JP2009271629A - Certificate issuing system in vending machine, and vending machine with certificate issuing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a certificate issuing system for promoting the sales of merchandise by issuing certificate information by a vending machine, and the vending machine for issuing certificate information. <P>SOLUTION: When a portable storage medium such as an IC card is held over an input/output part 12, and identification information stored in the portable storage medium is input, then a certificate issue mode is designated from a display part 13, an electronic settlement control part 10 instructs a certificate control part 19 to authenticate the identification information in a certificate issue mode, and instructs a certificate information creation part 17 to create certificate information corresponding to the number of authentication attempts. The created certificate information is recorded in the portable storage medium held over the input/output part 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a certificate issuing technique in a vending machine.

  Vending machines that do not require personal sales can be installed in various locations due to their characteristics, and sell products that match the user's preference, season, land pattern, corporate strategy, etc. at the installation location.

  As places where vending machines are installed, there are, for example, streets such as office districts and downtowns, around stations, sightseeing spots, and the like, and the places where the vending machines are installed can be given meaning. In other words, in the case of a vending machine provided in a sightseeing spot, it is possible to indicate that the tourist spot has been visited by purchasing a product sold only by the vending machine or using a function provided by the vending machine.

  By installing a vending machine in each of a plurality of sightseeing spots and using a vending machine in each sightseeing spot, it represents that all those sightseeing spots have been visited.

  In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, information called a certificate can be recorded on a card indicated as an electronic wallet. This certificate is information indicating that the card on which the certificate is recorded is registered in the supply side that supplies the payment process in a usable state.

Further, in Patent Document 2, the product information is written in the IC card when the product is purchased, and the product information written in the IC card is read by the IC card use history confirmation device so that the product information history can be displayed. The related art has been disclosed.
WO99 / 09502 JP 2000-231597 A

  In such a conventional technique, a certificate can be recorded on a portable storage medium such as an IC card, and the certificate is information corresponding to the recorded terminal.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a certificate issuing system and a vending machine for issuing certificate information that can promote the sale of products by issuing certificate information with a vending machine.

  To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises a vending machine and a center device connected to the vending machine via a communication line, and the vending machine is stored in a portable storage medium. Electronic payment means for performing payment processing with stored electronic money, certificate issuing mode shifting means for shifting to certificate issuing mode after payment processing by the electronic payment means, and certificate by the certificate issuing mode shifting means After transition to the issue mode, a reception unit that receives authentication information recorded in the portable storage medium, a notification unit that notifies the center device of the authentication information received by the reception unit, and the authentication notified by the notification unit Recording means for receiving the authentication result of the information from the center device and recording certificate information for certifying the use of the vending machine on the portable storage medium, An authentication information receiving means for receiving the authentication information notified by the notification means, an authentication means for authenticating the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means, and an authentication result by the authentication means for the automatic sale Transmitting means for transmitting to the machine.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein, when the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means permits the use of the certificate issuing mode, the authentication means Is further included, and the transmission unit transmits the number of authentications counted by the counting unit together with the authentication result by the authentication unit to the vending machine.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the recording unit records certificate information corresponding to the number of authentications received from the center device on the portable storage medium.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the authentication unit determines an elapsed period from the first authentication when the total number of authentications counted by the counting unit is not an initial value. If the elapsed period determined by the elapsed period determining unit and the elapsed period determining unit exceeds a predetermined valid period, the authentication information is not authenticated.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic settlement means for performing a settlement process using electronic money stored in a portable storage medium, and a certificate issuance mode for shifting to a certificate issuance mode after the settlement process by the electronic settlement means Based on the authentication result of the authentication means, the authentication means for authenticating the authentication information recorded in the portable storage medium after the transition to the certificate issuance mode by the certificate issuance mode transition means, Recording means for recording certificate information for certifying the use of the vending machine on the portable storage medium.

  According to the present invention, since vending machines installed at various locations can record certificate information certifying arrival at the vending machine in a portable storage medium, the vending machine can be used. This has the effect of leading to product sales promotion. In addition, since it is premised on the purchase of a product to be sold with a vending machine when the first certificate is issued, there is an effect that the sales of the product using the vending machine is improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a certificate issuing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram of a certificate issuing system configured by applying the certificate issuing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, this certificate issuing system includes one or a plurality of vending machines (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4, 110-5) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “vending machine 110”). And a center device 120 connected to the vending machine 110 via a communication network.

  The vending machine 110 is capable of paying money using electronic money stored in a portable storage medium such as a portable terminal or an IC card, in addition to paying money using coins and bills.

  The portable storage medium further stores “medium identification information” for identifying the portable storage medium itself and “user identification information” for identifying a user who uses the portable storage medium. By transmitting information from the vending machine 110 to the center device 120, the center device 120 authenticates the use of the portable storage medium.

  The authentication process in the center device 120 at this time can also be performed by an authentication server (not shown) connected to the center device 120 via a communication line. This authentication result is transmitted to the requesting vending machine 110.

  After being authenticated in this way, the vending machine 110 performs processing for issuing certificate information for certifying use (hereinafter referred to as “certificate information”).

  The use at this time is that the product sold by the vending machine 110 has been purchased, and the user identification information and the medium identification stored in the portable storage medium by the reader / writer provided in the vending machine 110. Indicates that information is to be read. In the case of using the vending machine 110 by the former, purchase certificate information that certifies the purchase of a product is issued, and in the case of using the vending machine 110 by the latter, reading of the user identification information and the medium identification information is performed. Issue certificate information to prove

  The certificate information issued in the latter case is information for certifying the use upon arrival at the vending machine 110 that issues the certificate information, and the certificate information as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is issued. To do. That is, the certificate information can be configured in various formats according to the usage method of the vending machine 110, and its usage is also various.

  As a use application, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the certificate information in the vending machine 110 serving as a plurality of checkpoints by regarding each vending machine 110 as a checkpoint in a configuration in which a plurality of vending machines 110 are provided. Can be used for the purpose of proving that the place where the vending machine 110 is provided has been received.

  Further, as another usage, the certificate information including information characterizing the place where the vending machine 110 is provided in a vending machine 110 provided in a specific place (for example, a sightseeing spot or a relay place). It can also be used for purposes such as certifying arrival by receiving an issue.

  A detailed configuration of this vending machine is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the vending machine 110 includes an electronic settlement unit 100, a banknote processing unit 101, a coin processing unit 102, a control unit 103, and a commodity dispensing unit 104.

  The banknote processing unit 101 and the coin processing unit 102 recognize the inserted banknotes and coins and perform settlement with money. The bill processing unit 101 and the coin processing unit 102 notify the amount of processed money to the control unit 103, and the control unit 103 sells the bills and the amount of coins inserted into the bill processing unit 101 and the coin processing unit 102. When it is determined that the price is higher than the price of the product to be sold, the product paying unit 104 is instructed to pay out the product, and when the difference is generated, the difference is refunded.

  The product payout unit 104 performs payout by carrying out the designated product based on the product payout instruction from the control unit 103.

  The control unit 103 at this time is the main control in the vending machine, and controls all processes in the sale of products.

  In addition, the electronic settlement unit 100 receives a sales completion notification indicating that the product has been sold from the control unit 103, so that the electronic settlement unit 100 can carry a portable storage instead of the settlement by money in the banknote processing unit 101 or the coin processing unit 102. Electronic payment processing using electronic money stored in a medium is performed.

  The electronic settlement unit 100 includes an electronic settlement control unit 10, an information processing unit 11, an input / output unit 12, a display unit 13, a communication unit 14, an information storage unit 15, a timer unit 16, a certificate information creation unit 17, and certificate information. A storage unit 18 and an authentication control unit 19 are provided.

  The input / output unit 12 reads user identification information and medium identification information from a portable storage medium, and reads and writes electronic money stored in the portable storage medium, and is configured by a reader / writer, for example. When a portable storage medium is held over or brought into contact with the input / output unit 12, the user identification information and the medium identification information stored in the portable storage medium are read.

  The read information is analyzed by the information processing unit 11, and when the information is recognized normally, the information is notified to the electronic settlement control unit 10. The electronic settlement control unit 10 is shown in FIG. 4A in which the user determines whether to shift to a certificate issuing mode in which certificate information can be issued by notifying the information analyzed by the information processing unit 11. Such a screen is displayed on the display unit 13.

  When the user is instructed to shift to the certificate issuing mode using this screen, an authentication request for the read information is sent to the authentication control unit 19. The authentication control unit 19 requests the center device 120 to authenticate the user identification information and medium identification information input (read) by the input / output unit 12.

  Upon receiving the result of the authentication process performed by the center device 120, the authentication control unit 19 notifies the electronic payment control unit 10, and the electronic payment control unit 10 starts processing in the certificate issuance mode when the authentication is successful. To do. Incidentally, if the authentication cannot be performed, a screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed and the certificate issuing mode is terminated.

  In the certificate issuance mode when authentication is successful, it is determined whether or not the number of authentications of this authentication process is an initial value. If it is the initial value, a vending machine is used to issue certificate information. It is determined whether or not an item for sale by 110 has been purchased.

  This product purchase determination is based on whether the control unit 103 has notified that the banknote processing unit 101 or the coin processing unit 102 has used the money settlement within a predetermined time, or the electronic payment has been completed. It is done by judging whether it is doing.

  If the product is purchased within a predetermined time, it is determined that the certificate information can be issued, and the certificate information creating unit 17 is instructed to create the certificate information. The certificate information creating unit 17 creates certificate information by adding predetermined information to the format of certificate information stored in the certificate information storage unit 18. Incidentally, in the case of the certificate information shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a process of adding date information and time information of the time when the certificate information is issued to the format of the certificate information stored in the certificate information storage unit 18 is performed.

  Further, the certificate information creation unit 17 creates certificate information corresponding to the number of authentications. For example, in the case of usage such that the vending machine 110 receives a certificate information issued by the vending machine 110 that becomes a plurality of checkpoints by regarding the vending machine 110 as a checkpoint as described above, the certificate is issued at all checkpoints. If the number of authentications is the number of vending machines 110 that are all checkpoints, final certificate information is created, and in other cases, the vending machine 110 that is the checkpoint is reached. Create certificate information that indicates

  When the certificate information is created in this way, the electronic settlement control unit 10 outputs (writes) to the portable storage medium by the input / output unit 12 via the information processing unit 11.

  Incidentally, if the product has not been purchased within a predetermined time, permission to use the certificate issuance mode is cancelled, and the center device 120 is notified of the cancellation of authentication. At this time, the center device 120 cancels the authentication based on the notification and performs a process of subtracting the counted number of authentications by one.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing flow of the certificate issuing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the authentication information has been read from the portable storage medium by holding the portable storage medium such as a portable terminal over the reader / writer (301). This authentication information is user identification information for identifying a user who uses a portable storage medium, and medium identification information for identifying the portable storage medium. Processing to select the type of book.

  When the authentication information is read from the portable storage medium (YES in 301), a screen as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed and the process proceeds to a certificate issuing mode, which is a processing mode for issuing a certificate. To determine whether the certificate issuing mode using the screen as shown in FIG. 4A has been set (302).

  FIG. 4A includes a [Yes] button 401 and a [No] button 402. When the [Yes] button 401 is pressed, the mode is shifted to the certificate issuing mode. Further, when the [No] button 402 is pressed, a normal state in which the product is sold (also referred to as “product sales mode”) is entered without shifting to the certificate issuing mode.

  If the [No] button 402 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 4A (NO in 302), the processing in this flowchart is terminated because the mode is not shifted to the certificate issuing mode.

  Note that the screen shown in FIG. 4B is displayed when the screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed after the product is sold, and the [YES] button 401 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 4A. This is a screen that is displayed, and is a screen that instructs the user to hold the portable storage medium over the reader / writer.

  On the other hand, when the [Yes] button 401 is pressed (YES in 302), the process proceeds to the certificate issuing mode. When this certificate issuance mode is entered, authentication processing of authentication information read from the portable storage medium is subsequently performed in order to determine whether or not certificate issuance is permitted (303). In this authentication processing, the authentication information is transmitted to the center device of the management center, and the result of the authentication processing performed by the center device is received.

  In the authentication process performed by the center device of the management center at this time, it is determined whether the user identification information and the medium identification information included as the authentication information are correct. If the authentication is successful, the center device counts the number of authentications and transmits it to the vending machine. At this time, if the period that has passed since the first authentication has passed the valid period specified in advance, that fact is notified.

  Subsequently, as a result of the authentication process, it is determined whether or not the authentication has been successful (304). If it cannot be determined that the authentication has been successful (NO in 304), that is, it is not valid user identification information or medium identification information. If it is, the fact that it cannot be authenticated and that it is a portable storage medium that cannot be used is displayed (314), and the process is terminated. An example of the display screen at this time is shown in FIG.

  The screen shown in FIG. 5A is a screen indicating that the storage medium cannot be used as a result of authentication, and the certificate issuance mode is terminated by pressing the [Issue Cancel] button 403.

  If the authentication is successful (YES in 304), it is determined whether the number of authentications is “0 (zero)” before the current authentication process is performed (305). That the number of times of authentication is “0 (zero)” indicates that the current authentication process is the first time.

  The determination that the number of authentications is “0 (zero)” is based on the number of authentications from the center device, as well as the absence of authentications stored in the portable storage medium and participation in this certificate issuance mode. It may also be determined that the record is not recorded on the portable storage medium.

  If it is determined that the number of times of authentication is “0 (zero)” (YES in 305), it is subsequently determined whether the product has been sold (306). In this determination process, in addition to determining whether or not the product has been sold by settlement based on valuable information valued on this portable storage medium, if the product is sold in the form of coins or bills, within a predetermined time from the sale, The determination is made based on whether the authentication information shown in step 301 has been read.

  At this time, when it is determined that the product is not sold (NO in 306), for example, when the user designates the certificate issuing mode before purchasing the product, the purchase of the product is proved in the certificate issuing mode. A screen indicating that the requirement is necessary for issuing the certificate is displayed (307), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the product is sold (YES in 306) or if it is determined that the number of authentications is not “0 (zero)” (NO in 305), the automatic certificate that has been issued before It is determined whether it is the same as the vending machine (308).

  The latter case indicates that authentication processing in the certificate issuance mode has been performed before or by another vending machine. For example, the number of authentications stored in the portable storage medium is 1. This is the case where the number of times is greater than or equal to the number of times or the participation record in the certificate issuance mode is recorded on the portable storage medium.

  If it is determined that it is the same as the vending machine that previously issued the certificate (YES in 308), a screen indicating that the vending machine has previously issued a certificate is displayed (309). ) End the process. In this case, a configuration in which a certificate is issued again is possible.

  If the certificate is not the same as the vending machine that issued the certificate before or if the certificate is issued for the first time (NO in 308), certificate information corresponding to the number of authentications is created (310). This creation process is a process for recording the date and time of certificate issuance and the number of points acquired in the certificate format.

  The certificate information corresponding to the number of authentications at this time is the final certificate information (referred to as “final certificate information”) by authenticating more than the number of authentications specified in advance, or less than the number of authentications specified in advance. Certificate information that is not final certificate information.

  When such certificate information is created, in order to record this certificate information in a portable storage medium such as a portable terminal, it is determined whether the recording medium is in a recognizable state (311). If it is in a recognizable state (YES in 311), the created certificate information (final certificate information or certificate information that is not this final certificate) is registered in the portable terminal that is the portable storage medium (313). ).

  On the other hand, when a portable storage medium such as a portable terminal cannot be recognized (NO in 311), a screen for instructing the user to make it recognized is displayed (312), and a state where authentication can be performed is waited.

  In this way, when the certificate information is registered in the portable storage medium and the certificate is issued, the stored certificate information such as an IC card is not the portable storage medium but the portable terminal. If the medium cannot be referred to, a screen as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 5B is a screen for instructing printing of the registered certificate information. When the [Print] button 404 is pressed, the certificate information recorded on the recording medium is displayed. Printing is performed.

  Examples of certificate information stored in the portable storage medium at this time are shown in FIGS.

  The certificate information shown in FIG. 6A is used in orienteering performed with each vending machine as a checkpoint in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 in which a plurality of vending machines are connected to the center apparatus. An example of a certificate is shown.

  The certificate shown in FIG. 6A is an [arrival time] item 601 indicating the arrival time of a vending machine serving as a checkpoint, and the remaining checkpoint number among the vending machines serving as all checkpoints. [Checkpoint] item 602, a list of all vending machines serving as checkpoints, a [list] item 603 indicating the arrival time, and an [expiration date] item 604 for displaying the expiration date.

  This orienteering is, for example, a tour of vending machines based on four checkpoints: “Vending Machine A”, “Vending Machine B”, “Vending Machine C”, and “Vending Machine D”. First, the first certificate is issued at “Vending Machine A” at checkpoint A, and the issued time is “09:03”.

  In the “vending machine A” of the check point A, the certificate information indicating the certificate format of the certificate information and the arrival time of the check point A of the certificate format shown in FIG. Recorded on the medium.

  Subsequently, in the “vending machine B” of the check point B, the time of arrival at the check point B is recorded as the certificate information in the certificate information recorded in the “vending machine A” of the check point A. Similarly, in the “vending machine C” of the check point C, the time of arrival at the check point C is recorded as certificate information.

  The certificate information shown in FIG. 6A shows the state recorded in the portable storage medium by the “vending machine C” at the checkpoint C.

  That is, “15:20” is recorded as the “arrival time” item 601, “1” is recorded as the “remaining checkpoint” item 602, and the arrival time of the checkpoint C is “arrival time” as the “list” item 603. ] “15:20” shown in the item 601 is recorded, and “expiration date is April 01, 2009” is recorded as the “expiration date” item 604.

  Similarly, the certificate information shown in FIG. 6B shows an example of a certificate commemorating tourism with a vending machine provided in a certain sightseeing spot.

  The certificate shown in FIG. 6B is a [Date] item 605 which is a certificate issuance date, an [Image] item 606 which shows an image of a sightseeing place, and a document which describes a sightseeing place [Sightseeing] [Description of location] item 607.

  This certificate is shown as “October 10, 2007” in the [Date] item 605 as the date when the portable storage medium is held over the vending machine, and the tourist location registered in advance in the vending machine Is displayed in the [Image] item 606, and a description of the sightseeing place registered in advance is also shown in the [Description of sightseeing place] item 607.

  The certificate information shown in FIG. 7A is an example of information including information necessary for continuing the game in cooperation with a game on the Internet (in the example shown in FIG. 7A, “treasure hunt game”). It is.

  The certificate information includes a [currently acquired points] item 701, a [total acquired points] item 702, an [expiration date] item 703, and a [keyword] item 704. [Currently acquired points] item 701 indicates the acquisition status of points used in the game using the vending machine, [Total acquired points] item 702 indicates the total number of points acquired, and [Expiration date] item 703 Indicates an expiration date of point use, and a [keyword] item 704 indicates information necessary for continuing the game.

  By receiving the issuance of the certificate information, a user who uses the game on the Internet can continue the game.

  The certificate shown in FIG. 7B has a configuration in which a plurality of vending machines are connected to the center apparatus as shown in FIG. This information indicates that the checkpoint has been visited.

  Each vending machine regarded as the check point is set with the number of points indicating the place where the vending machine is provided.

  In FIG. 7B, “1 point” is set as the number of points for the vending machine at checkpoint A, and “10 points” is set as the number of points for the vending machine at checkpoint B. Certificate issued by going to a vending machine in which “100 points” is set as the number of points for vending machines and checkpoint D is set to “1000 points” for the vending machines in checkpoint D Is shown.

  The number of points set for each vending machine is a setting having a relative relationship with the number of points set for other vending machines. In FIG. 7B, as an example, the number of digits of the number of points is set. The example which set the relative relationship by is shown.

  As a result, when a certificate is issued around all vending machines, the total number of points specified in advance ("1111" in the example shown in FIG. 7B) is proved by all vending machines. It is proved that you received the certificate information.

  In this case, as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 described above, the vending machine that previously issued the certificate is configured to display the fact without issuing the certificate information again. . Of course, it may be configured to reissue.

  Such certificate information is stored in a portable storage medium by the vending machine.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

The figure which shows the structure of the certificate issuing system in embodiment of this invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a certificate issuing system configured by applying a certificate issuing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a detailed process of the certificate issuing system in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a screen. The figure which shows the example of a screen. The figure which shows an example of certificate information. The figure which shows an example of certificate information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic payment control part 11 Information processing part 12 Input / output part 13 Display part 14 Communication part 15 Information storage part 16 Timer part 17 Certificate information creation part 18 Certificate information storage part 19 Authentication control part 100 Electronic payment part 101 Banknote processing part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Coin processing part 103 Control part 104 Goods payout part 110 Vending machine 120 Center apparatus

Claims (5)

Vending machines,
A center device connected to the vending machine via a communication line,
The vending machine is
Electronic payment means for performing payment processing with electronic money stored in a portable storage medium;
A certificate issuance mode transition means for shifting to a certificate issuance mode after the settlement processing by the electronic settlement means;
Accepting means for accepting authentication information recorded in the portable storage medium after transitioning to the certificate issuance mode by the certificate issuance mode transition means;
Notification means for notifying the center device of the authentication information received by the receiving means;
Recording means for receiving the authentication result of the authentication information notified by the notification means from the center apparatus and recording certificate information for certifying the use of the vending machine on the portable storage medium,
The center device is
Authentication information receiving means for receiving the authentication information notified by the notification means;
Authentication means for authenticating authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means;
A certificate issuing system comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits an authentication result obtained by the authenticating unit to the vending machine. The authentication means includes
When the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving means permits the use of the certificate issuance mode, the authentication information receiving means further comprises a counting means for accumulatively counting the number of authentication times of the authentication information,
The transmission means includes
The certificate issuing system according to claim 1, wherein the number of authentications counted by the counting unit is transmitted to the vending machine together with the authentication result by the authenticating unit. The recording means includes
The certificate issuing system according to claim 2, wherein certificate information corresponding to the number of authentications received from the center device is recorded on the portable storage medium. The authentication means includes
An elapsed period determining means for determining an elapsed period from the first authentication when the number of times of authentication counted by the counting means is not an initial value;
The certificate issuing system according to claim 2, wherein the authentication information is not authenticated when the elapsed period determined by the elapsed period determination unit exceeds a predetermined valid period. Electronic payment means for performing payment processing with electronic money stored in a portable storage medium;
A certificate issuance mode transition means for shifting to a certificate issuance mode after the settlement processing by the electronic settlement means;
An authentication means for authenticating authentication information recorded in the portable storage medium after transition to the certificate issuance mode by the certificate issuance mode transition means;
A vending machine with a certificate issuing function, comprising: recording means for recording certificate information for certifying use of the vending machine on the portable storage medium based on an authentication result of the authentication means.

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