JP2000231659A - Prepaid card system, ticket machine, and host processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To issue a prepaid card efficiently and flexibly according to various states. SOLUTION: The ticket issuing machine 1 has two kinds of ticket issue mode, i.e., multiple-ticket-kind issue mode and single-ticket-kind mode, measures the number of tickets issued per unit time at the time of issuing tickets, and generates a notice command according to the number of tickets issued per unit time and sends it to a repeating device 3. The repeating device 3 always checks the rate of reading devices 2 in use among all reading devices under control. The repeating device 3 once receiving the notice command from the ticket issuing machine 1 gives a control command to the ticket issuing machine 1 according to the rate of the reading devices 2 in use and controls the ticket issuing machine 1 into the single-ticket-kind issue mode or multiple-ticket-kind issue mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for processing a prepaid card in accordance with the amount of money consumed, and more particularly to a prepaid card system and a ticketing system which improve the ticketing efficiency by flexible issuance of the prepaid card according to congestion. Machine and host processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A prepaid card system has been realized in which a prepaid card storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value is used for monetary settlement.

In the prepaid card system, services are usually provided in a plurality of stores. For example, each store is provided with one or more ticket issuing machines, a plurality of reading devices, and a relay device that is a higher-level processing device of the reading devices.

[0004] A ticketing machine performs a predetermined ticketing procedure on a prepaid card in which required initial information is written at the issuer of the prepaid card, and sells the prepaid card in exchange for cash, for example. A reading device is a terminal device for using a prepaid card. In this reading device, based on the amount information stored in the prepaid card, the prepaid card is used as a fee for lending game media and selling goods. Consumed. The relay device couples a plurality of reading devices and the like in the store to, for example, a settlement center installed at the issuer of the prepaid card, and communicates with the settlement center to manage the reading devices and process the consumption amount. I do.

[0005] That is, the prepaid card is consumed as a price for lending game media, for example, by using a reading device installed in a store. When the prepaid card is consumed, the reading device counts the amount of consumption and provides the payment processing, and updates the amount information stored in the prepaid card according to the amount of consumption. When the amount information of the prepaid card is updated, if the amount falls within a predetermined remaining amount range, a remaining amount reference hole is punched at a predetermined location corresponding to the remaining amount range of the prepaid card. The sales information of the reading device due to the consumption of the prepaid card is collected, for example, by a relay device, and the relay device compiles the sales information of each reading device under control and transmits the total to the settlement center. In this way, the prepaid card consumption settlement is performed.

The stored information of the prepaid card includes card identification information (card ID) which is set at the time of card issuance, that is, at the time of encoding, and is not changed by subsequent consumption or the like, a manufacturer code indicating a manufacturer, and a manufacturing date (encoding date). The information includes fixed information such as information, amount information indicating the remaining amount and the like, and fluid information that should be updated as needed by processing such as subsequent consumption such as an error code when an error occurs.

[0007] On the other hand, since the prepaid card has a monetary value, there is a possibility that fraudulent operations such as forgery and alteration may be performed. Therefore, in the reading apparatus, an error is checked at the time of reading and updating of the money amount information and the like, and at the same time, an unusual and illegal prepaid card due to falsification, forgery, illegal use, and the like is detected.
In detecting such fraudulent prepaid cards,
In general, if stored information and punched hole information of a prepaid card, and their histories and the like include inconsistent contents, it is regarded as illegal.

[0008] The relay device collects sales information, card information, and the like from a plurality of reading devices. The sales information is money amount information relating to consumption of the prepaid card in the above-described reading device, and the card information is a usable prepaid card such as identification information of an unauthorized prepaid card found in the reading device or a prepaid card to be eliminated. Is discrimination information.

[0009] The relay device accumulates / processes the sales information collected from the reading device and transfers it to the settlement center. The card information collected from the reading device can be referred to from other reading devices. Provide fraudulent discrimination.

[0010] By the way, a ticket issuing machine that sells a prepaid card delivered from an issuer by performing a ticket issuing procedure in a store includes a ticket issuing machine for issuing a plurality of types of prepaid cards having different ticket types, such as denominations. And a single ticket issuing machine that issues a prepaid card of a predetermined single ticket type.

[0011] In a multiple-ticket issuing machine, for example,
We issue (sell) prepaid cards for multiple ticket types, such as ¥ 2,000, ¥ 2,000 and ¥ 3,000. As described above, the multiple-ticket issuing machine can select a ticket type, that is, a denomination at the time of issuing a ticket, so that the user can flexibly purchase a prepaid card corresponding to a desired amount. There are benefits.

[0012] In addition, since the single ticket type issuance machine only sells a single ticket type, when purchasing a prepaid card,
The user does not have to worry about the choice of ticket type, and the time wasted therewith is eliminated. This has the advantage that the user has less waiting time for purchase. For example, when the remaining amount of the prepaid card is exhausted during the game, the next prepaid card may be required immediately. In such a case, a single-ticket issuing machine with a short waiting time for purchase is particularly effective.

[0013]

As described above, in a multiple-ticket issuing machine, a user can arbitrarily select and purchase a plurality of prepaid cards of multiple ticket types. It is possible to purchase a prepaid card with a matching face value. However, each time a ticket is issued, the user must select the ticket type, and even within the ticketing machine,
After the ticket type is selected, a prepaid card corresponding to the ticket type must be selected and extracted to perform a ticket issuing procedure. For this reason, it takes time from the start of the operation of the ticketing machine to the end of the operation of the ticket issuing machine. This causes problems such as making the waiting time of the person longer.

On the other hand, a single-ticket-type ticket issuing machine has a short waiting time for a user to purchase because there is no selection of a ticket type and a selection and extraction of a prepaid card in the ticket issuing machine. However, for example, if the ticket type to be issued is a high-priced ticket, it is not possible to meet the desire of the user who wants to purchase a low-priced ticket due to a small holding amount, no plan to use it later, etc. If the ticket type is a low-priced ticket, a high-priced user must purchase and possess a large number of low-priced tickets, which becomes complicated, and as a result, cannot flexibly cope with various needs of the user.

[0015] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables a prepaid card to be issued efficiently and flexibly in accordance with various situations, thereby achieving an appropriate and efficient user service. An object of the present invention is to provide a prepaid card system, a ticket issuing machine, and a high-order processing device that can be obtained.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, a prepaid card system according to a first aspect of the present invention performs a monetary settlement by using a prepaid card storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value. The prepaid card system has two ticketing modes: a multiple ticket mode for selectively issuing a plurality of ticket types and a single ticket mode for issuing only a predetermined single ticket type. The ticket issuing means for issuing the prepaid card and generating ticketing information relating to the issuance of the prepaid card, and updating the amount information of the set prepaid card according to the consumption amount and including the consumption amount Reading means for generating sales information; collecting and processing sales information including the consumption amount of the prepaid card from the reading means; Collect et the ticketing information, and a host processing unit for controlling switching ticketing mode of the ticket issuing unit based on the sales information and the ticketing information.

According to such a configuration, the higher-level processing means sets the ticket issuing means in two modes, that is, the multiple-issue mode and the single-issue mode.
By selectively controlling to function in various ticketing modes, it is possible to issue a prepaid card efficiently and flexibly according to various situations such as congestion, etc., and to provide an appropriate and efficient user service. Can be achieved.

[0018] The higher-level processing means includes: monitoring means for discriminating ticketing congestion status based on the congestion amount of the prepaid card based on the sales information and / or ticketing frequency based on the ticketing information; Mode control means for controlling the ticket issuing means to the single ticket type mode when ticket issuance is congested, and controlling to the plural ticket type mode when ticket issuance is alleviated.

Further, in the prepaid card system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the prepaid card system for performing a monetary settlement using a prepaid card storing amount information corresponding to a monetary value, a plurality of bill types are selected. Has two ticketing modes: a multiple ticket type mode for issuing a specific ticket type and a single ticket type mode for issuing only a predetermined single ticket type, and issues the prepaid card in one of these ticketing modes. Ticketing means for generating ticketing frequency information relating to the ticketing frequency of the prepaid card, updating the price information of the set prepaid card in accordance with the consumption amount, and generating sales information including the consumption amount with the update Reading means for collecting and processing sales information including the amount of consumption of the prepaid card from the reading means; In response to information, the single ticket type mode is used when the ticketing frequency is high and the operating rate of the reading means based on sales information is high, and the operating rate of the reading means based on the low ticketing frequency and sales information is high. And a higher-level processing unit that switches and controls the ticketing mode of the ticketing unit so as to select the multiple ticket type mode when is low.

According to such a configuration, the upper-level processing means operates the ticket issuing means in the single ticket type mode during congestion, based on the ticket issuing frequency information of the ticket issuing means and the operating rate information of the reading means. By operating in the multiple ticket mode during congestion, it is possible to issue prepaid cards efficiently and flexibly in response to congestion conditions appropriately,
Appropriate and efficient user services can be achieved.

[0021] The higher-level processing means may change at least one of the issuance frequency and the operating rate of the reading means for switching from the multiple-ticket mode to the single-ticket mode, from the single-ticket mode to the multiple-ticket mode. May be set to be higher than the ticketing frequency and the operating rate of the reading means.

The ticket issuing means generates first ticket issuing frequency information when the ticket issuing frequency increases, and generates second ticket issuing information when the ticket issuing frequency decreases.
Including ticketing monitoring means for generating ticketing frequency information, and in response to the first and second ticketing frequency information, monitoring the operating rate of the reading means based on the sales information, At the time of the first ticketing frequency information recognition, it is discriminated whether or not the operation rate is higher than a first reference operation rate, and at the time of the second ticketing frequency information recognition, the operation rate is higher than a second reference operation rate. Monitoring means for discriminating whether the ticket is low or not, and the single ticket is recognized when the first ticketing frequency information is recognized and the operation rate is higher than the first reference operation rate according to the discrimination result by the monitoring means. Mode control means for controlling switching to the seed mode, recognizing the second ticket issuing frequency information, and controlling to switch to the multiple ticket mode when the operating rate is lower than the second reference operating rate. May be included.

In the single ticket type mode in which only a predetermined single ticket type is issued, immediately after discharging the issued prepaid card, the ticket issuing means performs at least a part of a ticket issuing process of a prepaid card to be issued next. It may include means for performing the operation.

[0024] The higher-level processing means may include means for manually switching and controlling the ticketing mode of the ticketing means.

A ticket issuing machine according to a third aspect of the present invention issues cash processing means for detecting an inserted amount, a multiple ticket type mode for selectively issuing multiple ticket types, and issues only a predetermined single ticket type. A prepaid card which has two ticketing modes of a single ticket type mode and stores amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is used for monetary settlement; the cash processing means in one of the two ticketing modes; Ticketing processing means for issuing a ticket based on the amount of money detected by the ticketing means, and ticketing monitoring means for monitoring ticketing of the prepaid card by the ticketing processing means and transmitting ticketing information corresponding to the ticketing frequency to a higher-level processing device, A mode control unit controlled by the host processing device to switch and control a ticketing mode of the ticketing processing unit.

According to such a configuration, the ticket issuing machine can be selectively controlled by the host processor so as to function in two types of ticket issuing modes, that is, a multiple ticket type mode and a single ticket type mode. Can efficiently and flexibly issue prepaid cards according to various situations such as congestion conditions,
Appropriate and efficient user services can be achieved.

In the single ticket type mode in which only a predetermined single ticket type is issued, immediately after the issued prepaid card is discharged, the ticketing processing means executes at least a part of the ticketing processing of the next prepaid card to be issued. It may include a means to perform in advance.

The high-level processing device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention stores the amount information corresponding to the monetary value and collects the sales information including the consumption amount of the prepaid card used for the monetary settlement from the reading device. The prepaid card is issued with two processing modes, namely, a collection processing unit for performing a plurality of ticket types and a single ticket type mode for issuing only a predetermined single ticket type. In response to ticketing frequency information indicating the frequency of ticketing in the ticketing machine, the single ticket type mode is used when the ticketing frequency is high and the operating rate of the reading means based on sales information is high, and the ticketing frequency is low and Monitoring control means for switching and controlling the ticketing mode of the ticketing machine so as to select the multiple ticket mode when the operating rate of the reading means based on the sales information is low.

According to such a configuration, the host processing device, based on the ticketing frequency information of the ticketing machine and the operating rate information of the reading device, switches the ticketing machine having two operation modes to a single ticket type during congestion. By operating in the mode and operating in the multiple ticket mode when the traffic is not crowded, the prepaid card can be issued efficiently and flexibly in an appropriate manner according to the congestion situation, and an appropriate and efficient user Service can be achieved.

[0030] The host processor may further include a manual switching means for forcibly switching and controlling the ticketing mode of the ticketing machine by manual operation.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A prepaid card system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a prepaid card system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The prepaid card system shown in FIG.
The system includes a ticket issuing machine 1, a reading device 2, a relay device 3, a recording device 4, and a settlement center 5. Recording device 4 and settlement center 5
Is installed at a card issuer D such as a card issuing company and a card manufacturing factory. Generally, card issuer D
, There are at least one ticket issuing machine 1, a plurality of reading devices 2, and a relay device connecting these ticket issuing machines 1 and reading devices 2 to the settlement center 5. 3 are installed.

The ticket issuing machine 1 issues a new prepaid card to the user. That is, the ticketing machine 1 performs a predetermined ticketing procedure on the prepaid card issued by the card issuer D by issuing cash by the user and operating a command switch or the like to issue a ticketing instruction. Issue a ticket. The ticket issuing procedure in the ticket issuing machine 1 includes a process of transmitting the card ID of the prepaid card to the relay device 3 and a process of writing information relating to the ticket issuance to the prepaid card. The ticket issuing machine 1 issues the prepaid card through the ticket issuing procedure.

In this case, the ticket issuing machine 1 has two ticket issuing modes: a multiple ticket mode and a single ticket mode. In the multiple-ticket mode, the user pays in the required cash and then selects one of a plurality of different types, such as a denomination, prepared in advance, thereby prepaid the desired type. Purchase a card. Also, in the single ticket mode, the user enters the required cash and then checks /
A prepaid card of a predetermined ticket type is purchased simply by issuing a ticket.

When issuing a ticket, the ticket issuing machine 1 measures information relating to the issue of tickets, for example, the number of tickets issued per unit time, and the like, and transmits a notification command as ticket issuing frequency information to the relay device 3. Specifically, for example, the ticket issuing machine 1
When the number of issued tickets per minute is 5 or more, a congestion notification command of the ticketing machine 1 is transmitted to the relay device 3, and when the number of issued tickets per minute is less than 2, a congestion mitigation notification command of the ticketing machine 1 is issued. It transmits to the relay device 3.

The relay device 3 always operates the reading device 2, that is, the ratio of the used reading device 2 in all the subordinate reading devices 2, that is, the reading device 2 in which the prepaid card is used and consumed. Of the store S
We monitor the congestion situation inside. The relay device 3 is a ticket issuing machine 1
When the congestion notification command of the ticket issuing machine 1 is received from the ticket issuing machine 1, the single ticket type ticket issuing command is given to the ticket issuing machine 1 only when the operation rate of the reading device 2 at that time exceeds 80%. Is controlled to the single denomination mode. Also, the relay device 3
Receives the congestion alleviation notification command on the ticket issuing machine 1 side from the ticket issuing machine 1 to control the ticket issuing mode to the multiple ticket issuing mode only when the operation rate of the reading device 2 at that time is less than 60%. Issuer 1 issues a single ticket issue command
Give to.

The ticket issuing machine 1 sets the ticket issuing mode to the single ticket mode when the single ticket issuing command is given from the relay device 3, and changes the ticket issuing mode when the single ticket issuing command is given from the relay device 3. It is set to the multiple ticket mode.

The number of relay devices 3 is not limited to one in each store S. For example, one relay device 3 may be provided for each predetermined area in the store S, for example, for each hall and floor. That is, the relay device 3 includes a plurality of reading devices 2 for each store S, a plurality of reading devices 2 for each hall in the store S or a plurality of reading devices 2 for each floor in the store S, and the settlement center 5. And is provided between

In this prepaid card system, a prepaid card manufactured and issued by the card issuer D is sold to the store S, and further sold to the user at the store S.
At the store S, the user can pay for the provision of a service such as lending of a game medium by using a prepaid card.

The provision and payment of the service is performed using the reading device 2 installed in the store S, and the amount stored as the amount information on the prepaid card is consumed.
The store S accumulates sales information based on the amount of money consumed by the reading device 2 in the relay device 3 and accumulates and processes the information as appropriate. Further, the store S collects and accumulates the card information of the prepaid card issued by the ticket issuing machine 1 in the relay device 3.

The relay device 3 transmits sales information based on the total consumption amount of the reading device 2 to the settlement center 5 of the card issuer D.
Send to The card issuer D pays each store S an amount corresponding to the amount information received from each store S at the settlement center 5 as a sales amount.

A prepaid card used in the prepaid card system will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the prepaid card C has a magnetic information storage unit A using a magnetic layer, and the information storage unit A has a money amount information area A1 and another information area A2.

In the amount information area A1, amount information such as remaining amount information is recorded. The amount information is fluid information that is updated, changed, or added at any time according to use and consumption. This kind of fluid information other than the money amount information, for example, information such as an error code when an error occurs, a store code written at the time of issuing a ticket in the store S, and the like, are stored in the other information area A2.
Is written to.

In the other information area A2, card identification information of the prepaid card C, that is, card ID,
Like the manufacturer code and date of manufacture indicating the manufacturer,
Once set at the time of encoding, fixed information that is not changed by consumption or the like is also written. Such information recorded on the prepaid card C is usually encrypted with a predetermined encryption key.

The recording device 4 is a device for issuing a prepaid card C at the card issuer D. In other words, the recording device 4 sets the encoding information prepared in advance, such as the card identification information of the prepaid card C, the manufacturer code indicating the manufacturer, the manufacturing date information, and the like, and then changes by consumption or the like once set at the time of encoding. The fixed information that is not to be written is written in the other information area A2. At the same time, the recording device 4 stores the initial information of the fluid information that is constantly updated, changed or added by use and consumption, such as the amount information such as the remaining amount information, in the amount information area A1 and other information areas if necessary. Write to A2. Recording device 4
Encrypts the information with a predetermined encryption key, and then writes the information in the amount information area A1 and the other information area A2, and issues the prepaid card C. The prepaid card C issued by the recording device 4 cannot be used as it is, but is conveyed to the store S and the ticketing machine 1
Through a predetermined ticketing procedure by the ticketing machine 1,
Tickets are issued and can be used for the first time.

The reading device 2 is connected to, for example, a vending machine (not shown) for renting out game media and the like, and the prepaid card C stores the value of the game media and the like provided by the vending machine to the user. This is a device for embodying the consumption of the prepaid card C by subtracting it from the remaining amount in the amount information.

When the prepaid card C is set in the reading apparatus 2, first, the money amount information area A of the information storage unit A
1 and the information recorded in the other information area A2 are read out, the remaining amount of the punch holes is detected, and a fraud check process such as ordinary inconsistency detection is performed. That is,
The reading device 2 checks whether there is any inconsistency in the information stored in the information storage unit A of the prepaid card C, the punch hole information, and the like. I do.

When it is determined that there is a fraud or a defect,
The reading device 2 prevents the use of the prepaid card C and ejects it, and transmits detection data including the card ID of the unauthorized prepaid card to the relay device 3.

The relay device 3 receives the notification data of the card ID of the prepaid card determined to be an unauthorized prepaid card by the other reading device 2 and registers the data as unusable in the registration database. The relay device 3 responds to the inquiry by the card ID when checking by the reading device 2,
The use permission / non-permission may be responded by reflecting the unusable registration information in the registration database.

The relay device 3 aggregates the sales information based on the amount processed as the consumption amount in each of the reading devices 2 in the store S, and transmits it to the settlement center 5.

The ticket issuing machine 1 is configured as shown in FIG. The ticket issuing machine 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes a communication processing unit 11, a ticket issuing unit 12, a storage unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a cash processing unit 15, a card storage unit 16, a ticket issuing monitoring unit 17, and a ticket issuing mode control unit 18. ing.

The communication processing unit 11 is provided between the ticketing processing unit 12 of the ticketing machine 1 and the relay device 3, between the ticketing monitoring unit 17 of the ticketing machine 1 and the relay device 3, and in the ticketing mode control of the ticketing machine 1. The communication between the unit 18 and the relay device 3 is processed.

The ticket issuing section 12 executes a ticket issuing process in the ticket issuing machine 1. That is, the ticketing processing unit 12 has two ticketing modes, a multiple ticket mode and a single ticket mode, and issues the prepaid card C in one of these two ticketing modes. .

For example, in the multiple ticket mode, cash is put into the ticket issuing machine 1 and the cash is transferred to the cash processing unit 15.
And the amount is detected, and by the user,
The ticket type of the prepaid card C, such as a desired denomination, is selected and operated on the ticketing processing unit 12, and further, if necessary, a confirmation operation of the selected content is performed. In this case, the ticketing processing unit 12
Takes out the prepaid card C of the applicable ticket type from the card storage unit 16, supplies the card to the reader / writer 14, performs a necessary ticketing procedure for issuing the prepaid card C, and discharges the prepaid card C. .

In the single ticket mode, cash is put into the ticket issuing machine 1, the cash is stored in the cash processing unit 15 and the amount of money is detected. An operation for confirming the ticketing contents is performed.
In this case, the ticketing processing unit 12 takes out the prepaid card C of a predetermined ticket type from the card storage unit 16 and
The prepaid card C is supplied to the writer 14 and subjected to a necessary ticketing procedure for issuing the prepaid card C.
Is discharged. In the single-ticket mode, the applicable single-ticket type, that is, the type of ticket to be issued is displayed in advance so that the user can recognize the type of issuing ticket.

The issuance procedure in the issuance processing unit 12 is, for example, a prepaid card C issued to the relay device 3.
And a process of writing information such as a store code via the reader / writer 14.

The storage unit 13 stores information necessary for the ticketing process in the ticketing processing unit 12 in advance, and temporarily stores intermediate information generated in the course of the ticketing process. The reader / writer 14 reads and writes the stored contents of the prepaid card C for issuing a ticket.

The cash processing unit 15 determines the amount of the inserted cash, fetches a price corresponding to the face value of the prepaid card C, and returns change as necessary, in conjunction with the ticketing procedure. The card storage unit 16 stores a prepaid card C provided by the card issuer D. The card storage unit 16 stores prepaid cards C of the types of tickets that can be issued selectively so that they can be selectively extracted one by one and supplied to the reader / writer 14.

The ticketing monitoring unit 17 measures, for example, the number of tickets issued per minute based on the ticketing status of the ticketing processing unit 12, and issues the ticketing information as ticketing frequency information when the number of tickets issued per minute becomes 5 or more. The congestion notification command of the machine 1 is transmitted to the relay device 3 via the communication processing unit 11, and when the number of issued tickets per minute becomes less than 2 (that is, 1 or 0), the ticketing machine as ticketing frequency information is issued. The congestion alleviation notification command on the first side is transmitted to the relay device 3 via the communication processing unit 11.

The ticketing mode control unit 18 includes the communication processing unit 11
In response to the ticketing mode control information provided from the relay device 3 via the PC, the ticketing processing unit 12 is controlled to one of two ticketing modes of a multiple ticket mode and a single ticket mode. . For example, when a single issue type issuance command is provided from the relay device 3, the issue mode of the issue processing unit 12 is controlled to the single issue mode. At this time, the ticket type issued in the single ticket type mode is, for example, a specific ticket type set in advance according to general demand. Alternatively, the single issue type issuing command provided from the relay device 3 includes the designation information of a specific issue type, and the single issue mode of the issue type according to the designation information included in the single issue type issue command. And In this case, it is desirable that the ticketing frequency information by the ticketing monitoring unit 17 include information indicating the ratio of ticketing ticket types.

The reading device 2 is configured as shown in FIG. The reading device 2 shown in FIG.
1, consumption processing unit 22, storage unit 23, and reader / writer 2
4 is provided.

The communication processing section 21 performs communication between the consumption processing section 22 and the relay device 3. The communication processing unit 21 reads out the sales information including the consumption amount information of the prepaid card C in the reading device 2 from the storage unit 23 and transmits the sales information to the relay device 3, for example, as a response to the request command from the relay device 3.

The consumption processing unit 22 is linked to a vending machine (not shown) that performs a consumption operation by providing an article such as a game medium, and the like, and stores the prepaid card C corresponding to the provision of the game medium. Based on the consumption, the storage information such as the amount information of the prepaid card C is updated via the reader / writer 24, and the sales information including the amount information of the consumption is stored in the storage unit 2.
Store in 3. The storage unit 23 stores and stores sales information based on the processing of the consumption amount in the daily consumption processing unit 22.

When the prepaid card C is inserted into the reader / writer 24, the consumption processing section 22 first checks whether or not the prepaid card C is appropriate.

That is, the consumption processing unit 22 checks whether or not the ticket is issued at the store S based on the information read from the prepaid card C via the reader / writer 24. At this time, the relay device 3 is inquired of the card ID of the prepaid card C to check whether or not the card is registered as unusable in the registration database.

Further, the consumption processing section 22 detects the remaining amount punch hole via the reader / writer 24 and checks whether there is any contradiction with the amount information stored in the prepaid card C or the like. Prepaid card C is the store S
If the prepaid card C is determined to be normal, for example, if there is no inconsistency between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information, the reader / writer 24 determines that the prepaid card C is normal. If so, the balance information is given to the consumption processing unit 22.

When it is determined that the prepaid card C has not been issued at the store S, or when it is determined that the prepaid card C has been issued at the store S, there is an inconsistency between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information. When it is determined that the prepaid card C is improper, for example, when the prepaid card C is improperly registered in the registration database, the consumption processing unit 22 excludes the prepaid card C as improper and prevents use. . Further, when the consumption processing unit 22 determines that the prepaid card C is improper because there is an inconsistency between the remaining amount guide punch hole and the amount information, the consumption processing unit 22 sends the prepaid card to the relay device 3. The card ID of C is transmitted and registered as unusable in the registration database.

The amount information read from the prepaid card C is processed by the consumption processing unit 22 and the remaining amount information is written to the storage unit 23. Further, the remaining amount information is updated according to the consumption amount information in the consumption processing unit 22, and similarly, the amount information of the prepaid card C is updated (encrypted as necessary).

When writing new amount information by updating the amount information, the consumption processing unit 22 may use the reader / writer 24 to change the remaining amount guide punch hole as necessary based on the updated remaining amount. Perforate.

The relay device 3 is configured as shown in FIG. The relay device 3 shown in FIG.
1, a data relay / reference unit 32, a storage unit 33, a database unit 34, and a monitoring / control unit 35.

The communication processing unit 31 includes the data relay / reference unit 3
2 and communication between the ticket issuing machine 1 and the reading device 2, and between the data relay / reference unit 32 and the settlement center 5. For example, the communication processing unit 31 sequentially and periodically transmits a request command in order to scan the ticket issuing machine 1 and the reading device 2, and in response to the command, a card ID as card information relating to a ticket issuing from the ticket issuing machine 1, Ticketing frequency information in the ticketing machine 1 and sales information from the reading device 2 are collected. Also,
The communication processing unit 31 reads the sales information from the storage unit 33 and transmits the sales information to the settlement center 5 periodically, for example, every predetermined period, or as a response to a request command from the settlement center 5. The communication processing unit 31 can exchange other necessary information with the settlement center 5 by an appropriate method at any time.

The data relay / reference unit 32 includes the communication processing unit 3
The card ID and the sales information collected from the ticket issuing machine 1 and the reading device 2 via the server 1 are subjected to necessary processing, and then stored in the database unit 34. The data relay / reference unit 32 extracts the sales information stored in the database unit 34, sends the extracted information to the settlement center 5 via the communication processing unit 31, and provides the settlement processing.

The data relay / reference unit 32 is a communication processing unit 3
When the card ID for inquiring of the use permission is received from the reading device 2 via the device 1, the database unit 34 is referred to, and the response of the use of the prepaid card C corresponding to the card ID is returned. The data relay / reference unit 32
When the reading device 2 receives the card ID of the prepaid card C determined to be unusable due to the detection of inconsistency or the like via the communication processing unit 31, the card device registers the card ID as unusable in the database unit.

The storage section 33 stores data necessary for the processing of the data relay / reference section 32 and the monitoring control section 35, and data generated temporarily or as a result in the course of the processing.

The database section 34 stores the card ID and sales information collected from the ticket issuing machine 1 and the reading apparatus 2 by the data relay / reference section 32 and subjected to processing such as sorting and counting. Card I stored in database unit 34
D constitutes a registration database of usable prepaid cards issued by the ticket issuing machine 1 in the store S.

The monitoring / control unit 35 monitors the operating rate of the subordinate reading device 2 via the data relay / reference unit 32 and responds to ticketing frequency information in the ticketing machine 1 via the communication processing unit 31. Thus, a ticketing mode control for the ticketing machine 1 is performed. That is, the monitoring / control unit 35 performs the data relay /
From the sales information collected from the subordinate reading device 2 by the reference unit 32, the prepaid card C
The ratio of the reading device 2 actually used for the consumption of the book is calculated as the operating rate at any time.

When the monitoring / control unit 35 receives the ticketing frequency information from the ticketing machine 1, the monitoring / control unit 35
The ticket issuance mode control signal is transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 1 if the required conditions are met.

That is, the monitoring / control unit 35 controls the ticketing machine 1
When the ticketing machine side congestion notification command is received as the ticketing frequency information from, the operating rate of the reading device 2 is checked, and if the operating rate exceeds 80% at that time, a single ticket type ticketing command is sent to the ticketing machine 1. Send. The ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 is changed to the single ticket mode by the single ticket issuing command. In addition,
When the ticket issuing mode is already in the single ticket mode, the ticket issuing machine 1 continues the operation in the single ticket mode even if the single ticket issuing command is given.

When the monitoring / control unit 35 receives the ticketing machine side congestion alleviation notification command as ticketing frequency information from the ticketing machine 1, the monitoring / control unit 35 checks the operation rate of the reading device 2, and the operation rate is less than 60% at that time. If so, the single ticket type ticketing release command is transmitted to the ticketing machine 1. The ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 is changed to the multiple ticket mode by the single ticket issuing command.
When the ticket issuing mode is already in the multiple ticket mode, the ticket issuing machine 1 continues to operate in the multiple ticket mode even if the single ticket issuing command is given.

The monitoring / control unit 35 determines whether the operation rate of the reading device 2 does not exceed 80% even if it receives the ticketing machine side congestion notification command from the ticketing machine 1, If the operating rate is not less than 60% even after receiving the command, no control is performed on the ticket issuing machine 1.

Next, the processing in the above-mentioned prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the processing in the ticket issuing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 shows a ticket issuing process in the multiple ticket type mode, FIG. 7 shows a ticket issuing process in the single ticket type mode, and FIG. 8 shows a ticket issue number monitoring process for obtaining ticket issuing frequency information.

The multiple-ticket issuing process shown in FIG. 6 when the ticket-issuing machine 1 is set to the multiple-ticket mode is activated each time cash is inserted into the ticket-issuing machine 1.

The ticketing processing section 12 of the ticketing machine 1 waits for a card type selection operation (step S1) and a ticketing request by a confirmation operation (step S2) by the user, and detects the inserted amount in the cash processing section 15; A check is made by comparing the inserted amount with a predetermined price of the prepaid card C designated and selected (step S3). It is determined whether or not the inserted amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value of the prepaid card C of the selected ticket type (step S4). If the inserted amount is equal to or more than the value, the prepaid card C corresponding to the designated ticket type is determined. Is taken out of the card storage unit 16 and set in the reader / writer 14 (step S5).

The ticketing processing section 12 reads out the card ID and the like of the set prepaid card C via the reader / writer 14 and sends it to the relay device 3 as ticketing information, or the prepaid card C via the reader / writer 14. A ticketing procedure such as writing a store code into the server is executed (step S6). Then, if there is a change, the ticketing processing unit 12 returns the change from the cash processing unit 15, and discharges and uses the new prepaid card C, which has been transmitted with the ticketing card ID, from the reader / writer 14, for use. Is provided to the user (step S7), the process ends, and the process returns to the standby state.

In step S4, if the inserted amount is less than the designated value of the prepaid card C, an error display is performed using means such as a buzzer, light emission display, or character display (step S8), and the processing is performed. And returns to the standby state.

The single ticket type issuance process shown in FIG. 7 in the case where the ticket issuing machine 1 is set to the single ticket type mode is also started each time cash is inserted into the ticket issuing machine 1.

The ticketing processing unit 12 of the ticketing machine 1 waits for a ticketing request (step S11) by a user's confirmation operation, detects the inserted amount in the cash processing unit 15, and determines the inserted amount and the prepaid card designated by the selection. It is confirmed by comparing with a predetermined value of C (step S12). It is determined whether or not the inserted amount is equal to or more than a predetermined value of the prepaid card C of the ticket issuing type (step S13). If the inserted amount is equal to or more than the value, the prepaid card C is taken out of the card storage unit 16 and read / read. Set on the writer 14 (Step S
14).

The ticketing processing section 12 reads out the card ID or the like of the set prepaid card C via the reader / writer 14 and sends it to the relay device 3 as ticketing information, or the prepaid card C via the reader / writer 14. A ticket issuing procedure such as writing a store code into the server is executed (step S15). Then, if there is change, the ticketing processing unit 12 returns the change from the cash processing unit 15, and
The new prepaid card C, which has been transmitted and issued with the ticket issuing card ID, is ejected from the reader / writer 14 and provided to the user (step S16), and the process is terminated and the process returns to the standby state.

In step S13, if the amount of money to be paid is less than the designated value of the prepaid card C,
An error display is performed using means such as a buzzer, a light emission display, or a character display (step S17), and the processing is terminated to return to the standby state.

The ticket number monitoring process shown in FIG.
Is running during operation.

The ticketing monitoring unit 17 of the ticketing machine 1 checks whether or not the ticketing processing unit 12 has performed the ticketing process (step S21). If the ticketing process has been performed, the ticketing number n is increased by +1.
Then, it is checked whether the time t has reached one minute (step S23) (step S23). When the time t reaches one minute, it is checked whether or not the number of issued tickets n is less than two (step S24). If not, it is checked whether or not the number of issued tickets n is five or more. (Step S
25). If the number of issued tickets n is 5 or more, the ticket monitoring unit 17 transmits a congestion notification command to the relay device 3 via the communication processing unit 11 (step S26), and sets the number of issued tickets n and time t to “0”. (Step S27),
It returns to step S21.

In step S21, if a ticket has not been issued, step S22 is skipped and step S22 is skipped.
Move to 23. In step S23, time t is 1
If not, the process returns to step S21. In step S24, if the number of issued tickets n is less than 2, the ticketing monitoring unit 17 transmits a congestion alleviation notification command to the relay device 3 via the communication processing unit 11 (step S28), and proceeds to step S27. , The number of issued tickets n and the time t are “0”
And returns to step S21.

Next, the consumption processing in the above-described prepaid card system will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The consumption process shown in FIG. 9 is started each time the prepaid card C is set in the reader / writer 24 of the reading device 2.

When the prepaid card C is set, the consumption processing section 22 of the reading device 2 first reads the reader / writer 2
4 to read out information recorded in the money amount information area A1 and the other information area A2 of the information storage unit A, detect the state of punching of the remaining amount guide punch holes, and communicate with the relay device 3, A card check process for checking whether or not the prepaid card C is normal is executed (step S31).

In this card check processing, the consumption processing section 22 transmits the card ID to the relay apparatus 3 to inquire the relay apparatus 3 and find the inconsistency of the information stored in the information storage section A of the prepaid card C and the punch hole information. Check. If there is a contradiction between the stored information and the punched hole information, the consumption processing unit 22 determines that the prepaid card C is abnormal due to some irregularity or malfunction, and prevents the prepaid card C from being used and ejected. Then, the detection data including the card identification information of the unauthorized prepaid card and the like is transmitted to the relay device 3. The consumption processing unit 22 also prevents the use of the prepaid card C and determines that the prepaid card C is abnormal because the relay device 3 determines that the use of the prepaid card C is illegal or defective, and discharges the card. I do.

When no abnormality is detected via the reader / writer 24, the consumption processing unit 22 further operates the reader / writer.
The amount information is read out via the writer 24, the remaining amount of the prepaid card C is confirmed from the variable information (decrypted using a predetermined encryption key if necessary), and stored in the storage unit 23 (step S32).

If there is a balance, it is checked whether or not there is an end request from the user by pressing an end switch (not shown) (step S33). If there is no end request, consumption is performed by pressing a consumption switch (not shown). It is checked whether there is a request, for example, a request for renting a game medium (step S34). For example, in the case of a gaming system or the like, the end switch is a card return switch that requests a card return, and the consumption switch is
A lending switch for requesting lending of game media.

At step S34, if there is a consumption request from the user, the user is caused to consume the game medium by renting out a game medium or the like (step S35). The consumption processing unit 22 updates the balance stored in the storage unit 23 so that the consumption amount is subtracted from the original balance and the result of the subtraction is used as a new balance (step S36).

Then, it is determined whether or not the updated balance is "0" (step S37). If the balance is "0", a message to that effect is displayed (step S3).
8) The process proceeds to an end process for ending the consumption process (step S39). After the end processing, the consumption processing ends, and the process returns to the standby state.

In step S32, if there is no remaining amount of the prepaid card C or if the remaining amount cannot be confirmed, the process immediately jumps to step S39 to execute an end process. If the end request is recognized in step S33, the process immediately jumps to step S39 to execute the end processing.

If there is no consumption request in step S34, the flow returns to step S33 to wait for an end request or a consumption request. In step S37, if the remaining balance does not become "0" and the remaining balance remains, the process returns to step S33 and waits for an end request or a consumption request.

FIG. 10 shows details of the end processing in step S39 in FIG. When the end processing is started, based on the final balance stored in the storage unit 23 at that time,
Amount information area A1 of information storage unit A of prepaid card C
Is updated (by encrypting it using a predetermined encryption key if necessary) (step S41), and the updated remaining amount is the amount necessary for punching the remaining amount punch hole. It is checked whether or not it is (step S42).

The remaining amount required for punching the punch hole is the amount of money newly entering a region of the remaining amount region printed as a frequency value on the prepaid card C, which is different from the previous region. When the amount is such, the remaining amount guide punch hole is punched by the reader / writer 24 (step S43). After punching the remaining standard punch holes, the prepaid card C is discharged from the reader / writer 24 (step S44). Then, the process ends, and returns to the consumption process.

If it is determined in step S42 that the remaining amount after the update is not the amount required for punching the remaining amount guide punch holes, step S43 is skipped and step S43 is skipped.
The process proceeds to 44, and the prepaid card C is discharged.

Next, the processing for determining a ticketing mode in the relay device 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The ticketing mode determination process shown in FIG. 11 is started each time the relay device 3 receives a notification command from the ticketing machine 1.

When the monitoring / control unit 35 of the relay device 3 receives the notification command from the ticket issuing machine 1 via the communication processing unit 31, first, the monitoring / control unit 35 first monitors the reading device 2 via the data relay / reference unit 32. The operation rate B indicating the usage status of the device is confirmed (step S51). Then, it is determined whether the notification command on the ticket issuing machine side from the ticket issuing machine 1 is a congestion notification command or a congestion alleviation notification command (step S52).
If the command is a congestion notification command, it is determined whether or not the operating rate B of the reading device 2 previously confirmed in step S51 exceeds 80% (step S53). If the operating rate B exceeds 80%, The single ticket type issuance command is transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 1 (step S54), and the process is terminated, and the process returns to the standby state.
If the operation rate B does not exceed 80% in step S53, step S54 is skipped, the process ends, and the process returns to the standby state.

If the monitoring / control unit 35 determines in step S52 that the notification command from the ticket issuing machine 1 on the ticket issuing machine side is not a congestion notification command but a congestion alleviation notification command, it first checks in step S51. It is determined whether or not the operating rate B of the reading device 2 is less than 60% (step S55). If the operating rate B is less than 60%, a single ticket type release command is transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 1. (Step S56),
The process ends and returns to the standby state. If the operation rate B is not less than 60% in step S55, step S56.
Is skipped, the process ends, and the process returns to the standby state.

Next, the ticket issuing machine 1 based on the control of the relay device 3
Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The ticket issuing mode control process shown in FIG. 11 is started each time the ticket issuing machine 1 receives a control command from the relay device 3.

When the ticket issuing mode control unit 18 of the ticket issuing machine 1 receives the control command from the relay device 3 via the communication processing unit 11, first, the ticket issuing processing unit 12 performs the ticket issuing process or the preparation thereof. It is determined whether or not the ticket is being issued (step S61). If the ticket is being issued, the process waits until the ticket is completely completed. Immediately after the issuance of the ticket, the ticketing mode control unit 18 determines whether or not the received control command is a single ticket issue command (step S62).
If the control command is a single ticket issue command, the ticket issuing mode control unit 18 checks whether the ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 is the single ticket issue mode (step S63). If the ticketing mode is not a single ticket mode but a multiple ticket mode,
The ticketing mode control unit 18 sets the ticketing mode of the ticketing machine 1 to the single ticket type mode (step S64), ends the process, and returns to the standby state. In step S63, if the ticketing mode of the ticketing machine 1 is the single ticket type mode, the ticketing mode control unit 18 skips step S64, ends the process, and returns to the standby state.

[0111] The ticketing mode control unit 18 determines in step S62.
In the above, even when it is determined that the received control command is not a single ticket issue command but a single ticket issue release command, it is determined whether the ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 is the single ticket issue mode. Check (step S65). If the ticketing mode is the single ticket mode, the ticketing mode control unit 18 releases the single ticket mode and sets the multiple ticket mode (step S66), ends the process, and returns to the standby state. . In step S65, if the ticketing mode of the ticketing machine 1 is not the single ticket mode but the multiple ticket mode, the ticketing mode control unit 18 skips step S66 and ends the processing.
Return to the standby state.

As described above, in the prepaid card system, the ticket issuing machine 1 having a configuration as a plurality of ticket issuing machines can be operated as a single ticket issuing machine under the control of the relay device 3. Two types of ticket issuing modes, a multiple ticket type mode and a single ticket type mode, can be selectively switched and controlled according to the congestion situation.

As shown in FIG. 13, a notification command is sent to the relay device 3 as ticketing frequency information indicating the ticketing frequency in the ticketing machine 1. For example, the ticketing machine 1 transmits a congestion notification command as the notification command when the number n of tickets issued per minute is 5 or more, and congestion mitigation notification as the notification command when the number n of tickets issued per minute is less than two. A command is transmitted (see FIG. 14).

That is, in the ticket issuing machine 1, if a predetermined amount or more issuance processing is performed per unit time, the relay device 3 determines that there is a possibility that a waiting time for purchasing the prepaid card C may occur. Send a congestion notification command to the server. However, even when a large amount of the prepaid card C is purchased by the same user, the prepaid card C may be issued more than a predetermined amount per unit time. Therefore, in the relay device 3, the prepaid card C in the store S
Is checked based on the operating rate of the reading device 2, and when the reading device 2 is congested, the setting of the ticket issuing machine 1 is switched to the single ticket issuing mode, assuming that the ticket issuing machine 1 frequently issues tickets.

That is, the relay device 3 collects the sales information of the reading device 2, and obtains the operating rate of the reading device 2 according to the usage status of the prepaid card C in the subordinate reading device 2 based on the sales information. As illustrated in FIG. 14, when the congestion notification command is received from the ticket issuing machine 1, the relay device 3 issues a single ticket type as a control command on condition that the operation rate of the reading device 2 exceeds 80%. A command is given to the ticket issuing machine 1. When the relay device 3 receives the congestion alleviation notification command from the ticket issuing machine 1, the relay device 3
Is issued to the ticket issuing machine 1 as a control command on condition that the operating rate of the ticket is less than 60%. In other cases, the relay device 3 does not transmit a control command to the ticket issuing machine 1. Therefore, the relay device 3 gives a control command to the ticket issuing machine 1 under the conditions as shown in FIG.

When the ticket-issuing machine 1 is operating in the multiple-ticket issuing mode and receives a single-ticket issuing command from the relay device 3, the ticket-issuing mode is switched to the single-ticket issuing mode. When operating in the denomination mode, when a multiple denomination issuance command is received from the relay device 3, the mode is switched to the denomination mode. Note that the ticket issuing machine 1 is operating in the single-ticket issuing mode, receiving a single-ticket issuing command from the relay device 3, and operating in the multiple-ticket issuing mode. , Relay device 3
Therefore, in the case where a single ticket type ticket release command is received, the control command is ignored in any case.

The reading device 2 constantly transmits the sales information to the relay device 3, and the sales information includes a message indicating that the prepaid card C has been used after transmitting the previous sales information. include. Therefore, the relay device 3 determines that the store S is in a congested state when the number of the reading devices 2 in which the prepaid card C has been updated exceeds a predetermined amount.

When the relay device 3 receives the congestion notification command from the ticket issuing machine 1 and determines from the sales information from the reading device 2 that the store S is in a congested state, the relay device 3 sends a single notification to the ticket issuing machine 1. Send the ticket issuing command. Ticketing machine 1
In this example, when a single-issue type issuance command is received, the device operates as a single-issue type issue machine that issues only a specific issue type.

When the single ticket type issuance mode is canceled, the congestion is alleviated in the ticket issuing machine 1 based on the fact that the number of cards issued per fixed time is less than the predetermined number. A notification command is transmitted to the relay device 3. Then, the operation rate of the reading device 2 becomes less than the predetermined value,
When the relay device 3 receives the congestion alleviation notification command from the ticket issuing machine 1 in this state, the relay device 3 transmits a single ticket type ticket cancellation command to the ticket issuing machine 1.

[0120] In this manner, the relay device 3
Based on the ticketing frequency information and the operating rate information of the reading device 2, the ticket issuer 1 is operated in the single ticket type mode during congestion, and the ticket issuer 1 is operated in the multiple ticket type mode during non-congestion. The prepaid card can be issued efficiently and flexibly in an appropriate manner in response to the congestion situation, and an appropriate and efficient user service can be achieved.

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the relay device in the prepaid card system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The relay device 3A shown in FIG. 15 not only controls the ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 based on the notification command from the ticket issuing machine 1, but also can control the ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 by manual operation.

That is, the relay device 3A shown in FIG.
In addition to the communication processing unit 31, the data relay / reference unit 32, the storage unit 33, the database unit 34, and the monitoring / control unit 35 similar to those of the relay device 3 of FIG. A switching operation unit 36 is provided for controlling the ticket issuing mode from the multiple ticket issuing mode to the single ticket issuing mode and from the single ticket issuing mode to the multiple ticket issuing mode.

The switching operation unit 36 has an operation unit (not shown) such as a switch for switching from the multiple-ticket issuing mode to the single-ticket issuing mode and from the single-ticket issuing mode to the multiple-ticket issuing mode. ing.

In this case, the monitoring / control unit 35 monitors the operating rate of the subordinate reading device 2 via the data relay / reference unit 32, and issues the ticketing frequency information in the ticketing machine 1 via the communication processing unit 31. , The ticketing mode of the ticketing machine 1 is controlled, and further, the ticketing mode of the ticketing machine 1 is switched in response to the operation of the switching operation unit 36.

That is, the monitoring / control unit 35 uses the sales information collected from the subordinate reading device 2 by the data relay / reference unit 32 to actually use the prepaid card C among the subordinate reading devices 2 for consumption. The ratio of the reading device 2 being used is calculated at any time as an operation rate.

When the monitoring / control section 35 receives the ticketing frequency information from the ticketing machine 1, the monitoring / control section 35 reads the reading device 2 at that time.
The ticket issuance mode control signal is transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 1 if the required conditions are met.

That is, when receiving the ticketing machine side congestion notification command as ticketing frequency information from the ticketing machine 1, the monitoring / control unit 35 checks the operating rate of the reading device 2, and the operating rate exceeds 80% at that time. If it is, a single ticket type issuance command is transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 1. The ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 is changed to the single ticket mode by the single ticket issuing command. When the ticket issuing mode is already in the single ticket type mode, the ticket issuing machine 1 continues to operate in the single ticket type mode even if the single ticket issuing command is given.

When the monitoring / control unit 35 receives the ticketing machine side congestion alleviation notification command as ticketing frequency information from the ticketing machine 1, the monitoring / control unit 35 checks the operating rate of the reading device 2, and the operating rate is less than 60% at that time. If so, the single ticket type ticketing release command is transmitted to the ticketing machine 1. The ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 is changed to the multiple ticket mode by the single ticket issuing command.
When the ticket issuing mode is already in the multiple ticket mode, the ticket issuing machine 1 continues to operate in the multiple ticket mode even if the single ticket issuing command is given.

Further, when the operation unit of the switching operation unit 36 is switched from the multiple-ticket issuing mode to the single-ticket issuing mode, the monitoring / control unit 35 and the communication processing unit 31 operate. The ticket issuing machine 1 is switched from the multiple-ticket issuing mode to the single-ticket issuing mode via. The monitoring / control unit 3
5, when the operation unit of the switching operation unit 36 is switched from the single-ticket issuing mode to the multiple-ticket issuing mode, the single ticket issuing machine 1 is connected via the monitoring / control unit 35 and the communication processing unit 31. The mode is switched from the ticket issue mode to the multiple ticket issue mode.

In this manner, the ticketing mode of the ticketing machine 1 is automatically switched in accordance with the predetermined condition reflecting the congestion state based on the automatic judgment in the relay device 3A.
The ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 can be switched to the single ticket issuing mode or the multiple ticket issuing mode according to the judgment of the sales clerk or the like.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a ticket issuing process in the single ticket type issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine 1 in the prepaid card system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The single ticket type ticketing process shown in FIG. 16 is started each time cash is inserted into the ticket issuing machine 1.

In this case, in the single ticket type issuance mode,
The card issuance procedure is performed in advance for the next purchaser, and the prepaid card C is conveyed to, for example, a delivery port and discharged in response to a confirmation operation such as insertion of cash and pressing of a purchase button by the purchaser. The waiting time for issuing a prepaid card C is further reduced,
Waiting time can be reduced.

That is, the ticketing processing section 12 of the ticketing machine 1
After waiting for a ticketing request (step S71) by the user's confirmation operation, the cash processing unit 15 detects the inserted amount and compares the inserted amount with the predetermined consideration of the prepaid card C selected and confirmed ( Step S72). It is determined whether or not the input amount is equal to or more than a predetermined value of the prepaid card C of the ticketing type (step S73). The change is returned from the unit 15 and the new prepaid card C prepared for the previous ticket issuance procedure is discharged from the reader / writer 14 to be issued and provided to the user (step S74).

Immediately after the issuance of the prepaid card C, the next prepaid card C to be issued next is taken out of the card storage unit 16 and set in the reader / writer 14 (step S75). The ticketing processing unit 12 executes a ticketing procedure such as writing a store code on the set prepaid card C via the reader / writer 14 (step S76), ends the process, and returns to the standby state.

In step S73, if the amount of money to be paid is less than the specified value of the prepaid card C,
An error display is performed using a means such as a buzzer, a light emission display, or a character display (step S77), and the process ends to return to the standby state.

In this way, the ticket issuing machine 1 completes the ticketing procedure for the next prepaid card C to be issued immediately after the ticket issuance and prepares it. For this reason, at the next ticketing,
When cash is inserted and a ticketing request operation is performed, a new prepaid card C is immediately discharged. Then, from the point in time when the user receives the prepaid card C, change, and the like, preparations for the issuance procedure of the prepaid card C to be issued next, etc. are advanced. Therefore, it is possible to issue a ticket with a very short waiting time when issuing a single ticket type, which greatly contributes to prevention and mitigation of the congestion situation.

In the multiple-ticket issuing mode, the structure is complicated and a large number of prepaid cards C are waiting to be issued. The waiting time at the time of ticketing can be reduced.

When the preliminary advance ticketing process as described above is performed, when the ticketing mode of the ticketing machine 1 is switched, the switching is performed until the prepaid card C prepared in advance is discharged by the ticketing. It is necessary to suppress the execution of the operation. Further, in the multiple-ticket issuing mode state, the issuing frequency of each ticket type is monitored, and when switching to the single-ticket issuing mode, by switching control to the single-ticket issuing mode of the most frequent ticket type. Alternatively, control may be performed that is more adapted to the congestion situation.

In the above description, if the relay device 3 receives the ticket issuing machine side congestion notification command from the ticket issuing machine 1 and the operation rate of the reading device 2 is equal to or more than the predetermined value (80%),
Although the single ticket type command is transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 1, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to receive the ticket issuing machine side congestion notification command from the ticket issuing machine 1 and to set the operation rate of the reading device 2 to a predetermined value. If either one of the values is equal to or more than the value (80%), a single denomination command may be transmitted to the ticket issuing machine 1.

The prepaid card is not limited to a magnetic card, but may be an IC card. In this case, the IC card has an IC chip that stores information stored in the information storage unit A in a memory.

The prepaid card system of the present invention can be realized by using an ordinary computer system without configuring as a dedicated prepaid card system. For example, by installing a computer system from a medium (floppy disk, CD-ROM, or the like) storing a program for executing the above-described operation, a system for executing the above-described processing can be constructed. By the installation, the program is stored in a medium such as a hard disk in the computer system, configures the system, and is provided for execution.

Further, the medium for supplying the program to the computer is not limited to a storage medium in a narrow sense, but may be a communication line,
Like a communication network and a communication system, it may be a storage medium in a broad sense including a communication medium that temporarily and fluidly stores information such as a program.

For example, the program may be registered in an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server provided on a communication network such as the Internet, and distributed to an FTP client via the network. The program may be registered in a board system or the like and distributed via a network. Then start this program and run the OS
The above processing can be achieved by executing under the control of the (Operating System). Furthermore, the above-described processing can also be achieved by starting and executing the program while transferring the program via the communication network.

[0145]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Pre-paid efficiently and flexibly according to various situations by selectively controlling the issuance means in two types of issuance modes, a multiple issue mode and a single issue mode, by selectively controlling the upper level processing means. It is possible to provide a prepaid card system, a ticket issuing machine, and a high-order processing device that can issue a card and can achieve appropriate and efficient user service.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a prepaid card system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a prepaid card used in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a ticket issuing machine in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a reading device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a relay device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a ticket issuing process in a multiple ticket issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a ticket issuing process in a single ticket type issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of monitoring the number of issued tickets of a ticket issuing machine in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining consumption processing of the reading device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an end process in the consumption process of FIG. 9;

11 is a flowchart illustrating a ticketing mode determination process of the relay device in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a ticketing mode control process of the ticketing machine in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining operating conditions in the prepaid card system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a relay device in a prepaid card system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a ticket issuing process in a single ticket type issuing mode of the ticket issuing machine in the prepaid card system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 ticket issuing machine 2 reading device 3 relay device 3A relay device 4 recording device 5 settlement center 11 communication processing unit 12 ticket issuing processing unit 13 storage unit 14 reader / writer 15 cash processing unit 16 card storage unit 17 ticket issuing monitoring unit 18 ticket issuing mode control unit 21 Communication processing unit 22 Consumption processing unit 23 Storage unit 24 Reader / writer 31 Communication processing unit 32 Data relay / reference unit 33 Storage unit 34 Database unit 35 Monitoring / control unit 36 Switching operation unit C Prepaid card D Card issuer S Store

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Jin Hasegawa 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo F-term in NTT Data Corporation (reference) 3E044 AA02 AA20 BA06 DB02 DB05 DC01 DC05 DC06 DE01 DE07 5B049 AA04 BB17 CC16 EE21 GG04 5B058 KA11 KA13 KA21 YA06

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A prepaid card system for performing a monetary settlement using a prepaid card storing monetary value information corresponding to a monetary value, comprising: a plurality of ticket modes for selectively issuing a plurality of ticket types; Issuing means for issuing two types of ticketing modes, that is, a single ticket type mode for issuing only seeds, issuing the prepaid card in one of these ticketing modes, and generating ticketing information pertaining to issuing of the prepaid card; and Reading means for updating the price information of the set prepaid card according to the consumption amount and generating sales information including the consumption amount; and collecting sales information including the consumption amount of the prepaid card from the reading means. Processing, collecting the ticketing information from the ticketing means, and changing the ticketing mode of the ticketing means based on the sales information and the ticketing information. Prepaid card system, comprising a host processing unit which changeover control, the. 2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the high-level processing unit discriminates a ticket congestion status based on a congestion amount of the prepaid card based on the sales information and / or a ticket issuance frequency based on the ticketing information. 2. The prepaid card according to claim 1, further comprising: a mode control means for controlling the ticket issuing means to the single ticket type mode at the time of ticket congestion, and controlling the ticket issuing means to the plural ticket types mode at the time of alleviating the ticket congestion. system. 3. The ticket issuing means according to claim 1, wherein in the single ticket type mode in which only a predetermined single ticket type is issued, immediately after discharging the issued prepaid card, at least a part of a ticketing process of a prepaid card to be issued next. The prepaid card system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for performing in advance. 4. A cash processing means for detecting an amount of money to be inserted, and two ticketing modes: a multiple bill mode for selectively issuing a plurality of bills and a single bill mode for issuing only a predetermined single bill. And issue a prepaid card which stores amount information corresponding to a monetary value and is used for monetary settlement based on the inserted amount detected by said cash processing means in one of said two ticketing modes. Ticketing processing means, Ticketing monitoring means for monitoring ticketing of the prepaid card by the ticketing processing means, and transmitting ticketing information corresponding to ticketing frequency to a host processing device, The ticketing controlled by the host processing device A mode control means for switching and controlling a ticketing mode of the processing means. 5. In the single ticket type mode for issuing only a predetermined single ticket type, the ticketing processing means includes at least one ticketing process for a prepaid card to be issued next immediately after the issued prepaid card is discharged. 5. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 4, further comprising means for performing a part in advance. 6. A collection processing means for storing price information corresponding to a monetary value and collecting and processing from a reading device sales information including a consumption amount of a prepaid card used for financial settlement, and selectively selecting a plurality of ticket types. The ticketing frequency information indicating the frequency of ticketing in a ticketing machine that issues the prepaid card having two ticketing modes of a multiple ticket type mode for issuing a ticket and a single ticket type mode for issuing only a predetermined single ticket type. In response, the single ticket type mode is used when the ticketing frequency is high and the operating rate of the reading means based on sales information is high, and the operating rate of the reading means based on the low ticketing frequency and sales information is low. Monitoring processing means for switching and controlling the ticketing mode of the ticket issuing machine in order to select the plurality of ticket types mode.