JPH03276285A - Card system managing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the card system managing device whose versatility is high by constituting the device so that a classification of a card is decided, and in the case it is an operation contents storage card, the operation contents stored in the card are stored in an operation contents storage means. CONSTITUTION:A classification of a card is decided by a card classification discriminating means 20, and in the case its card is a use card, a regular operation is executed in accordance with the contents of an operation contents storage means 24. In the case its card is an operation contents storage card, the operation contents stored in its card are stored in the operation contents storage means 24. Accordingly, the operation contents can be changed easily. In such a way, a card system managing device whose versatility is high can be obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a prepaid card system for purchasing goods, services, etc. using a prepaid card, and particularly relates to facilitating changes in system operation.

[Background Art] In recent years, systems for purchasing goods and services using telephone cards, Orange Cards (trademark), and cards for vending machines at gas stations, rental businesses, restaurants, etc. have become widespread. These cards are purchased by the user by paying a fee in advance, and are therefore called prepaid cards.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration diagram of a card system management device in a conventional prepaid card system.

Here, a prepaid card system for pay TV will be explained as an example. The CPU 6 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 8.

When the prepaid card 2 is inserted into the card reading/writing device 4, the CPU 6 reads the remaining number of points stored in the prepaid card 2 (reads it into an internal register or RAM).
. Next, according to the output from the equipment operation detector 10,
Determine whether the TV is working or not. If the television is operating, the CPU 6 subtracts the predetermined power from the read remaining power according to the output of the timer 12. at the same time,
The current remaining power is displayed on the display unit 14.

If the user finishes using the TV and it stops working, C.
The PU 6 writes the current remaining power to the card 2 from the card reading/writing means 4. Thereafter, the card 2 is ejected in order to return it to the user.

In addition, if the current remaining power reaches 0 while using the TV, the CP
U6 turns off the TV and forces the TV to stop operating.

As described above, the prepaid card system allows you to watch pay TV without having to prepare cash every time you use the card.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the conventional prepaid card system as described above has the following problems.

The card system management device is configured to operate according to a program stored in a ROM. The coefficients for frequency subtraction are also performed according to the contents stored in the ROM. Therefore, when there is a price change, it is necessary to replace the ROM or use a special device to rewrite the R□M (in the case of P-ROM), which is extremely complicated. .

Furthermore, when changing the management device for one product or service to another for another product or service, the same problem as above occurs.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a highly versatile card system whose operation contents can be easily changed.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A card system management device according to claim 1 includes: device operation detection means for detecting whether or not a connected device is operating; The card reading/writing means writes the remaining card data from the calculating means onto the card, the card type determining means determines the type of the card based on the data read by the card reading/writing means, and the card type determining means is included. When it is determined that the card is an action content storage card, action content reading means stores the action content stored on the card in the action content storage means, and the reading content sent from the action content reading means is stored. When the operation content storage means and card type determination means determine that the card is the card to be used, the current remaining power is determined based on the remaining power stored in the card and the output of the device operation detection means. A frequency calculating means for calculating and outputting the calculated value to the card reading/writing means.

The card system management device according to claim 2 provides a management card and a rate setting card as the operation content storage card, the management card stores at least a basic operation program of the system, and the rate setting card includes: It is characterized by storing at least a fee calculation program.

The card system management device according to claim 3 is characterized in that a system type code determination means is provided for determining whether the system type code stored in the card is appropriate, and the process is performed only when the system type code is appropriate. It is said that

In the card system management device according to claim 4, the system type code is stored in advance in the system type storage means by the management card, and the system type code determination means reads the system type code stored in the system type code storage means and the card. It is characterized in that suitability is determined by determining consistency with the system type code stored in the system type code.

[Function] In the card system management device according to the first aspect, the card type is determined by the card type determining means, and if the card is a used card, normal operation is performed according to the contents of the operation contents storage means.

If the card is an action content storage card, the action content stored in the card is stored in the action content storage means.

Therefore, it is easy to change the operation contents.

In the card system management device of the second aspect, a management card and a charge setting card are prepared as the operation content storage cards. Programs for the entire system are changed using a management card, and charges are set and changed using a charge setting card. Since the entity that changes the program and the entity that changes the fee are often different, it is possible to perform appropriate operations by separating the cards.

In the card system management device according to the third aspect, processing is performed on the card only when the system type code is appropriate.

Therefore, by defining a system type code for each system, many systems can be used without confusion.

In the card system management device according to claim 4, a reference system type code is stored by the management card;
The suitability is determined by determining the consistency between the stored system type code and the system type code stored in the card.

Therefore, by rewriting the system type code using the management card, the card system management device can be easily used in other systems.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of a card system management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data stored on the card is read by the card reading/writing means 4. Based on the read data, the card type determining means 20 determines the type of the card. If the card type is an action content storage card, the action content reading means 22 reads the action content stored in the card.

The read action content is stored in the action content storage means 24. In this embodiment, the operation program, charge program, operation constant, charge constant, etc. are included in the operation content data.

Further, when the card type determining means 20 determines that the card is a used card (prepaid card), the power calculating means 26 operates. The frequency calculation means 26 includes the operation content storage means 24
The remaining power of the card used is calculated based on the operation details stored in the card. That is, the remaining power stored in the card used is read, and the current remaining power is calculated according to the output of the device operation detection means 28. The calculated remaining power data is written to the used card via the power reading/writing means 4.

If the fee is changed due to a fee revision or the like, the change can be easily made by rewriting the action content storage means 24 using the action content storage card.

FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the card system management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Power is supplied to the managed devices 130, 1132, and 34 through the card system management device 1. This power supply line 40, 42.44 has switches 46, 48.5.
0 is provided, and the output port 0.0 of the CPU 52 is provided. ．． 0
□, 0. It can be controlled from In addition, each power line 40, 42, 44 has a current detection transformer 5456.
, 58 are provided, the output of which is passed through a detection circuit 60 to the CP
It is applied to input ports L, It, and In of U52.

The detection circuit 60 discriminates the output from the transformers 54, 56, 58 by a predetermined threshold value, and detects the output from the power supply lines 4θ, 4
This is to determine the presence or absence of a current of 2°44. That is, the CPU 52 sends the output of the detection circuit 60 to the ports I+, .
By importing from Is and Ia, each device 30, 32
．． It is possible to know whether or not 34 is in use. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the transformers 54, 5
6.58 and the detection circuit 60 constitute equipment operation detection means.

A RAM 64 , a timer 66 , a display circuit 68 , a read/write circuit 72 , and a card transport section 74 are connected to the CPU 52 via a pass line (control bus and data bus) 62 . Basic programs are stored in the RAM 64 in advance, and operation programs read from the card and charge calculation programs are also written therein.

That is, the RAM 64 serves as an operation content storage means and a system type code storage means. In addition,
The RAM 64 is backed up and retains its contents even if the power is turned off.

FIG. 3 shows the front operation section of the card system management device 1. As shown in FIG. The display section 69 is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays operational guidance and the current remaining power level according to commands from the display circuit 68. A card transport section 74 is provided at the back of the card insertion lower 3, and cards are accepted and ejected. Further, by pressing the card ejection button 75, the card is forcibly ejected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the program stored in the RAM 64. First, in step S, when the card system management device 1 is powered on, the CPU 52 is reset to an initial state.

Next, the CPU 52 opens all the switches 46, 48, and 50 to turn them off (step S2). That is, unless a card is inserted, power is not supplied to each device 30, 32, 34. In this state, C
The PU 52 controls the display circuit 68 to display "Please insert card" on the display section (step SS). Next, when a card is inserted from the card insertion lower 3, the display of "Please insert card" disappears (step SS).

Next, the data stored in the card is read into the buffer in the RAM 64 via the read/write circuit 72 (step Ss).

In this embodiment, a prepaid card 82 shown in FIG. 8 is prepared as a card to be used, and a supervisor card 84 (management card) shown in FIG. 9 and a charge setting card 86 shown in FIG. . RAM
Programs and data are written to the controller 64 using the supervisor card 82 and the rate setting card 84, but the explanation here will be based on the assumption that the programs and data have already been written.

In step S7 of FIG. 4, the CPU 52 determines the type of card from the card type code of the inserted card. Now, assuming that the prepaid card 8o is inserted, the CPU 52 performs a frequency subtraction process (step S).

).

One-time number subtraction process A detailed flowchart of the frequency subtraction process is shown in FIG.

First, in step s2°, the CPU 52 determines whether the system type code stored in the card matches the system type code stored in advance in the RAM 64. This system type code is stored in advance in the RAM 64 by the supervisor card 82, and is used to accept only cards of the relevant system. Therefore, if the system type codes do not match, the CPU 52 interrupts the frequency subtraction process and controls the card transport section 74 to eject the card (step S in FIG. 4).

If the system type codes match, step S2.
Then, the guidance "Please turn on the power" is displayed on the display section 69. Accordingly, the user turns on the desired device 30, 32, 34 (not shown). At this point, the switch 46.4850 remains open and no power is supplied to the switched-on equipment.

Next, the CPU 5Z determines whether the remaining power stored in the card is 0 (step S2□). If the remaining number of points is O, the process is interrupted, and the card transport section 74 is controlled to eject the card (step S, 1 in FIG. 4).

In other words, use of the card is not permitted.

If the remaining power is positive, the process proceeds to step srs and all switches 46, 48.50 are closed. As a result, only the equipment that the user turned on in step Sil+ starts operating.

Next, the CPU 52 outputs the output of the detection circuit 60 to the port 11.
, L, and Ig to determine which equipment is in use (step 525). If there is no device in use (that is, no current is flowing through any of the power lines 40, 42, 44), steps S28 and S24 are performed.
Repeat to display the guidance "Please turn on the power."

If there is a device in use, proceed to step S26,
Turn off the "Please turn on the power" guidance. Next, the current device usage status is displayed on the display section 69 (step 5).
27).

Next, a total subtraction coefficient M is calculated based on the subtraction coefficient for each device determined by the usage fee per unit time and which device is being used (step S2
．． ). Assuming that the subtraction coefficient of the device 30 is a, the subtraction coefficient of the device 32 is b, and the subtraction coefficient of the device 34 is C, the total subtraction coefficient M is determined as shown in FIG.

Next, the usable time for frequency 1 (referred to as 1 cycle time Tm) is calculated based on the following formula (step 82
9).

Tm=Reference time T/Subtraction coefficient M In this embodiment, the reference time is approximately 10 minutes. When the one cycle time Tm is determined, a predetermined frequency is subtracted from the remaining frequency to obtain a new remaining frequency (step 5ao). That is, in this embodiment, a prepayment method is adopted.

Next, in step S□, it is determined whether the remaining power count is negative or positive. If the remaining power is positive, the CPU 52 writes the remaining power into the card using the read/write circuit 72 (step 532). Then, one cycle time Tm is set in the timer 66 (step 5sa). Thereafter, the CPU 52 subtracts and changes the frequency display according to the timer 66 until one cycle time ends (until the timer 66 counts up) (step Sai, 5
ss).

When one cycle time ends, the process returns to step S25. At this time, if there is a usage status of the equipment (increase/decrease in the number of equipment in use), one cycle time is calculated using the subtraction coefficient M corresponding to the usage status. That is, appropriate card management can be performed even when a plurality of devices are used at the same time.

If the remaining power count is negative in step 531, the remaining time Tx is calculated (step 536).

Next, the read/write circuit 72 writes the remaining power number 0 to the card (step 537). Then, the remaining time Tx is set in the timer 66 (step S3). Thereafter, the CPtJ 52 changes the frequency display by subtracting according to the timer 66 until the remaining time Tx has elapsed (until the timer 66 counts up) (step Sag,
S4゜). When the remaining time Tx has passed, all switches 4
6, 48, and 50, and the power supply to each device 30, 32, and 34 is forcibly stopped (step 541). After that, the process is finished and the card is ejected (Fig. 4, step S1
,).

By the way, when the card has remaining power, the device 30
, 32, 34, press the card eject button 75. When button 75 is pressed, the CPU
A signal is given to interrupt port I0 of CPtJ5
2 performs an interrupt operation. In interrupt operation, CPtJ
52 first stops the subtraction of the timer 66 (FIG. 7, step S5°). Furthermore, the remaining power at that time is written on the card (step S, 1). Thereafter, the process is completed and the card is ejected (FIG. 4, step S, 1).

1. Operation program setting process - In order to perform the above-mentioned processing, it is necessary to store an operation program and a charge setting program in the RAM 64. Additionally, if there is a change in the operating program or charges, these must be rewritten. When setting or changing the operating program, the suit visor card 82 shown in FIG. 9 is used. In step S5 of FIG.
When inserted from the card 82, the data stored on the card 82 is
Read from the read/write circuit 72 (step s
g). The read data is temporarily stored in a buffer within the RAM 64.

As shown in FIG. 9, the supervisor card 82 stores a card type code, a system type code, an operating program, constants for various operations, and a system type code.

Next, the CPU 52 determines that the card is a supervisor card based on the card type code (step S7). Then, the process proceeds to step S, and an operation program setting process is executed.

A flowchart of the operation program setting process is shown in FIG. First, in step 560, the suitability of the mask code stored in the supervisor card 82 is checked (step S6). This master code certifies that the supervisor card 82 is the correct card. If the master code is incorrect,
Finish the operation program setting process and eject the card (
FIG. 4, step S1. ).

If the master code is correct, the CPU 52 transfers the operation program stored on the card to the operation program area of the RAM 64 (step S6). If an operating program is already stored in the RAM 52, the previous operating program is erased by overriding the new operating program.

Further, along with the operation program, operation constants that determine the operation of the card system management device 1 are also transferred to the RAM 64. Here, the operation constant is a constant that determines the basic operation of the management device 1, and is, for example, a numerical value that determines the timing of turning on the operation guidance or the timing of card ejection.

Next, the system type code is stored in the RAM 64 (step S6□). The system type code is a code for determining what kind of system the management device 1 is used in. For example, a specific system type code is given to a card system that is intended only for a specific region or facility. This system type code is stored in the RA, M64 of the management device 1, and it is determined whether it matches the system type code of the prepaid card 80 (see step 520 in FIG. 7 above). Therefore, there is no possibility that the management device 1 will be activated by cards of different systems.

As described above, the operating program and operating constants are
If it is stored in the AM 64, the process is completed and the card is ejected (FIG. 4, step 511). From now on, this management device 1
performs an operation based on a newly stored operation program. That is, the program shown in FIG. 7 is changed to new contents. In this way, simply by inserting the supervisor card 82, the operating program can be set and changed.

Therefore, it is extremely easy to change the operation of the management device 1 or to use the management device 1 for other systems.

- Charge Setting Process - In this embodiment, setting and changing of charges are performed separately using the charge setting card 84.

This is done in consideration of the fact that changing fees is more complicated than changing the system, and that the entity making the fee change and the entity making the system change are often different.

As shown in FIG. 10, the charge setting card 84 stores a card type code, a system type code, a charge calculation program, and charge calculation constants.

In step S7 of FIG. 4, if it is determined that the card is a rate setting card based on the card type code, a rate setting process is performed (step si).

A flowchart of the fee setting process is shown in FIG.

First, in step S7, it is determined whether the system type card stored in the card is appropriate. If the system type code stored on the card is different from the system type code stored in the RAM 64, the card is a rate setting card for another system, so the process is finished and the card is ejected (see Figure 4). , step S1.).

If the system type code matches the one stored in the RAM 64, the charge calculation program and charge calculation constants (such as the above-mentioned subtraction frequency) stored in the card 84 are written into the RAM 64 (step S7). When the writing is completed, the card is ejected (Fig. 4, step S1).
．． ). From now on, calculations will be performed using a new fee calculation program. That is, the fee calculation portion of the program shown in FIG. 7 is changed. In this way, simply by inserting the fee setting card 84, it is possible to easily change the fee calculation.

In the above embodiment, three devices are connected to the card system management device 1, but it may be one, two, four or more devices.

[Effects of the Invention] In the card system management device according to claim 1, the card type is determined by the card type determining means, and when the card is a used card, the normal operation is performed according to the contents of the operation contents storage means. conduct.

If the card is an action content storage card, the action content stored in the card is stored in the action content storage means.

Therefore, a highly versatile card system management device can be provided.

In the card system management device of the second aspect, a management card and a charge setting card are prepared as the operation content storage cards. That is, when setting charges, by using a charge setting card that cannot change the operating program, there is no possibility that the operating program will be changed by mistake.

Furthermore, since the entity that sets fees and the entity that changes fees are often different, by separating the cards, it is possible to perform appropriate operations.

In the card system management device according to the third aspect, processing is performed on the card only when the system type code is appropriate.

Therefore, by defining a system type code for each system, many systems can be used without confusion.

In the card system management device according to claim 4, a reference system type code is stored by the management card;
The suitability is determined by determining the consistency between the stored system type code and the system type code stored in the card.

Therefore, by rewriting the system type code using the management card, the card system management device can be easily used in other systems.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a card system management device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the card system management device, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the front side of the card system management device. External view, Figure 4 is a flowchart of the program stored in the RAM 64, Figure 5 is a flowchart of the operating program setting process of the Progera 11, Figure 6 is the program flow chart of the fee setting process, and Figure 7 is the frequency. A flowchart of a subtraction processing program; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a prepaid card and its storage contents; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a supervisor card and its storage contents; FIG. 1O is a diagram showing a rate setting card and its storage contents; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a table for determining the subtraction coefficient M, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional card system management device. 4 ・ 20 ・ 22 ・ 24 26 φ 28 Card reading/writing means Card type determining means Operation content reading means Operation content storage means Frequency calculation means Equipment operation detection means 5 Figure Figure Figure 5 (1)

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Equipment operation detection means for detecting whether the connected equipment is operating; card reading/writing means for reading data stored on a rewritable card and writing remaining power data from the power calculating means onto the card; , a card type determining means for determining the type of the card based on the data read by the card reading/writing means, and when the card type determining means determines that the card is an operation content storage card, the card an action content reading means for storing the action content stored in the action content storage means in the action content storage means; an action content storage means for storing the read content sent from the action content reading means; If it is determined that there is, a power calculating means calculates the current remaining power based on the remaining power stored in the card and the output of the device operation detection means, and outputs it to the card reading/writing means; A card system management device comprising: (2) In the card system management device according to claim 1, a management card and a rate setting card are prepared as the operation content storage card, the management card stores at least a basic operation program of the system, and the rate setting card A card system management device comprising at least a charge calculation program stored therein. (3) The card system management device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a system type code determination means for determining whether the system type code stored in the card is appropriate, so that processing is performed only when the system type code is appropriate. A card system management device characterized by: (4) In the card system management device according to claim 3, the system type code is stored in advance in the system type code storage means by the management card, and the system type code determination means is configured to store the system type code stored in the system type code storage means. A card system management device characterized in that suitability is determined by determining consistency between a type code and a system type code stored in a card.