Method for electronically transferring personal information on credit gaining card, and mini IC card, adapter card, terminal adapter, slip issuing device, portable terminal used therein

Claim 2

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 1, wherein a function for making connection with the IC card (1) to automatically performing the inquiry and a function for display a result of the inquiry are provided to a portable terminal (3), the card user (13) connects the IC card (1) to the portable terminal (3), inputs the code number using push-button digits on the portable terminal (3) and makes the inquiry by utilizing a radio call function of the portable terminal (3), and a result of the inquiry is displayed on the portable terminal (3).

Claim 3

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 2, wherein a slip (10) is issued upon receiving necessary information by a slip issuing device (5) in a card acceptable store (14) that is connected with the information center (24) over a telephone line (26), if it is found that the credit can be gained as a result of the inquiry.

Claim 4

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 1, wherein a function for making connection with the IC card (1) to automatically make the inquiry is provided to a mutually connected portable terminal (3) and a terminal adapter (30) for connecting the portable terminal (3) to a wire telephone line (26), a function for displaying a result of the inquiry is provided to the portable terminal (3), the card user (13) connects the IC card (1) to the portable terminal (3), inputs the code number using push-button digits on the portable terminal (3) and makes the inquiry by utilizing the portable terminal (3) and a wired call function of the terminal adapter (30), a result of the inquiry is displayed on the portable terminal (3), and a slip (10) is issued upon receiving necessary information by a slip issuing device (5) in a card acceptable store (14) that is connected with the information center (24) over a telephone line (26), if it is found that the credit can be gained as a result of the inquiry.

Claim 5

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 2, wherein a result of the inquiry is stored in the IC card (1) so that it can be maintained even after canceling connection with the portable terminal (3).

Claim 6

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 2, wherein the size of the IC card (1) is made smaller than that of a regular magnetic card on which the personal information is magnetically written so that the IC card (1) can be inserted into the portable terminal (3), the IC card (1) is inserted into an adapter card (2) which is as large as a regular magnetic card, and the personal information is read out as information magnetically written in the adapter card (2) which has a compatibility with the magnetic card.

Claim 7

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 1, wherein a function for making connection with the IC card (1) to automatically performing the inquiry is provided to a slip issuing device (6), the card user (13) connects the IC card (1) to the slip issuing device (6), inputs the code number by operating keys on the slip issuing device (6) and makes the inquiry by utilizing a wired call function of the slip issuing device (6), and a slip (10) is issued upon receiving necessary information by the slip issuing device (6) if it is found that the credit can be gained as a result of the inquiry.

Claim 8

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 1, wherein the code number is stored only in the information center (24) and collation of the input code number is carried out by inquiring of the information center (24).

Claim 9

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 1, wherein personal information in a card issuing organization other than the card issuing organization of the card in question is also stored in the information center (24), and hence the necessary information can be appropriately downloaded.

Claim 10

A method for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card as set forth in claim 1, wherein personal information in a card issuing organization other than the card issuing organization of the card in question is also stored in the IC card (1).

Claim 11

A mini IC card (1) issued by a card issuing organization for use in payment by a card user (13) with respect to a card acceptable store (14) or the like, the mini IC card (1) comprising: a memory portion for storing at least personal information for identifying a card issuing organization, a card number and a card user; and a signal transferring portion for transferring the personal information to/from outside, the mini IC card (1) being made smaller than a regular magnetic card on which personal information is magnetically written so as to be inserted into a portable terminal (3).

Claim 12

An adapter card (2) for enabling a card reader to read out the personal information stored on the mini IC card (1) defined in claim 11, the adapter card (2) comprising: a slot (2d) to which the mini IC card (1) is inserted; and a signal transferring portion (2a) for transferring information to/from the card reader, the adapter card (2) being made as large as a regular magnetic card.

Claim 13

A terminal adapter (30), to which the portable terminal (3) having the mini IC card (1) defined in claim 11 inserted therein is connected, for inquiring of an information center (24) of a card issuing organization on whether the credit can be gained, the terminal adapter (30) characterized by being provided with a function for connecting the portable terminal (3) to the information center (24) over a telephone wire line (26) based on input of a code number by the card user (13) and the stored information electronically read out from the mini IC card (1) when the portable terminal automatically inquires of the information center (24) of the card issuing organization whether the credit can be gained.

Claim 14

A slip issuing device (6), to which the mini IC card (1) defined in claim 11 is connected, for inquiring of an information center (24) of a card issuing organization on whether the credit can be gained, the slip issuing device (6) characterized by being provided with a function for automatically inquiring of the information center (24) of the card issuing organization whether the credit can be gained based on input of a code number by the card user (13) and the stored information electronically read out from the mini IC card (1) and a function for issuing a slip (10) upon receiving necessary information from the information center (24).

Claim 15

A portable terminal (3), to which the mini IC card (1) defined in claim 11 can be inserted, for electronically transferring personal information on a credit gaining card, the portable terminal (3) characterized by including therein a one-chip integrated circuit incorporating at least a part of functions of a regular portable terminal and at least basic function for automatically inquiring of an information center (24) of a card issuing organization whether the credit can be gained based on input of a code number by the card user (13) and the stored information electronically read out from the mini IC card (1).