Abstract: By performing initial user registration via an SSL-compliant browser in an information home electric appliance 100, user's private key, digital certificate, and member information are downloaded (b2) into the storage device in the information home electric appliance. At card use time, when the user selects products on a merchant's SSL-compliant server and issues a purchase instruction (c1), the user is identified locally in the information home electric appliance based on a personal identification number. Subsequently, the information home electric appliance accesses an SSL-compliant settlement server 220 (C4) and sends a digital certificate and member information stored in the appliance. Then, mutual authentication is performed between the user and the settlement server and, based on the member information, an authorization gateway 241 authorizes the account settlement (c5).

Abstract: By performing initial user registration via an SSL-compliant browser in an information home electric appliance 100, user's private key, digital certificate, and member information are downloaded (b2) into the storage device in the information home electric appliance. At card use time, when the user selects products on a merchant's SSL-compliant server and issues a purchase instruction (c1), the user is identified locally in the information home electric appliance based on a personal identification number. Subsequently, the information home electric appliance accesses an SSL-compliant settlement server 220 (C4) and sends a digital certificate and member information stored in the appliance. Then, mutual authentication is performed between the user and the settlement server and, based on the member information, an authorization gateway 241 authorizes the account settlement (c5).

Abstract: By performing initial user registration via an SSL-compliant browser in an information home electric appliance 100, user's private key, digital certificate, and member information are downloaded (b2) into the storage device in the information home electric appliance. At card use time, when the user selects products on a merchant's SSL-compliant server and issues a purchase instruction (c1), the user is identified locally in the information home electric appliance based on a personal identification number. Subsequently, the information home electric appliance accesses an SSL-compliant settlement server 220 (C4) and sends a digital certificate and member information stored in the appliance. Then, mutual authentication is performed between the user and the settlement server and, based on the member information, an authorization gateway 241 authorizes the account settlement (c5).

Abstract: An electronic coupon issuing system comprises an electronic coupon server having an electronic coupon generation approval registration section for registering information regarding approval of generation of a coupon, and an electronic coupon acquisition registration section for registering acquisition of the electronic coupon in association with ID information of an electronic coupon usage medium that is presented when the electronic coupon is used. An electronic coupon search section receives the ID information of the electronic coupon usage medium and searches for an electronic coupon that is useable in connection with the ID information, and an electronic coupon reception terminal receives the electronic coupon usage medium and verifies with the electronic coupon search section whether an electronic coupon exists while at the same time approving the use of useable coupons.