JPH0253197A - Control and processing method for prepaid card sales - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To unify the processing of settlement of accounts by operating the processing of the settlement of accounts with a prepaid card and the sales control of a new prepaid card in the same enclosure. CONSTITUTION:Cash is received and registered to an account register 2. Then, when card sales is commanded, information concerning the amount is given to a card selling machine 31. Thus, a card selling means sells the prepaid card corresponding to the amount. By delivering this prepay card to a customer, the sales processing of the card is finished. The account register 2 subtracts the stock number of the prepaid card in the card selling machine 31 and registers the other information such as the type of the sold prepaid card, etc. Accordingly, the prepaid card is automatically sold according to the sales command from the account register and the information such as the type of the cash, etc. Then, since the stock of the prepaid card or sales amount are registered to the account register 2, the sales of the prepaid card and the stock control and sales control of the prepaid card can be executed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a method for managing sales of prepaid cards and a method for processing information such as sales by prepaid cards, and particularly relates to a method for storing both functions in one housing. The present invention relates to a prepaid card sales management and processing method that can reduce the volume and simplify sales management when issuing new prepaid cards.

[Conventional technology]

In conventional sales using prepaid cards, the prepaid card is inserted into a card reading/writing device connected to a cash register, etc., and information such as the remaining amount is read, and a new amount is written by subtracting the sales amount from the remaining amount. I was processing it thoroughly. Furthermore, in the sale of new prepaid cards, devices are also provided that can automatically sell cards of the corresponding amount when money is inserted. but,
These card reading/writing devices and automatic card vending devices are installed separately and operated independently, requiring a large volume. For this reason, a unified management method for sales management and usage processing has been desired.

In addition, in manual sales of prepaid cards at stores, a clerk receives cash, registers it in a cash register, and hands a prepaid card to the customer according to the amount received. However, since prepaid cards are cash vouchers, similar to cash, strict care and management are required when handling them.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In this way, in the past, the management at the time of sale of a prepaid card and the processing at the time of use of the prepaid card were separate, so operations, maintenance, etc. had to be performed separately, which was troublesome for the user. . Furthermore, when two devices with similar functions are installed side by side, they occupy extra space, making it difficult to effectively utilize the floor space of a store, for example.

Also, get yourself a new prepaid card! #If you were to store them in a drawer and sell them manually without using a JUi vending machine, you would have to be very careful because they would have the same value as gold coins. In reality, a person in charge of managing prepaid card sales must be appointed to prevent theft and monitor unauthorized sales. In addition, since the purchase and sales of prepaid cards must be considered, inventory must be taken and sales figures must be checked at regular intervals.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and is a prepaid card sales management and processing method that can automatically sell prepaid cards and centrally perform payment processing at the time of use. The purpose is to provide

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a card reading/writing means capable of reading information recorded on a prepaid card and writing new information, and a card reading/writing means capable of reading information recorded on a prepaid card and storing information of a predetermined amount of money according to a ticket issuing instruction. To provide a prepaid card sales management and processing method, which is equipped with a card issuing means for issuing a new prepaid card, and is capable of performing settlement processing using a prepaid card and sales management of a new prepaid card within the same housing. It is something.

[Effect]

According to the prepaid card sales management and processing method according to the present invention configured as described above, when cash is received, it is registered in the cash register, and a card sale is commanded, information regarding the amount is given to the card vending machine. . Thereby, the card selling means sells prepaid cards of the amount. By handing this prepaid card to the customer, the card sales process is completed. Further, the cash register subtracts the number of prepaid cards in stock in the card vending machine, and also registers other information such as the type of prepaid card sold. Therefore, according to this prepaid card sales management device, prepaid cards are automatically sold based on the sales command from the cash register and information such as the denomination, and the inventory and sales amount of the prepaid cards are registered in the cash register. , it will be possible to sell prepaid cards, manage prepaid card inventory, and manage sales.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on illustrated embodiments.

1 to 5 are diagrams shown for explaining the present invention in detail. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a prepaid card sales management device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 3, a prepaid card processing device 1 includes a cash register 2 and a card vending machine 41 serving as a card vending machine.
It consists of 13. The cash register machine 2 is a P.O.
It functions as a terminal device for the S system, and is capable of sending necessary information to a parent computer (not shown). This cash register 2 is connected with a cable 4 to a card vending machine reader 3.

The card vending machine reader 3 is connected to the cable 4 from the cash register 2.
It is configured to sell prepaid cards 5 as shown by arrows A and A' based on instructions and information sent via the card. Further, the card vending machine reader 3 takes in an already sold prepaid card 5 as shown by arrow B in the figure, reads data regarding the amount, and sends it to the cash register 2 via a cable 4. The system is configured to perform payment, take in the payment result via cable 4, rewrite it, and output it as shown by arrow C in the figure.

The cash register 2 has an external shape as shown in FIG. 3, and has the following structure. That is, an input keyboard 10 is provided at the front center of the cash register 2. The input keyboard 10 includes a numeric keypad for inputting amounts, etc., and a funk keypad for executing various calculation functions. On the right side of the keyboard IO, from top to bottom, there are power key switch 1.
1. A tally key 12 that issues a command to tally card sales;
A card release key 13 is provided to issue an instruction to release a card, a card payment instruction key 14 is used to input that payment is to be made using a prepaid card 5, and a cancel key 15 is provided to stop instructions and processing and return to the initial state. ing. A display panel 16 is provided above the input keyboard 10 and the power key switch 11 on which the amount entered using the input keyboard 10, the total amount, and other information are displayed. A monitor display panel 17 on which the same content as this display panel 16 is displayed is provided separately. A printing device (to be described later) that can print a receipt 18 is built into the card sales reader 3 slightly to the left of the center of the main body.

Further, a cash storage box 19 for storing cash is provided at the bottom of the main body of the card sales reader 3.

The card sales reader 3 has a shape as shown in FIG. 3, and has the following structure.

On the front of the main body of the card sales reader 3, there is a payment slot for taking in the prepaid card 5 for payment along the direction B in the figure, or for ejecting the prepaid card 5 as shown in C in the diagram after the payment is completed. mouth 20 and prepaid card 5
A sales port 21 is provided for selling the products as shown in the figure A%A'. Further, a power indicator lamp 22 is provided on the front of the main body of the card sales reader 3.

FIG. 2(1) is a front view showing a first type of prepaid card used in the present invention. FIG. 2(n) is a front view showing a second type of prepaid card used in the present invention. FIG. 2 (III) is a back view of the prepaid card used in the present invention.

The prepaid card 5 is a flexible card made of thin plastic, paper, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the prepaid card 5 is provided with an area 6 for displaying the payment amount and payment status, as well as other necessary information (JIlij sales amount, release name, etc.). It is printed. Further, a magnetic recording medium 7 is provided on the back side of the prepaid card 5, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a prepaid card processing device 1 according to the present invention.

The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is provided inside the main body of the cash register 2 and the main body of the card sales reader I13 shown in FIG. 3, respectively.

The money register 112 includes an input keyboard 10, a tally key 12, a card release key 13, and a card payment instruction key 1.
4, a cancel key 15, a display panel 16, a monitor display panel 17, a printing device 26 that releases the receipt 18, a release device 27 that releases the cash storage box 19, and a PO.
It is equipped with a communication device 28 for functioning as a terminal device of the S system and an input/output device 29 for connecting the cable 4 and for exchanging information with the card sales reader 3, and is connected to these processing devices 25. has been done.

The processing device 25 may be constituted by a microcomputer system equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, input/output devices, etc., and is used to perform various controls and calculations. The communication device 28 is connected to the parent computer of the POP system via a communication line. The input/output device 2
9 is connected to the card sales reader 3 via a cable 4.

The card release reader 3 includes a card reading/writing mechanism 30
, a card vending mechanism 31 , and a general control device 32 . The card reading/writing mechanism 30 and the card selling mechanism 31 are connected to the general control device 32 and are placed under the control of the general control device 32.

The card vending mechanism 31 is connected to an input/output bag W29 of the cash register 2 via a cable 4.

The card reading/writing mechanism 30 is constructed as follows. That is, a pair of rollers 35, 36 are rotatably provided at a position corresponding to the payment port 2o, and a write/read head 37 is provided in close proximity to the rollers 35, 36. This write/read head 3
Reference numeral 7 reads the information written on the prepaid card 5, and also writes the information after the payment is completed.

A reflective photocoupler 38 is provided next to the write/read head 37 . A pair of rollers 39.4o is provided next to the photocoupler 38. A punch mechanism 41 is provided on the right side of the roller 39.4o in the drawing. This punching mechanism 41 is a mechanism for punching a hole according to the use of the prepaid card 5. A pair of rollers 42 and 43 are provided on the right side of the punch mechanism 41 in the drawing. Said roller 42.4
A pair of rollers 44.4 at a certain distance from 3.
5 is provided.

An endless belt 46 is wound between the roller 42 and the roller 44.

The lower half of the outer circumference of the belt 46 is in contact with the upper half of the outer circumference of the belt 47. The roller 43
A card contact detection sensor 48 which also serves as a stopper is provided on the right side of the roller 45 in the figure. The roller 35.36, the roller 39.4o, and the roller 42
．． 43 and rollers 44 and 45 are connected to the output shaft of a step motor 49 via a mechanism not shown. Further, a reflective photocoupler 51 for detecting insertion of the prepaid card 5 is provided near the payment gate 2o.

The write/read head 37, photocoupler 38, punch mechanism 41, step motor 49, and photocoupler 51 are connected to the payment control circuit 5o. The payment control circuit 5o is connected to the overall control circuit 32. The payment control circuit 5° reads information from the prepaid card 5 via the write/read head 37 for payment, obtains this information from the general control circuit 32, and writes it to the prepaid card 5 via the write/read head 37. is under control.

The card vending mechanism 31 is configured as follows.

That is, a storage box 55 for storing prepaid cards 5 of, for example, 1,000 yen is provided in the card sales reader 3, and at the bottom of the storage box 55 there is a repeater that takes out only one card in response to a card sales command. N456 is provided. Similarly, a storage box 57 for storing a 3,000 yen prepaid card 5 is provided inside the card sales reader 3.
A take-out mechanism 58 is provided at the bottom of the storage 57 to take out only one card in response to a card release command. At the bottom of the take-out mechanism 56 and take-out mechanism 58, the rack is passed to rollers 59 and 60. An endless belt 6] is provided. The roller 59 is located near the inside of the release opening 21. The roller 59.6o is connected to a step motor 62 via a mechanism not shown.

The ejection mechanism 56, 58 and the step motor 62 are electrically connected to a card vending control circuit 63, and the mechanisms and the like are placed under the control of the card vending control circuit 63. The release control diagram 1563 is the general control device 32.
is connected to, and drives either the take-out mechanism 56 or the take-out machine 1158 according to the sales command and monetary information from the general control device 32, and also rotates the step motor 62.

The ejecting mechanism 56 or the ejecting mechanism 58 is a mechanism for ejecting one prepaid card 5 in response to a command from a sales control circuit 63. The step motor 62
is rotated by a drive signal from the sales control circuit 63 to drive the endless belt 61. As a result, the prepaid card 5 on the endless belt 61 is conveyed to the sales opening 21.

The operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of selling a prepaid card in this embodiment, and FIG. 4 (1) is for explaining the operation of the cash register;
Figure 1) is for explaining the operation of the card sales reader.

First, in FIG. 4 (1), enter the amount through the input keyboard 10 of the cash register, press the total key, and instruct the processing device 25 to process (Step S 40
0) Then, the processing device of the money wall 1i 112 displays the total amount on the display panel 16 and the monitor display panel 17, releases the release 27, and releases the cash storage box 19 (step 5401). Receive cash.

Then, in the case of selling a prepaid card, by pressing the card mental calculation instruction key 14, step 5402 is performed.
The processes from to 5404 are executed. In other cases, for example, by pressing the total key again, steps 3403 to 404 are jumped and normal payment is executed.
do.

When the card payment instruction key 14 is pressed, the processing device 25 of the card sales reader 3 sends the card sales command and amount data to the card sales reader 3 via the input/output device 29 and the cable 4 (step 5403 ), this causes the card vending reader 3 to lose track.

Next, when the processing device 25 receives a card release completion signal from the card release reader 3 via the cable 4 and the input/output device 29 (step S404), it stores the necessary information in the RAM, etc., and also starts the printing device 26. The prepaid card 5 is sold and the amount is printed on the cash register 1B, and the process is completed (step S405).

On the other hand, when the card sale reader 3 receives a sale command in step 5403 of FIG. 4(1), the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 4(11) is started.

First, the general control device 32 determines that the received signal is a sales command, and sends the sales command and price information to the sales control circuit 63.
(Step S410), the sales control circuit 63 sends the sales command and the amount command to the extraction mechanism 5.
6 and the take-out mechanism 58 (step S4).
11) As a result, the take-out mechanism 56 and the take-out mechanism 58 take out only one prepaid card 5 stored in the storage box 55 or the storage box 57 and place it on the endless belt 61.

Next, the release control circuit 63 drives the foot motor 62 for a certain period of time (steps 8412-413).

As a result, the prepaid card 5 is ejected from the sales opening 21 as shown by the arrow A or A''.Next, the sales control circuit 63 stops the step motor 62 (step S414), and sends the sales completion signal to the general control device. 32 (step S 415), thereby causing the overall control bag M32 to complete the sale to the processing device 25 of the cash register 2 via the cable 4 and the input/output device 29, as shown in FIG. 4(1).
The process moves to step 5404.

In this way, the prepaid card 5 will be put on sale.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the payment operation using the prepaid card of this embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 5 (It) is a flowchart for explaining the operation on the card sales/reading machine side.

First, it is assumed that the amount to be settled has been entered into the cash register 2 using the input keyboard 10. A command is given from the input keyboard 10 to determine whether the payment is to be made in cash or by the prepaid card 5 (step S500). If the payment is to be made in cash, the cash payment process is executed (step 3501), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when payment is made using a prepaid card 5, the card sales reader 3
The processing device 25 issues a command to send the amount data to the card sale reader 413 and waits for the amount and data to be sent (steps 5502 to 503).The amount data from the card sale reader a3 is sent to the card sale reader 413. 3, the processing device 25 displays this on the display panel 16 and monitor display panel 17 (step 3504).

Next, the processing device 25 subtracts the payment amount from the amount data from the prepaid card 5 (step S505).
). Here, if the difference is smaller than zero (step S50
6) Display panel 16 and monitor display panel 1 to display the insufficient amount
7 (step S 507), and here, if the shortfall amount is to be paid in cash, the shortfall amount is received and the shortfall amount is settled (step S3509), and a zero bunch command is output to the card sales reader 3. After performing registration and other processing, the process ends (step S510).

If the insufficient amount is not settled (step 3508), a cancellation process is performed and a cancellation command is also output to the card sales reader 113 (step 3511).Also, if the difference is greater than zero in step 8506, the difference is is output to the card sales reader 3 and necessary registration is performed (step S512), and then the process is terminated.

On the card sales reader 3 side, the photo coupler 51 detects whether the prepaid card 5 is inserted into the payment slot 20 (step S520).
520), the payment control circuit 50 drives the step motor 49 and takes in the prepaid card 5 (step 3521). The card contacts the card contact detection sensor 48.

As a result, information such as the amount of money is obtained from the magnetic recording medium 7 of the prepaid card 5 to the payment control circuit 50 (step S522). Based on the signal from the card contact detection sensor 48, the payment control circuit 50 operates the step motor. 4
Stop 9.

Further, information such as the amount of money on the prepaid card 5 is sent to the processing bag N25 of the cash register 2 via the central control device 32, the cable 4, and the input device 29.Next, unless there is a cancellation command from the cash register 2, (Step S52
3) From the processing device 25 of the cash register 2 to the input/output device 29
, the rewrite data sent via the cable 4 and the general control device 32 are taken into the settlement control circuit 50 (step S502).

Next, the payment control circuit 50 drives the step motor 49 to form rewrite data, and the write/read head 3
7 and drives the punch mechanism 41 at the required position (step S525), ending the process. Also,
When a cancellation command is received in step 5523, the registers of the payment control circuit 50 are cleared, the step motor 49 is driven, and the prepaid card 5 is transferred to the payment slot 2.
Eject from 0 (step S526).

This embodiment operates as described above.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the prepaid card processing device I according to the present invention.

This other embodiment has a similar appearance to the card vending reader 3 shown in FIG. In the other embodiment, the card reading/writing mechanism 30 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. There are only 31.

The card vending mechanism 31 is configured as follows.

That is, a pair of rollers 60 and 61 are provided near the inside of the release opening 21. The pair of rollers 60
．． A writing head 62 is provided next to the writing head 61, and a pressure roller 63 is provided above the writing head 62. A pair of rollers 64 are located on the right side of the writing head 62 in the drawing.
．． 65 are provided. The distance between the rollers 60 and 64 is smaller than the length of the prepaid card 5 in the longitudinal direction. A roller 66 is disposed on the side of the roller 65. A roller 67 is provided at a certain distance from this roller 66. An endless belt 68 is stretched between these rollers 66, 67. The rollers 61, 65, 66, 67 are connected to a step motor 69 via a mechanism not shown.

A card storage box 70 for storing white cards is provided on the endless belt 68. A takeout machine #lt71 for taking out only one white car F is provided at the bottom of the card storage box 70.

The writing head 62, the step motor 69, and the take-out mechanism 71 are electrically connected to the payment control circuit 50 and are under the control of the payment control circuit 50.

Further, it is assumed that the white card has completed the printing shown in FIGS. 2(1) and 2(II), and the magnetic writing on the magnetic recording medium 7 shown in FIG. 2(II()) has not yet been completed.

The operation of other embodiments as described above will be explained.

First, the payment processing is the same as that in the first embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted.

Next, the operation when the card is released will be explained.

Even when cards are sold, the cash register 2 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. This allows the general control device to be connected from the cash register 812 via the cable 4! Information such as the amount will be sent to 32. This information is taken into the payment control circuit 50 and converted into information to be written on the white card.
Next, a card removal command is given to the removal mechanism 71 from the payment control circuit 50'. As a result, only one white card is taken out from the card storage box 70 and placed on the belt 68.

Further, at the same time as the withdrawal command, the payment control circuit 50'
drives the step motor 69. As a result, the white card passes between the belt 68 and the rollers 64, 65, and also between the rollers 63, the writing head 62, and the rollers 60, 61, and is released as a prepaid card 5 from the sales opening 21. During this time, the amount and other necessary information will be written on the white card by the write head 62 onto the magnetic recording medium 7. In this way, for example, prepaid cards 5 of 1,000 yen or 3,000 yen are sold.

This embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Further, according to this embodiment, since the prepaid card 5 is written on the white card immediately before the sale, mistakes in sale are reduced.

In the third embodiment, while the second embodiment uses a card issuing mechanism 31' to write information such as the amount of money on the white card, this writing is performed by the writing function of the card reading/writing mechanism 30. This was done on behalf of the company.

This third embodiment also provides the same effects as the above embodiment. In each of the above embodiments, the cash register 2 and the card sales reader 3 are shown as separate bodies, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the card sales reader 3 may be built into the cash register 2. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the drive source is a step motor, but a direct current motor or the like may be used.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, a prepaid card can be automatically sold, and when the card is used, the sales amount can be deducted from the stored amount, and information can be rewritten in an integrated manner. Therefore, the area in which the device is installed can be reduced, and the floor can be used effectively. Furthermore, since the inventory and sales amount of prepaid cards are registered in the cash register, it is possible to automatically sell prepaid cards, and manage inventory and sales of prepaid cards.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure I is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 (+
) to (III) are diagrams showing a prepaid card, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
), (II) and FIGS. 5(I) and (11) are flowcharts for explaining the operation in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. l... Prepaid card processing device, 2... Cash register, 3... Card sales reader, 4... Cable, 5
...prepaid card, 7...magnetic recording medium, 20
...Payment gate, 30...Card reading/writing mechanism, 3
L31”... Card sales mechanism, 32... General control device. Patent applicant: Japan Card Service Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney: Akiaki Hibi (II)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Equipped with a card reading/writing means capable of reading information recorded on a prepaid card and writing new information, and a card issuing means for issuing a new prepaid card storing information of a predetermined amount according to a issuing instruction. , a prepaid card sales management and processing method characterized by being able to perform payment processing using a prepaid card and sales management of a new prepaid card within the same housing.