Abstract: An identification information centralizing method capable of receiving services provided by a plurality of corporations by using a single item of identification information. Centralized ID information (162) for identifying a customer is assigned by a centralizing corporation. Individual ID information (168) which is uniquely assigned to identify the customer by a plurality of corporations which provide services to a pre-registered customer is registered in a database (160) in such a manner as to be associated with the centralized ID information (162), so that provision of services by a plurality of corporations is made possible by using the single item of centralized ID information (162).

Abstract: A server (5) references point management data (15) to extract a point balance (111), a point expiration date (113) corresponding to a card number (101) sent from a computer (7), for sending to the computer (7) along with goods data (25) The server (5) references the goods data (25) to extract exchange points (161) corresponding to goods ID (163) sent from the computer (7), and send them to calculate an after-goods exchange point balance ((point number (111))?(exchange points (161))). If (after-goods exchange point balance)<0, then deficit points are displayed to the computer (7) to encourage the purchase points e The server (5) sets a unit sale price of points based on member data (13), point sale data (23) and the like to prepare a point sale price list and send them to the computer (7) The server (5) updates point purchase data (19), point history data (17) the point management data (15) according to the number of purchased points sent from the computer (7).

Abstract: An identification information centralizing method capable of receiving services provided by a plurality of corporations by using a single item of identification information. Centralized ID information (162) for identifying a customer is assigned by a centralizing corporation. Individual ID information (168) which is uniquely assigned to identify the customer by a plurality of corporations which provide services to a pre-registered customer is registered in a database (160) in such a manner as to be associated with the centralized ID information (162), so that provision of services by a plurality of corporations is made possible by using the single item of centralized ID information (162).

Abstract: If a received unique number (101) indicates a credit card that can be authorized in a server (9), the server (9) performs authorization and returns an authorization result to a computer (7). If this unique number (101) indicates a credit card that cannot be authorized in the server (9), the server (9) sends the unique number (101) to a server (11), which transfers the received unique number (101) to a server (13) of a credit card issuing company concerned. The server (13) authorizes the received unique number and sends an authorization result to the computer (7) and the server (9) via the server (11).

Abstract: There is provided a point redeeming method in which a point redemption service in which any commercial entity including real stores and virtual stores can participate without restriction is achieved. When a customer (300) who can use electronic currency (350) for payment of a commercial transaction in electronic currency participating stores (400) and (450) according to a balance amount performs a commercial transaction in a point participating store, points are assigned based on a payment amount of the commercial transaction, and an amount of electronic currency according to the number of points is added to the balance amount.

Abstract: A server (5) references point management data (15) to extract a point balance (111), a point expiration date (113) corresponding to a card number (101) sent from a computer (7), for sending to the computer (7) along with goods data (25). The server (5) references the goods data (25) to extract exchange points (161) corresponding to goods ID (163) sent from the computer (7), and send them to calculate an after-goods exchange point balance ((point number (111))−(exchange points (161))). If (after-goods exchange point balance)< 0, then deficit points are displayed to the computer (7) to encourage the purchase points. The server (5) sets a unit sale price of points based on member data (13), point sale data (23) and the like to prepare a point sale price list and send them to the computer (7). The server (5) updates point purchase data (19), point history data (17), the point management data (15) according to the number of purchased points sent from the computer (7).

Abstract: An electronic money system related to network type and IC card type electronic money for preventing an affiliated store from failure to collect purchase amount and for permitting shopping to be securely accomplished through the intermediary of a network. A user terminal (2-1) accesses an affiliated store terminal (4-1) through the intermediary of the Internet (1) to purchase a commodity. The affiliated store terminal (4-1) refers to a settlement apparatus (7) through the intermediary of the Internet (1) for the balance of electronic money stored in a database (25) of an e-Wallet (24) of the user of the user terminal (2-1). If the balance is larger than a purchase amount, then the settlement apparatus (7) subtracts the purchase amount from the balance to update the balance. If the balance is smaller than the purchase amount, then an overdraft amount based on a credit level of the user is added to the balance, and if the resulting total amount is larger than the purchase, the settlement is carried out.

Abstract: A sintered hard metal having superior toughness and superior hardness may be used for micro-drills, tools and wear resistant parts. The metal is a cemented carbide WC formed from tungsten carbide WC as the base alloy and containing 4 to 20 percent by weight of vanadium carbide VC or zirconium nitride. Its micro-structure is that the WC or WC-VC particles are 0.6.mu. or less, its Rockwell Hardness HRA is at least 91.5 and its transverse rupture strength is at least 350 kg/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A roll assembly for use in rolling a wire rod includes an arbor which has a slightly tapered periphery at the middle portion thereof, a liquid pressure applying channel provided in the arbor extending to the tapered periphery, a cemented carbide sleeve securely fitted about the tapered periphery, opposing tightening means securely holding the sleeve by constricting it at around both ends, and a roll neck bearing mounted around each end portion of the arbor.For assembling the roll assembly, liquid pressure is applied through the channel provided in the arbor so as to form a liquid layer between the sleeve and tapered periphery of the arbor.