WO2007142486A1

WO2007142486A1 - Business-to-business electronic payment method

Info

Publication number: WO2007142486A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/002776
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheolhyoun Park
Original assignee: Cheolhyoun Park
Priority date: 2006-06-08
Filing date: 2007-06-08
Publication date: 2007-12-13

Abstract

The present invention relates to a business-to-business electronic payment method. According to the business-to-business electronic payment method, purchase company reimbursement money that is more than interest receipts can be paid to a purchase company that pre-pays the purchase price in cash, and the purchase company incapable of making credit transactions can pay the purchase price in cash by using a purchase cash payment system, and can be paid the purchase company reimbursement money, which is a portion of the payment commission paid by a sales company. In addition, in the business-to-business electronic payment method, the sales company can pay a lower payment commission than that in the existing business-to-business payment method, and be paid cash as payment on the purchase price, and a financial institution enables cash transactions between the purchase company and the sales company, and can earn profit from the cash transactions. Therefore, as described above, according to the invention, all of the financial institution, the purchase company, and the sales company can earn profits, and cash transactions can be activated between companies, which makes it possible to solve problems caused by promissory note and credit transactions and thus achieve the soundness of finance during the transaction between companies.

Description

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS ELECTRONIC PAYMENT METHOD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a business-to-business electronic payment method, and more particularly, to a business-to-business electronic payment method of paying the purchase price using a purchase cash payment system in financial transactions between a purchase company and a sales company. Background Art

[2] In recent years, payment methods using a business-to-business purchase card (B2B purchase card), on-line credit payment, and promissory note have been used as business-to-business electronic payment methods.

[3] In the payment method using the B2B purchase card, a financial institution issues a

B2B purchase card to a purchase company, and admits to a sales company as a member. When the sales company sells a product to the purchase company, the purchase company pays for the product using the B2B purchase card.

[4] The financial institution pays the sales company money for the product having a predetermined pre-payment commission deducted therefrom. Therefore, the sales company can receive cash quickly, and the purchase company can obtain the same effect as paying the purchase price in cash through credit transactions. The financial institution can obtain a pre-payment commission.

[5] For reference, the payment method using the B2B purchase card differs from a payment method using a general credit card. Specifically, in the payment method using the B2B purchase card, cash is pre-paid to the sales company, but in the credit card transactions, cash is paid to a member company after a predetermined period has elapsed.

[6] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the conception of a business-to-business payment method using the B2B purchase card according to the prior art.

[7] As shown in Fig. 1, the business-to-business payment method using the existing

B2B purchase card according to the prior art is performed on the basis of a hardware configuration in which computer terminals or servers of a financial institution, a purchase company, and a sales company are connected to a network.

[8] First, the sales company sells products or services to the purchase company (®).

The purchase company joins the financial institution as a credit member (©), and the sales company joins the financial institution as a member company (©).

[9] The purchase company pays the purchase price using a B2B purchase card (®).

When the sales company requests the financial institution to pre-pay the purchase price (©), the financial institution deducts a pre-payment commission from the purchase price and then pays the deducted money to the sales company (©). The purchase company pays the purchase price in cash with a predetermined due date to the financial institution (©), and a payment process using the B2B purchase card ends. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] However, in the payment method using the B2B purchase card according to the prior art, the purchase company needs to have a sufficient credit rating to be issued with the B2B purchase card. However, since there are not many companies that can be issued with the B2B purchase cards, the purchase companies capable of transacting business with these companies correspond to primary and secondary venders of big enterprises in general.

[11] However, since the primary and secondary venders of big enterprises generally have sufficient amount of cash, they do not need to receive the purchase price in cash while paying a high pre-payment commission. The primary and secondary venders of big enterprises have a tendency not to prefer to pay the purchase price using the B2B purchase card.

[12] In addition, in many cases, the primary and secondary venders of big enterprises, which are sales companies, are provided with parts and raw materials for manufacturing products and completed products from contractors. The primary and secondary venders of big enterprises are pre-paid cash from the financial institution through the payment method using the B2B purchase card. However, the primary and secondary venders of big enterprises do not immediately pay the purchase price to the contractor, but make credit transactions with the contractors or issue promissory notes to postpone payment of cash, which causes chain reaction bankruptcies of companies.

[13] For these reasons, the payment method using the B2B purchase card has not been activated, which causes the problem of poor cash flow between companies.

[14] The present invention has been finalized in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a business-to-business electronic payment system capable of improving cash flow between companies by using a purchase cash payment system rather than the payment method using the B2B purchase card according to the prior art. Technical Solution

[15] In order to achieve the object, according to an aspect of the invention, a business- to-business electronic payment method includes: allowing a purchase company to access a purchase cash payment system through a computer terminal and a network connected to the computer terminal to pay the purchase price and to select one type between a cash transaction and a credit transaction; allowing the purchase cash payment system to calculate a payment commission on the basis of received payment information and the type of transaction; electronically remitting money obtained by deducting the payment commission from the purchase price from an account of the purchase company to an account of a sales company; allowing the purchase cash payment system to calculate purchase company reimbursement money to be paid to the purchase company that is included in the payment commission; and paying the calculated purchase company reimbursement money to the purchase company.

[16] In the business-to-business electronic payment method according to the above- mentioned aspect, when the purchase company selects the cash transaction, preferably, the payment commission includes one or more of: the purchase company reimbursement money that is paid to the purchase company in order to compensate for an interest loss of the purchase company caused by using the purchase cash payment system to pay the purchase price in cash; a system fee that includes the purchase company reimbursement money for compensating for the interest loss of the purchase company and a fee for operating and maintaining the purchase cash payment system; and a server fee for operating and maintaining a server of a financial institution that is used to process financial businesses, such as the transfer of funds, using the purchase cash payment system.

[17] In the business-to-business electronic payment method according to the above- mentioned aspect, when the purchase company selects the credit transaction, preferably, the payment commission includes one or more of: the purchase company reimbursement money that is paid to the purchase company in order to compensate the purchase company for using the purchase cash payment system to pay the purchase price through the credit transaction; a system fee that includes the purchase company reimbursement money and a fee for operating and maintaining the purchase cash payment system; a financial fee that is charged when the purchase company that is given credit by the financial institution uses the existing B2B purchase card to pay the purchase price through the purchase cash payment system and the sales company prepays the purchase price before a credit payment due date, and is paid to the financial institution; and a server fee for operating or maintaining a server of a financial institution that is used to process financial businesses, such as the transfer of funds, using the purchase cash payment system.

Advantageous Effects

[18] In the invention, the purchase company that pre-pays the purchase price in cash is paid the purchase company reimbursement money that is more than the income from interests. Therefore, the purchase company having a large amount of cash prefers to pay the purchase price in cash rather than to deposit money in the financial institution. [19] In addition, the purchase company that is unable to perform credit transactions can use the purchase cash payment system according to the invention to pay the purchase price in cash and be paid the purchase company reimbursement money, which is a portion of the payment commission that is paid by a sales company. That is, the purchase company can have the income through cash transactions. [20] Further, when the sales company uses the purchase cash payment system according to the invention, the sales company pays a payment commission that is less than that in the business-to-business electronic payment system according to the prior art and can be paid the purchase price in cash. [21] Furthermore, according to the invention, the financial institution can earn an income from the fees charged to cash transactions between the purchase company and the sales company. [22] Therefore, according to the invention, the financial institution, the purchase company, the sales company can earn profits, and thus cash transactions between companies are activated, which makes it possible to prevent many adverse effects of credit transactions and ensure the soundness of transactions between companies.

Brief Description of the Drawings [23] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a business-to-business payment method using the business-to-business purchase card according to the prior art. [24] Figs. 2 to 5 are diagrams illustrating the concept of a business-to-business payment method using a purchase cash payment system according to an embodiment of the invention. [25] Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of hardware for executing the business-to-business payment method according to the embodiment of the invention. [26] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the business-to-business payment method executed by the hardware shown in Fig. 6 according to the embodiment of the invention.

Mode for the Invention [27] First, the concept of a method of paying the purchase price in cash using a purchase cash payment system according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. [28] Fig. 2 shows a method of paying the purchase price in cash using a purchase cash payment system provided in a brokerage company during a transaction between companies. [29] As shown in Fig. 2, a financial institution, a purchase company, a sales company, and a brokerage company are connected to one another through a network. The purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company, the financial institution, the purchase company, and the sales company are connected to the network through servers or computers, which is already known in this technical field. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment. For example, the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company and the server of the financial institution may be connected to each other by a leased line in consideration of security.

[30] Next, a process of paying the purchase price in cash using the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company during the transactions between companies will be described below.

[31] The purchase company joins the brokerage company as a member of the purchase cash payment system (®). When joining the brokerage company as a member of the purchase cash payment system, the purchase company may notify the brokerage company of one or more accounts established in the financial institution that is required to pay a cost in cash.

[32] The purchase company may become a member of both the brokerage company and the financial institution but sometimes it is required to additionally join the financial institution.

[33] The sales company joins the brokerage company as a member of the purchase cash payment system (©). When joining the brokerage company as a member of the purchase cash payment system, the sales company may notify the brokerage company of one or more accounts established in the financial institution that is required to receive payments for a product.

[34] The sales company may become a member of both the brokerage company and the financial institution but sometimes it is required to additionally join the financial institution.

[35] The purchase company and the sales company agree on a purchase cash payment system transaction contract, which requires payment on the purchase price by using the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company (©), and notify the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company of the contract result.

[36] A sales transaction related to, for example, products or services is performed between the purchase company and the sales company (®). The purchase company uses the purchase cash payment system according to the embodiment of the invention to request the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company to pay the purchase price in cash (©).

[37] The brokerage company may or may not notify the financial institution of information indicating that the purchase company requests the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company to pay the purchase price in cash. [38] If necessary, the purchase company may directly request the financial institution to pay the purchase price in cash. In this case, the financial institution notifies the brokerage company of the fact.

[39] The purchase company pays the money required to pay the purchase price in cash on the account established in the financial institution, which is designated when joining the brokerage company or on the account separately designated by the purchase cash payment system (©). When the money required to pay the purchase price is deposited in the designated account, the financial institution notifies the brokerage company whether the money is deposited (©).

[40] The brokerage company receives the notification of the deposited money from the financial institution, and then notifies the sales company that the preparation in paying the purchase price is completed (®). As another example, the process of notifying whether the money is deposited (©) and the process of notifying that the preparation in paying the purchase price is completed may be omitted.

[41] When the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company does not receive the deposited result of money from the financial institution within a predetermined time after the purchase company requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price in cash, the brokerage company notifies the purchase company and the sales company of the fact. In this way, it is possible to ensure safety payment using the purchase cash payment system.

[42] When the sales company having received the notification indicating that the preparation in paying the purchase price is completed requests the brokerage company to pay the purchase price (®), the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price (®).

[43] In this case, the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company calculates a payment commission and a system fee included in the payment commission before requesting the payment on the purchase prices, and transmits to the financial institution the payment commission and the system fee together with the payment request.

[44] As another example, the sales company may directly request the financial institution to pay the purchase price. In this case, when the sales company directly requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price, the financial institution notifies the brokerage company of the fact, and the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company calculates the payment commission and the system fee and notifies the financial institution of the fees.

[45] The financial institution having received the payment request from the brokerage company subtracts the payment commission from the purchase price and pays the money to the sales company ( ). After paying the purchase price to the sales company (

®

), the financial institution pays the system fee included in the payment commission to the brokerage company (

)•

[46] The brokerage company pays the purchase company reimbursement money to the purchase company (

[47] As another example, the sales company may request the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company to pay a portion or all of the purchase price at the timing selected by the sales company, and receive the money. In this case, the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company calculates the payment commission for the money requested by the sales company after a predetermined time from the payment on the purchase price by the purchase company, subtracts the payment commission from the purchase price, and sends the money to the sales company. In addition, the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company pays a portion of the payment commission to the purchase company as the purchase company reimbursement money.

[48] Fig. 3 shows a method of paying the purchase price in cash using a purchase cash payment system provided in a financial institution in a transaction between companies without a brokerage company.

[49] Next, a process of paying the purchase price in cash using the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution during the transaction between companies will be described below.

[50] The purchase company joins the financial institution as a member of the purchase cash payment system (®). When joining the financial institution as a member of the purchase cash payment system, the purchase company designates one or more accounts established in the financial institution that is required to pay a cost in cash.

[51] The sales company joins the financial institution as a member of the purchase cash payment system (©). When joining the financial institution as a member of the purchase cash payment system, the sales company designates one or more accounts established in the financial institution that is required to receive payments for products.

[52] The purchase company and the sales company use the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution to agree on a purchase cash payment system transaction contract required to pay the purchase price (©), and notifies the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution of the contract result.

[53] A sales transaction related to, for example, products or services is performed between the purchase company and the sales company (®). The purchase company uses the purchase cash payment system according to the embodiment to request the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution to pay the purchase price in cash (©).

[54] The financial institution may notify the sales company of information indicating that the purchase company requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price in cash.

[55] The purchase company pays the money required to pay the purchase price in cash on the account established in the financial institution, which is designated when joining the financial institution, or on the account separately designated by the purchase cash payment system (©). When the money required to pay the purchase price is deposited in the designated account, the financial institution notifies the sales company that the preparation in paying the purchase price is completed (©).

[56] As another example, the process of notifying that the preparation in paying the purchase price is completed (©) may be omitted, if necessary.

[57] When money is not deposited into the designated account within a predetermined time after the purchase company requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price in cash, the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution notifies the purchase company and the sales company of the fact. In this way, it is possible to ensure security for payment using the purchase cash payment system.

[58] When the sales company having received the notification indicating that the preparation in paying the purchase price is completed requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price (®), the financial institution subtracts a payment commission from the purchase price and pays the money to the sales company (®).

[59] After paying the money excluding the payment commission to the sales company, the financial institution pays the purchase company reimbursement money to the purchase company (®).

[60] As another example, the sales company may request the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution to pay a portion of or all of the purchase price at the timing selected by the sales company, and be paid the money. In this case, the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution calculates the payment commission according to the money requested by the sales company and according to the time elapsed from the payment on the purchase price by the purchase company, subtracts the payment commission from the purchase price, and sends the money to the sales company. In addition, the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution pays a portion of the payment commission to the purchase company as the purchase company reimbursement money.

[61] The business-to-business payment processes using the purchase cash payment system shown in Figs. 2 and 3 are performed through a network in which the servers or computers of the financial institution, the sales company, the purchase company, and the brokerage company are connected to each other.

[62] In the cash transaction method using the purchase cash payment system according to the invention shown in Fig. 2 and 3, the payment commission for the use of the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company or the financial institution by the sales company may be equal to, or smaller or larger than the pre-payment commission for the payment method using a business-to-business (B2B) purchase card according to the prior art. However, the payment commission is set such that there is little difference between the payment commission and the pre-payment commission.

[63] Therefore, in this embodiment, the payment commission paid by the sales company is similar to that in the existing business-to-business electronic payment method, and thus the method using the purchase cash payment system according to this embodiment is more advantageous to the sales company than a credit transaction method.

[64] The financial institution can earn profits from financial businesses, and the brokerage company or the financial institution operating the purchase cash payment system can earn profits from the system fee.

[65] In addition, the purchase company pays the purchase price in cash, but is paid the purchase company reimbursement money.

[66] Therefore, the purchase cash payment system according to this embodiment of the invention enables the financial institution, the brokerage company, the purchase company, and the sales company, that is, all components to earn profits, and can activate payment on the purchase price in cash.

[67] In this embodiment, a credit transaction using the purchase cash payment system can be performed, which will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

[68] Fig. 4 shows a method of paying the purchase price through a credit transaction using a purchase cash payment system provided in a brokerage company during a transaction between companies.

[69] As shown in Fig. 4, a financial institution, a purchase company, a sales company, and a brokerage company are connected to one another through a network. The purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company, the financial institution, the purchase company, and the sales company are connected to the network through servers or computers, which has been known in this technical field. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment. For example, the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company and the server of the financial institution may be connected to each other by a leased line in consideration of security.

[70] Next, a process of paying the purchase price through a credit transaction using the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company during the transaction between companies will be described below.

[71] The purchase company joins the brokerage company as a member of the purchase cash payment system (®). When joining the brokerage company as a member of the purchase cash payment system, the purchase company may notify the brokerage company of one or more accounts established in the financial institution that is required to pay costs in cash.

[72] The purchase company may become a member of both the brokerage company and the financial institution but sometimes it is required to additionally join the financial institution.

[73] The sales company joins the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company (©). When joining the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company, the sales company may notify the brokerage company of one or more accounts established in the financial institution that is required to receive payments for a product.

[74] When joining the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company, the sales company may join both the brokerage company and the financial institution, but the sales company needs to additionally join the financial institution, if necessary.

[75] The purchase company and the sales company agree on a purchase cash payment system transaction contract required to pay the purchase price by using the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company (©), and notify the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company of the contract result.

[76] A sales transaction related to, for example, products or services is performed between the purchase company and the sales company (®). The purchase company uses the purchase cash payment system according to the embodiment of the inventon to request the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company to pay the purchase price in cash (©).

[77] The brokerage company inquires the financial institution whether the purchase company pays the purchase price through a credit transaction (©). The brokerage company receives the result of the notification of the credit transaction (©) from the financial institution, and notifies the sales company that the preparation in paying the purchase price through credit transactions is completed according to the result of the notification (®).

[78] The sales company having received the notification indicating that the preparation in paying the purchase price through credit transactions is completed requests the brokerage company to pre-pay the purchase price (®). The brokerage company having received the prepayment request requests the financial institution to pre-pay the purchase price (®).

[79] In this case, the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company calculates a payment commission and a system fee included in the payment commission before requesting the prepayment on the purchase price, and transmits to the financial institution the payment commission and the system fee together with the prepayment request.

[80] Alternatively, the sales company may directly request the financial institution to pay the purchase price. In this case, when the sales company directly requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price, the financial institution notifies the brokerage company of the fact, and the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company calculates the payment commission and the system fee and notifies the financial institution of the payment and system fees.

[81] The financial institution having received the prepayment request from the brokerage company subtracts the payment commission from the purchase price and pays the money to the sales company (

©

)• [82] Since the financial institution pre-pays the purchase price on the security of the credit of the purchase company, the financial institution pays the money obtained after deducting a financial fee from the payment commission as the system fee to the brokerage company (

). For reference, when the financial fee is a major part of the payment commission, or is equal to the payment commission, the brokerage company may not be paid any system fee.

[83] The brokerage company pays the purchase company reimbursement money to the purchase company (

©

). The purchase company deposits money corresponding to the purchase price through credit transaction on its account to pay for the purchase price (

[84] As another example, the sales company may request the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company to pay a portion or all of the purchase price at the timing selected by the sales company, and receive the money. In this case, the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company calculates the payment commission according to the money requested by the sales company and according to the time elapsed from the payment on the purchase price by the purchase company, subtracts the payment commission from the purchase price, and sends the money to the sales company. In addition, the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company pays a portion of the payment commission to the purchase company as the purchase company reimbursement money.

[85] Fig. 5 shows a method of paying the purchase price in cash using a purchase cash payment system provided in a financial institution in a transaction between companies without a brokerage company.

[86] Next, a process of paying the purchase price through credit transactions using the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution during the transaction between companies will be described below.

[87] The purchase company joins the financial institution as a member of the purchase cash payment system (®). When joining the financial institution as a member of the purchase cash payment system, the purchase company designates one or more accounts established in the financial institution that are required to pay the purchase price in cash.

[88] The sales company joins the financial institution as a member of the purchase cash payment system (©). When joining financial institution as a member of the purchase cash payment system, the sales company designates one or more accounts established in the financial institution that are required to receive payments for products.

[89] The purchase company and the sales company use the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution to agree on a purchase cash payment system transaction contract required to pay the purchase price (©), and notify the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution of the contract result.

[90] A sales transaction related to, for example, products or services is performed between the purchase company and the sales company (®). The purchase company uses the purchase cash payment system according to the embodiment to request the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution to pay the purchase price in cash (©).

[91] The financial institution may notify the sales company of information indicating that the purchase company requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price in cash.

[92] The financial institution having received the request to pay the purchase price through credit transactions from the purchase company notifies the sales company that the preparation in paying the purchase price is completed (©). [93] The sales company having received the notification indicating that the preparation in paying the purchase price is completed requests the financial institution to pre-pay the purchase price (©). The financial institution having received the pre-payment request subtracts the payment commission from the purchase price and pays the money to the sales company (®).

[94] After paying the purchase price without the payment commission to the sales company, the financial institution pays the purchase company reimbursement money to the purchase company (®).

[95] The purchase company deposits the money corresponding to the purchase price through credit transactions into the account after a predetermined time, and pays for the purchase price in cash (®).

[96] As another example, the sales company may request the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution to pay a portion or all of the purchase price at the timing selected by the sales company, and be paid the money. In this case, the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution calculates the payment commission according to the money requested by the sales company and according to the time elapsed from the payment on the purchase price by the purchase company, subtracts the payment commission from the purchase price, and sends the money to the sales company. In addition, the purchase cash payment system of the financial institution pays a portion of the payment commission to the purchase company as the purchase company reimbursement money.

[97] In the credit transaction method using the purchase cash payment system according to the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the payment commission for the use of the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company or the financial institution by the sales company may be equal to, or slightly larger than that in a payment method using a B2B purchase card according to the prior art.

[98] Even when the payment commission for the use of the purchase cash payment system of the brokerage company or the financial institution by the sales company is slightly larger than the pre-payment commission for the payment method using the B2B purchase card according to the prior art, it is possible to compensate for losses due to a pre-payment commission with the purchase company reimbursement money and to earn profits according to different circumstances by using the purchase cash payment system to purchase materials and raw materials for manufacturing goods. Therefore, the credit transaction method according to the invention is more advantageous to earn profits than the existing transactions using the B2B purchase card.

[99] The financial institution can receive a financial fee and a server fee, which are included in a payment commission when the brokerage company exists, and can receive a financial fee, a server fee, and a system fee, which are included in a payment commission when it directly operates the purchase cash payment system without the brokerage company. Therefore, the credit transaction method according to this embodiment can earn more profits than the existing credit transactions using the B2B purchase card.

[100] In addition, the brokerage company can earn profits from the system fee, and the purchase company is paid the purchase company reimbursement money. Therefore, the credit transaction method according to this embodiment can earn more profits than the existing credit transactions using the B2B purchase card.

[101] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the invention, in addition to the cash transaction method using the purchase cash payment system shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and the credit transaction method shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a transaction method of paying the purchase price by the sum of cash deposited into the account of the purchase company and the credit of the purchase company given by the financial institution may be used. In addition, the following method may be used: when the purchase company selects the credit transactions, the financial institution provides credit that is used as payment on the purchase price according to the purchase company's bank balance, the credit rating of the purchase company, or the value of a security. For reference, the credit includes a loan and certification of payment.

[102] Meanwhile, Table 1 shows various fees described in the embodiments of the invention.

[103] Table 1

price to a sales company during credit transactions using the purchase cash payment system.-Paid to the financial institution. payment •A fee paid by a sales company during payment on the purchase price commission between companies using the purchase cash payment system.-The payment commission = the financial fee + the server fee + the system fee. -Subtract the payment commission from sales that are paid to the sales company by the financial institution.

[104] In Table 1, A) the purchase company reimbursement money means a fee for compensating for an interest loss of a purchase company when the purchase company pays the purchase price in cash during a transaction using the purchase cash payment system according to the embodiments of the invention.

[105] For reference, when the purchase company pays the purchase price using a B2B purchase card or a promissory note as in the prior art, the purchase company pays the purchase price in cash after a predetermined period from the payment on the purchase price using a credit card or a promissory note. However, in the cash payment method according to the embodiment of the invention, when the purchase company pays the purchase price using the purchase cash payment system, the purchase company should pay the purchase price in cash within a short period, which makes it difficult to ensure the liquidity of cash for a some period of time, resulting in a financial loss. In the invention, the financial loss due to a low liquidity of cash during the period is defined as the interest loss.

[106] The amount of the purchase company reimbursement money fluctuates according to the credit rating of the purchase company and the purchase cash payment system transaction contract between the purchase company and the sales company. In addition, The amount of the purchase company reimbursement money fluctuates various factors, such as the kind and the number of products sold by the sales company and a selling process.

[107] The purchase company reimbursement money may be uniformly paid to all the purchase companies for convenience of management.

[108] The purchase company reimbursement money is paid to the purchase company using the purchase cash payment system.

[109] B) The system fee includes the purchase company reimbursement money for compensating the interest loss of the purchase company and a fee for operating and maintaining the purchase cash payment system, and is paid to institution and companies having the purchase cash payment system installed therein.

[110] C) The server fee is paid as a cost for using a server in the financial institution to processes financial businesses, such as the transfer of funds, the payment of cash, and the management of accounts, using the purchase cash payment system. The server fee is paid to the financial institution.

[I l l] D) The financial fee is charged when the financial institution pre-pays the purchase price to the sales company during credit transactions using the purchase cash payment system. Since the financial fee is a sort of money loaned to the purchase company by the financial institution, the financial fee is paid to the financial institution that gives credit to the purchase company.

[112] The financial institution is paid both the financial fee and the server fee, and thus can earn more profits in the payment method according to this embodiment than in the payment method according to the prior art using the B2B purchase card.

[113] E) The payment commission should be paid by the sales company during the transaction between companies using the purchase cash payment system, and corresponds to the sum of the system fee, the server fee, and the financial fee. In this embodiment, the sales company pays the payment commission to the financial institution, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the purchase company may pay the payment commission to the brokerage company.

[114] Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of hardware for executing the embodiments of the invention. As shown in Fig. 6, the hardware for executing the embodiments of the invention includes a purchase cash payment system, a computer or server of a financial institution, a computer or server of a brokerage company, a computer or server of a purchase company, and a computer or server of a sales company.

[115] In this configuration, the computer or server of the brokerage company is not an essential component of the hardware for executing the embodiments of the invention. When the financial institution operates the purchase cash payment system, the computer or server of the brokerage company may be omitted.

[116] The purchase cash payment system may be provided in only the brokerage company, only the financial institution, or both the brokerage company and the financial institution.

[117] The purchase cash payment system includes a membership database, a member company database, a log database, a payment module, a payment notifying module, a payment requesting module, a fee calculating module, a fee transmitting/receiving module, a risk management module, an access control module, and a flow control module.

[118] The membership database sorts and manages information of members that is input to the purchase cash payment system when purchase companies join the purchase cash payment system.

[119] Purchase cash cards may be issued to the purchase companies having joined the purchase cash payment system. The purchase cash card may be an actual card, or a virtual card having only a card number that is used to pay the purchase price using a certificate on-line.

[120] Alternatively, the financial institution may evaluate the credit ratings of the purchase companies, and issue the purchase cash cards to the purchase companies according to their credit ratings.

[121] The member company database sorts and manages information of purchase companies that is input to the purchase cash payment system when the purchase companies join the purchase cash payment system. The purchase company may be registered on both the membership database and the member company database.

[122] The payment database includes fields for information related to payment, such as settlement money, cash/credit transactions, a settlement date, a payment request date, a payment date, an adjustment date, a system fee, and a payment commission, and purchase company reimbursement money.

[123] The settlement money means money paying the purchase price. The cash/credit transactions indicate whether a member (purchase company) registered on the member database pays the purchase price in cash or using a credit card. The settlement data means the date of settlement, and the payment request data means the data when a member company (sales company) requests to pay the purchase price. The payment data means the date when a member company (sales company) pays the purchase price. The adjustment data means the date when a member company (purchase company) deposits the purchase price into an account established in a financial institution. The system fee is charged for the use of the purchase cash payment system, and the payment commission means the sum of fees charged when a sales company makes money using the purchase cash payment system according to the embodiments of the invention. The purchase company reimbursement money means a fee paid to a purchase company (member) when the purchase company pays the purchase price in cash using the purchase cash payment system.

[124] The log database stores information related to all payment processes of the purchase cash payment system according to the embodiments of the invention.

[125] The payment module processes jobs generated when the purchase company pays the purchase price. The payment module displays a payment window on a display device of a terminal or a server to allow the purchase company to input information necessary for paying the purchase price, such as a purchase cash card number, payments, a purchase number, a member company number, member information, a password, a certificate number, and a security card number, and performs a payment process on the basis of input information.

[126] When payment is performed by the payment module, information on payment is stored in the payment database.

[127] The payment notifying module notifies the sales company or the financial institution that payment has been performed. The payment notifying module notifies the sales company of the payment through a communication means, such as e-mail, SMS, a messenger, or a telephone, immediately after the purchase company pays the purchas e price, after a predetermined time, or when the purchase company deposits the purchase price in his or her account established in the financial institution and notifies deposit information.

[128] The payment request module processes the payment request of the sales company.

The payment request module displays a payment display window on a display device of a server or a terminal to allow the sales company to input necessary information, such as a member company number, payment request money, a password, a certificate number, and a security card number, and requests the server of the financial institution to pay the purchase price, on the basis of input information.

[129] When the payment request module requests the server of the financial institution to pay the purchase price, information on the payment request is stored in the payment database. The information on the payment request is notified to the financial institution and the purchase company.

[130] The fee calculating module calculates all fees charged for the use of the purchase cash payment system, such as the purchase company reimbursement money, the system fee, the server fee, the financial fee, and the payment commission. Specifically, the fee calculating module calculates the payment commission to be subtracted when the financial institution sends the purchase price to the sales company, the financial fee that will be sent to the financial institution during credit transactions, and the purchase company reimbursement money that will be sent to the purchase company by the purchase cash payment system during cash transactions, and notifies information on the fees to the financial institution, the purchase company, the sales company, and the brokerage company.

[131] When the financial institution deposits the system fee into the account, the fee transmitting/receiving module checks the deposited money. When the deposited money includes the purchase company reimbursement money to be sent to the purchase company, the fee transmitting/receiving module sends the purchase company reimbursement money to the account of the purchase company or a separately designated account, and notifies the purchase company of the sending of the purchase company reimbursement money through a communication means, such as e-mail, a messenger, a telephone. In addition, the fee transmitting/receiving module transmits fees to the financial institution, the brokerage company, and the purchase company, and notifies the financial institution, the brokerage company, and the purchase company of the transmission of the fees.

[132] The risk management module manages the transaction risk of each purchase company that is generated during credit transactions according to the credit rating thereof. The access control module controls communication among the servers or the computers of the brokerage company and the financial institution and the servers or the computers of the purchase company and the sales company. The flow control module generally controls the operations of the above-mentioned modules.

[133] Next, an example of the process of the embodiments of the invention executed by the hardware having the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to Fig. 7.

[134] First, the sales company sells products or services to the purchase company. When the purchase company and the sales company are not members of the purchase cash payment system, the purchase company and the sales company join the purchase cash payment system. After joining the purchase cash payment system, the purchase company and the sales company use the purchase cash payment system to make a business-to-business payment contract with the purchase cash payment system, and notify the purchase cash payment system of the fact.

[135] The purchase company requests the purchase cash payment system to pay the purchase price.

[136] The purchase cash payment system inquires to the purchase company whether to pay the purchase price in cash or through credit transactions. The step of inquiring whether to pay the purchase price in cash or through credit transactions may be performed before or after a payment process. However, it is preferable that the step of inquiring whether to pay the purchase price in cash or through credit transactions be simultaneously performed with a payment request step.

[137] When the purchase company selects cash transactions, the purchase company deposits the purchase price into the account established in the financial institution when joining the purchase cash payment system or a separately designated account (cash depositing step).

[138] When cash is deposited, the financial institution notifies the purchase cash payment system of the deposition of cash (step of notifying the deposition of cash), and then the purchase cash payment system notifies the sales company that the preparation in paying the purchase price has been completed (step of notifying that the preparation in paying the purchase price has been completed). The step of notifying the deposited result of cash and the step of notifying that the preparation in paying the purchase price has been completed may be omitted.

[139] When the purchase cash payment system does not receive a notice that cash is deposited into the account from the financial institution after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, when the deposited money is less than the purchase price, or when the deposit of cash fails, the financial institution transmits information on the deposited cash to the purchase cash payment system, and then the purchase cash payment system notifies the purchase company of the information on the deposited cash.

[140] When cash is not completely deposited into the account after a predetermined period has elapsed, the purchase cash payment system notifies the sales company that the deposit of money paying for the purchase price has failed. The process of notifying the purchase company and the sales company of the information on the deposited money may be omitted.

[141] When the step of notifying that the preparation in paying the purchase price has been completed is successfully performed, the sales company requests the purchase cash payment system to pay the purchase price (payment request step). The purchase cash payment system having received the payment request from the sales company requests the financial institution to pay the purchase price (step of requesting the financial institution to pay the purchase price).

[142] The process from the step of depositing cash into the designated account to the step of requesting the financial institution to pay the purchase price is performed only when the purchase company pays the purchase price in cash.

[143] If the purchase company pays the purchase price through credit transactions, the process from the step of depositing cash into the designated account to the step of requesting the financial institution to pay the purchase price is not performed, and the purchase cash payment system notifies the financial institution that the purchase company pays the purchase price through credit transactions instead of depositing cash into the designated account to the step of requesting the financial institution to pay the purchase price (credit transaction notifying step).

[144] The financial institution checks a credit limit of the purchase company, and notifies the purchase cash payment system of the check result (step of notifying the credit limit of the purchase company). For example, the credit limit of the purchase company depends on the credit rating, the financial record, or the financial assets of the purchase company.

[145] The purchase cash payment system notifies the sales company that the purchase company is ready to pay the purchase price through credit transactions (step of notifying that the preparation in paying the purchase price through credit transactions is completed).

[146] The sales company requests the purchase cash payment system to pre-pay the purchase price at the time when pre-payment on the purchase price is needed according to the results of the notification of the preparation in paying the purchase price through credit transactions (pre-payment request step). In the pre-payment request step, the sales company may directly request the financial institution to pay the purchase price. When receiving the pre-payment request from the sales company, the purchase cash payment system requests the financial institution to pre-pay the purchase price (step of requesting the financial institution to pre-pay the purchase price).

[147] The process from the credit transaction notifying step to the step of requesting the financial institution to pre-pay the purchase price is performed when the purchase company decides to pay the purchase price through credit transactions.

[148] When the step of requesting the financial institution to pay the purchase price or the step of requesting the financial institution to pre-pay the purchase price is completed, the financial institution pays money obtained by subtracting the payment commission from the purchase price to the sales company (step of subtracting the payment commission from the purchase price and paying money).

[149] The financial institution having performed the step of subtracting the payment commission from the purchase price and paying money calculates a system fee of an institution (an financial institution or a brokerage company) having the purchase cash payment system provided therein and pays the system fee (step of paying the system fee).

[150] The institution (a financial institution or a brokerage company) that has the purchase cash payment system and has received the system fee calculates the purchase company reimbursement money and pays it to the purchase company (step of paying the purchase company reimbursement money).

[151] The step of paying the system fee and the step of paying the purchase company reimbursement money may be performed in reverse order, or they may be performed at the same time.

[152] When the step of paying the purchase company reimbursement money is completed, all payment steps are finished in the business-to-business cash transactions using the purchase cash payment system according to the embodiments of the invention. However, in the business-to-business credit transactions, before the credit period contracted between the purchase company and the financial institution expires, the purchase company should deposit cash corresponding to the purchase price into a credit account (step of depositing cash into a credit account).

[153] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the invention, in addition to the cash transaction method using the purchase cash payment system and the credit transaction method using the purchase cash payment system, a transaction method of paying the purchase price by combining cash deposited in the account of the purchase company with credit provided by the financial institution may be used. When the purchase company selects the credit transactions, the financial institution provides the purchase company with credit that can be used as payment on the purchase price according to the purchase company's bank balance, the credit rating of the purchase company, or the value of a security. For reference, the credit includes a loan and certification of payment.

Claims

[1] A business-to-business electronic payment method comprising: allowing a purchase company to access a purchase cash payment system through a computer terminal and a network connected to the computer terminal to pay the purchase price and to select one type between a cash transaction and a credit transaction; allowing the purchase cash payment system to calculate a payment commission on the basis of received payment information and the type of transaction; electronically remitting money obtained by deducting the payment commission from the purchase price from an account of the purchase company to an account of a sales company; allowing the purchase cash payment system to calculate purchase company reimbursement money to be paid to the purchase company that is included in the payment commission; and paying the calculated purchase company reimbursement money to the purchase company.

[2] The business-to-business electronic payment method according to claim 1, wherein, when the purchase company selects the cash transaction, the payment commission includes one or more of: the purchase company reimbursement money that is paid to the purchase company in order to compensate for an interest loss of the purchase company caused by using the purchase cash payment system to pay the purchase price in cash; a system fee that includes the purchase company reimbursement money for compensating for the interest loss of the purchase company and a fee for operating and maintaining the purchase cash payment system; and a server fee for operating and maintaining a server of a financial institution that is used to process financial businesses, such as the transfer of funds, using the purchase cash payment system.

[3] The business-to-business electronic payment method according to claim 1, wherein, when the purchase company selects the credit transaction, the payment commission includes one or more of: the purchase company reimbursement money that is paid to the purchase company in order to compensate the purchase company for using the purchase cash payment system to pay the purchase price through the credit transaction; a system fee that includes the purchase company reimbursement money and a fee for operating and maintaining the purchase cash payment system; a financial fee that is charged when the purchase company given credit by the financial institution uses the existing B2B purchase card to pay the purchase price through the purchase cash payment system and the sales company is prepaid the purchase price before a credit payment due date, and is paid to the financial institution; and a server fee for operating or maintaining a server of a financial institution that is used to process financial businesses, such as the transfer of funds, using the purchase cash payment system.

[4] The business-to-business electronic payment method according to claim 1, further comprising: when the purchase company selects the cash transaction and the purchase company does not deposit a portion or all of the purchase price into a designated account within a predetermined period after paying the purchase price, allowing the purchase cash payment system to request the purchase company to deposit cash into the account; and allowing the purchase cash payment system to notify the sales company that the purchase company does not deposit cash into the account.

[5] The business-to-business electronic payment method according to claim 1, wherein, when the purchase company selects the credit transaction, the financial institution pre-pays money obtained by subtracting the calculated payment commission from the purchase price to the sales company, and the purchase company deposits the money that is pre-paid by the financial institution into the account on a predetermined settlement date of the purchase company.

[6] The business-to-business electronic payment method according to claim 1, wherein the purchase company reimbursement money is calculated by using one or more of: a method of applying the same accounting rate of the purchase company reimbursement money to all of the purchase companies; a method of the accounting rate of the purchase company reimbursement money according to the transaction contract between the purchase company and the sales company; a method of applying the accounting rate of the purchase company reimbursement money according to the credit ratings of the purchase company and the sales company; and a method of applying the accounting rate of the purchase company reimbursement money according to the number of purchase price transacted, the kind of purchase price transacted, processes, payments, and a settlement date.

[7] The business-to-business electronic payment method according to claim 1, wherein the sales company requests the purchase cash payment system to pay a portion or all of the purchase price at a predetermined point in time, and the purchase cash payment system having received the payment request from the sales company calculates the payment commission for the payment on the purchase price according to the time elapsed from the payment of the purchase company, remits money obtained by subtracting the payment commission from the purchase price to the sales company, and gives a portion of the payment commission to the purchase company as the purchase company reimbursement money.

[8] The business-to-business electronic payment method according to claim 1, wherein the purchase company selects a transaction method of combining cash deposited into the account of the purchase company with the credit thereof to pay the purchase price, in addition to the cash transaction and the credit transaction, and when the purchase company selects the credit transaction, the financial institution gives the purchase company credit that is capable of being used as payment on the purchase price according to the balance of the account of the purchase company, the credit rating thereof, and the value of a security.

[9] A business-to-business electronic payment method in which a purchase company and a sales company are connected to a purchase cash payment system through a network and the purchase company pays the purchase price using the purchase and cash payment system, comprising: paying the purchase company purchase company reimbursement money according to the purchase price that is paid by the purchase company.

[10] A business-to-business electronic payment method in which a purchase company and a sales company are connected to a purchase cash payment system through a network and the purchase company pays the purchase price using the purchase and cash payment system, comprising: paying the sales company money obtained by subtracting a payment commission including purchase company reimbursement money to be paid to the purchase company from the purchase price.