JP2003223679A - Card reader-writer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card reader-writer capable of recording the accumulated data of a card as visual information on the surface of the card, processing overdues of the card and the accumulated data under the time management, and switching properly handling of the reference date of time calcuration and the overdue processing. <P>SOLUTION: This card reader-writer can select the handling of the starting date of the available period and the overdue processing installed on the card by the combination of a setting screen and a 'sale' key and a 'checkup' key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a card reader / writer for recording point data issued according to the purchase price of a product or service, and in particular, to stored data of a card. The present invention relates to a card reader / writer capable of recording on a card surface as visible information and invalidating accumulated points that have not been collected over a certain period of time under timed management. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the retail business, etc., in order to create new fixed customers and promote sales, points corresponding to the purchase amount are given to customers in the form of chips or stamps, and a predetermined number of points are given. A so-called point service system that provides a customer who has earned points, such as a cash voucher or a premium, in exchange for the points has become widespread. [0003] In recent years, a new point service system using a magnetic card or the like has appeared in place of a stamp card which is easily damaged or soiled or a chip which is easily lost. This system uses magnetic information recorded on a card.
Some of the points (such as the number of acquired points) are printed on a card surface by a thermal printer or the like so that they can be viewed without using any special equipment, and are returned to the customer. [0004] However, on the other hand, while the point card has become simple and easy to manage information, if there are few points to be exchanged for a privilege in a short period of time, the time is reduced. As the number of points obliged to be exchanged (uncollected points) accumulates as time passes, the burden is imposed on the point issuer, and in some cases the sales promotion effect cannot be expected. [0005] Further, when a certain validity period is provided for the point card, and the number of points not exchanged during this period or the card itself is treated as invalid, depending on the circumstances of the dealer, the method of calculating the period and the expiration processing are performed. You may want to change the handling. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to record data stored on a card as visible information on the surface of the card, and to manage the card and its stored data under timed management. An object of the present invention is to provide a card reader / writer that can perform expiration processing and can appropriately switch a reference date for period calculation and expiration processing. [0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention employs a configuration that is characterized by a read / write unit for rewriting data on a card, and at least one of data stored on a surface of the card. A printer unit for visualizing and recording the unit, a timer unit for counting the elapsed time from the point when the points are stored in the card, a starting point selecting unit for switching the starting point of the timer unit, and a count value of the timer unit. When the value exceeds a predetermined value, an expiration processing selecting means for selecting the content of the expiration processing to be performed on the accumulation point or the card from a plurality of options is provided. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
8 will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a point card inserted into the card reader / writer 2 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “card” as appropriate). Here, the point card 1 is a card for cumulatively recording and printing service points given to customers according to the sales amount (purchase amount). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the card 1 is provided with a print recording section 11 capable of performing thermal printing on the surface of a resin base material sheet 10 and a magnetic recording section 12 made of a magnetic material or the like on the back surface. Provided. In addition, the print recording unit 11 includes:
There are a conventional type capable of only additional recording and a rewritable type capable of recording and erasing, and the latter will be described as an example here. The magnetic recording unit 12 has an organization ID code recording area 12a and a ticket issuer ID code recording area 12 as shown in FIG.
b, a card ID code recording area 12c and a usage data recording area 12d, and various codes and data are recorded as digital signals of a predetermined number of bits. In the organization ID code recording area 12a, the organization ID code (I) of the organization to which the ticket issuer (member store) belongs is included.
D number) is recorded, and the ticket issuer ID code recording area 1
2b, the card issuer ID code of the card issuer is recorded, the card ID code recording area 12c records the card ID code (ID number and ticket number) of the card itself, and the use data recording area 12d records the card use code. (The date when the first point was acquired = the date when the point card was issued, the date when the last point was acquired, the total number of points, etc.) are recorded. A card reader / writer (hereinafter abbreviated as "reader / writer" 2) has a card insertion / ejection port 22 on the front surface of a casing 21 and a key input section 23 on the upper side thereof.
And a liquid crystal display unit 24 is provided on the upper surface. As shown in FIG. 5, the key input unit 23 includes a numeric key 23n from “0” to “9”, an inspection key 23a, an exchange key 23b, a sales key 23c, a total key 23d, a correction key 23e, a × key 23f, and the like. Be composed. A power cable 28 and a communication cable 29 for connecting to a register or a personal computer are provided at a rear portion of the casing 21. In the casing 21, there is provided a card running path which is continuous with the card insertion / ejection port 22, and along this path, a card insertion sensor 31 shown in FIG.
5. Print head 32 (printer unit) and magnetic head 34
(Read / write section). Card insertion sensor 3
1 is connected to the controller 40 and optically detects the card 1 inserted from the card insertion / ejection port 22. The transport roller 35 is connected to a roller drive circuit 36, and the card 1
Drive. The print head 32 is connected to the print head drive circuit 33 and prints on the card 1. Magnetic head 34
Is connected to the recording / reproducing circuit 37, and reads and writes data on the card 1. The controller 40 includes a CPU 41, R
The OM 42, the RAM 43, and the interface 44 are interconnected by a data bus 45, and the ROM 42 stores a point card processing program, which will be described later. The interface 44 includes a card insertion sensor 31, a print head driving circuit 33, a recording / reproducing circuit 37.
And a roller driving circuit 36, and a key input unit (keyboard) 23, a keyboard controller 47, a communication adapter 48, a data memory 49, a time measuring means 50 such as a calendar IC, and a display unit 24. The card insertion sensor 31 detects the insertion of the card 1 and emits a signal. The recording / reproduction drive circuit 33 drives the magnetic head 34, and the roller drive circuit 36 drives the transport roller 35. A communication cable 29 is connected to the communication adapter 48, and a reference organization ID code, service point data, and the like are stored in the data memory 49. Service point data is
Merchant purchases from the organization's secretariat,
The points issued to the point card are subtracted from the service point data. The data memory 49 magnetically records the organization ID code in the organization ID code recording area 12a of the card 1 in a non-rewritable manner, and records the card issuer ID code in the ticket issuer ID code recording area 12b. Write the card ID code in the area 12c. The number of accumulated points, date of use, and the like are written in the use data recording area 12d, and the date of issue, card ID number, issue number, points, and the like are printed on the print recording unit 11. When the reader / writer 2 issues a point card, the reader / writer 2 can select one of providing (ant) or not providing (valid) the validity period of the card. When an effective period is provided, the start date is set to the date when the points are first accumulated on the card (= the date of issue of the card, hereinafter referred to as “shinki”) or the date when the points are accumulated last. (Hereinafter referred to as “saishu”). Further, the period from each start date can be input and set from the numeric keys 23n. In addition, the contents of the expiration processing that is performed when the validity period is exceeded are set to "clear", which allows the point card to continue to be used with the accumulation point set to 0, "mukou" to invalidate the card itself, and the accumulation point and the card itself continue You can choose from the available "Keizoku". These setting items can be appropriately combined and applied to a use method suitable for a business type such as a store. [0017] For example, the start date of the validity period is
The combination that cleared the contents of the expiration processing is C
This is used in a rental shop such as a D / Video where a customer who frequently uses the service is given preferential treatment by adding points for each use. Because the point card is not a membership card, it is preferable that the card can be used even if the validity period is exceeded. On the other hand, points that are not exchanged indefinitely can be extinguished with a limited expiration date, and the points are not invalidated as long as the customer uses it within the period, thereby promoting sales. The combination in which the start date of the validity period is set to "Shinki" and the content of the expiration processing is set to "Muko" is suitable for lending to a limited-time member or the like as a temporary member card. A usage method that gives preferential treatment to customers who come to the store within a limited period in exchange for a formal membership card is conceivable. A combination in which the start date of the validity period is thin and the content of the expiration processing is clear is suitable for use as a point card which also serves as a membership card in a car supply store or the like. After the membership period has elapsed, the earned points are set to 0, the card cannot be used, an annual membership fee, etc. are collected from the member, and a new card is issued. A combination in which the start date of the validity period is set to “Shinki” and the content of the expiration processing is “Muko” is suitable for operation such as a limited time campaign. After the campaign ends, both cards and earned points will be invalidated. As described above, by switching the combination of the effective date and the contents of the expiration processing, it is possible to perform the point service or the limited time service according to the trend of consumption, such as the existing service or the trend of the commodity. . To set the start date of the validity period and the contents of the expiration process, the user presses the inspection key 23a to call a setting screen on the display unit 24 as shown in FIG. [0023] The first screen to be displayed is displayed as "Yukokugen Ali". At this time, when the sales key 23c is pressed, the expiration date is determined. In addition, the sales key 23
When the inspection key 23a is pressed instead of c, the screen is switched to "NO FULL". At this time, sales key 2
When 3c is pressed, no expiration date is set, and the setting process ends. When the expiration date is set as described above, the screen is switched to a screen for performing more detailed settings. Specifically, the display of “Kaishikigen Shinki” appears. Here, when the inspection key 23a is pressed, the screen is switched to "KAIKIKIGEN SHISHU". When the sales key 23c is pressed while any one of these screens is displayed, the setting is determined,
The next screen, "YUKOKIKAN 1," appears. Where 1
Means one month, and up to 36
You can enter values up to months. Then, when the sales key 23c is pressed, this setting is settled, and the next “Kinggiri Keizoku” screen appears. In this state, pressing the spotted inspection key 23a switches the screen between "clear" and "clear", and when either of these screens is displayed, pressing the sales key 23c confirms the setting. Then, the setting process ends. Next, the point card processing performed in the reader / writer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 (in the figure, the word “step” is abbreviated as “S”). At the cashier settlement counter of the point service member store, the customer's card 1 is transferred to the card reader / writer 2
(Step 1).
Then, the card 1 is detected by the card insertion sensor 31,
The transport roller 35 is rotated by this detection signal to cause the card 1 to run, and the magnetic data of the card 1
(Step 2). Next, it is determined whether or not the organization ID code recorded in the organization ID code recording area 12a matches the code in the data memory 49 (step 3). If the codes do not match, the card 1 is ejected. (Step 15)
If they match, the process proceeds to step 4, where the number of points, point issue date data, etc. are read from the usage data recording area 12d (step 4). Thus, the organization ID code registered in the card reader / writer 2 is
If it is different from the D code, the processing of the card 1 is not performed, so that unauthorized use of the card can be prevented. In the next step 5, it is determined whether or not the expiration date of the reader / writer 2 is set to <Yes>.
If yes (Y), in the next step 6, it is determined whether today belongs to the expiration date. If it is within the expiration date (Y), the display unit 24 displays the number of points, the exchange key 23b for exchange of points, and the sales key 23c for accumulation of points at step 7, in step 7. In step 8, it is read which of the exchange key 23b and the sale key 23c has been pressed, and in step 9, it is determined which type of processing, exchange (or return) or sale, has been designated. If the processing designation is sales, the sales amount is input from the key input unit 23 (step 10). After entering the sales amount, total key 23
Press d. When the total key 23d is pressed (step 11
If Y is equal to Y), the sales amount is converted into points of a predetermined ratio (step 12), and the points are added to the accumulated points recorded in the usage data recording area 12d of the card 1 (step 13). The updated and recorded point data is printed as visible information on the print recording unit 11 via the print head 32 (step 14).
Is ejected from the card insertion / ejection port 22 (step 1).
5) When the card 1 is removed, the display on the display unit 24 returns to the initial screen, and the process ends. In order to input the sales amount a plurality of times in the above step 10, the sales key 23c is pressed after inputting one amount, and the next amount is input. Can be repeated. If the designated process in step 9 is exchange (or return), the flow advances to step 16 to input the exchange amount from the key input unit 23. After inputting the sales amount, the user presses the total key 23d. When the total key 23d is pressed (step 17 is "Y"), the exchange amount is converted into points of a predetermined ratio (step 18), and these points are recorded in the usage data recording area 12d of the card 1. Subtraction is performed from the stored accumulation point (step 19). The updated and recorded point data is printed as visible information on the print recording unit 11 via the print head 32 at step 14 (step 14), and the card 1 is ejected at step 15. In order to enter the sales amount in step 16 a plurality of times, the exchange key 23b is pressed after one amount has been entered, and the next amount is entered. Steps 16 and 17 can be repeated. If the expiration date has passed in step 6 (N), the process proceeds to step 21. Here, the processing is divided according to the set type of the expiration processing. If the continuation is set, the process proceeds to step S7. Therefore, in this case, the result is the same as when no expiration date is set. If clear is set, step 21
And a warning sound or message is displayed to indicate that this card has expired and that the sales key 23c or the total key 23
The user is prompted to operate any one of d. In step 22, which key was operated is read, and in step 23, the sales key 2 was operated.
If it is determined to be 3c, the stored points are initialized to 0 (step 24), and the process proceeds to step 7. In this case, the point becomes 0, but the point can be recorded and used again on the card 1. If it is determined in step 23 that the operated key is the total key 23d, the process proceeds to step 15 without rewriting the points, and the card 1 is ejected. If the invalidation is selected for the expiration processing, the process proceeds from step 20 to step 25, where the card 1 is expired on the display unit 24 and the card 1 returns by pressing the total key 23d. Is displayed. Then, when the depression of the total key 23d is detected in step 26, information indicating that the card cannot be used is written to the card 1 (step 27), and the process proceeds to step 15. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select whether or not to provide an expiration date, and when this is provided, it is possible to select a reference date for period calculation and handling of expiration processing from a plurality of options. As a result, points accumulated in the customer's loyalty card that have not been exchanged can be disposed of under timed management, and sales promotion and acquisition of new fixed customers can be achieved without increasing the burden on points issuing stores. Can be. In addition, a point service system of various contents can be constructed according to the business type of the store, and even if the stores belong to the same point service organization, the service contents of each store can be differentiated. To play. In the above example, the point card 1 is of a rewritable type in which recording / erasing can be repeated in the print recording unit 11 by a thermal head. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. May be a write-once card. In this case, the number of times the point data is updated is recorded on the point card, and it is determined whether or not printing is possible (there is a margin) in the print recording unit 11, and if printing is possible, printing is performed and the card 1 is ejected. If printing is not possible, unusable data is written to the magnetic recording unit 12 and the card 1
Then, a prompt to insert a new card is displayed, and after inserting the new card, a step of transferring the usage data of the point card 1 to the recording area 12e of the new card 1 may be provided. Although the point service card is mainly a magnetic card, the present invention can also be used for an IC card. Further, it is possible to communicate with a host computer, a register, and the like provided outside through a communication adapter to provide the functions of the storage unit and the control unit outside. As described in detail above, the card reader / writer according to the present invention allows the user to select from a plurality of options for the starting date of the validity period provided for the card and the handling of the expiration processing. The data to be provided can be disposed of under timed management, and sales promotion and acquisition of new fixed customers can be achieved without increasing the load on the store that issues points. Further, a point service system having various contents can be constructed according to the type of business of the store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a card reader / writer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are a top plan view and a back plan view of a point card, respectively. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the direction of arrows III-III in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a magnetic data recording area of a point card. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a key input unit. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the card reader / writer of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a key input operation for setting a start date and an expiration date of the card reader / writer. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing card processing of the card reader / writer. [Description of Signs] 1. Point card, 2. Card reader / writer, 23
... key input section, 24 ... liquid crystal display section, 32 ... print head (printer section), 34 ... magnetic head (read / write section), 50 ... time measuring means, 41 ... CPU

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A card reader / writer for processing service point data issued according to a purchase price or the like, comprising: a read / write unit for recording and reproducing data together with a card; A printer unit for visually recording at least a part of the accumulated data on the surface, a timer for counting the elapsed time from the time of issuing the card or accumulating points, and a start point of the timer can be selected. A card reader / writer comprising: a starting point selecting means for switching; and an expiration processing selecting means for selecting from among a plurality of expiration processings to be performed when the count of the clocking means exceeds a predetermined value.