JP2009154901A - Fueling station system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fueling station system using a card easier to use for both a user and a fuelling station than a prepaid card or a credit card. <P>SOLUTION: It is determined whether the type of a card read by a reader is a first card or a second card. When the card is the first card, a feed permission signal is output depending on information from an authority center storing credit information about whether the first card corresponding to a first card ID can be used or not. When the type of the card is a second card, information about a balance is received from a balance management center storing a balance corresponding to the second card ID. When an estimated amount of money required for the oil feed, calculated from oil feed estimation information, is within the balance, a signal permitting oil feed is output to measurement control means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas station system using a card.

In recent years, refueling using various cards has been performed at gas stations.
As the card, a prepaid card having a monetary value (hereinafter referred to as “prica”) and a credit card permitting refueling based on the credit of a user (user) are mainly used (for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-332017 (FIG. 2)

However, the system using the prica has the following drawbacks.
Because it is necessary to pay the deposit in advance in relation to the law on the rules for prepaid certificates (commonly known as the Prica Law), a financial burden arises at the gas station.
In addition, since a large amount of precursed in advance is stored, strict management such as theft prevention is required.
Furthermore, if the printing area of the precursor is used up, the precars are discarded and a new one is issued, which increases the running cost and is not preferable from the viewpoint of environmental conservation.

  On the other hand, in the case of a credit card, the card itself has the credit value of the individual user. Therefore, if the card is lost, there is a risk that a large amount of loss may occur, so there are many users who do not use from this point of view. For this reason, it is difficult to expand the use of gas stations.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a gas station system using a card that is easier to use than a prepa or credit card for both users and gas stations.

  In order to achieve the above object, a filling station system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a nozzle that discharges fuel oil, a measuring unit that measures the amount of fuel oil supplied from the nozzle, and an input unit that inputs refueling schedule information. A metering control means for controlling refueling according to the refueling schedule information and the refueling amount, a reader for reading the first and second card IDs of the first card and the second card for storing identification symbols, Sorting whether the card read by the reader is the first card or the second card, and using the first card corresponding to the first card ID when the card is the first card When the first refueling permission signal is output to the metering control means with information from the authorization center that stores the credit information as to whether or not it is possible, while the card read by the reader is the second card, When the POS main body that outputs the second card ID and the balance management center that stores the balance corresponding to the second card ID are connected via the Internet, and the type of the card read by the reader is the second card The second card ID output from the POS main body is transmitted to the balance management center, the balance information corresponding to the card ID is received from the balance management center, and the balance information is output to the POS main body. A range of the balance according to a second refueling permission signal that allows the POS main body to refuel on the condition that the scheduled use amount calculated from the refueling schedule information is within the range of the balance from the communication PC. The refueling schedule information is controlled by the refueling control based on the refueling schedule information and the first refueling permission signal from the POS main body. And a control Zui oil supply, characterized in that so as to perform said measurement control means.

In the first invention, the first card stores the first card ID corresponding to the credit information, and is therefore a so-called credit card.
On the other hand, the second card stores a second card ID corresponding to the balance of the balance management center, and is therefore a so-called electronic money card.

Since the card used in the gas station system of the first invention is a credit card and an electronic money card, unlike the pre-curror, it is not necessary to pay a deposit in advance, so that no financial burden is generated at the gas station.
In addition, since it is not necessary to store a large amount of precursed in advance, management such as theft prevention becomes unnecessary.
Further, since there is no need to provide a printing field and it is not necessary to discard the card, there is an advantage that the running cost is reduced.
In addition, unlike Prica, there is a possibility of expanding the usage other than the gas station.

  Since both the electronic money and the credit can be used in this system, the user can select one of them, which is convenient and can aim for sales expansion.

  Here, the POS main body (POS terminal) has a specification corresponding to the POS system that has existed for a long time, and therefore generally does not have a communication function via the Internet. Therefore, in the first invention, a communication PC different from the POS main body is provided and can be connected to the balance management center via the Internet. Therefore, the system can be easily constructed because the same POS terminal can be used simply by adding or changing software to the conventional POS terminal.

  On the other hand, the filling station system according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a nozzle that discharges fuel oil, a measuring means that measures the amount of fuel oil supplied from the nozzle, an input means that inputs refueling schedule information, and the refueling schedule information. And a metering control means for controlling refueling according to the refueling amount, a reader for reading the first and second card IDs of the first card and the second card for storing the identification symbols, and the reader Whether the card type is the first card or the second card, and if the card is the first card, whether or not the first card corresponding to the first card ID can be used A first refueling permission signal for permitting refueling is output using information from the authorization center that stores the credit information. On the other hand, when the card type is the second card, the balance corresponding to the second card ID is output. Record The balance information is received from the balance management center, and a second refueling permission signal for permitting refueling is output to the measurement control means on condition that the scheduled use amount calculated from the refueling schedule information is within the range of the balance. A refueling control based on the refueling schedule information within the range of the balance by the second refueling permission signal, and a refueling control based on the refueling schedule information by the first refueling permission signal; The metering control means can perform the following.

  Also in the second invention, both a credit card and an electronic money card can be used.

  In the second invention, the POS main body functions as a communication PC.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
1 to 4 show a first embodiment.
The first embodiment is a system that can use both a credit card (first card) C1 and a so-called electronic money card (second card) C2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of or one weighing machine 3 is provided at the gas station. Each meter 3 is provided with a nozzle (not shown) for each oil type, and each nozzle discharges fuel oil.

In FIG. 2, each weighing machine 3 is provided with a nozzle detection means 30, a weighing means 31, a weighing machine control unit (weighing control means) 32, and an input / output device 10.
The nozzle detection means 30 detects whether the nozzle of the weighing machine 3 has been removed from the nozzle hanger.

  The input / output device 10 includes a display 11, a reader 12, an input means 13, a printer 14, a bill validator 15, and the like. The input means 13 is for setting and inputting refueling schedule information such as the type of oil to be refueled and the quantity (amount, liters or full).

The metering means 31 measures the amount of fuel oil discharged from the nozzle in real time and displays it on a metering display (not shown).
The meter control unit 32 monitors the amount of oil supplied from the metering means 31 in real time, and based on the fuel supply schedule information, the rotation of the pump (not shown), the opening degree of the flow control valve, and the opening / closing of the on / off valve Is controlled so that a predetermined amount of fuel oil is supplied.

  Each weighing machine control unit 32 is connected to one self-centralized controller (part of weighing control means) SSC via SS-LAN. The centralized controller SSC is provided in a self-service filling station, and is connected to the POS main body 1 by SS-LAN.

The input / output device 10 in FIG. 1 is connected to a POS main body (POS terminal) 1 by Ethernet (registered trademark) via a HUB. The refueling schedule information input from the input means 13 is transmitted to the POS main body 1 via the HUB.
The reader 12 reads the card ID of the credit card C1 and the electronic money card C2 inserted by the user, and outputs information such as the card ID to the POS main body 1 via the HUB of FIG.

  The POS main body 1 includes a sorting unit 40, which sorts whether the card type read by the reader 12 is a credit card C1 or an electronic money card C2.

  The POS main body 1 is connected to an authorization center 19 via a communication line such as ISN. The authorization center 19 stores credit information indicating whether or not the credit card C1 can be used.

  When it is determined that the card ID read by the reader 12 (FIG. 2) is the card ID of the credit card C1, the POS main body 1 transmits the card ID of the credit card C1 to the authorization center 19, The first refueling permission signal Sa is output to the centralized controller SSC with the credit information from the authorization center 19. The first refueling permission signal Sa is held by the centralized controller SSC, and is output to the weighing machine control unit 32 as a refueling permission signal when the operator operates the centralized controller SSC. When this refueling permission signal is received, refueling is performed by operating the lever of the nozzle, and the meter control unit 32 controls refueling based on the refueling schedule information.

  The communication PC 2 is connected to the balance management center 29 via the HUB and the router 5. The balance management center 29 stores balance information corresponding to the card ID of each electronic money card C2.

  When the sorting unit 40 sorts that the card ID read by the reader 12 is the card ID of the electronic money card C2, the POS main body 1 transmits the card ID to the communication PC 2 via the HUB. The communication PC 2 outputs the card ID to the balance management center 29, receives balance information corresponding to the card ID from the balance management center 29, and outputs the balance information to the POS main body 1 via the HUB.

  The POS main body 1 includes a determination unit 41. When the balance information is input from the communication PC 2, the determination unit 41 is based on the refueling schedule information input from the input unit 13 (FIG. 2) within the balance range stored in the balance management center 29. It is determined whether or not refueling is possible.

  As a result of the determination, if the planned use amount calculated from the refueling schedule information is within the range of the balance, the POS main body 1 outputs a second refueling permission signal Sb for permitting refueling to the centralized controller SSC, When exceeding the range of the balance, a signal for resetting the oil type and quantity is sent to the input / output device 10 via the HUB. The second refueling permission signal Sb for permitting refueling is held by the centralized controller SSC, and is output to the weighing machine control unit 32 as a refueling permission signal when the operator operates the centralized controller SSC. When this refueling permission signal is received, refueling is performed by operating the lever of the nozzle, and the meter control unit 32 controls refueling based on the refueling schedule information within the balance.

The POS main body 1 includes a storage unit 18 for performing sales management and inventory management described below.
As basic sales management of fuel oil, when and how many nozzles (or what metering machine) how many oils (how many liters, how many yen) were refueled (for sales form management, cash and If it is other than cash, the card number etc. is also recorded in the storage unit 18. In other words, the storage unit 18 stores the refueling date and time, nozzle No. , Oil type, amount of oil supplied, amount of oil supplied, (payment method, card No.), etc., and based on this memory, the POS main unit 1 is provided with the amount of oil and the amount of money for each meter, nozzle, and oil type. Calculate daily and monthly reports (weekly reports) and create sales management materials.
The POS main body 1 can also manage the inventory of each underground tank (oil type) by processing the stored contents.

Next, the operation of the system of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the charts of FIGS.
First, the case where the credit card C1 is used will be described.

  3, when the user inserts the credit card C1 into the reader 12, the card ID of the credit card C1 is transmitted from the input / output device 10 to the POS main body 1 via the HUB. The sorting means 40 of the POS main body 1 sorts whether the card with the card ID is the credit card C1 or the electronic money card C2 from the card ID or the like. In this case, since it is the credit card C1, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In the next step S2, when the POS main body 1 transmits the card ID to the authorization center 19 and inquires about the credit information, in step S3, the credit information indicating whether or not the card with the card ID can be used is displayed. 1, the authorization center 19 transmits and responds.

  On the other hand, when the user who has inserted the credit card C1 sets the oil type in step S50 and the quantity in step S51 from the input means 13, the set oil type and quantity are stored in the POS main body 1 via the HUB. Entered. If the credit information is “usable”, in the next step S4, the POS main body 1 transmits a first refueling permission signal Sa including information on the card ID, oil type and quantity to the centralized controller SSC. The centralized controller SSC holds the first refueling permission signal Sa.

  Thereafter, the user removes the nozzle from the nozzle hanger in step S52, a nozzle ON signal from the nozzle detection means 30 (FIG. 3) is output from the measuring machine control unit 32 to the centralized controller SSC, and further, the operator of the filling station When the operation button of the centralized controller SSC is pressed, the centralized controller SSC that has held the first refueling permission signal Sa outputs a refueling permission signal that permits refueling in the range of the set oil type and quantity in step S5. Transmit to the weighing machine control unit 32.

  Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S53, where fuel oil is discharged from the nozzle (refueling is started), and a refueling start signal is transmitted from the meter controller 32 to the centralized controller SSC.

  Here, in the case where the amount or the number of liters is input from the input means 13 as the quantity of the refueling schedule information, if the fuel does not become “filled” during refueling, refueling is performed until the amount or the number of liters is reached. When it becomes “filled”, refueling is stopped when it is filled.

  On the other hand, when “filled” is input from the input means 13 as the quantity, refueling can be performed until “filled”.

When the refueling is completed and the user returns the nozzle to the nozzle hanger in step S54, this is detected by the nozzle detection means 30, and a refueling completion signal is output from the meter control unit 32 to the POS body 1 via the centralized controller SSC. The oil supply completion signal includes information such as the type, quantity, and amount of oil actually supplied, and the POS main body 1 stores these in the storage unit 18.
At the same time, the credit card C1 is discharged from the reader 12 of the input / output device 10 and the usage details are printed from the printer 14.

  Thus, the credit card C1 can be refueled based on the credit information and the refueling schedule information by the first refueling permission signal Sa from the POS main body 1.

Next, a case where the electronic money card C2 is used will be described.
In this case, the user can insert money into the bill validator 15 of FIG. 2 as needed, and can insert the electronic money card C2 into the reader 12 to charge money that can be used with the electronic money card C2. .
At this time, the balance used for each ID card of the electronic money card C2 is updated and stored in the balance management center 29 via the HUB and the communication PC 2 of FIG.

  In step S11 of FIG. 4, when the user inserts the electronic money card C2 into the reader 12, the card ID of the electronic money card C2 is transmitted from the input / output device 10 to the POS main body 1 via the HUB. The sorting means 40 of the POS main body 1 sorts whether the card with the card ID is the credit card C1 or the electronic money card C2 from the card ID or the like. In this case, since it is the electronic money card C2, the POS main body 1 transmits information such as the card ID to the communication PC 2 via the HUB, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the communication PC 2 transmits the card ID of the electronic money card C2 to the balance management center 29 via the HUB and the router 5, and inquires about the balance. In the next step S13, the balance management center 29 The balance corresponding to the ID is searched, information on the balance is transmitted, and the communication PC 2 is responded via the router 5 and the HUB.

  In the next step S14, the communication PC 2 transmits the card ID and the balance information to the POS main body 1 via the HUB. The POS body 1 temporarily stores the balance and card ID included in this information.

  On the other hand, when the user who inserted the electronic money card C2 sets the oil type in step S50 and the quantity in step S51 from the input means 13, the set oil type and quantity are output to the POS main body 1. .

  The POS main unit 1 compares the planned usage amount calculated from the input quantity and oil type with the balance, and if the balance is within the range, a second refueling permission signal Sb that permits refueling in step 100. Is sent to the centralized controller SSC. The signal Sb includes information on the oil type and quantity in the range of the balance while permitting refueling. On the other hand, when the scheduled usage amount exceeds the balance, the fact is output to the input / output device 10 via the HUB in FIG. 2, and the input / output device 10 displays on the display device 11 to reset the quantity. .

That is, when the amount of money or the number of liters is input from the input means 13 as the quantity of the refueling schedule information, the use amount calculated from the amount, the number of liters, and the oil type is within the range of the balance. The input amount or the number of liters is included in the second refueling permission signal Sb as the quantity information as it is, and on the other hand, when it is out of the balance range, the resetting is displayed.
Further, when “filled” is input from the input means 13 as the quantity of the refueling schedule information, the information on the balance is replaced with the information “filled” as the desired amount of refueling, and the refueling upper limit The balance information is included in the second refueling permission signal Sb.

  Thereafter, in step S15 in FIG. 4, the second refueling permission signal Sb is output from the centralized controller SSC to the weighing machine control unit 32 as a refueling permission signal in the same manner as in step S5.

  Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S53, where fuel oil is discharged from the nozzle (refueling is started), and a refueling start signal is transmitted from the meter controller 32 to the centralized controller SSC.

  Here, in the case where the amount or the number of liters is input from the input means 13 within the range of the balance as the quantity of the scheduled refueling information, if it is not “filled” during refueling, the amount or the number of liters is reached. When refueling is performed and “filled” is achieved during refueling, refueling is stopped when the fuel is filled.

  On the other hand, when “filled” is input from the input means 13 as the quantity, refueling can be performed until the amount of fueling reaches the above balance or “fills”.

  The next step S54 is the same as in the case of the credit card C1 described above, but when a refueling completion signal is output to the POS main body 1, the POS main body 1 outputs the signal to the communication PC via the HUB. Information such as the oil type, quantity, and amount of money included in the refueling completion signal is stored in the storage unit 18 of the POS main body 1.

The communication PC 2 that has received the refueling completion signal transmits the usage amount corresponding to the usage to the balance management center 29 via the router 5 together with the card ID in step S16.
In the next step S17, the balance management center 29 subtracts the usage amount from the balance corresponding to the card ID, updates and stores the balance corresponding to the card ID, and means that the usage is accepted. A response signal is transmitted to the communication PC 2.

  In the next step S18, when the communication PC 2 transmits a completion notification to the POS main body 1 via the HUB, the POS main body 1 transmits the completion notification to the input / output device 10 via the HUB. As a result, the reader 12 of the input / output device 10 ejects the electronic money card C2, and the usage details are printed from the printer 14 (FIG. 2).

  As described above, the electronic money card C2 can be refueled based on the refueling schedule information in the range of the balance based on the balance information from the communication PC2.

  By the way, in Example 1 of FIG. 4, since refueling is performed with the balance remaining in the balance management center 29, there is a case where fraudulent acts due to simultaneous use or the like cannot be prevented. An example in which this fraud prevention can be achieved will be described as a modification.

  FIG. 5 is a chart showing a modification of the first embodiment.

  This modification employs steps S32, 33, 36, and 37 of FIG. 5 in place of steps S12, 13, 16, and 17 of the first embodiment of FIG.

  5, in step S32, when the second card ID is transmitted from the reader 12 to the communication PC 2 via the POS main body 1, the entire balance is used from the communication PC 2 to the balance management center 29. A request for full use is sent. Accordingly, in step S33, the balance management center 29 transmits the balance to the communication PC 2 and updates the balance to 0 yen. Thereby, fraud by simultaneous use can be prevented.

  On the other hand, in step S36, when the communication PC 2 receives a refueling completion signal from the metering control unit 32 via the centralized controller SSC and the POS main body 1 from the balance output from the balance management center 29 in step S36. The remaining usage amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount is output to the balance management center 29. In response to this, in the next step S37, the balance management center 29 transmits a reply indicating that the remaining balance has been received to the communication PC 2 as a balance response, and at the same time updates and stores the remaining balance as a balance.

  In the first embodiment, the communication PC 2 is provided in addition to the POS main body 1. However, if the communication function on the Internet is installed in the POS main body 1, it is not necessary to provide the communication PC 2. This example is shown in Example 2 of FIGS.

Example 2
In the system of the second embodiment, the POS main body 1 has the function of the communication PC 2. That is, the POS main body 1 has a function of communicating with the balance management center 29 via the Internet via the HUB and the router 5.

  The operation when the electronic money card C2 is used by the system of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.

  That is, the POS main body 1 inquires of the balance management center 29 about the balance in step S12 in FIG. 7, transmits a use request in step S16, an amount use request in step S32 in FIG. 8, and a return request in step S36. Further, the POS main body 1 receives the balance response in step S13 of FIG. 7 and steps S33 and S37 in FIG. 8 and the use response in step S17 of FIG. 7 from the balance management center 29. Further, the POS main body 1 refuels in step S14. The first refueling permission signal Sa and the second refueling permission signal Sb that permit the operation are output to the centralized controller SSC.

  In the above embodiment, the case of self is described, but the present invention can also be applied to a full service. In the case of full service, the centralized controller SSC is unnecessary. In this case, the weighing machine control unit 32 communicates with the POS main body and serves as a master unit for the two weighing machine control units 32, with one weighing machine control unit 32 serving as a master and the other serving as a slave, and the master is down. It is desirable to be able to change the slave to the master so that it can cope with the case.

  Further, the electronic money card may be a magnetic card, or any other contact type or non-contact type. Further, in the case of the non-contact type, a mobile phone having a function of recognizing the unique number may be used.

  The present invention can be used in a gas station system.

It is a schematic block diagram of the gas station system which shows Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of a weighing machine. It is a chart which shows operation | use of the fuel supply by a credit card (1st card). It is a chart which shows operation | use of the refueling by an electronic money card (2nd card). It is a chart which shows another example of operation by the card. It is a schematic block diagram of the gas station system which shows Example 2 of this invention. It is a chart which shows operation | use of the refueling by an electronic money card (2nd card). It is a chart which shows another example of operation by the card.

Explanation of symbols

1: POS body 18: Storage unit 2: Communication PC
3: Weighing machine 31: Weighing means 32: Weighing machine control unit (weighing machine control means)
12: Reader 13: Input means

Claims (9)

A nozzle for discharging fuel oil;
Measuring means for measuring the amount of fuel oil supplied from the nozzle;
Input means for inputting refueling schedule information;
A metering control means for controlling refueling according to the refueling schedule information and the refueling amount;
A reader for reading the first and second card IDs of the first card and the second card storing the identification symbols;
Sorting whether the card read by the reader is the first card or the second card, and using the first card corresponding to the first card ID when the card is the first card When the card read by the reader is the second card, the first refueling permission signal is output to the metering control means with the information from the authorization center that stores the credit information as to whether or not A POS main body that outputs the second card ID;
When the type of the card read by the reader is the second card and connected to the balance management center for storing the balance corresponding to the second card ID via the Internet, the second output from the POS main body A communication PC that transmits a card ID to the balance management center, receives information on the balance corresponding to the card ID from the balance management center, and outputs the balance information to the POS main body;
The refueling schedule within the range of the balance by a second refueling permission signal that allows the POS main body to refuel on condition that the scheduled use amount calculated from the refueling schedule information is within the range of the balance from the communication PC. A gas station system in which the metering control means can perform control of refueling based on information and control of refueling based on the refueling schedule information by the first refueling permission signal from the POS main body.   2. The communication PC according to claim 1, wherein when the communication PC receives a refueling completion signal, the communication PC outputs a usage amount to the balance management center, and subtracts the usage amount from the balance of the balance management center. A gas station system in which a balance response is updated and a use response signal indicating that the use is accepted is output to the communication PC.   2. The total amount use request for requesting the use of the full amount of the balance is output from the communication PC to the balance management center when the communication PC receives the second card ID, and the balance management is responded accordingly. A gas station system in which the center outputs the balance to the communication PC and updates the balance to 0 yen.   4. The remaining usage amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the balance output from the balance management center is output to the balance management center when the communication PC receives a refueling completion signal indicating completion of refueling. Gas station system. A nozzle for discharging fuel oil;
Measuring means for measuring the amount of fuel oil supplied from the nozzle;
Input means for inputting refueling schedule information;
A metering control means for controlling refueling according to the refueling schedule information and the refueling amount;
A reader for reading the first and second card IDs of the first card and the second card storing the identification symbols;
Sorting whether the card read by the reader is the first card or the second card, and using the first card corresponding to the first card ID when the card is the first card The first card refueling permission signal for permitting refueling with the information from the authorization center that stores the credit information as to whether or not the card can be used, and the second card when the type of the card is the second card A second refueling permission signal that receives information on the balance from a balance management center that stores a balance corresponding to the ID, and permits refueling on the condition that the scheduled use amount calculated from the refueling schedule information is within the range of the balance And a POS main body that outputs to the weighing control means,
The metering control means can perform refueling control based on the refueling schedule information within the range of the balance by the second refueling permission signal and refueling control based on the refueling schedule information by the first refueling permission signal. Gas station system.   6. The refueling completion signal according to claim 5, wherein when the POS main body receives a refueling completion signal from the measurement control means, the POS main body outputs a usage amount to the balance management center, and the usage from the balance of the balance management center. A gas station system in which the balance is updated by subtracting the amount, and a use response signal indicating that the use is accepted is output to the POS body.   In Claim 5, when the second card ID is transmitted from the reader to the POS main unit, a full use request for requesting the use of the full amount of the balance is output from the POS main unit to the balance management center. In response to this, the balance management center outputs the balance to the POS main body and updates the balance to 0 yen.   In Claim 7, when the POS main body receives a refueling completion signal from the metering control means when refueling is completed, a remaining usage amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount from a balance output from the balance management center is transferred from the POS main body to the balance. Gas station system that is output to the management center.   9. The gas station system according to claim 1, wherein the POS main body includes a storage unit that stores information on refueling performed in the past using the first card and the second card.

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