WO2001074018A1

WO2001074018A1 - System and method of charge and/or free of charge phone using internet on website

Info

Publication number: WO2001074018A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/000413
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bong-Kyum Kim
Original assignee: Intersoftphone Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-03-25
Filing date: 2000-05-02
Publication date: 2001-10-04
Also published as: AU5251500A

Abstract

A system and method for providing online phone services through a communication network are provided. The system includes a server for providing the online phone services to a member of the system through the communication network. The online phone services include an online call-initiating service wherein free online phone calls can be placed with a certain condition such that the member can be selectively charged for online phone calls when the certain condition is satisfied. The method includes the step of providing the online phone services to a member through a server connected to the communication network. The providing step includes the step of performing an online call-initiating service of the online phone services wherein the online call-initiating service provides free online phone calls with a certain condition. When the certain condition is satisfied, the member can be selectively charged for the online phone calls.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CHARGE AND/OR

FREE OF CHARGE PHONE USING

INTERNET ON WEBSITE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing online phone services and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing free and/or charged online phone services through a communication network such as the Internet. 2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, a system for providing free online phone calls through the Internet is known in the art. Such a conventional system generally includes a PC with the Internet connectability, a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) gateway, and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), all operatively connected and known in the art. The VOIP gateway converts voice signals into IP packets and vice versa, and communicates with the PSTN to function as a liaison between the user's PC and the PSTN. As a result, an online call connection between the PC to a standard phone over a data network can be established.

The operation of the above-described conventional system is as follows. The user, through his computer such as a PC, connects to a server or web site that provides free online calls. The user inputs an outgoing (receiver's) phone number though an input unit of his computer, which is transmitted to the VOIP gateway through the Internet. The VOIP gateway communicates the receiver's phone number to the PSTN to establish a call connection with the receiver's phone. The user speaks to a microphone connected to his computer and communicates in voice with the receiver through the Internet. Unfortunately, there is a tendency among some users to abuse the system by excessively and wastefully placing free online calls. This causes overloading of the system and unnecessary delays and malfunctions in the system, and prevents others from using and enjoying the free online calls. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing online phone services through a communication network that eliminates the above problems encountered with conventional methods and systems. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing free and charged call-initiating services through a communication network.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing a calllink service, a mileage-to-mileage conversion service, and a mileage-to-EM (Electronic Money) exchange service through a communication network. Briefly described, the present invention is directed to a system for providing online phone services through a communication network, comprising a server for providing the online phone services to a member of the system through the communication network, the online phone services including an online call-initiating service wherein free online phone calls can be placed with a certain condition such that the member can be selectively charged for online phone calls when the certain condition is satisfied.

Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method for providing online phone services through a communication network, comprising the step of providing the online phone services to a member through a server connected to the communication network, the providing step including the step of performing an online call-initiating service of the online phone services wherein the online call-initiating service provides free online phone calls with a certain condition such that the member can be selectively charged for online phone calls when the certain condition is satisfied.

Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system for providing online phone services through a communication network according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a free call- initiating service offered in a method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a calllink service offered in the method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a mileage-to- mileage conversion service offered in the method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a mileage-to-EM exchange service offered in the method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a charged call- initiating service offered in the method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 7 shows an example of a graph showing a relationship between free phone use and charged phone use through the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method for providing online phone services through a communication network such as the Internet. The communication network can also be any other internet, the World Wide Web, an intranet, or any other computer or communication network. Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system 10 for providing online phone services through the communication network such as the Internet according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 10 includes a PC 100 or any other user interfaced computer that is connectable to the Internet 200, a VOIP gateway 300, a PSTN 400, a phone 500, a Web server 600, an Electronic Money (EM) exchange center 700, and an EM card manager 800, all operatively connected. The VOIP gateway 300 converts voice signals into IP packets and vice versa for transmission and reception through the Internet 200 or other communication network. The PSTN 400 switches telephone calls. The VOIP gateway 300 and the PSTN 400 are both known in the art.

The Web server 600 receives an outgoing phone number (i.e., receiver's phone number) from an input unit of the member's PC 100 and communicates the receiver's phone number with the VOIP gateway 300 and the PSTN 400 through the Internet 200 to establish a call connection to the receiver's phone 500. The Web server 600 includes, inter alia, an advertisement database 601, a calllink database 602, a mileage information database 603, a member information database 604, and a control unit 605, all operatively connected. The Web server 600 provide free/charged online phone services to the member through the PC 100 and the Internet 200. The advertisement database 601 stores therein information and data for displaying advertisements and announcements on the PC 100 as the PC 100 is connected to the Internet 200. The advertisement database 601 can be controlled by the Web server 600 having a server designated for advertisement purposes or by a separate advertisement server.

The calllink database 602 stores therein calllink information and data for providing a calllink service to the PC 100. The calllink service includes automatically and directly placing a call to a selected calllink entity through the VOIP gateway 300 and automatically and directly linking the PC 100 to the home page of the selected calllink entity. Here, the calllink entity can be a company, an institution, a vendor, an individual, etc. The calllink information and data include phone numbers and home page link information of the pre- registered calllink entities. For example, each calllink entity can register with the Web server 600 using a phone number (e.g., customer center phone number, etc.) or a home page (domain) address .

The mileage information database 603 stores therein mileage information for awarding system's mileage points to the member and mileage conversion information for converting the awarded mileage points into new mileage points offered by pre-registered mileage-offering entities. Here, the mileage-offering entities can be companies, institutions, vendors, individuals, etc. In addition, the mileage information database 603 stores therein mileage-to-EM exchange rate and other information for exchanging the new mileage points offered by the mileage-offering entities for EM. The mileage-to-EM exchange rates (or EM exchange rates) indicate different EM exchange rates for various mileage-offering entities and are determined in advance based on various factors, such as the market value of the entity, etc. The member can use the EM to shop online, make reservations, play games, etc.

The member information database 604 stores therein information and data corresponding to the members of the system 10 and their online phone accounts. In this example, it is preferred that the user register as a member of the system 10 to use the online phone services provided by the Web server 600. To become a member, the Web server 600 may require user's personal information such as the name, mailing address, e-mail address, phone number, gender, occupation, education, etc. Such information is utilized to select advertisements tailored to the user's personal information and to display the selected advertisements on the user's PC 100 while the user is engaged in phone conversations with the receiver through his PC 100.

The control unit 605 can access information and data from any one of the databases

601 to 604 and other databases, if necessary, to provide the online phone services according to the present invention. The EM exchange center 700 can be accessed by the member directly or through the Web server 600. The EM exchange center 700 allows the member to exchange his mileage points offered by the mileage-offering entity for EM. Any EM awarded to the member is electronically deposited into the member's EM card account, which is assigned to the member and managed by the EM card manager 800. It is also possible that the EM exchange center 700 and the EM card manage 800 become part of the Web server 600. The online phone services provided by the system 10 include, inter alia, a free call- initiating service for placing free online phone calls, a calllink service for providing call/home-page connections to calllink entities, a mileage-to-mileage conversion service for converting user's mileage points to new mileage points offered by mileage-offering entities, a mileage-to-EM exchange service for exchanging the new mileage points for EM, and a charged call-initiating service for placing charged online phone calls where the charged online phone calls have priority over the free online phone calls.

The operations of the system 10 are as follows. Fig. 2 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a free call-initiating service performed in a method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, initially a member, who is registered with the Web server 600, connects to the Web server 600 through a connecting unit such as a modem of the PC 100. Membership log-ins using a password or PIN can be incorporated into the initial log-in step. In Step S10, the Web server 600 determines whether or not the member has selected a free call-initiating service offered by the Web server 600 based on the member's input. If the free call-initiating service is selected and the member inputs the receiver's phone number to the input unit of the PC 100, in Step Sll the control unit 605 retrieves member's online phone account information from the member information database 604. The member's online phone account information includes an offered free use time (e.g., 180 minutes per customer) for allowing the member to place free online phone calls for a fixed total duration, the up-to-date actual phone use time of the member, and any other information related to the member's online phone use.

In Step S12, the control unit 605 determines whether or not the offered free phone use time is less than or equal to the up-to-date actual phone use time of the member. If there is some free use time left for the member (i.e., the offered free use time is greater than the actual use time), in Step S 13 the Web server 600 communicates with the VOIP gateway 300 and the PSTN 400 through the Internet 200 to establish a call connection between the receiver's phone 500 and the member's PC 100 based on the inputted receiver's phone number.

If the control unit 605 determines in Step S12 that the offered free use time is less than or equal to the up-to-date actual use time (i.e., no free use time is left), then the Web server 600 in Step S14 displays on the PC 100 a message informing the member that any additional use of the call-initiating service will be charged or will require a payment by the member. If the member understands the message and still wishes to continue with the call- initiating service in Step SI 5, the Web server 600 in Step S16 can request the member for payment information, such as the credit card information, debit card information, mailing address to send bills, bank account information, etc. If the member does not wish to continue with the call-initiating service in Step SI 5, the process ends immediately.

Once the Web server 600 obtains the payment information from the member in Step SI 6, Step S13 as described above is performed where a call connection between the receiver's phone 500 and the member's PC 100 is established and the call communication is carried out. Then the control unit 605 determines whether or not the offered free phone use time is less than or equal to the up-to-date actual phone use time in Step SI 7. If the up-to-date actual phone use time has not exceeded the offered free phone use time, the control unit 605 determines that the member still has some free phone use time left and does not charge the member for the phone use. Then in Step SI 8, the control unit 605 monitors the call to make sure that the call is terminated before the control unit 605 updates the member's actual phone use time in the member information database 604 in Step S19. Until the call is terminated in Step SI 8 and as the current phone use time is counted, the control unit 605 performs Step S17 to continue to determine whether or not the member currently has any free use time left.

In Step S17 if the member's actual phone use time exceeds or equals the offered free use time, the control unit 605 determines whether or not the call has been terminated in Step S20. Once the call has been terminated in Step S20, the control unit 605 determines the member's chargeable phone use time based on the offered free use time and the up-to-date actual use time in Step S21. Thereafter, the control unit 605 performs Step S19 to update the member's phone account in the member information database 604. Once the member's chargeable phone use time is determined, the member can be charged or billed based on the payment information collected in Step S 16.

In the steps shown in Fig. 2, the member was given a predetermined free phone use time and upon the expiration or complete use of the predetermined free phone use time, the member was charged if the member continues to make calls online. However, it is also possible to grant the member with predetermined mileage or credit points, instead of the free use time. The mileage information database 603 can store a table showing the relationship between mileage points and phone use time, such that appropriate mileage points can be deducted based on the member's actual phone use time according to the table. The member can obtain and accrue mileage points from different sources, such as through an incentive bonus given when the user becomes a member, an award given from visiting certain advertisements and banners, an award given for shopping online & purchasing products online, a special benefit offered to certain customers or paying members, etc.

Throughout the duration of the free online calls, the Web server 600 can also display certain advertisements on the member's PC 100 in real-time. The control unit 605 of the Web server 600 retrieves personal information (e.g., gender, occupation, education, etc.) of the member from the member information database 604. Based on the member's personal information, the control unit 605 searches the advertisement database 601 and selects advertisements that may be of interest to the member. The Web server 600 displays in realtime the selected advertisements on the PC 100 while the member is conversing with the receiver of the call. Accordingly, a free online call-initiating service with the real-time displaying of relevant advertisements is provided by the system 10 according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a calllink service performed in the method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, once the member is connected to the Web server 600 through the Internet 200 as discussed above, the method determines in Step S30 if the member has selected a calllink service. If the calllink service is selected, in Step S31 the control unit 605 retrieves a list of pre-registered calllink entities from the calllink database 602 and displays the list on the PC 100. The calllink entities can be companies, vendors, institutions, individuals, etc. Also, the list of pre-registered calllink entities can be displayed alphabetically, geographically, or based on any other category. Further, the member can also search the calllink database 602 for a particular calllink entity or a category.

In Step S32, the member selects the desired calllink entity from the search or the displayed list. Based on the selection, in Step S33 the control unit 605 reads stored information corresponding to the selected calllink entity from the calllink database 602. In Step S34, it is determined if the retrieved information contains a phone number or a home page Web address. If the retrieved information does not contain a phone number (i.e., the calllink entity was registered using its home page Web address), in Step S35 the retrieved information allows the Web server 600 to link the PC 100 to the home page of the calllink entity. If, on the other hand, the retrieved information contains a phone number, in Step S36 the Web server 600 dials the phone number through the VOIP gateway 300 and the PSTN 400 whereby a call connection is established between the member's PC and a phone of the selected calllink entity. In this example, the call connection can be established for free or for a fee according to the steps shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly, the member can conveniently and directly access any of the calllink entities, via the home page of the calllink entity or the online phone service, just using a click on the PC 100. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a mileage-to- mileage conversion service performed in the method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, once the member is connected to the Web server 600 through the Internet 200 as discussed above, the method determines in Step S40 if the member has selected a mileage-to- mileage conversion service. The mileage-to-mileage conversion service allows the member to trade in the member's saved mileage points for new mileage points offered by pre-registered mileage-offering entities. The mileage-offering entities can be companies, institutions, vendors, individuals, etc. If the mileage-to-mileage conversion service is selected, in Step S41 the control unit 605 accesses the mileage information database 603 and display on the PC 100 a list of the mileage-offering entities (Web sites) that trade-in mileage points. Also, the member can search the mileage information database 603 for a particular mileage-offering entity.

Once the member makes an entity selection from the list or search in Step S42, the control unit 605 in Step S43 reads from the mileage information database 603 the conversion rate information for converting the member's existing mileage points into the selected entity's mileage points. Then in Step S44, the control unit 605 converts the mileage points and the member is awarded with the new mileage points associated with the selected entity. The new mileage points may be used to make online calls, shop online at the selected entity's shopping Web pages or affiliated showrooms, or perform other activities. Fig. 5 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a mileage-to-EM exchange service performed in the method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 5, once the member is connected to the server 600 through the Internet 200 as discussed above, in Step S60 the member connects to the EM exchange center 700 if the member desires to exchange his new mileage points for EM. Here, the new mileage points are the converted mileage points that have been offered by the mileage-offering entity in the steps of Fig. 4.

Then the member can select to either check the status of his EM card account as in Step S66 or exchange the converted new mileage points for EM as in Step S61. If Step S66 is selected, the member can access his EM card account information to review and verify any exchanges or other types of transactions. If the member selects the mileage-to-EM exchange service in Step S61, the EM exchange center 700 determines in Step S62 whether or not the current member has an EM card account with the EM exchange center 700. If the current member does not have an EM card account, indicating that the current member is a new user, the EM exchange center 700 communicates with the EM card manager 800 and issues a new EM card and account to the member in Step S63. Then in Step S64, the member can transmit the new mileage point information to the EM exchange center 700, and the EM exchange center 700 retrieves the appropriate mileage-to-EM exchange rate information from the mileage information database 603. The EM exchange center 700 awards appropriate EM based on the member's new mileage points and the exchange rate. The awarded EM is electronically deposited to the member's EM card account and the EM card manager 800 updates the member's EM card account based on the deposit in Step S65.

If, on the other hand, it is determined in Step S62 that the current member already has an EM card account with the system 10, the member inputs his mileage point information and EM card account information and the EM exchange center 700 electronically deposits appropriate EM to the member's EM card account in Step S64. The EM card manager 800 then updates the member's EM card account in Step S65.

As a result, the present invention allows the member to exchange mileage points for EM such that the EM can be used to shop online and to obtain other benefits. It is contemplated according to the present invention that the server 700 can also perform the functions of the EM change center 700 and the EM card manager 800 if it is needed. Fig. 6 shows a flowchart for explaining exemplary steps involved in a charged call- initiating service performed in the method of providing online phone services using the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, the member connects and logs in to the Web server 600 using the connection unit of the PC 100 as described above. If the member selects a charged call-initiating service in Step S70, the control unit 605 retrieves corresponding member information from the member information database 604 and verifies that the member is a valid user of the charged call- initiating service in Step S71. Then the control unit 605 asks on the Web page whether or not the member agrees to pay phone charges based on his phone use duration/time in Step S72. Once the member agrees to pay, the control unit 605 displays on the PC 100 a payment message providing fee information in Step S73. At the same time, in Step S74 the control unit 605 receives the outgoing phone number (receiver's phone number) inputted by the member and establishes a call connection between the PC 100 and the receiver's phone 500 through the VOIP gateway 300 and the PSTN 400. As the call is in process, the control unit 605 processes the member's payment for the call in Step S75 by, e.g., charging the member's EM card account, credit card, bank account, etc. Then the process ends as the call is terminated in Step S76.

Fig. 7 shows an example of a graph showing a relationship between the free online phone use and the charged online phone use through the system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 7, when the member selects the charged call-initiating service in lieu of the free call-initiating service or when the member agrees to pay for the online calls, the control unit 605 places priority on the charged online calls over the free online calls. That is, the system 10 can handle a preset amount of online phone calls at a given time. The system 10 provides call connections first to the paying members and then the remaining call slots are offered to the non-paying members. As a result, in the present invention a member who pays for the online phone calls can place calls at any time.

Accordingly, the present invention provides online phone services that are customer- friendly, convenient, efficient, and effective. The online phone services include a free call- initiating service where the phone use time by a non-paying member is controlled and advertisements tailored to the member are displayed in real-time while the call is made, a calllink service for directly placing a call to the desired calllink entity or for directly linking the member's PC to the home page of the desired calllink entity, a mileage-to-mileage conversion service where the member's mileage points can be converted into new mileage points offered by a certain mileage-offering entity, a mileage-to-EM exchange service where the new mileage points can be exchanged for EM, and a charged call-initiating service where the paying member has priority over the non-paying member in placing calls online.

The invention being thus described it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included in the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for providing online phone services through a communication network, comprising: a server for providing the online phone services to a member of the system through the communication network, the online phone services including an online call-initiating service wherein free online phone calls can be placed with a certain condition such that the member can be selectively charged for online phone calls when the certain condition is satisfied.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the certain condition is satisfied when a predetermined free online phone use time duration offered by the server to the member is less than or equal to an up-to-date actual online phone use time duration of the member.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the server places priority on a paid online phone call placed by the member over a free online phone call.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server includes: a first database for storing therein advertisement information to be displayed in real- time to the member through the communication network, a second database for storing therein member information corresponding to the member, and a control unit for controlling the first and second databases.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the online phone services include a calllink service, and the server includes a third database for storing therein calllink information used in providing the calllink service.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the calllink information includes at least one of a phone number for a calllink entity and a web page address of the calllink entity.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the online phone services include a mileage-to- mileage conversion service for converting first mileage points of the member into second mileage points, and the server includes a fourth database for storing therein mileage information for converting the first mileage points to the second mileage points.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the online phone services further include a mileage- to-EM (electronic money) exchange service for exchanging the second mileage points for EM, and the fourth database stores therein EM exchange information for exchanging the second mileage points for the EM.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising: an EM exchange center, operatively connected to the server, for providing the mileage-to-EM exchange service in cooperation with the server; and a managing unit, operatively connected to the EM exchange center, for managing an EM card account of the member, wherein the EM is electronically deposited into the EM account of the member.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the server communicates with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) gateway and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through the communication network to provide the online call-initiating service, whereby a call connection is established between a computer of the member and a phone of a receiver receiving the call.

11. A method for providing online phone services through a communication network, comprising the step of: providing the online phone services to a member through a server connected to the communication network, the providing step including the step of performing an online call- initiating service of the online phone services wherein the online call-initiating service provides free online phone calls with a certain condition such that the member can be selectively charged for online phone calls when the certain condition is satisfied.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein in the step of performing the online call-initiating service, the certain condition is satisfied when a predetermined free online phone use time duration offered by the server to the member is less than or equal to an up-to-date actual online phone use time duration of the member.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of performing the online call-initiating service includes the step of: placing priority on a paid online phone call placed by the member over a free online phone call.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of performing the online call-initiating service includes the step of: communicating with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) gateway and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through the communication network to provide the online call-initiating service, whereby a call connection is established between a computer of the member and a phone of a receiver receiving the call.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of performing the online call-initiating service includes the steps of: selecting, by the server, certain advertisements based on personal information of the member, and displaying in-real time, on a computer of the member, the selected advertisements while an online call between the member and a receiver of the call is in progress.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing step includes the step of: performing a calllink service of the online phone services, the calllink service being offered to the member based on calllink information, whereby the member has access to a calllink entity through the communication network.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein in the step of performing the calllink service, the calllink information includes at least one of a phone number of the calllink entity and a web page address of the calllink entity.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing step includes the step of: performing a mileage-to-mileage conversion service of the online phone services, whereby first mileage points of the member are converted into second mileage points based on mileage conversion rate information.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing step further includes the step of: performing a mileage-to-EM (electronic money) exchange service of the online phone services, whereby the second mileage points of the member are exchanged for EM based on EM exchange rate information.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of performing the mileage-to-EM exchange service includes the steps of: determining whether or not the member has an EM card account, assigning a new EM card account to the member if the determining step determines that the member does not currently have an EM card account, awarding EM in exchange of the second mileage points based on the EM exchange rate information, and electronically depositing the awarded EM into the EM card account of the member.