EP0793204A2

EP0793204A2 - Reader/writer for electronic money storing devices and method of operation of the same

Info

Publication number: EP0793204A2
Application number: EP97103119A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Atsuhiko Urushihara; Jun Furuya; Koji Suso; Takeshi Hoshino; Hiroki Kitagawa; Masayuki Ohki
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 1996-02-29
Filing date: 1997-02-26
Publication date: 1997-09-03
Also published as: JPH09237296A

Abstract

A reader/writer for electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) used to transfer electronic money among multiple electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B), the reader/writer having on the main body (101) thereof the formation of slots (104, 105) for putting electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) into the reader/writer, money selecting keys (111) used to enter an amount of money to be transferred, and display means (106) for displaying the amount of money entered with the money selecting keys (111). The money selecting keys (111) have their keytops shaped so as to evoke the association of bank notes and coins, so that people who are not familiar with electronic appliances can enter amounts of money easily and surely.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a reader/writer for electronic money storing devices and a method of operation of the same, and particularly to a reader/writer for electronic money storing devices and its operational method which are useful for the transfer of electronic money between electronic money storing devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In recent years, there has been proposed an electronic money transaction system for transferring electronic money based on the communication between IC cards which can store electronic money. The IC card used in this system incorporates a microprocessor having a communication function and a memory, e.g., EEPROM, for storing a processing program and the balance of electronic money.
The IC card can be used for electronic money transaction with other IC cards through the electronic money transaction system which includes terminals installed in banks, retail stores, individual residences, etc. linked by a communication line, or by use of such dedicated terminals as electronic wallets that are based on IC cards. The above-mentioned card-based electronic wallet is designed to enter an amount of money to be transacted with other IC card by means of a ten-key set provided on it.
In regard to the prior art electronic money transaction system, JP-A-08-115389 discloses an electronic wallet system, and JP-A-08-180154 discloses an electronic wallet apparatus.
The electronic wallet system described in the former publication is capable of turning the IC card to the locked state automatically for the sake of enhanced security when it is pulled out of the IC card reader/writer, and unlocking the IC card automatically when it is put into the IC card reader/writer for the sake of the enhanced operability. The electronic wallet apparatus described in the latter publication has the provision of IC card protection for an IC card handling POS system for example, in which an illegality code is generated and recorded automatically in an IC card having a transaction record of a retail store or the like when it is pulled out of the register as illegal conduction, thereby provided the apparatus with the enhanced security and operability.
The provision of a plurality of (two) card slots on one electronic wallet with the intention of facilitating the electronic money transfer between two IC cards put in these card slots is proposed in Japanese Patent Application No.07-203053 (corresponding to U. S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/690966).
The above-mentioned electronic money transaction system is still at the stage of development, with its constituent devices being left indeterminate for their functions and configurations, and all of the conventional IC card reader/writers rely the entry of an amount of money transfer on a numeric ten-key set and lack in the consideration for the use by people who are not familiar with electronic appliances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reader/writer for electronic money storing devices which allows the user to enter easily an amount of money to be transferred between two electronic money storing devices set on the reader/writer or between one and other electronic money device which is set on other apparatus with communication function linked to the reader/writer.
The above-mentioned object is achieved based on making the appearance (any of the shape, size, color, ornamentation, letters and numbers, or a combination thereof) of the keytops of money selecting keys associative with current bank notes and coins so that the user can have a feel of handling actual money.
Namely, the present invention resides in a reader/writer for electronic money storing devices used for transferring electronic money between multiple electronic money storing devices which can store electronic money, the reader/writer having multiple slots for putting the electronic money storing devices into the reader/writer, money selecting keys (money kind keys) which are used to enter an amount of electronic money to be transferred, and display means which displays the amount of money entered with the money selecting keys (money kind keys).
The electronic money storing devices can be IC cards. The number of slots can be two, and the reader/writer may have a transfer direction key which is used to specify a transfer direction of electronic money between two electronic money storing devices put in the two slots. The money selecting keys can have their keytops shaped so as to evoke the association of current bank notes and coins. Alternatively, the money selecting keys can be keys that are displayed on a display window provided on the top of the main body of the reader/writer.
The reader/writer for electronic money storing devices can operate to display the balance of electronic money in two electronic money storing devices at positions of the display window corresponding to the two slots when the two electronic money storing devices have been put in the two slots.
Alternatively, the reader/writer for electronic money storing devices can have a transfer direction key which is used to specify a transfer direction of electronic money between two electronic money storing devices by reversing the transfer direction alternately each time it is pushed, with the selected transfer direction being displayed on the display window.
The reader/writer for electronic money storing devices can have means of entering an amount of electronic money to be transferred between two electronic money storing devices, with the amount of money entered with the amount entry means being displayed on the display window, and the reader/writer transfers the displayed amount of money in the displayed transfer direction in response to the entry of a signal which establishes the amount of money transfer.
The display window can display the balance of electronic money in two electronic money storing devices after the money transfer between the two electronic money storing devices.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the electronic money transaction system, with the inventive reader/writer for electronic money storing devices being applied thereto;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic wallet, with the inventive reader/writer for electronic money storing devices being incorporated;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic wallet shown in Fig. 2, with its flap section being closed;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view seen from the bottom of the electronic wallet shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of the electronic wallet taken along the line A-A of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of the electronic wallet, with the inventive reader/writer for electronic money storing devices being incorporated;
Fig. 7 is a flowchart used to explain the manner of operation of the electronic wallet between two IC cards put in it; and
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another electronic wallet, with the inventive reader/writer for electronic money storing devices being incorporated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention-will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.
The electronic money transaction system to which the invention is applied will first be explained on Fig. 1. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a bank branch system, 2 is a retail -store system, 3 is an individual user system, 4 is a vending machine system, 5 is a bank computing center, 6 is an electronic money originator, 7 is a public telephone line, 10 is an IC card, 11 is an attached IC card reader/writer unit, 12 is a banking teller terminal, 13 is an internal communication line, 14 is an auto-teller machine (ATM), 15 is a value box, 16 is an electronic money transaction management terminal, 17 is a relay computer, 21 is an electronic money POS terminal, 22 is a usual POS terminal, 23 is a store controller, 24 is a center facility, 25 is a value control/management system, 26 is a workstation, 31 is an electronic wallet, 32 is a personal computer, 33 is a PC-attached card reader/writer, 34 is an IC card telephone, 41 is a built-in IC card reader/writer, 42 is a vending machine, 51 is a host accounting system, 52 is an external accounting system, 53 is an external management terminal, and 70 is a leased communication line.
The electronic money transaction system shown in Fig. 1 is made up of a bank branch system 1, retail store system 2 installed in a large retail dealer such as a department store or supermarket, individual user system 3 including a personal computer 32 and IC card telephone 34 all linked through the public telephone line 7, and a vending machine system 4 which is not linked to the telephone line 7.
Although shown in Fig. 1 are one set of several kinds of systems, it is possible to organize a plurality of these systems linked through the public telephone line 7. The bank branch system 1 also has a direct connection through the leased line 70 to a bank computing center 5, which is connected to an electronic money originator 6.
IC cards 10, each including a microprocessor with a communication function and a memory, e.g., EEPROM, for storing a processing program and the balance of electronic money, are possessed by individual users, banks, retail stores, vending machines, etc. that are members of the electronic money transaction system.
The bank branch system 1, which already has the connection with an existing banking teller terminals 12 and auto-teller machine 14 through an internal communication line 13, is further connected with the bank computing center 5 by way of a relay computer 17. For carrying out the monetary settlement of electronic money, the banking teller terminals 12 have associated IC card reader/writer units 11 and the auto-teller machine 14 has a built-in IC card reader/writer, and these terminals and machine are connected with a value box 15 by way of an electronic money transaction control terminal 16.
The bank computing center 5 includes a host accounting system 51 and external accounting system 52, which includes an external system control terminal 53, relay computer 17 and value box 15.
The retail store system 2, with its POS terminals being generally connected to a center facility 24 through an internal communication line 13 by way of a store controller 23, is further provided with IC card reader/writer units 11 attached to POS terminals 22 or provided with electronic money POS terminals 21. The center facility 24 includes a value control/management system 25, work station 26 and value box 15.
The user system 3 which mainly supports individual users can be as simple as only an electronic wallet 31 with the ability of displaying the balance of electronic money stored in the IC card and possibly with an additional calculator function. In addition, the user's personal computer 32 has the provision of a PC-type IC card reader/writer 33 for the monetary settlement of electronic money and the ability of linkage to the public telephone line 7. The user can also use the IC card telephone 34 which can handle IC cards of electronic money.
The personal computer 32 and IC card telephone 34 of the individual user system 3 have the provision of two IC card reader/writers so as to perform the electronic money transfer between two IC cards, and it is possible, for example, to transfer electronic money from the husband's IC card to the wife's IC card.
The vending machine system 4 includes a vending machine 42 having a built-in IC card reader/writer 41.
Next, the method of use of the electronic money transaction system organized as described above will be explained.
The electronic money originator 6 distributes IC cards 10 to banks, retail stores, vending machines and individual users that are members of the system. The bank receives electronic money in exchange for currency, and stores the electronic money in the value box 15 in the external accounting system 52. The value box 15 stores many IC cards, to which electronic money received from the electronic money originator 6 is distributed and stored. Electronic money stored in the IC cards in the value box 15 of the external accounting system 52 is distributed to IC cards in the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1.
Each individual member (user) of the electronic money transaction system possesses a distributed IC card 10. The user draws one's deposit of bank account in the form of electronic money and stores it in one's IC card 10 by using the banking teller terminals 12 or auto-teller machine 14 in the bank branch system 1. The user connects one's personal computer 32 equipped with the PC-type IC card reader/writer 33 or one's card telephone 34 to the bank branch system 1 through the public telephone line 7 and can convert the deposit account money into electronic money and store it in one's IC card 10.
At the drawing of electronic money, the user's IC card is linked based on its communication function to a specific IC card in the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1 by way of the banking teller terminal 12, auto-teller machine 14, personal computer 32, or IC card telephone 34. Electronic money stored in the IC card 10 of the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1 is transferred and stored in the user's IC card 10 under control of the transaction management terminal 16. At the same time, the balance of electronic money stored in the IC card in the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1 is subtracted-by the amount of electronic money transferred to the user's IC card 10. The drawing of deposits of bank accounts of individuals is the same as the convention.
It is also possible for the user to convert currency into electronic money and store it in one's IC card at the bank or IC card originator, instead of drawing the deposit of bank account explained above.
Electronic money stored in the user's IC card can be transferred back to the IC card in the value box 15 of the bank branch system 1 by way of the banking teller terminal 12, auto-teller machine 14 or personal computer 32, and deposited in the user's bank account.
The user having electronic money stored in one's IC card as explained above can use the IC card to buy goods and services in retail stores and agents that are members of the system.
Specifically, for example, the IC card user who intends to buy goods brings the things to the POS terminal counter in the retail store. The clerk operates the POS terminal 21 or 22 to read the barcode label of each thing thereby to enter its price and total the prices of all things, and -charges the total price to the customer.
The customer who intends to pay for the goods with the IC card puts the card into the card inlet of the electronic money POS terminal 12 or the IC card reader/writer unit 11 attached to the usual POS terminal 22. The user's IC card is linked to the relevant IC card in the value box 15 in the center facility 24 of the retail store by way of the store controller 23 and work station 26 over the internal communication line 13. Electronic money in the user's IC card is transferred to the IC card in the value box 15 of the center facility 24, and the POS terminal issues a receipt to complete the transaction process. Electronic money in the user's IC card is subtracted by the amount of payment, and it is added to electronic money in the IC card of the retail store.
Different from the foregoing case of a retail store having a number of POS terminals and a value box in the center facility 24 for storing many IC cards, a small retail shop having only a cash register has the installation of an IC card reader/writer and has a shop's IC card for the cash register, thereby allowing customers to pay with their IC cards through the linkage to the shop's IC card by the IC card reader/writer attached to the cash register. Electronic money stored in the shop's IC card can be deposited to the bank account or can also be cashed at the bank.
As a manner of organizing a retail store system having POS terminals, these terminals are provided with individual IC cards so that transactions with customer's IC cards are carried out temporarily based on the IC cards of POS terminals, and the contents of IC cards are transferred from the POS terminals to the IC cards in the value box 15 of the center facility 24 afterward when necessary.
The vending machine 42 included in the electronic money transaction system is provided with the IC card reader/writer 41 built in the machine and its own IC card so that transaction is carried out with a customer's IC card coupled to the IC card reader/writer 41 by the customer.
Next, an embodiment of the reader/writer for electronic money storing devices used in the foregoing electronic money transaction system will be explained in detail with reference to Fig. 2 through Fig. 5.
Fig. 2 shows the external structure of an electronic wallet 31 which incorporates the reader/writer for electronic money storing devices based on an embodiment of this invention. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a main body of the electronic wallet, 102 is a flap section, 103 is a pocket formed on the flap section, 104 is one slot for IC card 10A, 105 is another slot for IC card 10B, 106 is a display window, 107 is a hinge of the flap section, 108 is Power key, 109 is Function key, 110 is Transfer key, 111 is a set of Money kind keys (Money selecting keys), 112 is Enter key, and 113 is Cancel key.
Fig. 3 shows the electronic wallet 31 with its flap section 102 in closed state, and Fig. 4 shows the bottom of the main body 101. Indicated by 114 in Fig. 4 is an opening used to eject the IC card 10B. Fig. 5 shows the cross section of the electronic wallet taken along the line A-A of Fig. 4, in which symbols "a" and "b" indicate dimensions of the depth of the card slots 104 and 105 for the IC card 10A and 10B, respectively.
The electronic wallet 31 based on this embodiment of invention consists of a main body 101, a flap section 102 and a hinge 107 which connects these sections. Formed in the main body 101 are two card slots 104 and 105 for putting in IC cards 10A and 10B which can store electronic money, a liquid crystal display window 106, Power key 108, Function key 109 used for menu selection, Transfer key 110, Money kind keys 111 used for entering an amount of money transfer, Enter key 112, Cancel key 113, and opening 114 used to eject the IC card 10B. Formed on the inner side of the flap section 102 is a pocket which can contain IC cards.
Among the two card slots, one card slot 104 has its depth dimensioned as shown by "a" in Fig. 5 such that at least one third in longitudinal dimension of the IC card 10A is placed horizontally in the main body 101 while another card slot 105 has its depth dimensioned as shown by "b" such that the entirety of the IC card 10B is placed horizontally in the main body 101. The IC card 10B can be taken out of the electronic wallet 31 by sliding it backward with a finger through the opening 114.
The card slot 105 formed in the right side wall of the main body 101 is used for the IC card 10B possessed by the owner of the electronic wallet. Since the whole IC card 10B is accommodated in the main body 101, it does not hamper the carrying of the electronic wallet and is protected from damage and loss (fall off).
Both IC cards 10A and 10B in their set positions come in contact with the IC card reader/writer equipped in the main body 101, and electronic money can be transferred between these cards.
Among various keys laid out on the top of the main body 101, the Power key 108 used to turn on the electronic wallet, Function key 109 used to invoke an intended function and Transfer key 110 are located on the left end of the top, the Money kind keys 111 used to enter an amount of money transfer are located in the center of the top, and the Enter key 112 and Cancel key 113 used to establish and cancel the keyed-in amount are located on the right end of the top. This well-organized key layout reduces operation errors made by the user during the electronic money transaction.
The Money kind keys 111 have their keytops given the appearance of current bank notes and coins (rectangular keytops having patterns of bank notes of ¥10000, ¥5000 and ¥1000, and round keytops having patterns of coins of ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10 and ¥1 in the example shown) so that even users who are not familiar with electronic appliances can enter amounts of money transfer easily and surely.
Fig. 6 shows the functional arrangement of the electronic wallet based on this invention. In the figure, reference numeral 115 denotes a microprocessor for the control of electronic money, 106 is the display window, and 116 is an special-purpose integrated circuit. The functions of these devices will be explained later.
Next, the manner of operation of the electronic wallet 31 arranged as described above for the case of electronic money transfer between two IC cards coupled to it will be explained with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 7.

(1) Initially, the user puts two IC cards 10A and 10B for the transfer of electronic money into the card slots 104 and 105, respectively, on the main body 101 of the electronic wallet 31. Next, the user pushes Power key 108 which is located at the top-left corner of the top. Then, a home screen 310 is displayed on the display window 106. In case IC cards are absent in the main body 101, signs of the absence of IC cards is displayed in card status indicator fields 311 and 312 of the home screen 310.
(2) With set-states of IC cards 10A and 10B being displayed in the home screen 310, the user pushes Function key 109. Then, a screen 320 (or 330) of the balance of electronic money in the IC cards 10A and 10B and a sign 321 (or 331) indicative of the money transfer direction is displayed. The screen 320 having a right-pointed arrowhead indicates the money transfer from the left-hand IC card 10A to the right-hand IC card 10B, while the screen 330 having a left-pointed arrowhead indicates the money transfer from the right-hand IC card 10B to the left-hand IC card 10A. One of the screens 320 and 330 is displayed by being switched alternately in response to the pushing of Transfer key 110.
(3) Upon selecting the screen 320 or 330 (screen 320 of money transfer from the left IC card 10A to the right IC card 10B is selected in the example shown), the user keys in an amount of money to be transferred with Money kind keys 111. In the example shown, the user pushes the ¥10000 key once, the ¥1000 key once, and the ¥100 key twice to key in ¥11200, and it is displayed in the next screen. The balance of electronic money in both IC cards before the money transfer is left displayed in this screen. The user can cancel the keyed-in amount by pushing Cancel key 113, and in this case the screen 320 is restored for the retry of entry of an amount of money transfer.
(4) Upon confirming the correct keyed-in amount of transfer, the user pushes Enter key 112. Then, the microprocessor for electronic money control in the electronic wallet 31 proceeds to the process of transferring electronic money from the left-hand IC card 10A to the right-hand IC card 10B. During the process, the display window 106 has its display switched from screen 350 to 360, and finally to screen 370 at the end of process, which displays the balance of electronic money in both IC cards after the money transfer.
(5) With the screen 370 being displayed, the user pushes any key on the top of the electronic wallet to terminate the electronic money transfer operation, and the initial state with the home screen 310 is restored. In this state, the user can proceed to another money transfer operation for another IC card, or can close up the operation by turning off power with Power key 108.

The transfer of electronic money between two IC cards based on the foregoing electronic wallet can be practiced for the borrowing and lending of money between the husband and wife or between the parent and child in a family and between individuals. It is also possible for the user of the electronic wallet to transact electronic money with other electronic wallet or a terminal of a bank through the telephone line.
Fig. 8 shows another external structure of an electronic wallet which incorporates the reader/writer for electronic money storing devices based on this invention. The electronic wallet has Power key 108 located at the top-left corner of the top, Function key 109, a large display window 106' located at the center of the top, and Transfer key 110, Cancel key 113 and Enter key 112 located at the right end of the top.
The display window 106' displays money data for the IC cards 10A and 10B and also functions as a touch-panel for Money kind keys. The adoption of a touch-panel enables the switching among units of money (e.g., Japanese ¥ and U.S. $) for Money kind keys, the entry of an amount of money with a simulated ten-key set, and the entry of an amount of money by hand writing depending on electronic money stored in each IC card and the preference of each user.
The electronic wallets based on the foregoing embodiments of this invention allow users to conduct transactions of electronic money between IC cards by using Money kind keys (Money selecting keys) while having a feel of handling actual money.
The keytops of Money kind keys having different shapes and sizes (rectangular keytops corresponding to several bank notes and round keytops corresponding to several coins) allows users who are not familiar with electronic appliances to enter amounts of money transfer easily and surely.
The keytops of Money kind keys having different shapes and sizes allows weak-sighted users to identify individual Money kind keys by touching and enter amounts of money transfer easily and surely.
The card-based electronic wallets based on the foregoing embodiments of this invention has the card holders which allow easy insertion and ejection of IC cards and the well-organized layout of the keys.
The electronic wallet based on this invention can be designed to have the keytops of Money kind keys illuminated in different colors so that the balance of electronic money in IC cards can be read out in terms of colors (e.g., highlighted keytops of the ¥10000 key and ¥5000 key indicate stored electronic money of ¥15000).
It is further possible to design the personal computer 32, which is used to transfer electronic money between IC cards linked through the telephone line, to display such keytops of Money kind keys as explained above on its display screen, with these keys being operated with a mouse device or keyboard, or to have such a touch-panel as explained above, thereby allowing users to enter amounts of money transfer easily.
According to this invention as described above, the entry of an amount of money to be transferred is based on Money kind keys, allowing users who are not familiar with electronic appliances to enter amounts of money transfer easily and surely while having a feel of handling actual money.
Based on the design of the keytops of Money kind keys to have different shapes and sizes, i.e., rectangular keytops corresponding to several bank notes and round keytops corresponding to several coins, even weak-sighted users can identify individual Money kind keys by a simple touch and enter amounts of money transfer easily and surely.
Based on the provision of the card holders which allow easy insertion and ejection of IC cards and the well-organized layout of the keys, operation errors made by the user can be reduced.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.

Claims

A reader/writer for electronic money storing devices used to transfer electronic money among a plurality of electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B), said reader/writer having on the main body (101) thereof the formation of a plurality of slots (104, 105) for putting said electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) into said reader/writer; money selecting keys (111) used to enter an amount of electronic money to be transferred; and display means (106) for displaying the amount of money entered with said money selecting keys (111).
A reader/writer for electronic money storing devices according to claim 1, wherein said reader/writer has on the main body (101) thereof the formation of two slots (104, 105) for electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B), and further includes a transfer direction selecting key (110) used to specify a transfer direction of electronic money between two electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) put in said slots (104, 105).
A reader/writer for electronic money storing devices according to claim 1, wherein said money selecting keys (111) includes keys each having a keytop shaped to indicate a bank note or a coin.
A reader/writer for electronic money storing devices according to claim 1, wherein said electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) comprise IC cards.
A reader/writer for electronic money storing devices according to claim 1, wherein said money selecting keys (111) comprise keys that are displayed in a display window (106) provided on the main body (101) of said reader/writer.
A method of operation of a reader/writer for electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) used to transfer electronic money between two electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B), said render/writer having two slots (104, 105) for putting electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) into said reader/writer and a display window (106) for displaying an amount of electronic money to be transferred, said operation method displaying the balance of electronic money in said electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) put in said slots (104, 105) at positions in said display window (106) corresponding to the locations of said slots (104, 105) in response to the insertion of said electronic money storing devices (10A,10B) in said slots (104, 105).
A method of operation of the reader/writer for electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) according to claim 6, wherein said reader/writer further includes a transfer direction selecting key (110) used to specify a transfer direction of electronic money between said electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B), said operation method reversing the transfer direction alternately in response to the operation of said transfer direction selecting key (110) and displaying the transfer direction in said display window (106).
A method of operation of the reader/writer for electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) according to claim 7, wherein said reader/writer further includes means of entering an amount of electronic money to be transferred between said electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B), said operation method displaying the amount of money entered with said transfer money amount entry means, and transferring the displayed amount of money in the displayed transfer direction in response to an input operation for establishing the amount of money of transfer.
A method of operation of the reader/writer for electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) according to claim 8, wherein said operation method displays the balance of electronic money in said electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B) after the transfer of electronic money between said electronic money storing devices (10A, 10B).