JP2006092306A - Usage rate management terminal device, sales management device and sales management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a usage rate management terminal device, a sales management device and a sales management system capable of taking a sufficient security countermeasure with a user's minimized burden by use of prepaid-type sales management. <P>SOLUTION: The sales management system is divided to a communication network set up based on the Internet 4 and a communication network set up based on master relays 5a, 5b, etc. In the sales management device 10, a settlement processor 20, and Internet connecting personal computers 30a and 30b connected to the Internet 4, information processing related to purchase of gas to be supplied is performed, and in the sales management device 10 and usage rate management terminal devices 31a and 31b connected to the relays 5a, 5b, etc., information processing related to the number of available units on a prepaid card is performed. Therefore, a user can easily purchase the gas, and safely and surely manage the number of available units on the prepaid card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a usage fee management terminal device, a sales management device, and a sales management system for a predetermined object, for example, gas, water, and electricity supplied to a house or office in a public utility.

  Gas, water, and electricity supplied to homes and offices in public utilities are paid for according to their usage, so we regularly take charge of meter reading meters installed for each user. The user confirms and measures the usage amount, calculates the usage fee from the prescribed fee table based on the measured usage amount, and charges the user. However, since charges are charged after use, it is easy for unpaid charges to occur. In particular, there is a problem in dealing with a case where a user disappears without paying charges when moving.

In order to cope with such a problem, a prepaid supply system that supplies gas or the like for a paid fee has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a gas sales company entrusts the sales of a memory card to a convenience store, and the user purchases the memory card at the convenience store and inserts it into the reader unit of the gas meter. It is described that the supply is stopped when the balance data of the memory card is subtracted according to the amount and becomes zero. Further, in Patent Document 2, a user receives a deposit certificate including encryption information by depositing with a deposit machine at a convenience store, and inputs the deposit certificate into the meter input function, and the information processing function of the meter is the receipt certificate. The contents are checked, and if there is no problem, the meter is opened and gas is supplied.
JP 2002-74497 A JP 2002-24937 A

  However, according to the above-described prior art, the user must go to a convenience store to make a payment and purchase a memory card or a receipt, and cannot be used in an area where there is no convenience store. In addition, for example, when gas supply is stopped during bathing, there is a drawback that the burden on the user until the supply is restarted is large. On the other hand, with the widespread use of the Internet, there is an environment in which each user can use the Internet using a mobile phone or a personal computer. The usage fee is collected using a commercial network such as the Internet and information is entered into the card. It is also possible to do.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a usage fee management terminal device, a sales management device, and a sales management system that can reduce the burden on the user by using prepaid sales management.

  The usage fee management terminal device according to the present invention measures a usage amount of a predetermined object, a card processing means for reading or writing the usable frequency when the prepaid card storing the usable frequency is detachably mounted. Measurement control means for controlling the meter, transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information via the network with the sales management device, and a new use by subtracting the usable frequency based on the usage information transmitted from the measurement control means A subtraction control means for controlling the card processing means to write to the prepaid card as a possible frequency, and a prepaid card as a new usable frequency by adding the purchase frequency transmitted from the sales management device via the transmitting / receiving means to the usable frequency And adding control means for controlling the card processing means so as to write to the card. Furthermore, a supply stop control means is provided for controlling the measurement meter to operate to stop the supply of the predetermined object when the usable frequency is subtracted by the subtraction control means to become 0 or less. It is characterized by. Further, the supply stop control means stops the gas supply when detecting that the prepaid card is removed from the card processing means.

  The sales management device according to the present invention includes an application transmission / reception unit that receives an application for purchase of a predetermined object via the Internet to which a user terminal device is connected, and a payment transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives information related to the settlement of the applied purchase price. And a usage transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information related to the use of a predetermined object via a network to which a usage fee management terminal is connected, and purchase information received from the application transmission / reception means based on a settlement result received from the settlement transmission / reception means Storage control means for storing in the means, calculation means for calculating the purchase frequency based on the purchase information stored in the storage means, and transmission control for transmitting the calculated purchase frequency to the usage fee management terminal via the use transmitting / receiving means Means. Further, a prepaid card storing the usable frequency is detachably attached and a card processing means for reading or writing the usable frequency, and a settlement amount is calculated based on the usable frequency read by the card processing means. And a clearing means.

  The sales management system according to the present invention connects the user terminal device for applying for purchase of a predetermined object, the sales management device described above, and a payment device for settlement of the purchase price over the Internet, The sales management device and the usage fee management terminal device are connected via a network.

  Another usage fee management terminal device according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a usable frequency, a weighing control unit that controls a metering meter that measures a usage amount of a predetermined object, a sales management device, and a network. Transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information, subtraction control means for subtracting the usable frequency based on the usage information transmitted from the weighing control means and writing the new usable frequency to the storage means, and the transmission / reception means And an addition control means for adding the purchase frequency transmitted from the sales management apparatus to the usable frequency and newly writing it into the storage means as the usable frequency.

  Another sales management system according to the present invention includes a user terminal device for applying for purchase of a predetermined object, a sales management device according to claim 4, and a payment device for settlement of purchase price on the Internet. And the sales management device and the usage fee management terminal device according to claim 7 are connected via a network.

  By using a prepaid card in which the usable frequency is stored by having the above configuration, the purchase received from the sales management device via the network while subtracting the usable frequency in the prepaid card according to the usage amount The frequency is added, and the rewriting of the usable frequency is automatically performed in the apparatus, so that the burden on the user is reduced. And since the number of usable cards in the prepaid card is rewritten and stored, when moving, the prepaid card can be pulled out and used at the destination, and the prepaid card can be brought to the sales company and liquidated. You can do it easily.

  When a user makes a purchase, it can be easily purchased from a mobile phone or a personal computer via the Internet. Therefore, it is not necessary to go to a convenience store one by one, and the burden on the user can be reduced. Moreover, the administrator side only needs to transmit the purchase frequency to the usage fee management terminal device after confirming that the purchase amount has been settled, and the usage fee can be reliably collected.

  As described above, since the network is used for paying the usage fee and rewriting the usable frequency, a sales management system with less burden on the user can be obtained. As the network, a wireless communication network that collects measurement results of a meter that measures usage can be used.

  In addition, if the usage fee management terminal device has storage means for storing the usable frequency, all information for starting use is transmitted from the sales management device to the usage fee management terminal device without using a prepaid card. It can be set and is more convenient for the user. If the user terminal device and the sales management device are connected via a network such as the Internet so that the user can apply for the use of the sales management device via this network, the user can easily apply for the use and apply for the use. If the sales management device transmits information for starting use to the usage fee management terminal device in real time via the network, the use can be started in a short time.

  In addition, in this invention, a predetermined target means the gas, water supply, and electricity supplied by a public utility.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail. The embodiments described below are preferable specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and thus various technical limitations are made. However, the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram relating to a sales management system according to the present invention. Here, a gas sales management system will be described as an example. The gas sales company 1 is provided with a sales management device 10, and the credit card payment company 2 is provided with a purchase amount settlement processing device 20. The user's home 3a is provided with a personal computer 30a for connection to the Internet 4 and a usage fee management terminal device 31a. The user's home 3b has a personal computer 30b for connection to the Internet 4 and a usage fee management terminal device 31a. A device 31b is installed. Note that a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone can be used in addition to a personal computer as long as the Internet connection is possible.

  The sales management device 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire device, a first transmission / reception unit 12a that transmits / receives information to / from the settlement processing device 20, and a second transmission / reception unit 12b that is connected to the Internet 4 and transmits / receives information. , A third transmission / reception unit 12c connected to the parent repeaters 5a, 5b,... For transmitting and receiving information, a storage unit 13a for storing data related to programs and tolls, and a storage for storing registered user attribute information Unit 13b, a storage unit 13c for storing information on the usage status of each usage fee management device, a display unit 14 for displaying processed results, and a card processing unit 15 for performing prepaid card reading processing or writing processing. .

  The usage fee management terminal device 31a includes a control unit 32a that controls the entire device, a transmission / reception unit 33a that is connected to the parent repeater 5a and transmits / receives information, a display unit 34a that displays processed results, and a prepaid card reading process. Or the card | curd process part 35a which performs a write-in process, and the measurement control part 36a which controls opening / closing of the valve | bulb of the gas supply pipe | tube 38a built in the measurement meter 37a while receiving usage-amount data from the measurement meter 37a are provided. Since the usage fee management apparatus 31b has the same configuration, the description thereof is omitted.

  Since it is configured as described above, the sales management system can be divided into a communication network constructed based on the Internet 4 and a communication network constructed based on the parent repeaters 5a, 5b,. Then, in the sales management device 10, the settlement processing device 20, and the Internet connection personal computers 30a and 30b connected to the Internet 4, information processing related to the purchase of the supplied gas is performed, and the parent repeaters 5a, 5b,. In the sales management device 10 and the usage fee management terminal devices 31a and 31b connected to, information processing relating to the number of available prepaid cards is performed. As a result, the user can easily purchase gas, and the number of available prepaid cards can be managed safely and reliably. The prepaid card may be any card that can be read and written, and includes a magnetic card and an IC card.

  Hereinafter, processing related to sales management will be described in detail. FIG. 2 shows a prepaid card issuance processing flow in the sales management apparatus 10. The user goes to a gas sales company and concludes a contract for gas supply. Thereafter, the user's attribute information (use terminal number, address, name, age, contact information, ID code, password, usage fee settlement method, etc.) is registered in the storage unit 13b (S100), and a contract is made. The purchase frequency is calculated based on the paid usage fee and registered in the storage unit 13c (S101). To calculate the purchase frequency, a charge table stored in the storage unit 13a may be used. Next, the purchase frequency is written into the initialized prepaid card as the usable frequency along with the attribute information (S102). The prepaid card that has been written is handed over to the user.

  FIG. 3 shows a usage start processing flow in the usage fee management terminal device. The user sets the prepaid card written in FIG. 2 in the card processing unit. When it is detected that the prepaid card is set (S200), an authentication process is performed to check whether the prepaid card is authentic (S201). If the authenticity is authenticated, the usable degree of the prepaid card is read (S202), and it is checked whether the usable degree is not 0 (S203). If the usable frequency is not 0, the frequency display is displayed on the display unit (S204), and the meter meter valve opening process is performed (S205). Thus, the gas is supplied and can be used. If it is determined in step S201 that it is not authentic, an error is displayed (S206). Similarly, when it is determined in step S203 that the usable frequency is 0, an error is displayed.

  FIG. 4 shows the usage frequency processing flow in the usage fee management terminal device when the user uses gas. First, it is checked whether a prepaid card is set (S300). If it is set, it is checked whether a flow rate pulse is input from the metering meter (S301). The flow rate pulse is generated each time a predetermined amount of gas is supplied, and indicates the amount of gas used. If no flow rate pulse is input, the process returns to step S300. If the flow rate pulse has been input, the usable degree of the prepaid card is read (S302), and it is checked whether the usable degree is not 0 (S303). If the usable frequency is not 0, the frequency display is displayed on the display unit (S304), and the usable frequency is subtracted (S305). In the subtraction process, for example, the usable frequency may be subtracted by one. The usable number subjected to the subtraction process is rewritten to a prepaid card (S306). Then, the process returns to step S300. If it is determined in step S300 that the prepaid card is not set, an error is displayed (S307), and the meter meter valve is closed (S308). The same process is performed when the usable degree is determined to be 0 in step S303.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing flow when the user purchases gas through the Internet. First, the purchase screen is accessed from the user personal computer (S400). In the sales management apparatus, when the purchase screen is accessed, the ID input screen is transmitted to the user personal computer (S401). When the ID code and password registered in FIG. 2 are input to the ID input screen and transmitted to the sales management apparatus (S402), the user authentication process is performed (S403), and the purchase screen is transmitted to the user personal computer (S403). S404). Use terminal No. When the purchase information such as the purchase amount is input and transmitted to the sales management apparatus (S405), the purchase information is checked based on the attribute information stored in the storage unit 13a and the data relating to the usage status stored in the storage unit 13c. (S406) The settlement screen is transmitted to the user personal computer (S407). Credit card No. When payment information such as payment amount is input and transmitted to the sales management device (S408), a purchase registration confirmation screen displaying purchase information and payment information is generated and transmitted to the user personal computer (S409). When the registration confirmation is input and transmitted (S410), the settlement information is transmitted to the settlement processing device 20, the settlement content is checked, and the settlement completion result is transmitted to the sales management device (S411). Then, purchase information registration processing is performed, the purchase information is stored in the storage unit 13c (S412), and a purchase registration result screen is transmitted to the user personal computer (S413). Next, the purchase frequency is calculated based on the purchase information stored in the storage unit 13c, and the purchase frequency is transmitted to the corresponding usage fee management apparatus through the parent repeater (S414). When registering the purchase information, the purchase frequency may be increased based on the past use history (payment status, usage amount, etc.).

  FIG. 6 shows a processing flow when the purchase frequency is transmitted to the usage fee management apparatus. First, it is checked whether or not the purchase frequency is transmitted (S500), and if it is transmitted, the available frequency stored in the prepaid card is read out (S501). Then, an addition process for adding the transmitted purchase frequency to the read usable frequency is performed (S502), and the frequency is displayed on the display unit (S503). Next, rewriting processing of the added usable frequency is performed (S504).

  FIG. 7 shows a flow for clearing the prepaid card in the sales management apparatus when the user moves. When the prepaid card is set in the card processing unit of the sales management device, all information stored in the prepaid card is checked (S600), and the usable degree is read (S601). About attribute information, it collates with the data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 13b, and it collates with the data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 13c about usage histories, such as a usable frequency. Then, a settlement amount calculation process is performed based on the read usable degree (S602). For the calculation process, a charge table stored in the storage unit 13a may be used. After the settlement amount is displayed on the display unit (S603), the prepaid card initialization process is performed (S604), and the user attribute information and usage information stored in the storage units 13a and 13c are deleted (S605).

  Next, an example in which a storage unit is provided in the usage fee management terminal device instead of the card processing unit will be described. In FIG. 1, a rewritable storage unit such as an EEPROM or a flash memory is connected to the control unit instead of the card processing units 35a and 35b.

  FIG. 8 shows a processing flow when a user personal computer makes a use application to the sales management apparatus via the Internet. When the user operates the personal computer to access the application screen (S701), a contract content explanation screen is transmitted from the sales management apparatus (S701). In this screen, data such as a usage guide, a fee table, and contract contents are incorporated from the storage unit 13a. When the user reads this screen and agrees to the contract contents, the user inputs consent (S702). Based on the consent input, an attribute input screen is transmitted from the sales management device (S703), and user attribute information (terminal number used, address, name, age, contact information, ID code, password, usage fee settlement method, etc.) ) Is input (S704). The sales management device checks the input attribute information (S705). For example, the check is performed in terms of whether the terminal in use has already been used in comparison with the data stored in the storage unit 13b. Then, an attribute information registration screen is transmitted (S706). When registration is confirmed (S707), the attribute information is registered in the storage unit 13b (S708).

  After the attribute information is registered in this way, the screen is shifted to the purchase screen, the same processing as in FIG. 5 is performed, and the purchase frequency is transmitted to the usage fee management terminal device.

  When the purchase frequency is transmitted, the usage fee management terminal device performs the usage start processing flow shown in FIG. First, it is checked whether or not the purchase frequency is transmitted (S800). If it is transmitted, the available frequency stored in the storage unit is read out (S801). Then, an addition process for adding the transmitted purchase frequency to the read usable frequency is performed (S802), and the frequency is displayed on the display unit (S803). Next, a rewriting process to the storage unit of the added usable frequency is performed (S804), and a valve opening process of the metering meter is performed (S805).

  FIG. 10 shows the usage frequency processing flow in the usage fee management terminal device when the user uses gas. When the gas is used, a flow rate pulse is generated in the meter every time a predetermined amount is used, so it is checked whether the flow rate pulse is input from the meter (S900). When the flow rate pulse is input, the usable frequency of the storage unit is read (S901), and it is checked whether the usable frequency is 0 (S902). If the usable frequency is not 0, the frequency display is displayed on the display unit (S903), and the usable frequency is subtracted (S904). In the subtraction process, for example, the usable frequency may be subtracted by one. The usable degree subjected to the subtraction process is rewritten in the storage unit (S905). Then, the process returns to step S900. If it is determined in step S902 that the usable frequency is 0, an error is displayed (S906), and the meter meter valve is closed (S907).

  FIG. 11 shows a processing flow in the case where the user stops the use of gas and performs settlement. When the user operates the personal computer to access the menu screen (S1000), an ID input screen is transmitted from the sales management device (S1001). When an ID and a password are input (S1002), a menu screen is transmitted (S1003) and a settlement process is selected from the menu (S1004). When the clearing process is selected, the sales management device calculates the clearing amount based on the fee table stored in the storage unit 13a and the usage history data stored in the storage unit 13c and the user attribute information. It reads out from the memory | storage part 13b, produces a settlement screen, and transmits (S1005). When the user confirms the settlement content with reference to the usable frequency displayed on the usage fee terminal device (S1006), the sales management device transmits a settlement payment screen (S1007) to prompt the selection of the payment method, The user selects a payment method (S1008). Then, the sales management device deletes the attribute information and the use history from the storage units 13b and 13c (S1009), and deletes the usable frequency stored in the usage fee management terminal device (S1010).

It is the schematic regarding the sales management system which concerns on this invention. It is a prepaid card issue processing flow in the sales management device. It is a use start processing flow in a usage charge management terminal device. It is a use frequency processing flow in a usage fee management terminal device. It is a processing flow regarding the purchase of gas. It is a purchase frequency processing flow in a usage fee management apparatus. It is a prepaid card clearing process flow in a sales management apparatus. It is an application processing flow in another embodiment. It is a usage start processing flow in the usage fee management terminal device according to another embodiment. It is a use frequency processing flow in the usage charge management terminal device regarding another embodiment. It is a settlement process flow in the sales management apparatus regarding another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas sales company, 2 ... Credit settlement company, 3 ... User residence, 4 ... Internet, 5 ... Parent repeater, 10 ... Sales management apparatus, 20 ... Payment processing device, 30... Internet connection personal computer, 31.

Claims (8)

  A card processing means for reading or writing the usable frequency when the prepaid card storing the usable frequency is detachably attached, a weighing control unit for controlling a measuring meter for measuring the usage amount of a predetermined object, and sales Card processing to transmit / receive information via a management device and a dedicated network, and to subtract the usable frequency based on the usage information transmitted from the weighing control unit and write the new usable frequency to the prepaid card A subtraction control means for controlling the means, and an addition for controlling the card processing means to add the purchase frequency transmitted from the sales management device via the transmission / reception means to the available frequency and newly write it to the prepaid card as the available frequency A usage charge management terminal device comprising a control means.   Supply stop control means for controlling to stop the supply of the predetermined object of the meter by operating the measurement control means when the usable frequency is subtracted by the subtraction control means and becomes 0 or less. The usage fee management terminal device according to claim 1, wherein:   3. The usage fee management terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the supply stop control means stops supply of gas when detecting that the prepaid card is removed from the card processing means.   An application transmission / reception unit that accepts an application for purchase of a predetermined object via the Internet to which a user terminal device is connected, a payment transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives information related to the settlement of the applied purchase price, and a usage fee management terminal are connected Use transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information related to the use of the predetermined object via a dedicated network, storage control means for storing the purchase information received from the application transmission / reception means based on the payment result received from the payment transmission / reception means, in the storage means; A calculating means for calculating the purchase frequency based on the purchase information stored in the storage means, and a transmission control means for transmitting the calculated purchase frequency to the usage fee management terminal via the use transmitting / receiving means. A featured sales management device.   A card processing means for reading or writing the usable frequency when the prepaid card storing the usable frequency is detachably attached, and a liquidation for calculating the settlement amount based on the usable frequency read by the card processing means The sales management apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: means.   A user terminal device for applying for the purchase of a predetermined object, the sales management device according to claim 4 or 5, and a payment device for settlement of a purchase price are connected via the Internet, and the sales management device And a usage charge management terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 connected by a network.   Storage means for storing usable frequency, measurement control means for controlling a measurement meter for measuring the amount of use of a predetermined object, transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving information via a sales management device and a network, and the measurement control means Subtraction control means for subtracting the usable frequency based on the usage amount information transmitted from and writing the new usable frequency into the storage means, and the purchase frequency transmitted from the sales management device via the transmission / reception means. A usage charge management terminal device comprising: addition control means for adding to the storage means and adding to the storage means as a new usable frequency.   The user terminal device for applying for purchase of the predetermined object, the sales management device according to claim 4, and a payment device for settlement of the purchase amount are connected over the Internet, and the sales management device and the billing A sales management system, wherein the usage fee management terminal device according to Item 7 is connected by a network.

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