JP4483135B2 - Cash machine and public facilities equipped with this cash machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a payment / price settlement means in a public facility such as a bathing recreation facility or an amusement center that uses a non-contact type electronic medium and purchases goods.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In public facilities such as those mentioned above, a non-contact type electronic medium (hereinafter referred to as a non-contact tag) containing an ID number is entered or sold when a customer enters, and this is used when using a restaurant or a store in the hall. A contactless tag is brought close to the antenna of the terminal, and the read ID number is sent and stored to a higher-level computer through a network such as a LAN together with the amount of charges and charges (hereinafter simply referred to as charges). Some systems use a batch payment system.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such facilities, cash is not handled in principle, but it is impossible to provide a contactless tag reading terminal for all large and small service devices, and some devices may not be cash-in. There are cases where it is unavoidable. In that case, the customer is prepared with cash in advance, but for example, it is difficult to wear cash at a bathhouse or the like, which inconveniences the customer.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to simplify the use of this device in a public facility equipped with a cash service device while adopting a fee settlement system using a non-contact tag.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
This invention installs a cash change machine that is opened by a non-contact tag in the facility, and pays out cash according to the customer's request, so that the cash service device can be provided even if the customer does not prepare and carry the cash in advance. It will be made available. This advance will be settled along with other charges when you leave. That is, the cash change machine of the present invention includes an antenna unit that receives transmission information from a non-contact type electronic medium having an ID number, a reading unit that reads data of the electronic medium via the antenna unit, and cash. A payout hopper, a communication unit that communicates with a host computer that manages the ID number, and a control unit that controls each unit, and reads the ID number when the electronic medium approaches the communication range of the antenna unit The ID number and a predetermined advance amount are transmitted to the computer, and the computer determines whether or not cash can be paid out from the transmitted ID number, and if there is a withdrawal permission signal from the computer , the cash of the replacement amount is obtained. It pays out from the hopper (Claim 1).
[0005]
Next, the public facility of the present invention obtains a non-contact type electronic medium having an ID number when entering the facility, uses the facility on the site using this electronic medium, or purchases goods, and charges when leaving the facility. Alternatively, the cash change machine described in claim 1 shall be installed in a public facility where the payment is made ( claim 2 ).
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 1-5, embodiment of this invention in a public bathhouse is described, for example. First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cash change machine. In FIG. 1, 1 is a non-contact tag having an ID number, 2 is an antenna unit that receives transmission information from the non-contact tag 1, 3 is a reading unit that reads data of the non-contact tag 1 via the antenna unit 2, 4 Is a hopper for paying out cash (coins in this case), 5 is a memory unit for storing data such as the amount of advancement, 6 is a display unit for displaying the amount of advancement, and 7 is for managing the ID number of the contactless tag 1 A communication unit 9 communicates with the host computer 8 through a network such as a LAN, and 9 is a control unit that controls the units 3 to 7.
[0007]
FIG. 2 shows the format of the non-contact tag 1, in which data such as adult / children, gender, locker number, facility use range and the like are recorded in addition to the ID number. The contactless tag 1 is rented for a fee when the customer enters, and the ID number of the contactless tag 1 being rented is valid and managed by the computer 8 together with the other data. The non-contact tag 1 has a wristband shape and is carried around the wrist of the customer. Each facility in the hall is equipped with a terminal that communicates with the contactless tag 1, and when the customer uses the facility or purchases an article, the customer attaches the contactless tag 1 to the antenna portion of the terminal himself or through a staff member. Let them approach and read the information. The ID number of the contactless tag 1 and the facility fee are transmitted and stored in the computer 8 each time, and the fee is settled when leaving.
[0008]
However, there is a cash service device, such as a massage machine, which is used by inserting cash (coin) without using the non-contact tag 1 in the venue, and coins are required when using such a device. To do. Therefore, the cash change machine shown in FIG. 1 is installed in the hall, and the customer receives the coins by bringing the non-contact tag 1 close to the antenna unit 2. When coins are replaced, the computer 8 determines whether or not the coins can be paid out from the ID number of the non-contact tag 1, and the determination result is transmitted to the cash advancer. The cash advance machine pays out coins or stops paying out based on the determination result. FIG. 3 shows a transmission format of the determination result, and includes data such as a payout amount and a payout status until then, in addition to a corresponding ID number and a payout determination flag as described later. The advance amount is stored in the computer 8 together with the ID number, and is settled together with the facility usage fee when leaving the facility.
[0009]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a coin payout process by the cash change machine of FIG. 1 and 4, when the control unit 9 detects the non-contact tag 1 via the antenna unit 2 (S1), the reading unit 3 reads the ID number (S2), and performs communication processing with the computer 8. (S3). In this communication process, an ID number is transmitted from the communication unit 7 to the computer 8 to determine whether payout is possible, and the result is received. When the computer 8 receives the ID number, the computer 8 determines whether it is valid / invalid, whether the cumulative total of the reimbursement amount is less than the upper limit amount, or whether the user is allowed to pay out from the management record of an adult or a child. : 00, No withdrawal: 10 (ID invalid), 11 (exceeding the maximum amount), 12 (prohibited children from changing), etc. are sent to the cash machine. The control unit 9 of the cash advance machine interprets the determination result from this determination flag (S4), and when the payout is possible, displays the amount on the display unit 6 (S5), and a fixed amount coin (for example, 100 yen) Is dispensed from the hopper 4 and the process is terminated (S6). In addition, although the advance amount for every ID number is memorize | stored in the computer 8, it is memorize | stored as backup data also in the memory part 5 of a cash machine. On the other hand, if the payout is impossible in S4, the display unit 6 displays the fact that the change is impossible and the reason for the change (S7), and finishes the payout stop process (S8).
[0010]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a different embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as indicated by a chain line in FIG. 1, an amount button 10 for inputting a desired amount of the advance amount and a confirmation button 11 for confirming the payout of the advance amount are newly provided. Therefore, in FIG. 5, when the control unit 7 detects the non-contact tag 1 via the antenna unit 2 (S1), the reading unit 3 reads the ID number and simultaneously starts a timer (not shown) built in the control unit 9 ( S2). Next, a guidance display is displayed on the display unit 6 to prompt the user to input the desired replacement amount from the amount button 10 (S3). The amount button 10 is provided with a plurality of fixed amount buttons in which different set amounts are displayed in advance, for example, three fixed amount buttons of 100 yen, 200 yen and 300 yen, and a desired amount is selected and pressed. It has become. If the money amount button 10 is not pressed in S4 and the timer setting time is up for a certain time, for example, 10 seconds, the payout process is stopped and the standby state is restored (S9).
[0011]
If there is an input of the amount button in S4, the advance amount is displayed on the display unit 6 (S5), and the input of the confirmation button 11 is awaited (S6). If the confirmation button 11 is not pressed in S6 and the timer setting time is up for a certain time, for example, 10 seconds, the payout process is stopped and the standby state is restored (S10). If there is an input of the confirmation button 11 in S6, communication processing to the computer 8 is performed (S7), a desired amount of coins is paid out from the hopper 4, and the processing is terminated (S8). In the communication process of S7, the ID number and the advance amount are transmitted from the communication unit 7 to the computer 8. Although not shown in FIG. 5, as in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the computer determines whether or not payout is possible in S7. If the result is received and payout is possible, payout is performed in S8, and payout is not possible. Of course, it is also possible to return to the standby state. The transmitted advance amount is stored in the computer 8 and is settled together with other usage fees when leaving the station.
[0012]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since it is possible to borrow cash using a non-contact tag, there is no need to carry cash, and the convenience of using coin service equipment in a public facility such as a public bath where it is difficult to carry cash. The characteristics are greatly improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cash machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a format of a non-contact electronic medium used in the cash change machine of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication format from a computer for the cash change machine of FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cash change machine of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a different operation of the cash change machine of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Non-contact-type electronic medium 2 Antenna part 3 Reading part 4 Hopper 5 Memory part 6 Display part 7 Communication part 8 Computer 9 Control part 10 Price button 11 Confirmation button

Claims (2)

An antenna unit for receiving transmission information from a non-contact type electronic medium having an ID number, a reading unit for reading data of the electronic medium through the antenna unit, a hopper for paying out cash, and managing the ID number A communication unit that communicates with a higher-level computer, and a control unit that controls each of the units. When the electronic medium approaches the communication range of the antenna unit, the ID number is read, and the ID number and a predetermined advance amount To the computer, and from the transmitted ID number, the computer determines whether or not cash can be paid out, and if there is a payout permission signal from the computer, the cash of the advance amount is paid out from the hopper. Cash advance machine. In a public facility that obtains a non-contact type electronic medium with an ID number when entering the facility, uses the facility on the site using this electronic medium, or purchases goods, and settles the fee or price when leaving the facility, A public facility characterized in that the cash change machine according to claim 1 is installed.

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