JP2000200385A - Ic card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the IC card reader writer which can be controlled from a main controller similarly to a prepaid card mechanism even when replaced with the prepaid card mechanism by processing an IC card by using a command from the automatic vending machine to the prepaid card mechanism. SOLUTION: The IC card reader writer 9 has a function of authenticating a card by itself and a function of inputting and confirming a password code and is equipped with an I/F dedicated to the automatic vending machine to support the commands of the prepaid mechanism as operating control commands. For example, when a command from the automatic vending machine 1 is a card acceptance acknowledgement command, the IC card reader writer 9 once confirming the insertion of the IC card 8 after receiving the command activates and authenticates the IC card 8 to confirm the password code, and outputs the balance of the IC card 8 to the automatic vending machine 1. Consequently, it can be replaced with the prepaid mechanism which is already built in the automatic vending machine 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an IC card reader / writer incorporated in a vending machine for selling articles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, an IC card reader / writer is incorporated, and a vending machine which can actually use an IC card is rare. On the other hand, there are many vending machines in which a prepaid card mechanism (a prepaid card device) is incorporated and in which the prepaid card can be used. This is a natural result from the spread of the two cards and the difference in the frequency of use.

However, it has been reported from today's experiments in various places using IC cards that demand for IC cards will increase in Japan in the future. As a result, it is considered that the necessity of incorporating an IC card reader / writer in a vending machine may occur.

In a general vending machine, a prepaid card mechanism is recognized as a standard mechanism by a main control unit of the vending machine, like a coin mechanism (coin device) and a bill mechanism (banknote device). I have. Further, control commands for each mechanism are unified by the JVMA Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association, so that each manufacturer can use each mechanism.

[0005] However, the IC card reader / writer is not recognized as a standard mechanism by the main controller of the vending machine, and commands are not unified. Therefore, because of the unique command of each vending machine maker, the IC card reader / writer cannot be diverted among the respective maker,
It is necessary to modify the main controller of the vending machine by increasing the commands for the card reader / writer.

[0006] For these reasons, at present, an IC card reader / writer can be incorporated only into a special vending machine for IC cards.

[0007] From the above circumstances, the vending machine is recognized as a standard mechanism without any modification to the main controller, and even if the main controller is replaced with a prepaid card mechanism, the main controller controls the same as the prepaid card mechanism. There is a demand for an IC card reader / writer capable of performing such operations.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes a vending machine as a standard mechanism without any modification to the main control unit, and even if the main control unit is replaced with a prepaid card mechanism, the main control unit is similar to the prepaid card mechanism. There is a demand for an IC card reader / writer that can control the vending machine, and is recognized as a standard mechanism without modifying the main controller of the vending machine. Aims to provide an IC card reader / writer that can be controlled in the same manner as a prepaid card mechanism.

[0009]

An IC card reader / writer according to the present invention is provided in a vending machine and performs a process of subtracting the purchase commodity price of the vending machine from an IC card having price information. It has processing means for performing processing on the IC card using a command for a prepaid card mechanism from a vending machine.

[0010] An IC card reader / writer according to the present invention is provided in a vending machine and performs a process of subtracting the purchase price of the vending machine from the IC card having the price information. First processing means for performing activation processing and password collation processing on the IC card in response to a card receiving command to a mechanism; and IC processing in response to a card withdrawal data command from the vending machine for a prepaid card mechanism.
Second processing means for updating the balance of the card, and third processing means for deactivating the IC card in response to a card ejection command from the vending machine to the prepaid card mechanism. .

An IC card reader / writer according to the present invention is provided in a vending machine and performs a process of subtracting the amount of goods purchased from the vending machine from an IC card having amount information. First processing means for performing activation processing for the IC card, password collation processing, and output processing of the balance of the IC card in response to a card receiving command to the mechanism; and card withdrawal data for the prepaid card mechanism from the vending machine A second processing means for updating the balance of the IC card in response to the command; and a second processing means for inactivating the IC card in response to a card ejection command from the vending machine to the prepaid card mechanism. 3
Processing means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a vending machine 1 in which an IC card reader / writer is incorporated. The vending machine 1 sells articles in response to withdrawal of monetary value by coins, bills, and IC cards.

That is, the vending machine 1 is provided with a main controller 2 for controlling the whole. This main controller 2
There is a coin mechanism (coin processing unit) that processes coins
3. Bill mechanism (banknote processing unit) for processing banknotes 4,
Display mechanism for displaying the display unit 5 (display processing unit)
6. Product control mechanism (product control unit) 7 for processing products (articles, goods) to be sold, I for processing IC card 8
A C card reader / writer (IC card reader / writer processing unit) 9 is subordinately connected. Each mechanism always responds to polling from main controller 2. However, main controller 2 treats IC card reader / writer 9 as a prepaid card mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the external appearance of the IC card reader / writer 9.

That is, an externally exposed portion 10 that is exposed to the outside when incorporated in the vending machine 1 is provided on the upper front surface of the IC card reader / writer 9. The externally exposed portion 10 is provided with a keypad portion 11 composed of a numeric keypad or the like for inputting a personal identification number, an IC card insertion slot 12 for inserting an IC card 8, an LED portion 13 for transmitting a state by light to a user, and the like. Have been. The LED section 13 is composed of a card usable LED 13a, an LED 13b displayed when a password is input, and an LED 13c for displaying the number of digits input for a password. The keypad 11, the IC card insertion slot 12, and the LED 13 are protected by a transparent cover 14 that can be opened and closed.

The dimensions of the housing of the IC card reader / writer 9 are set to be equal to or smaller than those of the prepaid card mechanism.

Further, the IC card reader / writer 9 comprises:
It has a function to authenticate the card by itself, a function to input and confirm a password, and is equipped with an I / F dedicated to vending machines,
As a control command to be operated, a command of a prepaid mechanism (a device for a prepaid card) is supported.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the command from the vending machine 1 is a card accepting command as a phenomenon, the prepaid mechanism interprets the card balance after receiving the command and automatically checks the card balance. It is output to the vending machine 1, and the interpretation of the IC card reader / writer 9 is as follows: after receiving the command, confirming the insertion of the IC card 8, activating the IC card 8, authentication processing with the IC card 8, and confirming the password. And outputs the balance of the IC card 8 to the vending machine 1. Activation of the IC card 8 involves power supply to the IC card 8, clock output, and turning on a reset release signal (a signal that allows the IC card to move). In the authentication process, the IC card 8 and the IC card reader / writer 9 confirm whether or not the protocol and the like are compatible (adapted) with each other.

If the command from the vending machine 1 is a card withdrawal data command as a phenomenon, the prepaid mechanism interprets (writes) the value after subtraction to the card, and the IC card reader / writer 9 The interpretation is
The transaction amount (subtraction amount) is sent to the IC card 8 (subtraction within the IC card 8).

As a phenomenon, if the command from the vending machine 1 is a card ejection command, the interpretation of the prepaid mechanism is to eject the card, and the interpretation of the IC card reader / writer 9 is to deactivate the IC card 8. And discharge it. To deactivate the IC card 8, the power supply to the IC card 8 is turned off, the clock output is turned off, and a reset release signal (a signal that allows the IC card to move) is turned off.

Thus, the vending machine 1 can be easily incorporated into the vending machine 1 in exchange for the prepaid mechanism already incorporated therein.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the internal configuration of the IC card reader / writer 9.

That is, the IC card reader / writer 9 is provided with a CPU 21 for controlling the whole. The CPU 21 stores an RO in which a control program is recorded.
M22, RAM 23 for data recording, the vending machine 1
Vending machine I / F 24 that communicates with the main controller 2 of
Maintenance I / F 25 and IC used for initial value setting and maintenance
A data collection I / F 26 for transmitting data collected in the card reader / writer 9 to the outside, a key input device 27 for receiving a signal from the key pad unit 11,
An LED control device 28 that controls the ED unit 13, an IC card I / F 29 that processes the IC card 8 inserted from the IC card insertion slot 12, and an authentication processing device 30 that authenticates the IC card 8 are connected.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to the processing sequence shown in FIG. 5, of the purchase processing of a product using the IC card 8 in the above configuration.

First, the IC card reader / writer 9 can be used in response to a card acceptance command from the main controller 2 of the vending machine 1. At this time, the CPU 21 turns on the card usable LED 13a.

In such a state, the user holding the IC card 8 inserts the IC card 8 into the IC card insertion slot 12 of the IC card reader / writer 9 of the vending machine 1. Then, the card insertion information is sent to the CPU 21 through the IC card I / F 29. Thereby, the CPU 21
Detects the insertion of the IC card 8 and activates the IC card 8. By this activation, power is supplied to the IC card 8, a clock is supplied, and a reset release signal (IC
A signal indicating that the card can move) is turned on. Next, a response to this activation (ATR: answer reset)
Is supplied from the IC card 8 to the CPU 21, the CPU
Reference numeral 21 requests the IC card 8 to output data for performing authentication. Using the data supplied based on this request, the CPU 21 authenticates the IC card reader / writer 9 and the IC card 8 by the authentication processing device 30. In this authentication, the IC card 8 and the IC card reader / writer 9 confirm whether or not the protocols and the like are compatible (adapted) with each other.

When the above authentication is successful, the CPU 21 enters a state of waiting for input of a personal identification number, and LE 21
D13b is turned on.

In such a state, the user uses the numeric keypad of the keypad unit 11 to input a password.
At this time, the CPU 21 sets the LE indicating the number of input digits of the personal identification number.
D13c is turned on.

CPU 21 of IC card reader / writer 9
Outputs the input personal identification number to the IC card 8. Then, the IC card 8 internally confirms the password, and returns the confirmation result to the CPU 21 of the IC card reader / writer 9.

Thus, when the password is confirmed by the IC card 8 to be correct, the CPU 21 outputs a request for a card balance (balance) to the IC card 8. Then I
The C card 8 returns the card balance recorded therein to the CPU 21 of the IC card reader / writer 9. CPU 21
Sends the received balance to the main controller 2 of the vending machine 1 via the vending machine I / F 24. The main controller 2 of the vending machine 1 interprets the sent balance information by the main controller 2 and displays the balance on the display unit 5 to the user. The user selects a product within the range of the balance. Vending machine 1
Main controller 2 returns the reception of the balance information to CPU 21 of IC card reader / writer 9.

When a product is selected in this way, the price of the product (card withdrawal data command) is transmitted to the CPU 21 of the IC card reader / writer 9 via the main controller 2 of the vending machine 1. . In response to this transmission, the CPU 21 returns to the main control device 2 of the vending machine 1 the receipt of the price of the product. Further, the CPU 21 of the IC card reader / writer 9 reduces the user's balance by the amount of the product, and outputs the subtracted balance to the IC card 8. Then, the IC card 8 internally updates the balance,
The result is returned to the CPU 21 of the IC card reader / writer 9.

The CPU 21 stores the transmitted updated balance of the IC card 8 in the main controller 2 of the vending machine 1.
Send to The main controller 2 of the vending machine 1 interprets the sent balance information by the main controller 2 and displays the balance on the display unit 5 to the user. Further, main controller 2 of vending machine 1 returns the reception of the updated balance to CPU 21 of IC card reader / writer 9. Thereafter, the CPU 21 stores the data of the card transaction processing in the RAM 23.

The selected product is discharged from a discharge port (not shown) by the product control mechanism 7. When the product is ejected, the card ejection command from the main controller 2 of the vending machine 1 is sent to the CPU of the IC card reader / writer 9.
21. In response to this transmission, the CPU 21 returns the reception of the command to the main controller 2 of the vending machine 1. Further, the CPU 21 deactivates the IC card 8. Due to this deactivation, the power supply to the IC card 8 is turned off, the clock output is turned off, and the reset release signal (signal that the IC card can move) is turned off. Thereafter, the IC card 8 is ejected from the IC card insertion slot 12.

As a result, the IC card 8 is returned, the selected product is discharged, the product is purchased at hand of the user, and a series of processing ends.

The card transaction data stored in the RAM 23 in the IC card reader / writer 9 is
1 is transmitted from the data collection I / F 26 to the outside.

As described above, the card authentication and the identification of the personal identification number, which are important in using the IC card 8, are performed by the I card.
By processing in the C card 8 and the IC card reader / writer 9, the main controller 2 can control the IC card reader / writer 9 within the range of the command of the prepaid card mechanism.

[0038] Thus, the control command for the IC card reader / writer is not renewed, and the prepaid card mechanism and the IC card reader / writer are simply exchanged without modifying the main controller of the vending machine. In addition, the vending machine can be compatible with an IC card.

In the above example, the case has been described where the authentication processing is performed by the authentication processing device of the IC card reader / writer using the data supplied from the IC card, but the authentication contents are transmitted to the IC card. By the way, IC
The authentication process may be performed by performing authentication in the card and returning the authentication result to the IC card reader / writer.

[0040]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the main controller of the vending machine is recognized as a standard mechanism without any modification, and even if the main controller is replaced with a prepaid card mechanism, the main controller does not change the main controller. An IC card reader / writer that can be controlled in the same manner as a prepaid card mechanism can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the appearance of an IC card reader / writer.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining interpretation of a command from a vending machine by an IC card reader / writer and interpretation of a prepaid mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an IC card reader / writer.

FIG. 5 is a process sequence diagram for explaining a product purchase process using an IC card.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vending machine 2 ... Main controller 8 ... IC card 9 ... IC card reader / writer 21 ... CPU

Claims (5)

[Claims] An IC card reader / writer which is provided in a vending machine and performs a process of subtracting the purchase commodity price of the vending machine from an IC card having money amount information, wherein a command to the prepaid card mechanism from the vending machine is transmitted. An IC card reader / writer having processing means for performing processing on the IC card using the IC card reader / writer. 2. An IC card reader / writer which is provided in a vending machine and performs a process of subtracting a purchase commodity price of the vending machine from an IC card having money amount information, wherein the card is received from the vending machine to a prepaid card mechanism. First processing means for performing activation processing and password collation processing on the IC card in response to a command; updating the balance in the IC card in response to a card withdrawal data command from the vending machine to a prepaid card mechanism; Second processing means for performing processing, and third processing means for performing deactivation processing for the IC card in response to a card ejection command from the vending machine to the prepaid card mechanism. IC card reader / writer. 3. The activation processing includes supplying power to the IC card, supplying a clock, and turning on a reset release signal. The deactivation processing includes turning off the power supply to the IC card, 3. The IC card reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein the output is turned off and the reset release signal is turned off. 4. An input means for inputting a password, wherein the password input by the input means is transmitted to the IC card, and the password collation processing is performed based on a password collation result returned from the IC card. The IC card reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein 5. An IC card reader / writer which is provided in a vending machine and performs a process of subtracting an amount of goods purchased by the vending machine from an IC card having amount information, wherein the card is received from the vending machine to a prepaid card mechanism. A first processing means for performing activation processing, password collation processing and IC card balance processing for the IC card in response to the command, and a card withdrawal data command for a prepaid card mechanism from the vending machine Second processing means for updating the balance of the IC card, and third processing means for deactivating the IC card in response to a card ejection command to the prepaid card mechanism from the vending machine. An IC card reader / writer, comprising: