system using finge ⁇ rint information includes a terminal for credit transactions which has a function of authenticating an identity of a card user using a finge ⁇ rint and transmits transaction particulars and card information of the card user, a transaction approval determining unit for receiving the transaction particulars and the card information from the terminal, confirming a credit status of the card user, and informing an approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal, and a management server, connected to the terminal, for mutually communicating the finge ⁇ rint information and the card information with the terminal.
  • the terminal for the credit transactions includes a finge ⁇ rint recognition unit for scanning the finge ⁇ rint of the card user, a database unit for storing the finge ⁇ rint information and the card information of pre-registered card users, and a control unit for confirming the identity of the card user by comparing the finge ⁇ rint of the card user scanned by the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit with the finge ⁇ rint information stored in the database unit.
  • the credit transaction system further includes a finge ⁇ rint registration unit for scanning the finge ⁇ rint of the card user in order to register the finge ⁇ rint of the card user, and transmitting the finge ⁇ rint of the card user and the corresponding card information to the management server.
  • a credit transaction method for a credit transaction system having a terminal for credit transactions, a transaction approval determining unit, and a management server, includes (a) scanning a finge ⁇ rint of a card user using the terminal, (b) confirming an identity of the card user by comparing the scanned finge ⁇ rint of the card user with finge ⁇ rint information stored in the terminal, (c) requesting a transaction approval to the transaction approval determining unit, and (d) the transaction approval determining unit determining an approval/rejection of the transactions after confirming a credit status of the card user.
  • the credit transaction method further includes displaying a message for requesting an input of transaction particulars of the card user on the terminal after confirming the identity of the card user, and inputting the transaction particulars of the card user through the terminal.
  • the credit transaction method further includes the terminal transmitting changed card information of the card user to the management server after the approval/rejection of the transactions is determined, and updating respective terminals for the credit transactions using data of the management server.
  • the terminal calls a finge ⁇ rint corresponding to the card number of the card user among finge ⁇ rint data stored therein and compares the finge ⁇ rint with the scanned finge ⁇ rint. Meanwhile, at the step of confirming the identity of the card user, if the card of the card user is not read out by the terminal, the terminal judges whether there is a finge ⁇ rint which coincides with the scanned finge ⁇ rint among the finge ⁇ rint data stored therein.
  • a credit transaction system using finge ⁇ rint information includes a user authentication unit for authenticating an identity of a card user by comparing a finge ⁇ rint of the card user with pre-stored finge ⁇ rint information, a terminal for credit transactions for transmitting transaction particulars and card information of the card user in accordance with a result of the authentication performed by the user authentication unit, a transaction approval determining unit for receiving the transaction particulars and the card information of the card user from the terminal, confirming a credit status of the card user, and informing an approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal, and a management server, connected to the user authentication unit, for mutually communicating the finge ⁇ rint information and the card information with the user authentication unit.
  • the user authentication unit includes a finge ⁇ rint recognition unit for scanning the finge ⁇ rint of the card user, a database unit for storing the finge ⁇ rint information and the card information of pre-registered card users, and a control unit for authenticating the identity of the card user by comparing the finge ⁇ rint of the card user scanned by the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit with the finge ⁇ rint information stored in the database unit.
  • the credit transaction system further includes a keyboard for inputting key values, and a keyboard sharer for selectively transferring the key values of the keyboard to the terminal or the user authentication unit.
  • the keyboard sharer includes a switch for switching connection of the keyboard to the terminal or the user authentication unit, and a CPU for controlling the switch.
  • a credit transaction method for a credit transaction system having a user authentication unit, a terminal for credit transactions, a transaction approval determining unit, and a management server, includes (a) scanning a finge ⁇ rint of a card user using the user authentication unit, (b) confirming an identity of the card user by comparing the scanned finge ⁇ rint of the card user with finge ⁇ rint information stored in the user authentication unit, (c) transmitting card information and transaction particulars of the card user to the transaction approval determining unit, (d) the transaction approval determining unit determining an approval/rejection of the transactions after confirming a credit status of the card user, and (e) informing the approval rejection of the transactions to the terminal.
  • the credit transaction method further includes displaying a message for requesting an input of the transaction particulars of the card user on the terminal after authenticating the identity of the card user, and inputting the transaction particulars of the card user to the terminal.
  • the credit transaction method further includes the user authentication unit transmitting changed card information of the card user to the management server after the approval/rejection of the transactions is reported to the terminal, and updating data stored in respective user authentication units using data of the management server.
  • the management server periodically transmits newly registered finge ⁇ rint information and changed card information to the user authentication unit, or transmits the newly registered finge ⁇ rint information and the changed card information to the user authentication unit whenever the user authentication unit is logged in the management server.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a terminal and a user authentication unit of FIG. 1 connected together;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the user authentication unit
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a credit transaction process using the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a terminal for credit transactions of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a credit transaction process using the credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • a user authentication unit 13 which authenticates users of credit cards, point cards, debit cards, etc., is provided in a respective member store or shop.
  • the user authentication unit 13 recognizes a finge ⁇ rint of a card user, and then authenticates whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company or banking company by comparing the finge ⁇ rint of the card user with pre-registered finge ⁇ rint information.
  • the credit transaction system includes a terminal 11 for serving as a point of sales system (POS), a management server 15 for correcting, deleting or updating information stored in the user authentication units of the respective member stores or shops, and a transaction approval determining unit 17 for receiving transaction particulars and card information of the card user from the terminal 11, confirming a credit status of the card user, and determining an approval/rejection of the transactions.
  • the management server 15 is connected to the respective user authentication units 13 through telephone networks, private lines or Internet, and may be a central server of a large-sized store or a server of a credit card company.
  • the transaction approval determining unit 17 of the credit card company is connected to the terminals 11 of the respective member stores through telephone networks, private lines or the Internet.
  • the credit transaction system may further include a finge ⁇ rint registration unit 19 for registering the finge ⁇ rints of the card users. It is possible to register the finge ⁇ rints using the user authentication units of the respective member stores, but it is preferable to register the finge ⁇ rints through the finge ⁇ rint registration units 19 in specified places designated by the credit card company for a thorough identity confirming procedure.
  • the finge ⁇ rint registration unit 19 includes a finge ⁇ rint recognition unit for scanning the finge ⁇ rint of the card user, and a database unit for storing the finge ⁇ rints of the registered card users in a fixed format.
  • the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a keyboard 21, and a keyboard sharer 200 connected between the terminal 11 and the user authentication unit 13.
  • the keyboard sharer 200 includes a switch for switching connection of the keyboard
  • the switch 23 selectively transfers the key values of the keyboard 21 to the terminal 11 or the user authentication unit 13. This is because the keyboard 21 cannot be simultaneously shared by the terminal 11 and the user authentication unit 13.
  • the user authentication unit 13 includes a finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 22 for scanning the finge ⁇ rint of the card user and converting the scanned finge ⁇ rint into finge ⁇ rint data, a database unit 24 for storing the finge ⁇ rint into finge ⁇ rint information, a database unit 24 for storing the finge ⁇ rints of the card users registered in the credit card company in a fixed format, a control unit 26 for judging whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company by comparing the finge ⁇ rint of the card user recognized by the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 22 with the finge ⁇ rint stored in the database unit 24, and a communication unit 28 for connecting to the management server 15 in order to exchange the finge ⁇ rint information and the card information with the management server 15.
  • a finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 22 for scanning the finge ⁇ rint of the card user and converting the scanned finge ⁇ rint into finge ⁇ rint data
  • the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 22 is used for scanning the finge ⁇ rint of the card user, but it may be replaced with a biomedical sensor for recognizing biomedical information of the card user.
  • a biomedical sensor for recognizing biomedical information of the card user.
  • an eyeball sensor for sensing an eyeball of the card user may be used.
  • the database unit 24 may store therein diverse information of the card users such as the card numbers of users, credit limits, commission rates, points reserved according to the use of the card, etc., in addition to the finge ⁇ rints of the registered users.
  • the control unit 26 may comprise a microprocessor having an arithmetic function.
  • the credit transaction system according to the present invention further includes constituent elements required for the existing credit transaction system.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a credit transaction process using the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • finge ⁇ rints of the card users are first registered and stored as a database. It is possible to register the finge ⁇ rints in the respective member stores, but it is preferable to register the finge ⁇ rints in specified places designated by the credit card company for a thorough identity confirming procedure. Thus, after the finge ⁇ rints of the card users are scanned for the finge ⁇ rint registration, the finge ⁇ rints corresponding to the card numbers of the respective users are registered. At this time, a plurality of finge ⁇ rints can be registered with respect to one card number.
  • the finge ⁇ rints of the members of the family can be registered with respect to one card number.
  • Such finge ⁇ rint data are stored in the database unit of the finge ⁇ rint registration unit 19 along with the card information.
  • the finge ⁇ rints as registered above are transmitted to and stored in the management server 15 in the form of data.
  • the management server 15 transfers the registered finge ⁇ rints and the card information to the user authentication unit 13 in the respective member stores through a communication network.
  • the user authentication unit 13, which received the finge ⁇ rints and the card information, stores them in the internal database unit 24 to construct a database (step SI 1).
  • the management server 15 transmits the finge ⁇ rints of the card users registered at any time and the corresponding card information to the user authentication unit 13 to update the database unit 24 of the user authentication unit 13.
  • the management server 15 updates the database unit 24 whenever the user authentication unit 13 is logged in, or periodically updates the database unit.
  • the management server 15 and the database unit 24 can store therein diverse information of the card users such as the card numbers of users, credit limits, commission rates, points reserved according to the use of the card, etc., in addition to the finge ⁇ rints of the registered users.
  • the card of the user is read out through the terminal 11, and the finge ⁇ rint of the card user is scanned through the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 22 of the user authentication unit 13 (step S12). At this time, the process of reading the card of the user through the terminal 11 may be omitted.
  • the control unit 26 of the user authentication unit 13 calls the finge ⁇ rint corresponding to the card number among the finge ⁇ rint data stored in the database unit 24, and judges whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company by comparing the finge ⁇ rint of the card user scanned by the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 22 with the finge ⁇ rint stored in the database unit 24 (step S13).
  • the control unit 26 of the user authentication unit 13 confirms if there is a finge ⁇ rint that coincides with the finge ⁇ rint scanned by the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 22 among the finge ⁇ rint data stored in the database unit 24. If the finge ⁇ rint that coincides with the scanned finge ⁇ rint is stored in the database unit 24, the card user is judged to be a registered customer, and if not, the card user is judged not to be a registered customer.
  • the user authentication unit 13 transfers the result of authentication to the terminal 11. If it is judged that the card user is a registered customer, the terminal 11 displays a message for requesting an input of transaction particulars of the card user. Thereafter, the transaction particulars of the card user, i.e., the price of the good that the card user purchased, are inputted to the terminal 11 through the keyboard 21. At this time, the keyboard 21 is connected to the terminal 11, but is not connected to the user authentication unit 13 by the switch 23. Then, the terminal 11 transfers the transaction particulars of the corresponding card user and the card information to the transaction approval determining unit 17 of the credit card company through the communication network to request the transaction approval (step SI 4).
  • the terminal transfers the transaction particulars and card information of the card user to the transaction approval determining unit 17.
  • the card information that the terminal 11 transfers to the transaction approval determining unit 17 may be read out from the database unit 24 of the user authentication unit 13 or from the management server 15.
  • the terminal 11 transmits the card information stored in the database unit 24 of the user authentication unit 13.
  • the transaction approval determining unit 17 judges whether to approve the transaction by inquiring about the credit status of the card user (step SI 5). For example, if the volume of transactions of the card user is within the credit limit and the user is not an ill-credited man/ woman, the transaction approval determining unit 17 approves the transactions of the user. On the contrary, if the volume of transactions of the card user exceeds the credit limit or the user is an ill-credited man/ woman, it transmits data for informing that the credit transactions are impossible to the terminal 11 (step SI 7). Then, if the terminal 11 receives the transaction approval from the transaction approval determining unit 17, it performs the transactions (step SI 6), and issues a receipt. The receipt issued at this time does not require a signing procedure.
  • the user authentication unit 13 transmits the changed particulars of the card information and credit information according to the transactions of the card user to the management server 15.
  • a proper number or an identification (LD) given to the user authentication unit 13 is required, and a password is also required to heighten the security. If the user authentication unit 13 transmits the ID and the password to the management server 15, the management server 15 confirms the LD and the password, and approves the connection.
  • LD identification
  • the management server 15 After receiving the changed particulars of the card user, the management server 15 transfers the changed particulars to the user authentication units 13 of the respective member stores.
  • the changed particulars received are stored in the database unit 24 of the respective user authentication unit 13.
  • the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by installing the user authentication unit 13 in the respective member store without any change of the existing credit transaction system. Especially, since the authentication of the card user is performed in the member store, it is possible to authenticate the card user even when the network is disconnected, and the time required for the transactions is reduced.
  • the above-described credit transactions are not limited to the settlement of the good purchase, but include diverse acts related to a card such as credit information of a card user, inquiry and change of the particulars of the card user.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal 41 for credit transactions which recognizes the finge ⁇ rint of a card user and authenticates the card user.
  • the terminal 41 recognizes the finge ⁇ rint of a card user, authenticates whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company by comparing the finge ⁇ rint of the card user with pre-registered finge ⁇ rint information, and then performs the transactions.
  • the terminals 41 provided in the respective member stores or shops are connected to a server of the corresponding credit card company or banking company through the Internet.
  • the credit transaction system further includes a management server 45, comiected to the terminal 41 of the respective member store or shop, for correcting, deleting or updating information stored in the terminal 41, and a transaction approval determimng unit 47 for receiving transaction particulars and card information of the card user from the terminal 41, confirming a credit status of the card user, and determining an approval/rejection of the transactions.
  • the management server 45 is connected to the terminals 41 in the respective member stores through the telephone networks, private lines or Internet.
  • the transaction approval determining unit 47 which is the server of the credit card company, is also connected to the terminals 41 of the respective member stores through the telephone networks, private lines or Internet.
  • the credit transaction system may further include a finge ⁇ rint registration unit 49 for registering the finge ⁇ rints of the card users. It is possible to register the finge ⁇ rints using the terminals of the respective member stores, but it is preferable to register the finge ⁇ rints through the finge ⁇ rint registration units 49 in specified places designated by the credit card company for a thorough identity confirming procedure.
  • the finge ⁇ rint registration unit 49 includes a finge ⁇ rint recognition unit for scanning the finge ⁇ rint of the card user, and a database unit for storing the finge ⁇ rints of the registered card users in a fixed format.
  • the terminal 41 includes a finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 52, a database unit 54, a control unit 56, a card reader 55, a key input unit 51, an LCD (not illustrated), a printer (not illustrated), and a communication unit 58.
  • the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 52 scans the finge ⁇ rint of the card user, converts the scanned finge ⁇ rint into finge ⁇ rint data, and provides the fmge ⁇ rint data to the control unit 56.
  • the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 52 may be replaced with a biomedical sensor for recognizing biomedical information of the card user as described above.
  • the database unit 54 can store the finge ⁇ rints of the users registered in the credit card company in a fixed format, and also store therein diverse information of the card users such as the card numbers of users, credit limits, commission rates, points reserved according to the use of the card, etc.
  • the control unit 56 judges whether the card user is a customer registered in the credit card company by comparing the finge ⁇ rint of the card user recognized by the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 52 with the finge ⁇ rint data stored in the database unit 54.
  • the card reader 55 reads information recorded in the card held by the card user, and transfers the information to the control unit 56.
  • the key input unit 51 is composed of various kinds of function keys and numeral keys for manipulating the terminal 41.
  • the LCD displays thereon the operation state of the terminal 41 or the transaction particulars under the control of the control unit 56.
  • the printer issues a receipt under the control of the control unit 56.
  • the communication unit 58 modulates data to match the characteristic of the communication network connected between the management server 45 and the credit card company, and transmits the modulated data.
  • the credit transaction system according to the present invention further includes constituent elements required for the existing credit transaction system.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a credit transaction process using the credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the finge ⁇ rints of the card users should first be registered.
  • the finge ⁇ rint registration process is the same as that of the first embodiment.
  • a plurality of finge ⁇ rints can be registered with respect to one card number.
  • the registered finge ⁇ rint data are stored in the database unit of the finge ⁇ rint registration unit 49.
  • the finge ⁇ rints as registered above are transmitted to and stored in the management server 45 in the form of data.
  • the management server 45 transfers the registered finge ⁇ rints and the corresponding card information to the terminals 41 in the respective member stores through a communication network.
  • the terminal 41 which received the finge ⁇ rints and the card information, stores them in the internal database unit 54 to construct a database (step S61).
  • the management server 45 transmits the finge ⁇ rints of the card users registered at any time and the corresponding card information to the terminal 41 to update the database unit 54 of the terminal 41.
  • the management server 45 and the database unit 54 of the terminal 41 can store therein diverse information of the card users such as the card numbers of users, credit limits, commission rates, points reserved according to the use of the card, etc., in addition to the finge ⁇ rints of the registered users. Accordingly, even if the terminal 41 is not connected to the management server 45 due to an obstacle of the management server 45 or network disconnection, the authentication of the card user can be performed using the data stored in the database unit 54.
  • the card of the user is read through the card reader 55 of the terminal 41, and the finge ⁇ rint of the card user is scanned through the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 52 of the terminal 41 (step S62).
  • the process of reading the card of the user through the terminal 41 may be omitted. For example, if the card user does not hold the card, only the finge ⁇ rint of the card user is scanned without reading the card.
  • the control unit 56 of the terminal 41 calls the finge ⁇ rint corresponding to the card number among the finge ⁇ rint data stored in the database unit 54, and judges whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company by comparing the finge ⁇ rint of the card user scanned by the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 52 with the finge ⁇ rint stored in the database unit 54 (step S63).
  • the card user confirms if there is a finge ⁇ rint that coincides with the finge ⁇ rint scanned by the finge ⁇ rint recognition unit 52 among the finge ⁇ rint data stored in the database unit 54. If the finge ⁇ rint that coincides with the scanned finge ⁇ rint is stored in the database unit 54, the card user is judged to be a registered customer, and if not, the card user is judged not to be a registered customer.
  • the terminal 41 displays a message for requesting an input of the transaction particulars of the card user. Thereafter, the transaction particulars of the card user, i.e., the price of the good that the card user purchased, are inputted to the terminal 41 through the key input unit 51. Then, the terminal 41 transfers the transaction particulars of the corresponding card user and the card information to the transaction approval determining unit 47 of the credit card company or banking company through the communication network to request the transaction approval (step S64).
  • the terminal 41 may be read out from the database unit 54 or the management server 45.
  • the terminal 41 transmits the card information stored in the database unit 54.
  • the transaction approval determining unit 47 judges whether to approve the transaction by inquiring about the credit status of the card user (step S65). For example, if the volume of transactions of the card user is within the credit limit and the user is not an ill-credited man/ woman, the transaction approval determining unit 47 approves the transactions of the user. On the contrary, if the volume of transactions of the card user exceeds the credit limit or the user is an ill-credited man/ woman, it transmits data for informing that the credit transactions are impossible to the terminal 41 (step S69). Thereafter, if the terminal 41 receives the transaction approval from the transaction approval determining unit 47, it performs the transactions (step S66), and issues a receipt. The receipt issued at this time does not require a signing procedure.
  • the terminal 41 should transmit the changed particulars of the card information and the credit information according to the transactions of the card user to the management server 45 (step S67).
  • a proper number or an identification (ID) given to the terminal 41 is required, and a password is also required to heighten the security. If the terminal 41 transmits the ID and the password to the management server 45, the management server 45 confirms the ID and the password, and approves the connection.
  • the management server 45 transfers the changed particulars to the terminals 41 of the respective member stores.
  • the changed particulars received are stored in the database unit 54 of the respective terminal 41 to update the database of the finge ⁇ rint information and the card information (step S68).
  • the credit transaction system can be implemented by installing the terminal 41 for credit transactions which recognizes the finge ⁇ rint of the card user and authenticates the card user in the respective member store.
  • the terminal 41 for credit transactions which recognizes the finge ⁇ rint of the card user and authenticates the card user in the respective member store.
  • the above-described credit transactions are not limited to the settlement of the good purchase, but include diverse acts related to a card such as credit information of a card user, inquiry and change of the particulars of the card user.

Abstract

A credit transaction system and a method thereof using fingerprint information strengthen an authentication function of a card user's identity. The system includes a terminal (11) for credit transactions which has a function of authenticating the identity of the card user using the fingerprint and transmits transaction particulars and card information of the card user; a transaction approval determining unit (17) for receiving the transaction particulars and the card information from the terminal (11), confirming a credit status of the card user, and informing an approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal; and a management server (15), connected to the terminal (11), for mutually communicating the fingerprint information and the card information with the terminal (11).

Description

CREDIT TRANSACTION SYSTEM AND METHOD USING
FINGERPRINT INFORMATION
Technical Field The present invention relates to a credit transaction system, and more particularly, to a credit transaction system and method using fingerprint information.
Background Art
Recently, credit transactions using credit cards, point cards, debit cards, etc., are on the increase. Generally, the credit transactions are carried on in a manner that when a customer registered in a credit card company intends to purchase goods or obtain services, the credit card company first confirms if the corresponding customer is a registered customer of the company, and if so, the credit card company approves the transactions. A related art credit transaction system includes a point of sales system (POS) provided in a member store, a server of a value added network (VAN) service provider that provides a credit card VAN service, and a server of a credit card company that approves the transactions after confirming the credit information of the customer. If a customer intends to purchase goods, the related art credit transaction system as constructed above reads out information of the credit card for settlement of the purchased good through a POS, and then requests an approval of the credit card to the server of the VAN service provider. Then, the credit card company approves the transactions after confirming the credit information such as a membership and a credit limit of the credit card user who requested the settlement.
However, since the related art credit transaction system approves the credit card transactions only after confirming the credit information of the credit card without any procedure of authenticating whether the card holder is the person himself/herself who is registered in the corresponding credit card company, an illegal use of a card may be approved. That is, the approval of the transactions may be obtained even through the use of a robbed or forged card, and this may cause the original customer to be greatly damaged.
Disclosure of the Invention
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems involved in the related art and to provide a credit transaction system and method using fingerprint information that can strengthen an authentication function of a card user's identity.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a credit transaction system and method using fingeφrint information that can perform an authentication of a card user's identity even when a network is disconnected, and reduce the time required for credit card transactions. In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a credit transaction system using fingeφrint information includes a terminal for credit transactions which has a function of authenticating an identity of a card user using a fingeφrint and transmits transaction particulars and card information of the card user, a transaction approval determining unit for receiving the transaction particulars and the card information from the terminal, confirming a credit status of the card user, and informing an approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal, and a management server, connected to the terminal, for mutually communicating the fingeφrint information and the card information with the terminal.
Here, the terminal for the credit transactions includes a fingeφrint recognition unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user, a database unit for storing the fingeφrint information and the card information of pre-registered card users, and a control unit for confirming the identity of the card user by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user scanned by the fingeφrint recognition unit with the fingeφrint information stored in the database unit.
The credit transaction system further includes a fingeφrint registration unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user in order to register the fingeφrint of the card user, and transmitting the fingeφrint of the card user and the corresponding card information to the management server.
In another aspect of the present invention, a credit transaction method for a credit transaction system having a terminal for credit transactions, a transaction approval determining unit, and a management server, includes (a) scanning a fingeφrint of a card user using the terminal, (b) confirming an identity of the card user by comparing the scanned fingeφrint of the card user with fingeφrint information stored in the terminal, (c) requesting a transaction approval to the transaction approval determining unit, and (d) the transaction approval determining unit determining an approval/rejection of the transactions after confirming a credit status of the card user. The credit transaction method further includes displaying a message for requesting an input of transaction particulars of the card user on the terminal after confirming the identity of the card user, and inputting the transaction particulars of the card user through the terminal.
The credit transaction method further includes the terminal transmitting changed card information of the card user to the management server after the approval/rejection of the transactions is determined, and updating respective terminals for the credit transactions using data of the management server.
At the step of confirming the identity of the card user, if the card of the card user is read out by the terminal, the terminal calls a fingeφrint corresponding to the card number of the card user among fingeφrint data stored therein and compares the fingeφrint with the scanned fingeφrint. Meanwhile, at the step of confirming the identity of the card user, if the card of the card user is not read out by the terminal, the terminal judges whether there is a fingeφrint which coincides with the scanned fingeφrint among the fingeφrint data stored therein. In still another aspect of the present invention, a credit transaction system using fingeφrint information includes a user authentication unit for authenticating an identity of a card user by comparing a fingeφrint of the card user with pre-stored fingeφrint information, a terminal for credit transactions for transmitting transaction particulars and card information of the card user in accordance with a result of the authentication performed by the user authentication unit, a transaction approval determining unit for receiving the transaction particulars and the card information of the card user from the terminal, confirming a credit status of the card user, and informing an approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal, and a management server, connected to the user authentication unit, for mutually communicating the fingeφrint information and the card information with the user authentication unit.
Here, the user authentication unit includes a fingeφrint recognition unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user, a database unit for storing the fingeφrint information and the card information of pre-registered card users, and a control unit for authenticating the identity of the card user by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user scanned by the fingeφrint recognition unit with the fingeφrint information stored in the database unit.
The credit transaction system further includes a keyboard for inputting key values, and a keyboard sharer for selectively transferring the key values of the keyboard to the terminal or the user authentication unit. The keyboard sharer includes a switch for switching connection of the keyboard to the terminal or the user authentication unit, and a CPU for controlling the switch. In still another aspect of the present invention, a credit transaction method for a credit transaction system having a user authentication unit, a terminal for credit transactions, a transaction approval determining unit, and a management server, includes (a) scanning a fingeφrint of a card user using the user authentication unit, (b) confirming an identity of the card user by comparing the scanned fingeφrint of the card user with fingeφrint information stored in the user authentication unit, (c) transmitting card information and transaction particulars of the card user to the transaction approval determining unit, (d) the transaction approval determining unit determining an approval/rejection of the transactions after confirming a credit status of the card user, and (e) informing the approval rejection of the transactions to the terminal.
The credit transaction method further includes displaying a message for requesting an input of the transaction particulars of the card user on the terminal after authenticating the identity of the card user, and inputting the transaction particulars of the card user to the terminal.
The credit transaction method further includes the user authentication unit transmitting changed card information of the card user to the management server after the approval/rejection of the transactions is reported to the terminal, and updating data stored in respective user authentication units using data of the management server. The management server periodically transmits newly registered fingeφrint information and changed card information to the user authentication unit, or transmits the newly registered fingeφrint information and the changed card information to the user authentication unit whenever the user authentication unit is logged in the management server.
Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incoφorated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a terminal and a user authentication unit of FIG. 1 connected together;
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the user authentication unit; FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a credit transaction process using the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a terminal for credit transactions of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a credit transaction process using the credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Now, Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
First Embodiment FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a user authentication unit 13, which authenticates users of credit cards, point cards, debit cards, etc., is provided in a respective member store or shop. The user authentication unit 13 recognizes a fingeφrint of a card user, and then authenticates whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company or banking company by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user with pre-registered fingeφrint information. The credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal 11 for serving as a point of sales system (POS), a management server 15 for correcting, deleting or updating information stored in the user authentication units of the respective member stores or shops, and a transaction approval determining unit 17 for receiving transaction particulars and card information of the card user from the terminal 11, confirming a credit status of the card user, and determining an approval/rejection of the transactions. Here, the management server 15 is connected to the respective user authentication units 13 through telephone networks, private lines or Internet, and may be a central server of a large-sized store or a server of a credit card company. Also, the transaction approval determining unit 17 of the credit card company is connected to the terminals 11 of the respective member stores through telephone networks, private lines or the Internet.
The credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a fingeφrint registration unit 19 for registering the fingeφrints of the card users. It is possible to register the fingeφrints using the user authentication units of the respective member stores, but it is preferable to register the fingeφrints through the fingeφrint registration units 19 in specified places designated by the credit card company for a thorough identity confirming procedure. The fingeφrint registration unit 19 includes a fingeφrint recognition unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user, and a database unit for storing the fingeφrints of the registered card users in a fixed format.
As shown in FIG. 2, the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a keyboard 21, and a keyboard sharer 200 connected between the terminal 11 and the user authentication unit 13.
The keyboard sharer 200 includes a switch for switching connection of the keyboard
21 to the terminal 11 or the user authentication unit 13, and a CPU 25 for controlling the switch 23. The switch 23 selectively transfers the key values of the keyboard 21 to the terminal 11 or the user authentication unit 13. This is because the keyboard 21 cannot be simultaneously shared by the terminal 11 and the user authentication unit 13.
As shown in FIG. 3, the user authentication unit 13 includes a fingeφrint recognition unit 22 for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user and converting the scanned fingeφrint into fingeφrint data, a database unit 24 for storing the fingeφrint into fingeφrint information, a database unit 24 for storing the fingeφrints of the card users registered in the credit card company in a fixed format, a control unit 26 for judging whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user recognized by the fingeφrint recognition unit 22 with the fingeφrint stored in the database unit 24, and a communication unit 28 for connecting to the management server 15 in order to exchange the fingeφrint information and the card information with the management server 15.
Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, the fingeφrint recognition unit 22 is used for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user, but it may be replaced with a biomedical sensor for recognizing biomedical information of the card user. For example, an eyeball sensor for sensing an eyeball of the card user may be used. Meanwhile, the database unit 24 may store therein diverse information of the card users such as the card numbers of users, credit limits, commission rates, points reserved according to the use of the card, etc., in addition to the fingeφrints of the registered users. The control unit 26 may comprise a microprocessor having an arithmetic function. Also, it will be apparent that the credit transaction system according to the present invention further includes constituent elements required for the existing credit transaction system.
Now, the credit transaction method performed in the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained.
FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a credit transaction process using the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 4, in order to operate a credit transaction system, fingeφrints of the card users are first registered and stored as a database. It is possible to register the fingeφrints in the respective member stores, but it is preferable to register the fingeφrints in specified places designated by the credit card company for a thorough identity confirming procedure. Thus, after the fingeφrints of the card users are scanned for the fingeφrint registration, the fingeφrints corresponding to the card numbers of the respective users are registered. At this time, a plurality of fingeφrints can be registered with respect to one card number. For example, if members of a family intend to commonly use one card, the fingeφrints of the members of the family can be registered with respect to one card number. Such fingeφrint data are stored in the database unit of the fingeφrint registration unit 19 along with the card information.
The fingeφrints as registered above are transmitted to and stored in the management server 15 in the form of data. The management server 15 transfers the registered fingeφrints and the card information to the user authentication unit 13 in the respective member stores through a communication network. The user authentication unit 13, which received the fingeφrints and the card information, stores them in the internal database unit 24 to construct a database (step SI 1). Also, the management server 15 transmits the fingeφrints of the card users registered at any time and the corresponding card information to the user authentication unit 13 to update the database unit 24 of the user authentication unit 13. The management server 15 updates the database unit 24 whenever the user authentication unit 13 is logged in, or periodically updates the database unit. Here, the management server 15 and the database unit 24 can store therein diverse information of the card users such as the card numbers of users, credit limits, commission rates, points reserved according to the use of the card, etc., in addition to the fingeφrints of the registered users.
Thereafter, if the card user intends to purchase goods or obtain services, the card of the user is read out through the terminal 11, and the fingeφrint of the card user is scanned through the fingeφrint recognition unit 22 of the user authentication unit 13 (step S12). At this time, the process of reading the card of the user through the terminal 11 may be omitted.
Then, if the card is read through the terminal 11, the control unit 26 of the user authentication unit 13 calls the fingeφrint corresponding to the card number among the fingeφrint data stored in the database unit 24, and judges whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user scanned by the fingeφrint recognition unit 22 with the fingeφrint stored in the database unit 24 (step S13).
Meanwhile, if the card is not read through the terminal 11, the control unit 26 of the user authentication unit 13 confirms if there is a fingeφrint that coincides with the fingeφrint scanned by the fingeφrint recognition unit 22 among the fingeφrint data stored in the database unit 24. If the fingeφrint that coincides with the scanned fingeφrint is stored in the database unit 24, the card user is judged to be a registered customer, and if not, the card user is judged not to be a registered customer.
If the card user is authenticated through the above-described authentication procedure, the user authentication unit 13 transfers the result of authentication to the terminal 11. If it is judged that the card user is a registered customer, the terminal 11 displays a message for requesting an input of transaction particulars of the card user. Thereafter, the transaction particulars of the card user, i.e., the price of the good that the card user purchased, are inputted to the terminal 11 through the keyboard 21. At this time, the keyboard 21 is connected to the terminal 11, but is not connected to the user authentication unit 13 by the switch 23. Then, the terminal 11 transfers the transaction particulars of the corresponding card user and the card information to the transaction approval determining unit 17 of the credit card company through the communication network to request the transaction approval (step SI 4). Only in the case that the card user is authenticated to be a registered customer, the terminal transfers the transaction particulars and card information of the card user to the transaction approval determining unit 17. Here, the card information that the terminal 11 transfers to the transaction approval determining unit 17 may be read out from the database unit 24 of the user authentication unit 13 or from the management server 15. In other words, in order to transmit the latest updated card information to the transaction approval determining unit 17, it is preferable to read out the card information stored in the management server 15, but in the case that the network between the terminal 11 and the management server 15 is disconnected, the terminal 11 transmits the card information stored in the database unit 24 of the user authentication unit 13.
Thereafter, the transaction approval determining unit 17 judges whether to approve the transaction by inquiring about the credit status of the card user (step SI 5). For example, if the volume of transactions of the card user is within the credit limit and the user is not an ill-credited man/woman, the transaction approval determining unit 17 approves the transactions of the user. On the contrary, if the volume of transactions of the card user exceeds the credit limit or the user is an ill-credited man/woman, it transmits data for informing that the credit transactions are impossible to the terminal 11 (step SI 7). Then, if the terminal 11 receives the transaction approval from the transaction approval determining unit 17, it performs the transactions (step SI 6), and issues a receipt. The receipt issued at this time does not require a signing procedure.
This is because the authentication of the card user has been completed using the fingeφrint of the card user.
Thereafter, if the transactions are completed, the card information and credit information of the user such as the credit limit and the reserved points of the card user should be changed. Accordingly, the user authentication unit 13 transmits the changed particulars of the card information and credit information according to the transactions of the card user to the management server 15. In order for the user authentication unit 13 to be logged in the management server 15, a proper number or an identification (LD) given to the user authentication unit 13 is required, and a password is also required to heighten the security. If the user authentication unit 13 transmits the ID and the password to the management server 15, the management server 15 confirms the LD and the password, and approves the connection.
After receiving the changed particulars of the card user, the management server 15 transfers the changed particulars to the user authentication units 13 of the respective member stores. The changed particulars received are stored in the database unit 24 of the respective user authentication unit 13. As described above, the credit transaction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by installing the user authentication unit 13 in the respective member store without any change of the existing credit transaction system. Especially, since the authentication of the card user is performed in the member store, it is possible to authenticate the card user even when the network is disconnected, and the time required for the transactions is reduced. The above-described credit transactions are not limited to the settlement of the good purchase, but include diverse acts related to a card such as credit information of a card user, inquiry and change of the particulars of the card user.
Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal 41 for credit transactions which recognizes the fingeφrint of a card user and authenticates the card user. The terminal 41 recognizes the fingeφrint of a card user, authenticates whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user with pre-registered fingeφrint information, and then performs the transactions. The terminals 41 provided in the respective member stores or shops are connected to a server of the corresponding credit card company or banking company through the Internet. The credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes a management server 45, comiected to the terminal 41 of the respective member store or shop, for correcting, deleting or updating information stored in the terminal 41, and a transaction approval determimng unit 47 for receiving transaction particulars and card information of the card user from the terminal 41, confirming a credit status of the card user, and determining an approval/rejection of the transactions. Here, the management server 45 is connected to the terminals 41 in the respective member stores through the telephone networks, private lines or Internet. The transaction approval determining unit 47, which is the server of the credit card company, is also connected to the terminals 41 of the respective member stores through the telephone networks, private lines or Internet.
The credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a fingeφrint registration unit 49 for registering the fingeφrints of the card users. It is possible to register the fingeφrints using the terminals of the respective member stores, but it is preferable to register the fingeφrints through the fingeφrint registration units 49 in specified places designated by the credit card company for a thorough identity confirming procedure. The fingeφrint registration unit 49 includes a fingeφrint recognition unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user, and a database unit for storing the fingeφrints of the registered card users in a fixed format.
As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 41 includes a fingeφrint recognition unit 52, a database unit 54, a control unit 56, a card reader 55, a key input unit 51, an LCD (not illustrated), a printer (not illustrated), and a communication unit 58.
The fingeφrint recognition unit 52 scans the fingeφrint of the card user, converts the scanned fingeφrint into fingeφrint data, and provides the fmgeφrint data to the control unit 56. The fingeφrint recognition unit 52 may be replaced with a biomedical sensor for recognizing biomedical information of the card user as described above. Meanwhile, the database unit 54 can store the fingeφrints of the users registered in the credit card company in a fixed format, and also store therein diverse information of the card users such as the card numbers of users, credit limits, commission rates, points reserved according to the use of the card, etc. The control unit 56 judges whether the card user is a customer registered in the credit card company by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user recognized by the fingeφrint recognition unit 52 with the fingeφrint data stored in the database unit 54. The card reader 55 reads information recorded in the card held by the card user, and transfers the information to the control unit 56. The key input unit 51 is composed of various kinds of function keys and numeral keys for manipulating the terminal 41. The LCD displays thereon the operation state of the terminal 41 or the transaction particulars under the control of the control unit 56. The printer issues a receipt under the control of the control unit 56. The communication unit 58 modulates data to match the characteristic of the communication network connected between the management server 45 and the credit card company, and transmits the modulated data.
It will be apparent that the credit transaction system according to the present invention further includes constituent elements required for the existing credit transaction system.
Now, the credit transaction method performed in the credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained.
FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a credit transaction process using the credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the fingeφrints of the card users should first be registered. The fingeφrint registration process is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the same manner, a plurality of fingeφrints can be registered with respect to one card number.
The registered fingeφrint data are stored in the database unit of the fingeφrint registration unit 49. The fingeφrints as registered above are transmitted to and stored in the management server 45 in the form of data. The management server 45 transfers the registered fingeφrints and the corresponding card information to the terminals 41 in the respective member stores through a communication network. The terminal 41, which received the fingeφrints and the card information, stores them in the internal database unit 54 to construct a database (step S61).
The management server 45 transmits the fingeφrints of the card users registered at any time and the corresponding card information to the terminal 41 to update the database unit 54 of the terminal 41. Here, the management server 45 and the database unit 54 of the terminal 41 can store therein diverse information of the card users such as the card numbers of users, credit limits, commission rates, points reserved according to the use of the card, etc., in addition to the fingeφrints of the registered users. Accordingly, even if the terminal 41 is not connected to the management server 45 due to an obstacle of the management server 45 or network disconnection, the authentication of the card user can be performed using the data stored in the database unit 54.
Thereafter, if the card user presents the card in a member store to purchase goods or obtain services, the card of the user is read through the card reader 55 of the terminal 41, and the fingeφrint of the card user is scanned through the fingeφrint recognition unit 52 of the terminal 41 (step S62). At this time, the process of reading the card of the user through the terminal 41 may be omitted. For example, if the card user does not hold the card, only the fingeφrint of the card user is scanned without reading the card.
Then, if the card is read through the card reader 55, the control unit 56 of the terminal 41 calls the fingeφrint corresponding to the card number among the fingeφrint data stored in the database unit 54, and judges whether the card user is a customer registered in the corresponding credit card company by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user scanned by the fingeφrint recognition unit 52 with the fingeφrint stored in the database unit 54 (step S63).
Meanwhile, if the card is not read through the card reader 55, the control unit
56 confirms if there is a fingeφrint that coincides with the fingeφrint scanned by the fingeφrint recognition unit 52 among the fingeφrint data stored in the database unit 54. If the fingeφrint that coincides with the scanned fingeφrint is stored in the database unit 54, the card user is judged to be a registered customer, and if not, the card user is judged not to be a registered customer.
If the card user is authenticated through the above-described authentication procedure, the terminal 41 displays a message for requesting an input of the transaction particulars of the card user. Thereafter, the transaction particulars of the card user, i.e., the price of the good that the card user purchased, are inputted to the terminal 41 through the key input unit 51. Then, the terminal 41 transfers the transaction particulars of the corresponding card user and the card information to the transaction approval determining unit 47 of the credit card company or banking company through the communication network to request the transaction approval (step S64). Here, the card information that the terminal 41 transfers to the transaction approval determining unit
47 may be read out from the database unit 54 or the management server 45. In other words, in order to transmit the latest updated card information to the transaction approval determining unit 47, it is preferable to read out the card information stored in the management server 45, but in the case that the network between the terminal 41 and the management server 45 is disconnected, the terminal 41 transmits the card information stored in the database unit 54.
The transaction approval determining unit 47 judges whether to approve the transaction by inquiring about the credit status of the card user (step S65). For example, if the volume of transactions of the card user is within the credit limit and the user is not an ill-credited man/woman, the transaction approval determining unit 47 approves the transactions of the user. On the contrary, if the volume of transactions of the card user exceeds the credit limit or the user is an ill-credited man/woman, it transmits data for informing that the credit transactions are impossible to the terminal 41 (step S69). Thereafter, if the terminal 41 receives the transaction approval from the transaction approval determining unit 47, it performs the transactions (step S66), and issues a receipt. The receipt issued at this time does not require a signing procedure. This is because the authentication of the card user has been completed using the fingeφrint of the card user. Thereafter, if the transactions are completed, the card information and the credit information of the user such as the credit limit and the reserved points of the card user are changed. Accordingly, the terminal 41 should transmit the changed particulars of the card information and the credit information according to the transactions of the card user to the management server 45 (step S67). In order for the terminal 41 to be logged in the management server 45, a proper number or an identification (ID) given to the terminal 41 is required, and a password is also required to heighten the security. If the terminal 41 transmits the ID and the password to the management server 45, the management server 45 confirms the ID and the password, and approves the connection.
After receiving the changed particulars of the card user, the management server 45 transfers the changed particulars to the terminals 41 of the respective member stores. The changed particulars received are stored in the database unit 54 of the respective terminal 41 to update the database of the fingeφrint information and the card information (step S68).
Industrial Applicability As apparent from the above description, the credit transaction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by installing the terminal 41 for credit transactions which recognizes the fingeφrint of the card user and authenticates the card user in the respective member store. In the same manner as the first embodiment, since the authentication of the card user is performed in the member store, it is possible to authenticate the card user even when the network is disconnected, and the time required for the transactions is reduced. The above-described credit transactions are not limited to the settlement of the good purchase, but include diverse acts related to a card such as credit information of a card user, inquiry and change of the particulars of the card user.

Claims

Claims
1. A credit transaction system using fingeφrint information comprising: a terminal for credit transactions which has a function of authenticating an identity of a card user using a fingeφrint and transmits transaction particulars and card information of the card user; a transaction approval determining unit for receiving the transaction particulars and the card information from the terminal, confirming a credit status of the card user, and informing an approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal; and a management server, connected to the terminal, for mutually communicating the fingeφrint information and the card information with the terminal.
2. The credit transaction system of claim 1, wherein the terminal for the credit transactions comprises: a fingeφrint recognition unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user; a database unit for storing the fingeφrint information and the card information of pre-registered card users; and a control unit for confirming the identity of the card user by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user scanned by the fingeφrint recognition unit with the fingeφrint information stored in the database unit.
3. The credit transaction system of claim 2, wherein the terminal for the credit transactions further comprises: a card reader for reading information recorded in a card; a key input unit for inputting the transaction particulars; and a communication unit for transmitting/receiving data through a communication network.
4. The credit transaction system of claim 1, further comprising a fingeφrint registration unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user in order to register the fingeφrint of the card user, and transmitting the fingeφrint of the card user and the corresponding card information to the management server.
5. The credit transaction system of claim 1, wherein the management server transmits newly registered fingeφrint information and changed card information to the terminal for the credit transactions.
6. A credit transaction method for a credit transaction system having a terminal for credit transactions, a transaction approval determining unit, and a management server, the method comprising:
(a) scanning a fingeφrint of a card user using the terminal;
(b) confirming an identity of the card user by comparing the scanned fingeφrint of the card user with fingeφrint information stored in the terminal;
(c) requesting a transaction approval to the transaction approval determining unit; and
(d) the transaction approval determining unit determimng an approval/rejection of the transactions after confirming a credit status of the card user.
7. The credit transaction method of claim 6, further comprising: displaying a message for requesting an input of transaction particulars of the card user on the terminal after confirming the identity of the card user; and inputting the transaction particulars of the card user through the terminal.
8. The credit transaction method of claim 6, wherein in order to request the transaction approval to the transaction approval determining unit, transaction particulars and card information of the card user are transmitted to the transaction approval determining unit.
9. The credit transaction method of claim 6, wherein at the step of confirming the identity of the card user, if the card of the card user is read out by the terminal, the terminal calls a fingeφrint corresponding to the card number of the card user among fingeφrint data stored therein and compares the fingeφrint with the scanned fingeφrint.
10. The credit transaction method of claim 6, wherein at the step of confirming the identity of the card user, if the card of the card user is not read out by the terminal, the terminal judges whether there is a fingeφrint which coincides with the scanned fingeφrint among fingeφrint data stored therein.
11. The credit transaction method of claim 6, further comprising: the tenninal transmitting changed card information of the card user to the management server after the approval/rejection of the transactions is determined; and updating respective terminals for the credit transactions using data of the management server.
12. A credit transaction system using fingeφrint information comprising: a user authentication unit for authenticating an identity of a card user by comparing a fingeφrint of the card user with pre-stored fingeφrint information; a terminal for credit transactions for transmitting transaction particulars and card information of the card user in accordance with a result of the authentication performed by the user authentication unit; a transaction approval determining unit for receiving the transaction particulars and the card information of the card user from the terminal, confirming a credit status of the card user, and informing an approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal; and a management server, connected to the user authentication unit, for mutually communicating the fingeφrint information and the card information with the user authentication unit.
13. The credit transaction system of claim 12, wherein the user authentication unit comprises: a fingeφrint recognition unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user; a database unit for storing the fingeφrint information and the card information of pre-registered card users; and a control unit for authenticating the identity of the card user by comparing the fingeφrint of the card user scanned by the fingeφrint recognition unit with the fingeφrint information stored in the database unit.
14. The credit transaction system of claim 12, further comprising: a keyboard for inputting key values; and a keyboard sharer for selectively transferring the key values of the keyboard to the terminal or the user authentication unit.
15. The credit transaction system of claim 14, wherein the keyboard sharer comprises: a switch for switching connection of the keyboard to the terminal or the user authentication unit; and a CPU for controlling the switch.
16. The credit transaction system of claim 14, further comprising a fingeφrint registration unit for scanning the fingeφrint of the card user in order to register the fingeφrint of the card user, and transmitting the fingeφrint of the card user and the corresponding card information to the management server.
17. A credit transaction method for a credit transaction system having a user authentication unit, a terminal for credit transactions, a transaction approval determining unit, and a management server, the method comprising: (a) scanning a fingeφrint of a card user using the user authentication unit;
(b) confirming an identity of the card user by comparing the scanned fingeφrint of the card user with fingeφrint information stored in the user authentication unit;
(c) transmitting card information and transaction particulars of the card user to the transaction approval determining unit;
(d) the transaction approval determining unit determining an approval/rejection of the transactions after confirming a credit status of the card user; and
(e) informing the approval/rejection of the transactions to the terminal.
18. The credit transaction method of claim 17, further comprising: displaying a message for requesting an input of the transaction particulars of the card user on the terminal after authenticating the identity of the card user; and inputting the transaction particulars of the card user to the terminal.
19. The credit transaction method of claim 17, further comprising: the user authentication unit transmitting changed card information of the card user to the management server after the approval/rejection of the transactions is reported to the terminal; and updating data stored in respective user authentication units using data of the management server.
20. The credit transaction method of claim 19, wherein the management server periodically transmits newly registered fingeφrint information and changed card information to the user authentication unit.
21. The credit transaction method of claim 19, wherein the management server transmits newly registered fmgeφrint information and changed card information to the user authentication unit whenever the user authentication unit is logged in the management server.
22. The credit transaction method of claim 17, further comprising reading and providing the corresponding card information stored in the management server to the terminal after the identity of the card user is authenticated.
PCT/KR2004/000763 2003-04-07 2004-04-01 Credit transaction system and method using fingerprint information WO2004090821A1 (en)

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KR1020030021723A KR20040087690A (en) 2003-04-07 2003-04-07 System and Method for a credit transaction by a fingerprint
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JP (1) JP2004310778A (en)
KR (1) KR20040087690A (en)
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TW200421147A (en) 2004-10-16

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