JP2003123014A - Settlement system for gas station - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently settle a charge in a gas station. SOLUTION: In a settlement system 10 of the gas station, when a customer connects an owned portable telephone set 20 to a portable telephone connection part 21a prior to refueling, a control part 19a reads a telephone number stored in a memory of the portable telephone set 20 of the customer through the portable telephone connection part 21a. In a controller 13, a telephone company 16 is contacted on the basis of the telephone number of the customer, a gas station name or code and the fact that the customer carrying the portable telephone set 20 for which the telephone number is registered is to perform refueling by portable telephone settlement are reported and authentication (credit) of the portable telephone set settlement is requested. A management computer 16b installed in the telephone company 6 retrieves a data base on the basis of the reported telephone number, confirms a payment result of communication charges of the customer and confirms whether or not it is the customer from whom refueling charges can be recovered. In the case of judging that it is the customer from whom the refueling charges can be recovered, refueling is permitted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a settlement system of a gas station, and more particularly to a settlement system of a gas station which efficiently uses a mobile phone to settle charges at the gas station.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a gas station, when a customer's vehicle arrives when a self-service type fueling device is installed,
The customer himself / herself inserts a refueling nozzle into the refueling port of the fuel tank to refuel. When refueling is completed, a slip is issued in which the amount of money (fueling amount x unit price + consumption tax) according to the amount of fueling refueled in the fuel tank is described.

The customer moves to the office with this slip and pays the refueling fee at the cashier in the office for settlement.

When an automatic teller machine for accepting cash payment is installed in the vicinity of the fueling device, by inserting cash before refueling, preset refueling of a refueling amount corresponding to the amount is permitted. It Therefore, if the amount of refueling that is refueled is less than the preset value, change out will be required, and if additional refueling is performed after refueling the set preset value, additional cash will be required. Become.

Further, when there is a card insertion port of a card reader into which a prepaid card or a credit card is inserted near the refueling device, the prepaid card or the credit card is inserted into the card insertion port of the card reader before refueling. After obtaining the permission, the customer himself / herself inserts a refueling nozzle into the refueling port of the fuel tank to refuel. When refueling is completed, the amount of money (refueling amount x unit price + consumption tax) according to the refueling amount refueled in the fuel tank is subtracted from the charge frequency recorded in the magnetic recording unit of the prepaid card, or connected to the refueling device. Then, the bank account in which the credit card number is registered by the POS terminal is charged for the refueling fee.

[0006]

However, in the payment method as described above, for example, when the refueling fee is paid in cash at the office of the gas station, the customer must move to the office after refueling. Not only is it troublesome, but when you are in a hurry, you may feel a long waiting time until the fee is settled, which causes frustration and frustration.

Further, in the method of paying the refueling charge in cash by using an automatic teller machine, it is necessary to constantly monitor the presence of change for replenishment of coins and to periodically collect the inserted cash.

Further, in the method of clearing the refueling fee with the prepaid card, the prepaid card must be purchased in advance, and if the remaining frequency stored in the prepaid card is small, the desired refueling amount cannot be refueled. Yes, and if you lose the prepaid card, you cannot refuel.

In addition, the method of clearing the refueling fee with a credit card has the trouble of taking out the target card from a plurality of complicated cards in the wallet, and there are also cards that cannot be used by some card companies. You may not be able to refuel unless you have multiple credit cards.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a settlement system for a gas station, which solves the above problems in view of the above points.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following features. The invention according to claim 1 is an information reading unit for reading personal information or information unique to the mobile phone from a mobile phone owned by the customer before starting refueling, and personal information read by the information reading unit or unique to the mobile phone. Authentication means for performing personal authentication based on the information of, refueling permission means for giving refueling permission to the customer authenticated by the authentication means, and after refueling,
It is equipped with a charge requesting means for charging a charge to the customer authenticated by the authenticating means, and if the user has a mobile phone, he or she authenticates from the mobile phone with personal information or information unique to the mobile phone and refuels. It will be possible to settle charges and refuel without cash or prepaid or credit cards.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information reading means connects the serial communication port of the portable telephone to the connection terminal provided on the refueling device so that the unique number given to the portable telephone is given. By reading out, it becomes possible to authenticate and settle the refueling charge, and refueling can be performed without cash or a prepaid card or a credit card.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the information reading means reads out the unique information stored in the memory of the portable telephone via the infrared transmitting / receiving device, thereby performing authentication to settle the refueling charge. You can refuel without cash or prepaid cards or credit cards.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the information reading means performs the authentication by reading out the unique information stored in the memory of the portable telephone through the short-range wireless device provided in the fueling device. It will be possible to settle the refueling fee, and refueling can be done without cash or a prepaid card or credit card.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the settlement of the charge charged by the charge requesting means is performed by the electronic money function installed in the mobile phone carried by the customer, and the refueling charge is settled by the electronic money function. You can refuel without cash or prepaid cards or credit cards.

In the invention according to claim 6, the refueling permission means gives the refueling permission with the refueling amount corresponding to the amount of electronic money information of the portable telephone carried by the customer as the upper limit value of the refueling permission. It will be possible to settle the refueling fee, and refueling can be done without cash or a prepaid card or credit card.

In the invention according to claim 7, the refueling permission means deducts a predetermined amount from the amount of electronic money information of the portable telephone held by the customer before starting refueling, and the deducted amount is the upper limit of the refueling amount. It gives a refueling permission as a value and refunds the difference between the amount deducted and the refueling fee after refueling, which makes it possible to settle the refueling fee, even if you do not have cash or a prepaid card or credit card. Can be refueled.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the fee billed by the fee billing means is settled by the Tebit card function stored in the memory of the portable telephone possessed by the customer, whereby the refueling fee is charged. It will be possible to liquidate and refuel without cash or prepaid or credit cards.

In the invention according to claim 9, the refueling permission means determines the balance of the customer's bank account obtained from the Tebit card information stored in the memory of the mobile phone possessed by the customer before starting the refueling. By giving the refueling permission as the upper limit value of the refueling amount, the refueling fee can be settled, and the refueling can be performed without cash or a prepaid card or a credit card.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a settlement system of a gas station according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gas station settlement system 10 includes a gas station office 11, a refueling field 12, and a communication line (public line or private line) 15.
And a telephone company 16 connected via. The office 11 includes a control device 13 for controlling each device of the gas station.
Is installed. A plurality of refueling spaces 17a and 17b are provided in the field 12, and a refueling device 14 that refuels the vehicle is provided in each of the refueling spaces 17a and 17b.
a, 14b, and setters 18a, 18b for setting the type of oil to be refueled, the amount of refueling, etc. are installed.

The control device 13 is connected to the exchange 16a of the telephone company 16 through the communication line 15, and is connected to the refueling devices 14a and 14b and the setting devices 18a and 18b of the refueling points by the communication line (SS-LAN) 24. It is connected. In addition, in FIG. 1, two refueling spaces 17 are provided.
Although a and 17b are shown, two or more may be installed.

The setting devices 18a and 18b are connected to the control units 19a and 19b for controlling the entire setting device and the data communication serial terminal (not shown) of the portable telephone 20 carried by the customer to transmit and receive data. It is composed of mobile phone connection parts 21a and 21b for performing the setting, setting switch buttons 22a and 22b for setting the amount of oil and oil type, and indicators 23a and 23b for displaying setting items and guidance.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the portable telephone 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the customer connects the mobile phone 20 he has before refueling to the mobile phone connection unit 21a (S11). Next, the control unit 19a reads, for example, the telephone number stored in the memory of the mobile phone 20 of the customer via the mobile phone connection unit 21a (S12). In the next step S13, the telephone number of the customer's mobile phone 20 is communicated to the control device 13 of the office 11 using the communication line 24.

The control device 13 contacts the telephone company 16 via the communication line 15 based on the telephone number of the customer, and the name or code of the gas station and the portable telephone 20 in which the telephone number is registered. Tell customers that they have refueling by mobile phone payment. That is, a request for authentication (credit) of mobile phone payment is made to the telephone company 16 (S14).

The management computer 16b installed in the telephone company 6 searches the database based on the contacted telephone number (S15), confirms the customer's call charge payment record, and can collect the fueling charge. Confirm if you are a customer (S
16).

When it is determined that the customer is able to pay the refueling fee, the control device 13 at the service station is notified of the authentication result of the refueling customer via the communication line 15 (S).
17).

Upon receipt of this authentication result, the control device 13 sends a refueling permission to the control portion 19a of the setting device 18a (S1).
8). When the refueling permission is received, the control unit 19a of the setting device 18a displays the authentication result on the display device 23a. And
A mobile phone 20 that the customer will own at a later date to settle the fueling fee
It is displayed that the bill is added to the call charge of (S1
9).

The customer uses the setting button 22a to accept (YE
When the S) button (not shown) is selected (S20), the type of oil and amount of oil supply
Prompt to set (or refueling amount) (S21). Subsequently, when the customer sets refueling, the control unit 19a of the setter 18a gives a refueling permission to the refueling device 14a, and then waits until the customer performs a refueling start operation (S22). next,
When the customer inserts the refueling nozzle into the refueling port of the vehicle and refueling is started, it is confirmed whether the set refueling amount has been reached (S2).
3).

After the start of refueling, when the accumulated refueling amount reaches the set refueling amount, the pump is stopped and the refueling is finished. Then, the amount of money corresponding to the refueling amount is displayed on the display 23a and transferred to the control device 13 using the communication line 14.
(S24). The control device 13 notifies the telephone company 16 of the refueling charge, the mobile phone number of the customer, and the gas station information (S2).
5). The refueling fee will be collected at a later date in addition to the customer telephone fee.

Further, by using the mail function of the mobile phone 20, it is possible to add the refueling date and time, the refueling type, the refueling amount, the refueling fee, and the settlement, which are the contents of refueling (data relating to refueling) this time, to the telephone charge. Deliver to mobile phone 20 (S2
6). This completes the refueling settlement process using the mobile phone 20.

If it is determined by the authentication in S16 that the customer cannot collect the refueling charge, the communication line 1
The control device 13 of the gas station is notified of the authentication result of non-payment via 5 (S27). When the control unit 13 receives the authentication result, the control unit 13 prohibits refueling from the control unit 19a (S2).
8) The error is displayed on the display 23a (S29). This completes the refueling settlement process using the mobile phone 20 this time.

In this way, personal authentication is performed based on the personal information or the unique information of the portable telephone 20, the authorization of refueling is given to the authenticated customer, and after the refueling is completed, the fee is charged to the authenticated customer. By making a request, if the user has the mobile phone 20, it is possible to authenticate by personal information stored in the memory of the mobile phone 20 or information unique to the mobile phone to settle the refueling charge. . Therefore, the customer does not need to carry a credit card, a prepaid card, or the like by using the unique information of the mobile phone 20 possessed by the customer for personal authentication and performing the settlement, and the operation is simple. The gas station can also be used without major modification of existing equipment, and there is no need to make a huge new capital investment.

Further, by connecting the serial communication port of the portable telephone 20 to the portable telephone connecting portion 21a provided in the refueling device 14a, the unique number given to the portable telephone 20 is read out, so that the authentication is performed. It is possible to go and settle the refueling fee, and refueling can be done without cash or prepaid card or credit card. Therefore, it is possible to read the unique information of the mobile phone 20 owned by the customer without being charged a communication fee, and it is possible to provide a system that does not burden both the customer and the gas station. Furthermore, the refueling device 14a installed on the island and the customer who is trying to refuel are always 1: 1 so that the customer to be charged can be specified and unauthorized use can be prevented.

Here, not only the mobile phone 20, but also a mobile terminal having a communication function, such as a PHS (Persona1 Handy Phon).
It goes without saying that e) or PDA (Personal Digital Accessory) can also be used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the first modification. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, in the settlement system 30 of the modified example 1, the control device 13 installed in the office 11 of the gas station is the communication line 1.
Host computer 3 of credit company 31 via 5
1a is communicatively connected.

The control device 13 controls the database 32 in which the mobile phone number and credit card information of the customer registered in advance, the refueling devices 14a and 14b, and the setters 18a and 18b installed in the field 12 are controlled. is doing.

The setting devices 18a and 18b are used for the portable telephone 2
0 has infrared transmitting / receiving means 33 and infrared transmitting / receiving means 34a, 34b for transmitting / receiving data.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of the first modification. As shown in FIG. 4, the customer who refuels the portable telephone 20 having the infrared transmission / reception means 33, which he owns prior to refueling, with the setting device 18 in the refueling space 17a.
When it is brought close to a (S31), the controller 19a causes the setting device 18
For example, the telephone number of the portable telephone 20 carried by the customer is read by infrared communication via the infrared transmitting / receiving means 34a of a (S32). And the infrared transmitting / receiving means 2
The telephone number of the mobile phone 20 read via the mobile telephone 5, 26a is transmitted to the control device 13 of the office 11 via the communication line 24 (S33).

The control device 13 searches the credit card information registered in the database 28 in advance based on the customer's telephone number (S34). Furthermore, communication line 1
Host computer 3 of credit company 31 via 5
1a is contacted, and the gas station name or gas station code and the fact that the customer with the above credit card information will be refueling will be notified. As a result, the customer is authenticated (S35).

The host computer 31a of the credit company 31 searches the database based on the contacted credit card information (S36), and confirms whether the customer can collect the refueling fee (S37).

In this embodiment, the mobile phone 2
A customer who uses 0 to make a payment needs to register credit card information or the like at a gas station in advance.

The processes of S37 to S45 are the same as those of S6 to S6 described above.
Since it is the same as the process of S14, its description is omitted. After the refueling is completed in the process of S45, the amount of refueling corresponding to the amount of refueling is displayed on the display 13a and transferred to the control device 13 via the communication line 24, and then the control device 13 refueling fee, customer credit information, The credit information is sent to the credit company 31 (S46). Then, the refueling fee is collected by the credit company 31 at a later date, and the fact that the refueling fee has been settled is transmitted to the mobile phone 20 by email (S).
47). This completes the refueling settlement process using the mobile phone 20 this time.

When the host computer 31a of the credit company 31 determines in S6 that the customer cannot collect the refueling charge, the error processing of S17 to S19 is performed as in the case of the above embodiment. .

As described above, in the first modification, the setting device 18
Since a and 18b read out the unique information stored in the memory of the mobile phone 20 through the infrared transmission / reception means 34a and 34b and the infrared transmission / reception means 33 of the mobile phone 20, authentication is performed and the refueling fee is settled. Since the personal authentication is completed only by bringing the mobile phone 20 close to the infrared transmitting / receiving means 34a, 34b of the setting devices 18a, 18b, the operation is easy. Further, since the infrared transmitting / receiving means 34a, 34b and the infrared transmitting / receiving means 33 can communicate using infrared rays, they are strong against disturbance.

Further, in the first modification, short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth: B1uetooth (registered trademark)) having a communicable range of about 10 m is used instead of the infrared communication by the infrared transmitting / receiving means 33, 34a, 34b. Of course, it may be used. In that case, short-distance wireless communication means will be mounted on the customer's mobile phone 20 and the setting devices 18a, 18b instead of the infrared transmission / reception means 33, 34a, 34b.

Further, in this case, the oil supply devices 14a, 14b
Since the unique information stored in the memory of the mobile phone 20 is read out through the short-range wireless device including the infrared transmitting / receiving means 34a, 34b provided in, it is possible to authenticate and settle the refueling charge. .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the second modification. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, in the settlement system 40 of the second modification, the control device 13 installed in the office 11 of the gas station is
It is connected to a database 41 in which the customer's mobile phone numbers and netbank information registered in advance are recorded.
Further, the control device 13 is connected to the net bank 42 via the communication line 15.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of the second modification. As shown in FIG. 6, the customer who refuels accesses the dedicated homepage provided by the gas station using the Internet connection function of the mobile phone 20 owned before refueling (S51). The homepage opened by the gas station is provided by the control device 13 installed in the office 11 of the gas station. For example, the display screen 43 of the design as shown in FIG. (Not shown).

On the display screen 43, the member registration button 43
a, registration number 43b, password 43c, past refueling history button 43d, coupon button 43e, YES (OK) button 43
f is displayed. Then, the customer moves the cursor to the position of each button on the display screen 43 displayed on the monitor of the mobile phone 20 and turns on the ten-key and the execute key (ENTER) to perform various inputs and membership registration. To do.
Then, enter the registration number and password (S5
2).

This member registration enables credit settlement by the net bank by registering in the net bank 42 in addition to the customer's address and name. The above-mentioned member registration is required only for the first refueling, and after the next refueling, refueling can be performed by inputting the registration number and password issued at the time of member registration.

The control device 13 of the gas station uses the database 4
1 is searched (S53), and customer information is transmitted to the net bank 42 (S54). The net bank 42 searches the database 41 for a customer who can collect the refueling charge from the received customer information (S55), and confirms whether the customer has the payment capability (S56).

When it is determined in S56 that the net bank 42 is a customer who can pay the refueling fee, authentication (credit) to the control device 13 of the gas station via the communication line 15 is performed.
The result is transferred (S57) and the home page display screen 4
The authentication result is displayed in 3 and it is explained that the refueling fee will be settled from the net bank 42 at a later date (S58).

The customer operates the ten-key pad (not shown) of the portable telephone 20 to select YE on the home page display screen 43.
When the S (OK) button 43f is selected (S59), a guidance display for prompting the setting of the type of oil and the amount of refueling (or the amount of refueling) is displayed on the monitor of the mobile phone 20 (S6).
0).

Further, the control device 13 gives a refueling permission to the control portion 19a of the setting device 18a via the communication line 24 (S).
61). When the customer operates the setting button 22a of the setting device 18a to set the refueling data, the control unit 19 of the setting device 18a
After giving the refueling permission to the refueling device 14a, the a is in a standby state until the customer performs a refueling start operation (S62).
Next, the customer inserts the refueling nozzle into the refueling port of the vehicle and confirms whether the set refueling amount is reached when refueling is started.
(S63).

After the start of refueling, when the accumulated refueling amount reaches the set refueling amount, the pump is stopped and the refueling is finished. Then, the amount of money corresponding to the refueling amount is displayed on the display 23a and transferred to the control device 13 using the communication line 14.
(S64).

The control device 13 of the gas station notifies the net bank 42 of the fuel charge and customer information (S65). Then, the refueling fee is immediately settled by the net bank 42, and the fact that the refueling fee has been settled is transmitted to the mobile phone 20 by e-mail (S47). This completes the refueling settlement process using the mobile phone 20 this time.

Further, in S56, when the net bank 42 determines that the customer cannot collect the refueling fee, the result of the authentication that the refueling station control device 13 cannot be settled through the communication line 15 Is notified (S66). Upon receiving this authentication result, the control device 13 prohibits refueling from the control unit 19a (S67), and displays the home page display screen 4
An error is displayed in 3 (S68).

In the second modification, the customer can browse the refueling history at any time by accessing the home page including the refueling date, refueling type, refueling amount, refueling charge, which is the content of refueling. Further, as a customer, there are advantages such as being able to receive a discount voucher (coupon) service and being able to purchase products other than oil.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the third modification. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, the settlement system 5 of the modified example 3
At 0, the control device 13 of the gas station is communicatively connected to the electronic money center 54 via the communication line 15. In addition, an electronic safe 52 in which electronic money data is stored is installed at the gas station.

The setting devices 18a and 18b installed in the refueling spaces 17a and 17b are the control units 19a and 19b, and the data communication serial terminal (not shown) of the portable telephone 20 having the electronic money function carried by the customer. Mobile phone connection units 21a, 21 for connecting to and transmitting data
b, electronic money readers / writers 58a and 58b into which electronic money cards 56a and 56b for gas stations are inserted, setting buttons 22a and 22b for setting the amount and type of oil, and a display 23a for displaying setting items and guidance. , 23b.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure for refueling and settlement using the mobile phone 20 of the third modification. As shown in FIG. 9, a customer who refuels can install a data communication serial terminal (not shown) of the mobile phone 20 owned before refueling in the mobile phone connection section 21a.
(S71). Control unit 19a of the setting device 18a
Displays the balance data of the electronic money recorded in the memory (not shown) of the mobile phone 20 to the mobile phone connection unit 21a.
Read through (S72).

Next, the electronic money balance information of the mobile phone 20 is displayed on the display 23a to inform that the electronic money is settled (S73). At this time, guidance is given to have the mobile phone 20 be connected to the mobile phone connection unit 21a until the refueling is completed. The customer uses the setting device 18
When the OK (YES) button is selected by using the setting button 22a of "a" (S74), the controller 19a of the setting device 18a causes the refueling device 1 to operate.
After giving the refueling permission to 4a, the oil type and the refueling amount (or the refueling amount) are set (S75). At this time, the remaining amount is set as the upper limit value of the refueling amount and used for preset refueling.
(S76).

A standby state is maintained until the customer operates to start refueling (S77). Next, when the customer inserts the refueling nozzle into the refueling port of the vehicle and refueling is started, it is confirmed whether or not the set refueling amount has been reached (S78).

After the start of refueling, when the accumulated refueling amount reaches the set refueling amount, the pump is stopped and the refueling is completed. Then, the amount of money corresponding to the amount of refueling is displayed on the display 23a, and the remaining amount of electronic money of the mobile phone 20 is deducted.
(S79), the amount data deducted from the remaining electronic money of the mobile phone 20 is transferred to the gas station electronic money card 32a (S80).

The result of refueling (refueling amount, refueling amount, etc.)
Is displayed on the display 23a, and it is displayed that the mobile phone 20 may be removed from the mobile phone connection section 21a (S
81). Further, when the electronic money information of the gas station electronic money card 32a reaches a predetermined amount, the control device 13 stores the electronic money information in the electronic safe 52 installed in the office via the communication line 24. This completes the refueling settlement process using the mobile phone 20 this time.

Further, from the start of refueling with the portable telephone 20 connected to the portable telephone connecting portion 21a to the end of the settlement, the portable telephone 20 and the portable telephone connecting portion 21 are connected.
It is more preferable to provide a lock mechanism for forcibly holding the connection with a.

Further, in S72, when the balance data of the electronic money recorded in the memory (not shown) of the portable telephone 20 is less than the predetermined amount, it is prohibited to refuel the control unit 19a of the setting device 18a. It is transmitted (S82) and an error is displayed on the display 23a (S83).

When the customer connects the mobile phone 20 to the mobile phone connection unit 21a, the control unit 19a carries a part of the remaining amount of electronic money recorded in the memory of the mobile phone 20. It may be possible to give a refueling permission with the withdrawn amount as an upper limit after the withdrawal amount is withdrawn after transferring through the telephone connection section 21a and transferring to the gas station electronic money card 56a inserted into the electronic money reader / writer 58a.

In this case, even if the portable telephone 20 is illegally pulled out from the portable telephone connecting portion 21a during refueling, no damage occurs on the gas station side.

As described above, in the third modification, the electronic money function installed in the portable telephone 20 owned by the customer enables the refueling fee to be settled, and the cash or the prepaid card or the credit can be used. You can refuel without a card. In addition, by using the electronic money installed in the mobile phone 20 by giving the refueling permission with the refueling amount corresponding to the amount of electronic money information of the mobile phone 20 owned by the customer as the upper limit value of the refueling permission. , High versatility, can realize payment equivalent to cash. Furthermore, authentication (credit) to an external organization is not required, and communication costs generated due to authentication (credit) are not incurred, and operating costs can be reduced.

In the third modification, a predetermined amount of money is deducted from the amount of electronic money information of the portable telephone 20 owned by the customer before the refueling is started, and the refueling permission is given with the deducted amount as the upper limit value of the refueling amount. , In order to refund the difference between the withdrawal amount and the refueling amount after the refueling, by performing the preset refueling with the remaining amount of the electronic money as the upper limit, it is possible to use it with confidence without the balance shortage occurring at the refueling end, By removing a part of the electronic money, it is not necessary to always read the electronic money information from the mobile phone 20 during refueling, and it is possible to prevent damage by a customer who tries to return without completing payment during refueling for the purpose of fraud. You can

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the fourth modification. In FIG. 10, the same parts as those in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, in the settlement system 60 of the modified example 4, the control device 13 of the gas station is communicatively connected to the host computer 62a of the bank 62 via the communication line 15.

The setting unit 18a, 18b includes a control unit 19
a, 19b, and a mobile phone connecting portion 21a, 21b for transmitting / receiving data, which is connected to a serial terminal (not shown) for data communication of a mobile phone 20 having a Tebit function carried by a customer. It is composed of setting buttons 22a and 22b for setting the amount and oil type, and indicators 23a and 23b for displaying setting items and guidance.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of the fourth modification. As shown in FIG. 11, the customer who refuels uses the serial terminal (not shown) for data communication of the mobile phone 20 owned before refueling with the mobile phone connection unit 21.
It is connected to a (S91). Control unit 19a of the setting device 18a
Uses the debit information (bank account information) recorded in the memory (not shown) of the mobile phone 20 to connect to the mobile phone 2.
Read through 1a (S92).

In step S93, the Tebit information recorded in the memory (not shown) of the mobile phone 20 is stored in the office 1.
It transmits to the control device 13 of No. 1 using the communication line 24. The control device 13 that has received the Tebit information searches the bank account opened by the customer based on the Tebit information of the customer,
Host computer 6 of bank 62 via communication line 15
2a is contacted to inform the gas station name or gas station code and that the customer having the debit information will refuel. The bank 62 is requested to authenticate (credit) the customer having the Tebit information (S94).

The host computer 62a of the bank 62 is
The balance of the customer's account having the relevant bite information is confirmed to determine whether or not the customer has the ability to pay (S95). When it is determined that the customer can pay the refueling charge, the customer account balance information is notified (transmitted) to the control device 13 of the gas station via the communication line 15 (S96).

Next, the control device 13 sets the balance information of the customer account as the upper limit value of the refueling charge and the control unit 19 of the setter 18a.
A refueling permission is transmitted to a (S97). Upon receiving the refueling permission, the control unit 19a displays the customer account balance on the display 23a and displays that refueling within the balance is possible (S98).

When the customer selects the OK button (YES) using the setting button 22a of the setting device 18a (S99), the customer is prompted to set the type of oil and the amount of oil supply (or amount of oil supply) (S100). Next, when the customer sets refueling with the setting device 18a, the control unit 19
A transmits a refueling permission to the refueling device 14a and waits until the customer starts refueling (S102).

Next, when the customer inserts the refueling nozzle into the refueling port of the vehicle to start refueling, the control section 19a confirms whether or not the set refueling amount has been reached (S103).

After the start of refueling, when the accumulated refueling amount reaches the set refueling amount, the pump is stopped and the refueling is completed. Then, the amount of fuel corresponding to the amount of refueling is displayed on the display 23a and transferred to the control device 13 using the communication line 14 (S104).

The control device 13 uses the received refueling amount and the Tebit information of this time as the host computer 62 of the bank 62.
Send to a. This charges the customer's bank account. Further, the settlement data such as refueling date and time, refueling oil type, refueling amount, refueling fee, which are the contents of refueling this time, are stored in the mobile phone 2.
The mail function of 0 is used to deliver to the mobile phone 20 (S106). This completes the refueling settlement process using the mobile phone 20 this time.

In S95, if the account balance of the customer who has the Tebit information is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the refueling prohibition is transmitted to the control unit 19a of the setter 18a (S108), and the error is displayed on the display 23a. Display (S1
09).

By accumulating a predetermined amount of refueling charge in the bank account, the customer can perform prepaid settlement using the reserve amount information from the registration number at the next refueling.

As described above, in the fourth modification, the refueling fee is settled by the Tebit card function stored in the memory of the portable telephone 20 owned by the customer, and the versatility is high and the settlement equivalent to cash is performed. realizable.

In Modification 4, the balance of the customer's bank account obtained from the Tebit card information stored in the memory of the mobile phone 20 owned by the customer before starting the refueling is set as the upper limit value of the refueling amount. By giving the refueling permission, preset refueling with the balance of the bank account as the upper limit can be used without anxiety that the balance will not be insufficient at the end of refueling.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of the fifth modification. As shown in FIG. 12, the customer who refuels accesses the dedicated homepage provided by the gas station using the Internet connection function of the mobile phone 20 owned before refueling (S111). The homepage opened by the gas station is provided by the control device 13 installed in the office 11 of the gas station. For example, a display screen 73 having a design as shown in FIG. (Not shown).

On this display screen 73, the member registration button 73
a, registration number 73b, password 73c, past refueling history button 73d, coupon button 73e, YES (OK) button 73
f, a credit card selection button 73g, and a prepaid card selection button 73h are displayed. Then, the customer moves the cursor to the position of each button on the display screen 43 displayed on the monitor of the mobile phone 20, and presses the ten key and the execution key (EN.
Various inputs and membership registration are performed by turning on (TER). Then, the registration number and password are input (S112).

The customer registers as a member from the dedicated home page. In addition to address and name, you can select your desired payment method (credit card, prepaid card, withdrawal from bank account, etc.) for membership registration. For example, register the credit card information (card number) owned by the customer. This allows credit card companies to settle credit.

The member registration is required only for the first refueling, and after the next refueling, refueling can be performed by inputting the registration number and password issued at the time of member registration.

The control device 13 of the gas station uses the database 4
1, the payment information of the customer is extracted (S113), and when it is determined that the customer has the payment ability (S114), the authentication (credit) result is displayed on the home page.
The accuracy of the refueling fee is displayed according to the contents selected by the customer (S115).

The customer operates the ten-key pad (not shown) of the portable telephone 20 to display YE on the home page display screen 43.
When the S (OK) button 43f is selected (S116), the oil type,
A guidance display for prompting the setting of the refueling amount (or refueling amount) is displayed on the monitor of the mobile phone 20 (S11).
7).

Further, the control device 13 transmits the refueling permission to the control unit 19a of the setting device 18a via the communication line 24 (S118). When the customer operates the setting button 22a of the setting device 18a to set the refueling data, the control unit 19a of the setting device 18a gives a refueling permission to the refueling device 14a, and then the customer performs a refueling start operation. Waits until
(S119). Next, when the customer inserts the refueling nozzle into the refueling port of the vehicle to start refueling, it is confirmed whether or not the set refueling amount has been reached (S120).

After the start of refueling, when the accumulated refueling amount reaches the set refueling amount, the pump is stopped and the refueling is finished. Then, the amount of money corresponding to the refueling amount is displayed on the display 23a and transferred to the control device 13 using the communication line 14.
(S121).

The control device 13 of the gas station carries out the settlement process according to the selected payment method (S122). And
The fact that the refueling fee has been settled is transmitted to the mobile phone 20 by e-mail. With this, this mobile phone 2
The refueling settlement process using 0 ends.

In S114, if the payment method and the payment method are different from the registered contents when confirming whether the customer is a recoverable customer, or if the prepaid balance is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, Refueling is prohibited to the control unit 19a (S123), and an error is displayed on the homepage display screen 43 (S124).

The portable telephone 20 of each of the above embodiments.
Has described that the customer authentication (credit) is obtained from the data stored in the built-in memory, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, a storage medium such as an IC card or a memory card can be inserted into the mobile phone 20. In such a configuration, the customer's authentication (credit) can be obtained from the data stored in the storage medium inserted from the outside. Further, as another method of obtaining the authentication (credit) of the customer by using the mobile phone 20, for example, a function in which the owner is individually authenticated by the recognition of fingerprints or voices, or only the owner is provided. It is better to have a function to perform personal authentication by entering a password to know.

[0098]

As described above, the present invention has the following features. According to the invention described in claim 1, information reading means for reading personal information or information unique to the mobile phone from the mobile phone held by the customer before the start of refueling,
Authentication means for performing personal authentication based on personal information read by the information reading means or information unique to the mobile phone, refueling permission means for giving refueling permission to the customer authenticated by the authentication means, and after refueling, Since it is equipped with a charge requesting means for charging a fee to the customer authenticated by the authentication means, if the user has a portable telephone, the authentication can be performed by the personal information or the information unique to the portable telephone from the portable telephone. It will be possible to settle the refueling fee. Therefore, by using the information peculiar to the mobile phone possessed by the customer for personal authentication and performing the payment, the customer does not need to carry a credit card or a prepaid card, and the operation is simple, and the gas station Can be used without major remodeling of existing equipment, and there is no need to make a huge new capital investment. further. It is a system that corresponds to the fact that settlement at gas stations is by sale, and authentication (credit) is possible before refueling (before purchasing goods).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information reading means connects the serial communication port of the mobile phone to the connection terminal provided in the fueling device, and the unique information is given to the mobile phone. Since the number is read, it is possible to authenticate and settle the refueling charge, and refueling can be performed without cash or a prepaid card or a credit card. Therefore, the information peculiar to the mobile phone owned by the customer can be read without being charged a communication fee, and the system can be implemented without burdening both the customer and the gas station. Furthermore, since the refueling device installed on the island and the customer trying to refuel are always 1: 1 in number, it is possible to specify the customer to be charged and prevent fraudulent use.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the information reading means reads the unique information stored in the memory of the portable telephone via the infrared transmitting / receiving device, authentication is performed and the refueling fee is settled. This makes it possible to perform personal authentication only by bringing the mobile phone close to the infrared transmitter / receiver, which simplifies the operation. Also, since it uses infrared rays, it is strong against external disturbances.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the information reading means reads the unique information stored in the memory of the portable telephone through the short-range wireless device provided in the fueling device, the authentication is performed. It will be possible to go and settle the refueling fee, and personal authentication will be possible even if it is placed in the vehicle, improving convenience.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fee billed by the fee billing means is settled by the electronic money function installed in the portable telephone carried by the customer, whereby the refueling fee is settled. It becomes possible to
Refueling can be done without cash or prepaid or credit cards.

According to the invention of claim 6, the refueling permission means gives refueling permission with the refueling amount corresponding to the amount of electronic money information of the portable telephone carried by the customer as the upper limit value of refueling permission. By using the electronic money installed in the mobile phone, the versatility is high and the payment equivalent to cash can be realized. Furthermore, authentication to external institutions (credit)
Also, the communication cost generated for authentication (credit) is not required, and the operating cost can be reduced.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the refueling permission means subtracts a predetermined amount from the amount of electronic money information of the portable telephone held by the customer before starting refueling,
By giving a refueling permission with the amount of depletion as the upper limit of refueling and refunding the difference between the amount deducted and the refueling fee after refueling, by performing preset refueling with the remaining amount of electronic money as the upper limit, the balance is insufficient at the end of refueling. You can use it with peace of mind without having to worry about it, and by temporarily removing a part of the electronic money, it is not necessary to always read the electronic money information from the mobile phone during refueling. It is possible to prevent the damage caused by the customers who are going home without completing the work.

According to the invention described in claim 8, settlement of the charge billed by the charge billing means is performed by the Tebit card function stored in the memory of the portable telephone possessed by the customer, and the versatility is improved. It is expensive and can realize payment equivalent to cash.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the refueling permission means stores the customer's bank account obtained from the Tebit card information stored in the memory of the portable telephone of the customer before starting refueling. Since the refueling permission is given with the balance as the upper limit of the refueling amount, preset refueling with the balance of the bank account as the upper limit can be used without anxiety when the refueling ends without running out of balance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a settlement system of a gas station according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of Modified Example 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of the first modification.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of Modification 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of the second modification.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a home page according to a modified example 2;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of Modification 3;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of Modification 3;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of Modification 4;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of Modification 4;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure for refueling and making a payment using the mobile phone 20 of Modification 5;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a home page of modification example 5.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 30, 40, 50, 60 Payment system 11 offices 12 fields 14a, 14b Oil supply device 15 communication lines 16 telephone companies 16b management computer 17a, 17b Refueling space 18a, 18b setting device 19a, 19b control unit 20 mobile phones 21a, 21b Mobile phone connection 22a, 22b setting switch button 23a, 23b indicator 31 Credit company 31a, 62a Host computer 32,41 database 33, 34a, 34b Infrared transmitting / receiving means 42 Net Bank 43,73 Display screen 52 electronic safe 54 Electronic Money Center 62 banks

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B67D 5/06 B67D 5/06 D (72) Inventor Makoto Ogiku 1-6-6 Fujimi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa No. 3 In Tokiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsushi Imagawa 13 Tanyo, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture F-term in Tokiko Co., Ltd. Shizuoka Factory (reference) 3E083 AA01 AC25 AD29 AD30

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An information reading unit for reading personal information or information unique to the portable telephone from a portable telephone possessed by a customer before the start of refueling, and personal information or information unique to the portable telephone read by the information reading unit. Authentication means for performing personal authentication based on the above, a refueling permission means for giving refueling permission to the customer authenticated by the authentication means, and a fee for charging a fee to the customer authenticated by the authentication means after refueling A settlement system of a gas station, comprising: a billing unit. 2. The information reading means reads out a unique number given to the portable telephone by connecting a serial communication port of the portable telephone to a connection terminal provided in a fueling device. The settlement system of a gas station according to claim 1. 3. The settlement system of a gas station according to claim 1, wherein the information reading means reads out the unique information stored in the memory of the mobile phone via an infrared transmitting / receiving device. 4. The refueling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information reading unit reads out unique information stored in the memory of the mobile phone via a short-range wireless device provided in the refueling apparatus. Payment system. 5. The settlement system of a gas station according to claim 1, wherein the settlement of the fee billed by the fee billing means is carried out by an electronic money function installed in a mobile phone carried by the customer. . 6. The refueling permission means gives the refueling permission with the refueling amount corresponding to the amount of electronic money information of the mobile phone owned by the customer as the upper limit value of the refueling permission. Gas station payment system. 7. The refueling permission unit deducts a predetermined amount from the amount of electronic money information of a mobile phone owned by the customer before starting refueling, and gives refueling permission with the deducted amount as the upper limit value of the refueling amount. The settlement system according to claim 5, wherein the difference between the withdrawal amount and the refueling amount is refunded after the end of refueling. 8. The gas station according to claim 5, wherein the fee billed by the fee billing means is settled by a Tebit card function stored in a memory of a mobile phone possessed by the customer. Payment system. 9. The refueling permission means uses the balance of the customer's bank account obtained from the Tebit card information stored in the memory of the mobile phone held by the customer before starting refueling as the upper limit value of the refueling amount. The settlement system of a gas station according to claim 5, wherein a refueling permission is given.