JP2004118708A - Settlement system and fuel supplying system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a settlement system and a fuel supplying system using it whereby the refundment of charges can be made when authentication and settlement are made using a portable communication device. <P>SOLUTION: The settlement system and the fuel supplying system using it include a management computer 16 which performs the authentication of a customer (driver) driving a vehicle by making collation with authetication information stored in a database of a memory device 13 on the basis of individual's information when an authenticating request is received for the individual's information of the customer transmitted through his/her portable telephone set 46. When a result from authentication is stored and then a settlement request is given by the customer, fuel supply to the customer is admitted to oil supply devices 20a and 20b. When the acquisition of the authentication is stored and then a paying request is given by the customer, the transfer of a prepaid amount specified by the customer is instructed to a net bank. In the case the amount to be paid calculated at settlement is less than the prepaid amount deposited previously, the charges are refunded to the account of the customer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a payment system for performing authentication and payment using a portable communication device, and a fuel supply system using the payment system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a fuel supply system in which a self-service type weighing machine is installed, a driver himself sets refueling work, performs refueling work, and adjusts a refueling fee. Therefore, the driver specifies the oil refueling method after refueling after inputting the type of oil to be refueled, the amount of refueling, or the amount of refueling by the setting device before refueling.
[0003]
As a method of adjusting the refueling fee, there are a method of paying with cash, a method of paying with a credit card, a method of paying with a prepaid card, and the like. Then, when refueling is completed, a slip in which an amount (refueling amount × unit price + consumption tax) according to the refueling amount supplied to the fuel tank is issued is issued.
[0004]
In the case of the cash payment method, the customer moves to the office with this slip and pays the refueling fee at a cash register in the office to settle the payment. Therefore, when the payment method is cash payment, the driver himself / herself needs to move to the service station office after the refueling and pay the refueling fee.
[0005]
Further, in the case of an island settlement system in which an automatic payment machine is provided in a setting device for setting a refueling amount or a refueling amount in a self-service weighing machine, the refueling fee can be settled at a refueling place. This automatic payment machine is provided with a bill insertion part and a coin insertion part, and has a discrimination part for discriminating the kind of inserted bill and coin, and a display part for displaying the inserted amount.
[0006]
In the island settlement type refueling system, when presetting a refueling amount or a refueling amount before refueling, the driver first inserts a bill (a 10,000 yen bill, a 5,000 yen bill, etc.) into a bill insertion unit. The deposit amount is read by a bill reader and the deposit amount is displayed on a display unit. Then, a desired oil type (regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, light oil, etc.) is input, and a desired refueling amount (10 By inputting a liter or 20 liters) or a refueling amount (2,000 yen, 3,000 yen, etc.), the weighing machine is brought into a refuelable state.
[0007]
However, in the island settlement method, when there is change after refueling, it is necessary to move to the service station office and receive the change at the cash register as in the case of the cash payment method.
[0008]
That is, in the above cash payment method, if there is any change, the person moves to the refueling office and receives the change, so that there is a problem that extra time is required after refueling is completed.
[0009]
As a payment method for solving such a problem, a prepaid card method in which payment is made using a prepaid prepaid card is applied to a settlement system at a gas station.
[0010]
In the case of this prepaid card system, the refueling station has already paid the fee, so there is no worry that the fee will not be collected, and the customer will subtract the current refueling fee from the amount stored on the prepaid card and pay the remaining balance. There is no need to receive change because only writing is performed on the storage portion of the prepaid card (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-211997 (FIG. 3, page 3).
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the payment method using a prepaid card as described above, for example, it is necessary to purchase a prepaid card in advance, and when the remaining number stored in the prepaid card is small, it may not be possible to refuel a desired refueling amount. is there.
[0013]
In addition, when a customer who has purchased a prepaid card forgets the prepaid card at home, at a company, or the like, there is a possibility that a problem may occur that refueling cannot be performed even though the fee has already been paid in advance.
[0014]
Furthermore, if the customer loses the purchased prepaid card, the monetary information such as the purchase price is also lost, so that there is no financial remedy at the gas station. Therefore, the customer cannot recover the balance stored on the lost prepaid card, and cannot refuel the balance.
[0015]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a payment system that solves the above problems in view of the above points and a fuel supply system using the payment system.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following features to solve the above problems.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for receiving personal information transmitted from a portable communication device owned by a customer to identify the customer, and authentication information for identifying a customer registered in advance. A storage unit in which a database in which is stored is stored; an authentication unit that authenticates the customer by checking the authentication information stored in the database based on personal information when received by the communication device; It stores that the authentication has been obtained, and thereafter, when there is a payment request from the customer, the transfer means for transferring the prepaid amount designated by the customer, and the payment amount calculated at the time of settlement is previously received by the transfer means. Payment means for refunding the change to the customer's account if the payment is less than the prepaid amount. By transmitting personal information and completing the authentication process, the user can immediately obtain the authentication result when making a payment, without having to wait until the authentication process is completed at the time of payment and purchase a prepaid card in advance There is no need to pay for a prepayment card, and there is no need to wait for a change if there is any change.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 2 is a communication device for receiving personal information for identifying a customer transmitted from a portable communication device owned by the customer, and an authentication for identifying the customer who has been registered as a member in advance. Storage means for storing a database in which information is stored; authentication means for performing authentication of the customer by comparing with authentication information stored in the database based on personal information when received by the communication device; and authentication means. When the customer has made a payment request, the transfer means for transferring the prepaid amount designated by the customer and the actual payment amount calculated at the time of payment are received in advance. If the amount is less than the prepaid amount, the change is accumulated for each customer, and a cumulative amount management means for managing the accumulated amount is provided, and authentication is performed at the time of settlement. There is no need to wait until management is completed, and there is no need to pre-purchase a prepaid card, be settled even if you forget your prepaid card, there is no need to wait until it receives the exact change, even if there is a further exact change.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 3 is a communication device for receiving personal information for identifying the customer transmitted from a portable communication device owned by the customer, and an authentication for identifying the customer who has been registered as a member in advance. Storage means for storing a database in which information is stored; authentication means for performing authentication of the customer by comparing with authentication information stored in the database based on personal information when received by the communication device; and authentication means. The transfer means for transferring the prepaid amount designated by the customer upon receipt of a payment request from the customer, and the prepaid amount calculated in advance at the time of settlement. If it is less than the payment amount, the reimbursement means will be refunded to the customer's account, and the actual payment amount calculated at the time of settlement will be paid in advance. If it is less than one, the change is accumulated for each customer, and the settlement processing or change by the accumulated amount management means for managing the accumulated amount and the settlement means for returning the change to the customer's account is performed for each customer. Selection means for the customer to select one of the settlement processes by the accumulated amount management means to be accumulated, and the customer himself can refund the change to the customer's account or change the change for each customer. Since you can choose to accumulate, the change can be refunded in the way the customer wants.
[0019]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the settlement system according to any one of the first to third aspects is applied to a service station management system, and it is necessary to purchase a prepaid card in advance when performing a refueling fee settlement. There is also no need to wait for a refill card to be paid at the refueling office, even if the refueling fee is lower than the deposit amount after refueling has been completed and there is a change.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting means for transmitting a personal information for specifying the customer by operating a setting device installed at a gas station, and a database based on the personal information transmitted from the transmitting means. And authentication means for performing authentication of the customer by comparing the authentication information stored in the storage device with the authentication information stored in the storage device. It will be possible to transfer money to the gas station account.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of a settlement system and a fuel supply system according to the present invention.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel supply system 10 includes a customer management server 14, a WEB server 15, a management computer 16 installed in an office 12 of a gas station (fuel supply station), and a fuel supply installed in a field 17. Devices 17a and 17b (including self-service weighing machines 20a and 20b and setting devices 22a and 22b). The storage device 13 of the management computer 16 stores a database in which a result of performing an authentication process based on personal information transmitted from a customer is stored.
[0023]
The management computer 16 is communicably connected to a computer 26 of an external payment agency, a computer 27 of a financial institution, and a mobile phone 46 of a customer via a public line 24 and the Internet 25. In the present embodiment, the computer 27 of the financial institution functions as a net bank, and when an instruction is given from the customer via the Internet 25, the computer 27 of the financial institution transfers the account or the balance inquiry from the account of the customer. Perform processing. Further, the computer 26 of the payment agent company performs the payment process according to an instruction from the computer 27 of the financial institution.
[0024]
The mobile phone 46 is a communication unit that transmits personal information for a customer who owns the vehicle 40 to obtain authentication to a destination (a company or a store).
[0025]
When the management computer 16 receives the customer's personal information (phone number, ID, password, etc.) transmitted from the mobile phone 46, the management computer 16 transfers the information to the customer management server 14. Then, the customer management server 14 transmits the personal information to the computer 27 of the financial institution away from the liquid supply station, and requests authentication of the personal information.
[0026]
When the computer 27 of the financial institution receives the personal information and the location information for specifying the customer transmitted from the portable telephone 46, the computer 27 and the authentication information stored in advance based on the received location information and the personal information are received. The customer is authenticated by collation (authentication means). Further, when the authentication is obtained, the computer 27 of the financial institution performs the payment within the remaining balance of the account of the customer upon receiving a payment request from the customer based on the received location information and personal information ( Payment means).
[0027]
In other words, the computer 27 of the financial institution sends the prepaid amount entered by the authenticated customer from the bank account of the customer to the bank account of the dispensing station so as to transfer the prepaid amount to the computer 26 of the settlement agency. Instruct.
[0028]
The customer management server 14 stores and manages personal information (bank account balance, credit settlement status, mobile phone number, etc.) obtained from the computer 27 of the financial institution in a database. Then, when there is a request for personal authentication from the management computer 16, the customer management server 14 searches information in the database to perform authentication processing of the customer, and transfers the authentication result to the management computer 16. The management computer 16 outputs the liquid supply permission to the weighing machines 20a and 20b only when the authentication by the customer management server 14 is successful.
[0029]
The weighing machines 20a and 20b and the setting devices 22a and 22b receive an authentication request from the portable telephone 46 in advance, and when the management computer 16 outputs a liquid supply permission to the authenticated customer, the liquid supply is started. It is configured to be able to do it.
[0030]
Further, the management computer 16 is communicably connected to the weighing machines 20a and 20b and the setting devices 22a and 22b via a communication line (SS-LAN) 19 so as to permit liquid supply to the weighing machines 20a and 20b. Instructs liquid supply prohibition and issues a slip after liquid supply.
[0031]
Incidentally, the management computer 16 is constituted by a personal computer having a POS function.
[0032]
The weighing machines 20a, 20b have a liquid supply nozzle (not shown) for each oil type (for example, high octane, regular, light oil, etc.), and the customer himself operates the liquid supply nozzle to supply the liquid by self-service. Is performed.
[0033]
The setting units 22a and 22b include control units 28a and 28b connected to the communication line 19, display units 30a and 30b for displaying setting items and guidance, and setting buttons 34a for manually setting a liquid supply amount and an oil type. , 34b. The setting devices 22a and 22b are communicably connected to the computer 27 of the financial institution via the management computer 16 and the Internet 15 by operating the setting buttons 34a and 34b, as described later. In this case, a transfer instruction of the prepaid amount can be issued.
[0034]
In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the two fueling devices 17a and 17b are provided in the field 17 is shown as an example. However, it is needless to say that three or more weighing machines and setting devices may be provided.
[0035]
The storage device 13 of the management computer 16 stores the personal information at the time when the request for the authentication of the personal information of the customer (driver) transmitted via the portable telephone 46 of the customer who drives the vehicle 40 is received. Based on the authentication information stored in the database of the storage device 13 based on the control program I (authentication means) for authenticating the customer, the authentication result is stored, and when there is a settlement request from the customer, refueling is performed. A control program II (permission means) for permitting the fuel supply to the customer to the devices 20a and 20b, and that the authentication has been obtained are stored. Thereafter, when a payment request is issued from the customer, a prepaid designated by the customer is stored. The control program III (transfer means) for instructing the transfer of the amount to the net bank, and the amount of payment calculated at the time of settlement is less than the prepaid amount previously received. Case, the control program VI (settlement means) refund the exact change in the customer's account, it is stored.
[0036]
Here, a first embodiment of the control processing of the fuel supply device 10 having the above configuration will be described.
First, a procedure of a pre-registration process performed before refueling is described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the customer goes to the gas station office 12, tells the clerk his mobile phone number, and inputs it to the management computer 16. In step S11 (hereinafter, "step" is omitted), the management computer 16 checks whether or not the customer's mobile phone number and account number have been input.
[0038]
In the next step S12, when the clerk at the gas station confirms that the input information is correct information and performs a transfer operation, the process proceeds to S13 and transfers the information of the customer's mobile phone number to the management server 26.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 2B, when the management server 26 receives the information on the mobile phone number and the account number of the customer transmitted from the management computer 16 via the public line 24 and the Internet 25 in S15, the management server 26 proceeds to S16. To search the storage area of the corresponding telephone number stored in the database (not shown).
[0040]
In the next step S17, it is checked whether or not the mobile telephone number transferred this time is already registered in the telephone number storage area. If the mobile phone number transferred this time is not registered in S17, the process proceeds to S18, and a storage area for newly registered is secured in the database of the management server 26.
[0041]
If the mobile phone number transferred this time has already been registered in S17, or if a newly registered storage area has been secured in S18, the registration procedure ends.
[0042]
Here, a control process in which the customer performs authentication before the refueling operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0043]
When refueling the fuel tank of the vehicle, the customer calls the management computer 16 of the gas station using the registered mobile phone 18 immediately before departure to the gas station, for example.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 3, the management computer 16 confirms the transmission from the customer's mobile phone 18 registered in S21, and if there is a transmission from the customer's mobile phone 18, proceeds to S22, The customer is recognized from the telephone number of the mobile phone 18 using the call notification function of the mobile phone 18.
[0045]
Subsequently, the management computer 16 requests the credit inquiry by transferring the telephone number of the portable telephone 18 to the management server 26 in S23. Then, the management server 26 searches the telephone number of the mobile phone 18 for the authentication and account number of the customer. In S24, if the authentication success and the account number of the customer are obtained from the management server 26 based on the telephone number of the mobile phone 18, the process proceeds to S25, and the account number corresponding to the telephone number of the mobile phone 18 and the authentication completion are completed. The time is stored in the storage device 13.
[0046]
Subsequently, the process proceeds to S26, and the authentication result (one of authentication success, authentication failure, and unregistered) is notified to the portable telephone 18 by voice. This completes the pre-authentication process on the management computer 16 side.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 4, upon receiving the credit inquiry request transmitted from the management computer 16 in S27, the management server 26 proceeds to S28 and searches the storage area using the received telephone number of the portable telephone 18 as a key. Check whether the telephone number has been registered.
[0048]
In S28, if the telephone number has been registered, the process proceeds to S29, and it is checked whether the prepaid amount is equal to or more than the reference amount. Here, the reference amount is an amount that can be arbitrarily set for each gas station. For example, when the unit price of regular gasoline is 100 yen per liter, 105 yen including the consumption tax is the reference amount.
[0049]
If the prepaid amount is equal to or more than the reference amount in S29, the process proceeds to S30, where the authentication is successful and the prepaid amount is transmitted to the management computer 16. In response, the management computer 16 stores the telephone number of the portable telephone 18 and the authentication completion time in the storage device 13.
[0050]
If the prepaid amount is equal to or less than the reference amount in step S29, the process proceeds to step S31, and an authentication failure is returned to the management computer 26.
[0051]
In step S28, the storage area is searched using the received telephone number of the portable telephone 18 as a key, and if the telephone number is not registered, the management computer 26 is notified that the telephone number has not been registered. I do. This completes the pre-authentication process on the management server 26 side.
[0052]
Here, a control process when the customer performs refueling will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 5 (A), when the customer who has been authenticated in advance in S41 arrives at the gas station, the customer uses the setting device 22a to authenticate the oil type and the amount of oil (or the amount of oil). The user inputs the telephone number of the portable telephone 18 using a numeric keypad (not shown).
[0054]
When the setting unit 22a inputs the oil type and the refueling amount (or refueling amount) and the telephone number of the mobile phone 18 that has been authenticated in S41, the process proceeds to S42, and the input information (oil type, refueling amount (or refueling amount) (Including the amount) and the mobile phone number) to the management computer 16.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 5 (B), when the input information transmitted from the setting device 22a is received in S51, the management computer 16 proceeds to S52 to determine whether the authentication result information for the telephone number has been acquired. Confirm. If there is no authentication result yet in S52, it is determined that the customer has come to refuel without performing pre-authentication, and the process proceeds to S55, where the telephone number of the portable telephone 18 is transferred to the management server 26 and credit is transferred. Request an inquiry.
[0056]
If there is authentication result information in S52, the process proceeds to S53, and the elapsed time from the completion of authentication to the present is confirmed.
[0057]
If the elapsed time from the completion of authentication in S53 to the present exceeds the predetermined valid time set in advance, the process proceeds to S55, and the telephone number of the portable telephone 18 is transferred to the management server 26 again. Request a credit inquiry.
[0058]
Then, the management server 26 performs the above-described authentication processing again. That is, the management server 26 executes the authentication processing of S27 to S32 as shown in FIG. In this case, the setting unit 22a is in a standby state until the authentication processing in the management server 26 ends.
[0059]
In S53, if the elapsed time from the completion of the authentication is within the valid time, the process proceeds to S54, where the set refueling amount and the prepaid amount are compared. If the prepaid amount is insufficient, the customer is notified to the customer in S56. Notification. In S54, when the remaining amount of the prepaid amount is sufficient, the process proceeds to S57, and a refueling permission is transmitted to the refueling device 20a.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the setter 22a receives the refueling permission signal from the management computer 16 in S43, the process proceeds to S44 and starts the refueling process. Therefore, when a refueling nozzle (not shown) provided in the refueling device 20a is detached from the nozzle hook, the refueling pump is started to be in a refuelable state.
[0061]
Subsequently, in S45, when the integrated value of the flow meter (not shown) provided in the refueling device 20a does not reach the set refueling amount, the process proceeds to S46, and it is determined whether the refueling nozzle has been returned to the nozzle hook. To check. When the refueling nozzle has not been returned to the nozzle hook, the flow returns to S45, and it is again checked whether or not the integrated value of the flow meter (not shown) has reached the set refueling amount. Repeat the process.
[0062]
In S45, when the integrated value of the flow meter (not shown) provided in the refueling device 20a reaches the set refueling amount, or when the refueling nozzle is returned to the nozzle hook in S46, the process proceeds to S47. Is determined to be refueling, and the current refueling amount is transmitted to the management computer 16 in S48.
[0063]
Subsequently, in S49, the present refueling amount is subtracted from the prepaid amount before refueling, and the remaining amount is calculated. In S50, a voucher on which the refueling amount, the refueling amount, the prepaid remaining amount, and the like are printed is issued to the customer.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 5B, in the management computer 16, after confirming the refueling end in S58, the process proceeds to S59, in which the current refueling amount is transferred to the management server 26, and the remaining amount of the prepaid amount is transmitted to the management server 26 in S60. To update.
[0065]
Here, a processing procedure of the fuel supply system 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 6, a description will be given of an advance reservation made before a customer arrives at a gas station.
[0067]
The customer who wants to refuel operates the ten keys of the mobile phone 46 having a network connection function to connect to the WEB server 15 at the gas station. When the WEB server 15 receives the communication from the mobile phone 46 in S61 and is communicably connected, the process proceeds to S62, and confirms that the oil type and the refueling amount have been set. Next, the process proceeds to S63, where it is confirmed that the advance reservation is selected as the settlement method. Then, in S64, it is confirmed that the prepaid amount corresponding to the amount to be refueled is set.
[0068]
The setting of the prepaid amount may be a method of directly setting a numerical value such as 1000 yen or 1420 yen, or a method of selecting from a predetermined amount such as 2,000 yen or 3000 yen. It is determined by the configuration of the homepage installed on the server 15.
[0069]
When the settings in S61 to S64 are determined, the process proceeds to S65, and a link connection is made to the computer 27 of the financial institution (net bank) using the prepaid amount as a parameter.
[0070]
Here, when the customer enters the account number and password in S66 to log in to the net bank in order to use the transfer service of the net bank, the process proceeds to S67 and verifies whether the entered account number and password are correct. Perform a check.
[0071]
In S67, if the entered account number or PIN does not match the account number or PIN of the customer registered in advance and there is an error, the process proceeds to S68, and the mobile phone 46 of the customer is transmitted from the WEB server 15 to the customer. To send a password number error notification.
[0072]
In S67, if the entered account number or PIN matches the account number or PIN of the customer registered in advance, the process proceeds to S69, and the execution of the transfer is confirmed. If it is determined in S69 that execution of the transfer is not selected, the process proceeds to S70, and the stop of the transfer is displayed on the mobile phone 46 of the customer. If the transfer is confirmed in S69, the process proceeds to S71, and if the transfer is selected, the prepaid amount is transferred from the customer account to the gas station account.
[0073]
In the next S72, a link is made to the homepage of the gas station using the result of the transfer process as a parameter. Subsequently, in S73, the web server 15 checks the result of the transfer. In S73, if the transfer has failed due to insufficient balance of the customer's account or the like, the process proceeds to S74, and a notification of the transfer failure is transmitted to the mobile phone 46.
[0074]
If the transfer is successful in S73, the process proceeds to S75, where the account number and the prepaid amount are stored in the customer management server 14 in association with each other. Subsequently, the web server 15 transmits a notice of successful transfer to the mobile phone 46. Thus, the advance reservation process ends.
[0075]
Next, a processing procedure of the settlement system of the gas station will be described with reference to FIG.
[0076]
As shown in FIG. 7, in S81, when the customer arriving at the gas station inputs the account number of the customer entered in advance reservation into the setting device 22a installed at the refueling point in S81, the process proceeds to S82. Then, the account number is transferred from the setting device 22a, and at the same time, the management computer 16 is requested to refuel.
[0077]
In the next S83, the information is further transferred to the customer management server 14, and it is confirmed whether or not there is an advance reservation. In S84, when there is no reservation information, the customer management server 14 proceeds to S85, and returns the collation result to the management computer 16. Subsequently, in S86, the fact that no advance reservation has been made is displayed on the display 30a to notify the customer.
[0078]
If the advance reservation has been made in S84, the process proceeds to S87, and the result and the prepaid amount (balance of the account) are returned to the management computer 16. Then, in S88, the management computer 16 permits the refueling device 17a to perform the amount preset refueling for the prepaid amount.
[0079]
In the next S89, when the refueling using the refueling device 17a is completed, the process proceeds to S90. As a result, the refueling amount is notified from the management computer 16 to the setting device 22a, which is displayed on the display device 30a and notified to the customer. .
[0080]
In S91, it is checked whether the customer has accepted the refueling amount. If the customer cannot understand the refueling amount, the process proceeds to S92, where the management computer 16 is sent to the management computer 16 to the effect that the customer has doubts about the reimbursement amount and displayed on the monitor (not shown) in the office. A response is made.
[0081]
If the customer has accepted the refueling amount in S91, the process proceeds to S93, where the management computer 16 notifies the customer managing server 14 of the refueling amount, and deletes the reservation information. In S94, it is checked whether the setting for returning the difference (change) between the transferred prepaid amount and the refueling amount to the customer is an automatic refund. When the customer sets the automatic refund, the process proceeds to S96.
[0082]
If the automatic refund is not set in S94, the process proceeds to S95, and it is confirmed that the customer wants to refund the change. When the automatic refund is set in S94, the process proceeds to S96, and the customer management server 14 issues an instruction to the computer 27 of the financial institution to transfer the difference from the gas station account to the customer account, The processing is performed by the computer 26 of the settlement agency (transfer means).
[0083]
In this way, if the difference (change) between the prepaid amount and the refueling amount transferred by the customer is correct, the customer can receive the difference by selecting the refund.
[0084]
In the present embodiment, a method of changing the refund method by setting the settlement system is used, but it may be fixed to any method.
[0085]
Here, a modified example will be described.
[0086]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the first modification. In FIG. 8, S101 to S113 of the first modification are the same processing as S81 to S93, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0087]
In the first modification, the customer does not have to refund the difference (change), but accumulates it in the gas station account so that it can be used from the next time onward, and has the refund at the time of payment at the next refueling. Things.
[0088]
As shown in FIG. 8, in S114, it is checked whether the payment system setting is automatic. If the setting of the payment system is not automatic in S114, the process proceeds to S115, and a display screen for selecting whether to refund is displayed on the display 30a.
[0089]
In S116, it is checked whether the customer's selection desires a refund. If the customer does not select the refund in S116, the process proceeds to S117, and the prepaid amount of the reservation information in the customer management server 14 is updated.
[0090]
If the customer selects refund in S116, an instruction is issued to execute the processing of S118 to S120 to transfer the difference from the gas station account to the customer account, and the processing is performed by the settlement agency. Note that the processing in S118 to S120 is the same as the processing in S94 to S96 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0091]
If the setting of the payment system is automatic in S114, the process proceeds to S121 to check whether the setting selected by the customer is a refund. In S121, when the customer selects the accumulation of the difference (change) without selecting the refund, the process proceeds to S122, and associates the account number of the customer with the prepaid balance (change) with respect to the customer management server 14. Update the prepaid amount in the customer's reservation information.
[0092]
When the customer selects the refund in S121, the process proceeds to S123, in which the customer management server 14 instructs the computer 27 of the financial institution to transfer the difference from the gas station account to the customer account, and settles the payment. The processing is performed by the computer 26 of the agency company.
[0093]
As described above, when the customer selects the accumulation so that the difference is stored at the office without receiving the difference (change) between the transferred prepaid amount and the refueling amount, the difference is not refunded to the customer and the customer is not refunded. By updating the prepaid amount of the customer's reservation information by associating the account number of the customer with the prepaid balance (change), it is possible to immediately leave the refueling station without the troublesome act of receiving the difference Become.
[0094]
In the first modification, whether to automatically refund is determined according to the contents set in the system in advance, but it may be fixed to either one.
[0095]
Next, another modification 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 9, the processes in S101 to S104 and S107 to S123 are the same as those in the above-described first modification, and a description thereof will not be repeated.
[0096]
In the second modification, when the customer forgets the mobile phone 46 at home and arrives at the gas station without making an advance reservation, the user operates the setting unit 22a and immediately refuels the vehicle (refueling point) in the same manner as in the above embodiment. This makes it possible to perform prepaid refueling.
[0097]
If there is no reservation information in S104 shown in FIG. 9, the process proceeds to S124 shown in FIG. Subsequently, in S125, when the customer operates the setting device 22a to connect to the WEB server 15, the process proceeds to S126, and the processes of S126 to S139 are executed. The processing in S126 to S139 is the same as the processing in S62 to S75 (see FIG. 6) described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0098]
As described above, even when the customer forgets the mobile phone 46 at home and cannot make a reservation in advance, he operates the setting unit 22a of the gas station to transfer the prepaid amount and the prepaid amount and the refueling amount in the same manner as the mobile phone 46. Refund method of the difference (change) can be selected.
[0099]
In the above-described embodiment and Modifications 1 and 2, the case where the advance reservation is made at the gas station using the portable telephone 46 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a personal computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA: Personal Digital Assistant) having a communication function may be used.
[0100]
Further, as a communication line network for performing communication, the Internet, which is becoming increasingly popular, is preferable, but it goes without saying that a public line or a dedicated line may be used.
[0101]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a communication device that receives personal information for identifying a customer transmitted from a portable communication device owned by the customer, and identifies a customer whose membership has been registered in advance Means for storing a database in which authentication information is stored, and authentication means for authenticating the customer by matching the authentication information stored in the database based on personal information when received by the communication device Transfer means for transferring a prepaid amount designated by the customer when there is a payment request from the customer, and the transfer amount calculated at the time of settlement Payment means for refunding the change to the customer's account if the amount is less than the prepaid amount previously paid by the means, By transmitting the personal information with the communication device and completing the authentication process, the authentication result can be obtained immediately when making the payment, and there is no need to wait until the authentication process is completed at the time of payment, and the prepaid card must be stored in advance. There is no need to purchase, you can settle even if you forget the prepay card, and you do not have to wait until you receive the change if there is a change.
[0102]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a communication device for receiving personal information for identifying a customer transmitted from a portable communication device owned by the customer, and a communication device for identifying a customer registered in advance. A storage unit in which a database in which authentication information is stored is stored, and an authentication unit that performs authentication of the customer by comparing the authentication information stored in the database based on personal information at the time of reception by the communication device, It stores that the authentication is obtained by the authentication means, and thereafter, when there is a payment request from the customer, the transfer means for transferring the prepaid amount designated by the customer, and the actual payment amount calculated at the time of settlement is received in advance. If the payment is less than the prepaid amount, the change is accumulated for each customer and the accumulated amount management means for managing the accumulated amount is provided. There is no need to wait until management is completed, and there is no need to pre-purchase a prepaid card, be settled even if you forget your prepaid card, there is no need to wait until it receives the exact change, even if there is a further exact change.
[0103]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for receiving personal information for identifying a customer transmitted from a portable communication device owned by the customer, and a communication device for identifying a customer registered as a member in advance. A storage unit in which a database in which authentication information is stored is stored, and an authentication unit that performs authentication of the customer by comparing the authentication information stored in the database based on personal information at the time of reception by the communication device, It stores that the authentication is obtained by the authentication means, and thereafter, when there is a payment request from the customer, the transfer means for transferring the prepaid amount designated by the customer, and the payment amount calculated at the time of settlement is received in advance. If the amount is less than the prepaid amount, a reimbursement means for refunding the change to the customer's account, and a prepaid account in which the actual payment amount calculated at the time of settlement is pre-paid. If the amount is less than the total amount, the change is accumulated for each customer, and the settlement processing or change by the accumulation amount management means for managing the accumulated amount and the settlement means for returning the change to the customer's account is performed by each customer. Selection means for the customer to select one of the settlement processes by the accumulated amount management means for each customer, so that the customer can either refund the change to the customer's account or accumulate the change for each customer. The customer can refund the change in the manner desired by the customer.
[0104]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the settlement system according to any one of the first to third aspects is applied to a gas station management system, it is also necessary to purchase a prepaid card in advance when performing a refueling fee settlement. In other words, even if the prepayment card is forgotten, the settlement can be performed, and even if the refueling fee is lower than the deposit amount after refueling is completed, there is no need to wait until the change is received at the refueling office.
[0105]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the transmitting device for transmitting the personal information for specifying the customer by operating the setting device installed at the gas station, and the personal information transmitted from the transmitting device. Authentication means for verifying the customer by matching it with the authentication information stored in the database. It is possible to transfer money to a bank account.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a settlement system and a fuel supply system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a pre-registration processing procedure of a first embodiment executed by a management computer and a management server.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a control process in which a customer performs authentication before a refueling operation in a first embodiment executed by a management computer.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by a management server to perform authentication before a refueling operation.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure executed by a setting device and a management computer when a customer performs refueling.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of advance reservation performed before a customer arrives at a gas station.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of a settlement system of a gas station.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to a first modification.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to a second modification.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to a second modification performed after the processing in FIG. 9;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Fuel supply system
13 Storage device
14 Customer management server
16 Management computer
17 Field
17a, 17b refueling device
19 Communication line (SS-LAN)
20a, 20b weighing machine
22a, 22b setting device
24 Public line
25 Internet
26 Payment agent company computer
27 Financial Institution Computer
28a, 28b control unit
30a, 30b Display
34a, 34b setting button
46 mobile phone

Claims (5)

A communication device that receives personal information transmitted from a portable communication device owned by the customer to identify the customer;
Storage means for storing a database in which authentication information for identifying a customer registered in advance as a member is stored;
Authentication means for performing authentication of the customer by collating with the authentication information stored in the database based on personal information at the time received by the communication device,
Transfer means for storing that authentication has been obtained by the authentication means, and thereafter, upon a payment request from the customer, transferring a prepaid amount designated by the customer;
If the payment amount calculated at the time of settlement is less than the prepaid amount previously paid by the transfer means, a settlement means for refunding the change to the customer's account;
A payment system comprising: A communication device that receives personal information transmitted from a portable communication device owned by the customer to identify the customer;
Storage means for storing a database in which authentication information for identifying a customer registered in advance as a member is stored;
Authentication means for performing authentication of the customer by collating with the authentication information stored in the database based on personal information at the time received by the communication device,
Transfer means for storing that authentication has been obtained by the authentication means, and thereafter, upon a payment request from the customer, transferring a prepaid amount designated by the customer;
If the actual payment amount calculated at the time of settlement is less than the prepaid amount paid in advance, the change is accumulated for each customer, and the accumulated amount management means for managing the accumulated amount,
A payment system comprising: A communication device that receives personal information transmitted from a portable communication device owned by the customer to identify the customer;
Storage means for storing a database in which authentication information for identifying a customer registered in advance as a member is stored;
Authentication means for performing authentication of the customer by collating with the authentication information stored in the database based on personal information at the time received by the communication device,
Transfer means for storing that authentication has been obtained by the authentication means, and thereafter, upon a payment request from the customer, transferring a prepaid amount designated by the customer;
If the payment amount calculated at the time of settlement is less than the prepaid amount paid in advance, a settlement means for refunding the change to the customer's account,
If the actual payment amount calculated at the time of settlement is less than the prepaid amount paid in advance, the change is accumulated for each customer, and the accumulated amount management means for managing the accumulated amount,
Selection means for the customer to select any one of the settlement processing by the settlement means for refund the change to the account of the customer, or the settlement processing by the accumulation amount management means for accumulating the change for each customer,
A payment system comprising: A fuel supply system, wherein the settlement system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is applied to a gas station management system. Transmission means for transmitting personal information for identifying the customer by operating a setting device installed at the gas station,
An authentication unit that authenticates the customer by checking against the authentication information stored in the database based on the personal information transmitted from the transmission unit;
The fuel supply system according to claim 4, further comprising:

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